I'm just joining in on the forum of discussion.  I need all the motivation I can get.  Anyone want to share conversations of motivation with me.  Thank you. 

Hi there

I am joining for the some of the same reasons...I have fought my weight all of my life.  Its not that I have a lot to lose but it creeps up on me.  I gain 20 and lose 10... I am so tired of it.. I need to get myself on track once and for all and eat healthy foods and stick to it.  3 of my friends and I have started emailing each other with what we have done on a daily basis.. It is working but I signed on to this as well.  I am in my 40's and this is getting harder and harder.  Email me if you would like, I am always here.  Good luck to you!

Janet 

 Last night, I checked out the internet for benefits of weight loss...even a tiny amount helps, also, just increasing activity without loosing weight has major health benefits.  I find that when I am focused on what I want to achieve, it happens.

Lost 35 lbs with WW about 3 years ago, also spend $5000 on a personal trainer.  With that kind of investment, plus the time, I was very scared of regaining the weight.  Well, I have gained some back, but this happens.  Called a relapse, I know that one can learn  from these, and to not reject oneself as a result....it is a worldwide phenomena.  For me, its the computer.  I trade the markets and find I spend abit too much time in front of the screen.  However, I am motivated to cut it down.

Helps to talk with others. 

Honestly, I have to get new motivation everyday:)  What worked when I first started might not charge me as much as it did when I first started.  Since most of the hesitation comes from my mind, I try my best to shut it off when I exercise.  I will waste a whole 30 minutes thinking about how much I don't want to do the workout if I'm not careful.  So, I say to myself..."It's just 30 minutes.  That’s not that long.  I'm getting this done."   I’ll turn my music up really loud so I can only hear the words to the song and not anything negative that might distract from my workout.  It’s good if you find songs that you can’t help but sing along with.  You’ll get so distracted that the 30 minutes will be over before you know it.

With food, it's harder for me because I eat like a kid!  I've had to limit the kind of time that I spend with my friends.  I'll have to meet up with them after they've eaten at a restaurant, or I have to eat right at home before I go.  I am trying to cut down on sugary drinks right now.  Haaaaard!  I'm just trying to concentrate on one change at a time.  I need motivation with the food though. 

"Giving up Anything is Hard" but I decided never to go on a diet again.  I am 54 years old and medically obese (weighing more than 50 pounds over my ideal weight)  I am using portion control.  I keep a Food Diary every day and every thing I eat goes into that diary.  I takes 15 minues a day at the most but it keeps me honest.  Honest is the key.  For one week just write dow EVERYTHING that goes in your mouth.  Then review it.  You will be amazed at how much unconcious eating occurs.  When you write it down and practice portion control, you don't have to "give up" food.  Just eat less of it.  It works.  I set myself a goal to lose 1 pound a week.  I started on Nov 10 and I HAVE met that goal.  You can too.  A pound is only giving up 500 calories a day.  Try it.  You have everything to lose   I expect to reach my goal weight in 1 year.  I know that is a long time but, it took me 20 years to get to this weight so a year doesn't seem such a long payoff to me.  And, I am enjoying my life and enjoying my food.  I go out with friends, celebrate birthdays and its all okay.  

Hi...you are so right we should never go on a Diet...if you use portion control and you keep track of everything you eat on a day to day bases...you'll lose weight...and you will not over eat....i am 52 years old...i am 20 pounds over weight....i dropped 20 pounds since Feb...keeping track hads help me lose...what you are doing is what i am trying to do....thanks you have help me...

Ro

one is a powerful number. It is the beginning of what is possible, and can be multiplied infinitely- turn your day one into many days for the one you, living your one life. 

Mental Obstacles Trivialize IndividuaL Value, Apprehensions Taint Innovative Objective Notions.

Move On To Inspire Victorious Advancement, Transforming Ideals Offered Nationally.

Be fit, be you. Stay healthy, stay true--your goals are worth achieving, so keep on believing in you.

--Hope these words help. Keep at it. If you want help, i'm here, message me. Peace! ---Bluezi

Those are good words, Bluezi. 

Remember don't look back, dont count each pound as you loose it or it becomes a numbers game.  Try to make it a way of life, a permant change in who you are.  Whether you want to loose 20 pounds or 100 pounds, change your activities, your eating habits, your lifestyle permantly.  Never go back.  :)

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but with every decade it gets even harder to maintain your ideal weight.  It seems the metabolism just doesn't co-operate.  We are now in our 60's and have found that adding as much fiber as you can into your diet has really helped in both losing and maintaining the loss of those extra pounds.  We're shooting for at least 35 grams of fiber each day.  Good luck to you.  It really does work without feeling like you're depriving yourself of most foods.  It's not a diet, just a different way of eating.

I am just joining this forum for the first time today. I am a single mom of two boysand I struggle to find the time and the motivation to stick with a program. Seems that I'm always putting work/kids/repsonsibilities ahead of caring for myself. I am determined to make changes that will last and would also appreciate all the motivation I can get. I would love to share with anyone who is willing. Hope everyone has a great day!

Hi! I am joining for the first time today too!I am the mother also and like most mothers, I put my needs last. I am hoping to find the motivation to live a healthy lifestyle FOREVER

When you keep a food diary, do you write down the calories and or the fat grams?

Hello Lady P, I would be happy to share some motivational dialog with you, This is the first time I have checked out the forum discussions and I would love to hear any suggetions you have for staying motivated that's one of the hardest things for me also but I'm determined to stick with it. I don't know if your into music, but here's something I do that works out pretty well, I have an mp3 player and I loaded it with fast beats that I really enjoy moving to but don't forget to load a few tunes to cool down to. and stay hydrated.

 I have taken out my swimsuit and left it hanging up somewhere where I can see it everyday. It sounds dumb, but when I see it I'm like...."ummm...I better go workout." It works for me. It would work with any article of clothing that you would like to look amazing in. Also, when you mess up, don't get down on yourself. Just say "tomorrow I WILL do better." Feeling crappy about indulging a tiny bit is a big motivation killer. 

Thank for the great idea Jillian! I am 46 and haven't worn a two piece suit in many many years. I am determined to lose 25 pounds by summer to feel good again while hanging out at the beach. I live in Florida near the beach, so it is a big motivator for me. Hard not to feel self-conscious about extra weight when everyone is running around in shorts/bathing suits for half the year. I will go home today and hang up one of my  old suits so I can see it all the time. And you are so right about not getting down on yourself. I have to admit that in the past I have been guilty of feeling so badly about messing up that I allow myself to give up. I am determined to erase those negative thoughts and keep pressing forward.

Good luck to you!