What keeps YOU motivated?

[LittleTiger]

Silly_Girl, please be kind to yourself. One of the most important factors in determining someone's success with weight loss or a healthy lifestyle is 'self love'. The more a person values themselves, the more likely they are to take care of their health and fitness.

 

I vaguely remember when you first joined LS, and you posted another self deprecating thread, I suggested that your LS name wasn't doing you any favours. Of course, it's up to you whether you change it but it does suggest a lack of 'self love', just as your last post here does.

 

Seems to me that you are doing really well You love hiking and badminton, you have found a 'workout' you enjoy and which you chose to do to boost your mood - that alone is a fantastic step forward! Well done!

 

You are NOT lazy. So what if you don't enjoy running on a horrible day? I am really fit and I HATE running, with a vengeance! I will hike in the mountains for days, swim 100 miles and strength train until breaking point, but I will not run - whatever the weather. 10 mins on a treadmill and I'm bored. My fiance is an ultra distance trail runner (he competes in 100+mile mountain races). Does that make ME lazy? I think not!

 

Please don't compare your achievements or your own exercise preferences with others. You are YOU and you should be proud of that. You feel loads better, you are getting fitter and your body is getting stronger!!! That is absolutely awesome! You deserve massive congratulations!:bunny:

 

Give yourself a huge pat on the back and start building on what you have already done. One step at a time, one day at a time and you WILL get there.

 

Just imagine how you'll feel on your wedding day if you are still overweight! Now imagine how great you will feel in your beautiful dress that you have slimmed down to fit! Imagine how happy you will be, how you will be glowing with pride at your achievement, how impressed your son, your fiancé, your family and your friends will be!

 

That's just the start of creating your motivation. You CAN get slim and fit. You ARE already getting slim and fit. Be proud of yourself and keep focusing on your goals. How well do you think you could play badminton if you spent most of your time looking where the shuttlecock came from, rather than where you wanted it to go?

 

Congratulations (again) from me and do keep us posted on your progress. By the way, when is the wedding? :love:

[Els]

I think it's great that you've found a workout that you enjoy! I'd kill for that.

[Emilia]

That said, I've experienced a slight change. I love hiking and badminton but for the first time in my life I've found a workout I enjoy. On a whim I bought the 30 day shred DVD. I've done it 6 days in a row (previous consecutive run with any other DVD = 2 days). I enjoy it, I'm quite good at it in that my fiancé and son have both tried it too and struggle more than I do. It seems to tick something in me. I had a rough day at work, got in at 10pm but doing the DVD was non-negotiable. I had some bad news yesterday, was teary and upset, got my shorts on and did the workout, fab distraction.

 

My fiancé would rather run 3 miles than do the video, he says that's easier, but I'm so LAZY!!! Even fishing out my trainers, finding the right jacket; even leaving the house to run along pavements fills me with dread! Mostly because I find it so ruddy HARD! But I can't kick up a fuss about about sticking on some shorts and prancing in my lounge for 20mins. I already feel loads better and what I hope is that by raising my fitness level I'll be more keen to do other things I need to do to lose the weight.

 

In good weather I'll do a couple of short runs, some cycling and 20 miles walking every week. In bad weather I'll eat food and drink wine!

 

I'm really hoping I've found my 'thing' with this workout, and that this is the start of something. It's horrible hating yourself for not keeping healthy, whilst doing nothing about it! It feels good that I'm doing something, even if it's only 20mins a day, and apparently my body looks stronger already. So I'm told.

 

 

Being good at the DVD workout has brought out your competitive side This is why I asked whether your fiance did any sports because I find that being competitive with someone to a degree at least helps with motivation - especially when you find something you are good at!

 

I train short/middle distance running and I don't blame you that you don't fancy that, it is indeed high impact and I only like aspects of it. Your fiance is probably much better than you as well because he has been doing it for much longer.

 

Competitive people don't like competing when they can lose. ie you don't like doing sports where you can't beat your fiance but you like those where you can beat your fiance and your son You are a naughty girl

 

I think you should focus on your competitiveness, that's what I did when I was going out with a military guy, his prowess brought out my sporty side somewhat

[suladas]

I hate the treadmill to, it's just boring. I tried the bike also, don't like it. I like the ellipital though. I can do an hour quite intense no problem. Everyone is different but for as long as I can remember i've been overweight, since about 9 or 10 when my parents divorced so it's more normal to me. But I look at pictures when I was younger and I was extremely skinny, it's a big change. I don't know how it happened to me, but I go to the gym 5-6 days a week no problem. I find I don't want to take a day off i'm just so use to going. But then again at the moment i'm not working so some days it's the only time I leave the house, I know if I was working full-time it would be a lot tougher. Plus so many good looking girls to look at, so the gym is pretty good

 

Small gains help keep me going. Like realizing I have to go down a notch on my belt, or trying on old clothes. I tried on a suit I haven't wore in 3 years and I can't believe the difference dropping 40lbs made. But I did find it easier loosing weight without trying, just working a physical job 10-12 hours a day I could eat anything I wanted and still loose weight, no longer have that though.

[Samilia]

I've put on weight since being in my relationship, a lot of it in the last 4 months or so. It needs to come off but I can't seem to find my sweet spot in terms of staying motivated. I know exactly what I need to do, but... life is so busy, work is demanding, we're trying to move house, plan wedding etc and have both been ill for 3 weeks+ although nearly well again now.

 

I'm just not getting in to good routines and am not showing commitment to making changes even though it gets me down a lot and I know without a doubt I need to sort myself out.

 

So I'd be really interested to hear any tips or methods or advice that help you to stay focused and reach your fitness goals when working out/dieting/whatever is the very last thing you feel like doing!

 

I gained 40 pounds when I quit smoking. I lost 20, I have 20 to lose. Since I have gained weight I have noticed my hip has been bothering me. We have an history of arthritis in my family, that alone is motivating me.

Also, getting back in my jean skirt, guys, feeling self conscious all the time, etc.

 

I have lost a lot of weight before, when I was younger, and for me it's all about getting into a routine. I eat the same type of healthy meals everyday, I go to bed early, no alcohol, I exercise. If I tried to starve myself, I'd go buy a box of cookies.

 

So far I have lost 6 pounds, that's a great motivation as well.