Motivation? - Weight Loss Message Board

EoR · 03-30-2005, 11:14 AM

I thought I'd migrate over here from the depression board, figuring my weight probably plays a roll in my depression, and visa versa.... Hi!

Stats: Female, 5' or 5' 1", hover at about 170. Was thin most of my life, gained a about 30 from my first pregnancy, and about 30 from my second. Have been overweight for about 7 years. Tired all the time. Feel heavy on my feet. Easily breathless. Had one successful diet.

Motivational stories?

What got you up? What made you change your ways? What made you decide that losing weight trumped your former lifestyle? What was your inspiration? What things did you change? Was the change gradual or immediate? What kept you from falling off the wagon? How did you do it? How much weight have you lost? Have you been able to maintain?

I'd really appreciate any help I can get with this. Thank you so much!

-EoR

FrogGurl · 03-30-2005, 04:26 PM

Hello EoR,

I'm brand new to the site.....

Stats: Female, 5'7", now 175 pounds, have gained quite a significant amount of weight since I got married 4 years ago, lost about 10 pounds almost 3 years ago and put it all back on again. I have just recently lost another 10 pounds but am still 10 pounds heavier than I was when I lost the weight 3 years ago.

I don't know if my story will help you, but I share with good intentions. My motivation came to me after I went shopping to buy a new pair of jeans and I couldn't fit into the size I thought I was OR a size up from that, I just about died! I said, "That's it! I am doing something about this". I guess just the fact that I was disgusted by myself in the mirror made me want to change my lifestyle habits. You don't think about how much you actually eat until you try "watching" what and how much you eat. I was horrified when I realized how much crap I was slamming down my throat and thinking I wasn't going to gain anything from it. I, like you, wouldn't eat for any other reason than, I was hungry, so I was gonna eat something. Only, I would just keep eating and eating because "it tastes SO GOOD". I have now learned how to listen to my stomach to hear when it is FULL. It's all about portion sizes. I don't deprive myself of things I love to eat, I just pay attention to the 'serving size' on the label and try to keep myself close to that. I have also been trying to just eat healthier no matter what too. Another motivation for me is that my I am in my best friends wedding this summer, and I have not seen my friends or family (they are in MN and I am in PA) for well over a year and a half, so I want to knock their socks off when I get there! I heard somewhere (I don't remember where), that you are more likely to lose weight if you have a goal or "deadline" (like my friend's wedding) to work toward.

Now, about actually working out. I hadn't done anything exercise-wise since I was back in HS when I played basketball for 5 years...so starting to exercise wasn't easy for me. The same day I had my horrible shopping realization I went to WalMart and bought one of those stability balls and a dvd to go with it called "BLT-Butt, Legs, and Tummy; on a ball". I started out with that and then got another video and another, and now just about a couple of months ago I got a cardio/circuit training video and started doing that. Since I started the cardio, I have lost 10 pounds and who knows how many inches (I didn't measure myself before I started

). Even after starting the first video I was feeling so much better. I had more energy, I felt healthier, and I felt better about myself even before I started noticing weight loss.

I think just the key is, eat smaller amounts in more meals a day, drink lots and lots of water, and incorporate some exercise-slow to start off with and then make it more intense as you become stronger and more used to it again.

Well, sorry to blab your ear off. I hope what I said helped somewhat.

Good luck with everything!

FrogGurl

EoR · 04-01-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrogGurl

Hello EoR,

I'm brand new to the site.....

Stats: Female, 5'7", now 175 pounds, have gained quite a significant amount of weight since I got married 4 years ago, lost about 10 pounds almost 3 years ago and put it all back on again. I have just recently lost another 10 pounds but am still 10 pounds heavier than I was when I lost the weight 3 years ago.

I don't know if my story will help you, but I share with good intentions. My motivation came to me after I went shopping to buy a new pair of jeans and I couldn't fit into the size I thought I was OR a size up from that, I just about died! I said, "That's it! I am doing something about this". I guess just the fact that I was disgusted by myself in the mirror made me want to change my lifestyle habits. You don't think about how much you actually eat until you try "watching" what and how much you eat. I was horrified when I realized how much crap I was slamming down my throat and thinking I wasn't going to gain anything from it. I, like you, wouldn't eat for any other reason than, I was hungry, so I was gonna eat something. Only, I would just keep eating and eating because "it tastes SO GOOD". I have now learned how to listen to my stomach to hear when it is FULL. It's all about portion sizes. I don't deprive myself of things I love to eat, I just pay attention to the 'serving size' on the label and try to keep myself close to that. I have also been trying to just eat healthier no matter what too. Another motivation for me is that my I am in my best friends wedding this summer, and I have not seen my friends or family (they are in MN and I am in PA) for well over a year and a half, so I want to knock their socks off when I get there! I heard somewhere (I don't remember where), that you are more likely to lose weight if you have a goal or "deadline" (like my friend's wedding) to work toward.

Now, about actually working out. I hadn't done anything exercise-wise since I was back in HS when I played basketball for 5 years...so starting to exercise wasn't easy for me. The same day I had my horrible shopping realization I went to WalMart and bought one of those stability balls and a dvd to go with it called "BLT-Butt, Legs, and Tummy; on a ball". I started out with that and then got another video and another, and now just about a couple of months ago I got a cardio/circuit training video and started doing that. Since I started the cardio, I have lost 10 pounds and who knows how many inches (I didn't measure myself before I started

). Even after starting the first video I was feeling so much better. I had more energy, I felt healthier, and I felt better about myself even before I started noticing weight loss.

I think just the key is, eat smaller amounts in more meals a day, drink lots and lots of water, and incorporate some exercise-slow to start off with and then make it more intense as you become stronger and more used to it again.

Well, sorry to blab your ear off. I hope what I said helped somewhat.

Good luck with everything!

FrogGurl

Thank you so much for this! Very inspirational. Thank you.

And, congrats on the weightloss! I bet you will knock their socks off. We're going up to Iowa at the end of May to see my boyfriend's sister graduate from highschool, and I've never met most of that side of his family, so, there's my goal to work for!

Again, thank you!

-EoR

mobilesprout · 04-01-2005, 01:09 PM

I agree wholeheartedly. If you've got a goal in mind, instead of generic "I want to lose weight", it really helps. Make sure you have that goal.

And, when people begin to notice, you REALLY feel good and motivated. When you start to hear the comments about you looking even better, it's fantastic. I've lost a lot of weight, and a friend told me he almost couldn't recognize me. I was buzzing. It's a great feeling. Good luck!

EoR · 04-01-2005, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobilesprout

I agree wholeheartedly. If you've got a goal in mind, instead of generic "I want to lose weight", it really helps. Make sure you have that goal.

And, when people begin to notice, you REALLY feel good and motivated. When you start to hear the comments about you looking even better, it's fantastic. I've lost a lot of weight, and a friend told me he almost couldn't recognize me. I was buzzing. It's a great feeling. Good luck!

Congrats on losing weight! How much? What was your motivation? I think, mostly, my reason at the moment is because of my health. I have a hard time breathing... I don't know if this is weight related or if it's asthma acting up, but, hey, losing the weight can't hurt, regardless!

Thank you for the reply.

-EoR