I need some serious motivation..... - Page 2

IlmProcess · 04-21-2012, 11:01 AM

I think taking a look at photos of you when you were thinner is a great way to motivate yourself. Also, taking photos as you lose weight and comparing them to your current size is also a confidence booster.

To say what has already been said: diet is in the kitchen. If you cut down your calorie intake you will have to work much less hard. I used to work out: I'm a thin frame and wanted to put some muscle on my body. I did with a bulk diet and added a good chunk of fat on as well. To cut, I cut my calories and did some light workout routines and cut most of the fat pretty quickly. Other friends tried to workout harder but didn't cut calories and weren't successful.

04-21-2012, 11:54 AM

Check out http://www.sparkpeople.com. There are some really great tools over there that can help you reach the healthy lifestyle that you are looking for. The community is great and very supportive. I lost 40 lbs with the help and support of their 4 step plan. It is not an intensive crash diet, but a lot of small steps to reach your big goal. You didn't get where you are overnight. It is going to require a lot of patience. If you start the plan don't look back until about 6 months in and I think you may be pleasantly surprised. Then quickly turn around and head forward again.

Ed

shilala · 04-21-2012, 01:11 PM

This is all good info. We put excess weight on because we take in more calories than we need. We also live sedentary lives, and the food we eat is packed with way more useless "bad" nutrition we don't need.
Point being, I can exercise myself into a heart attack, but if I don't change the way and amount I eat, the exercise will just make me hungrier and I compensate by eating an extra cake or two.
The EASIEST thing we can do is drink water. Drink 16 ounces before eating anything. Drink water all day long, bordering on a couple gallons, but at least a gallon. That one simple thing requires absolutely no exercise and it'll shed pounds immediately and dramatically.
Once weight starts coming off, it's its own motivator. We start looking for other things we can do. Simple things like eating cereal from a smaller bowl. Having a salad instead of 3 different appetizers when we go out to eat.
Another big one is "stop eating when I'm full". If there are three spoonfuls left in the bowl, it is no longer my job to empty it. If I have half a steak on my plate and I'm full, I put it in the fridge and eat it later (or someone else does).
There are so many simple things we can do that don't require jumping up, buying a gym membership, forcing ourselves to exercise when we hate it, or eating tofu.
It's a progression.
It took me a lot of years to develop habits that caused me to be extremely overweight. I chiseled away at those things on step at a time and took time to make them habit.
For instance, I NEVER drank water. I hated it. It took a month or two to make that change, accept it, and learn to love it.
Then I took another step.
It's taken a couple years to lose 60 pounds and keep it off and stay at a reasonable, healthy weight. I continue to work at finding a balance that I'm happy with. The difference is that now, I'm not afraid to make a change and I don't fight with it. I truly welcome it and enjoy it. It's just as much fun seeking out something healthy to eat as it was eating two boxes of Little Debbie Swiss Rolls a day.

Be patient, my friend. And go find a great big water bottle you can make your best friend. Mine is sitting right in front of me.

Dave128 · 04-21-2012, 10:03 PM

You guys are all awesome. Thank you for sharing what works for you. I'm going to have to digest all of this and find someplace to start my journey.

Stevez · 04-22-2012, 06:22 AM

Good luck Dave and thanks to all who have replied with suggestions. I too need to desperately lose weight and I go through periods of great motivation and back to slipping for a period of time. These threads help motivate me too and keep us posted Dave. Don't hesitate to PM me if you want a motivational "buddy"! Thanks. Steve

emopunker2004 · 04-22-2012, 07:48 AM

working on giving up soda

I usually have at LEAST 2 20oz bottles of coke a shift at work. Last night I only had one but also drank 80oz of water while at work

If you're a soda drinker, stopping will help alot. Just think. Each 20oz bottle of Coke is 240 calories! That's insane!

Steve · 04-26-2012, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emopunker2004

working on giving up soda

I usually have at LEAST 2 20oz bottles of coke a shift at work. Last night I only had one but also drank 80oz of water while at work

If you're a soda drinker, stopping will help alot. Just think. Each 20oz bottle of Coke is 240 calories! That's insane!

Best thing I did was give up soda's. I droped almost 30 lbs after I stopped kicking back a 2 liter or so a day. My back thanks me every morning!

emopunker2004 · 04-26-2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve

Best thing I did was give up soda's. I droped almost 30 lbs after I stopped kicking back a 2 liter or so a day. My back thanks me every morning!

That's roughly how much I was drinking between home and work. Right now I'm down to 1-20oz bottle a day. I'd estimate I was drinking 4x that much before. That's a reduction of 710 calories right there.

hammondc · 04-22-2012, 09:04 AM

All good advice. Especially the food intake advice. You need a lifestyle change, not a diet. My wife and I committed to that about 7 years ago. No fast food, no soda, no sweets in the house.

Madman31 · 04-23-2012, 03:22 PM

Start small. Hang up pics of the body you want. Lift weights to gain muscle. The endorphins you get will keep you going. That's what worked for me!

Dave128 · 04-23-2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madman31

Start small. Hang up pics of the body you want. Lift weights to gain muscle. The endorphins you get will keep you going. That's what worked for me!

Thank you. I can do small and simple! It's about all my brain can handle!

kelmac07 · 04-23-2012, 06:53 PM

Watch all the Mets games you can...this will make you furious and make you want to work out...pent up frustration and all.

Best of luck Dave.

Dave128 · 04-24-2012, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Watch all the Mets games you can...this will make you furious and make you want to work out...pent up frustration and all.

Best of luck Dave.

ashtonlady · 04-24-2012, 11:27 AM

I started my life style change this week. What I leaned yesterday was there is a learing curve. Dont quit because the first day doesnt work the way you though it should. Change it so it works better and as said before start small and add as you go. Find support that will help not tell you what you are doing wrong. You already know it is wrong, sometimes you just need to talk about it to see a diffrent direction to take it.

Dave128 · 04-24-2012, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtonlady

I started my life style change this week. What I leaned yesterday was there is a learing curve. Dont quit because the first day doesnt work the way you though it should. Change it so it works better and as said before start small and add as you go. Find support that will help not tell you what you are doing wrong. You already know it is wrong, sometimes you just need to talk about it to see a diffrent direction to take it.

Thank you. I have a feeling it's going to be along road. One step at a time.

PCR · 04-24-2012, 11:41 AM

Please google Scott Cutshall or large fella on a bike. Scott was over 500 pounds and discovered cycling it changed his life. You can do it!

Dave128 · 04-24-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCR

Please google Scott Cutshall or large fella on a bike. Scott was over 500 pounds and discovered cycling it changed his life. You can do it!

Thank you for the info. Funny thing is I pulled my bike out of the shed this past weekend and am going to bring it to be tuned up.

PCR · 04-24-2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave128

Thank you for the info. Funny thing is I pulled my bike out of the shed this past weekend and am going to bring it to be tuned up.

Good for you! Cycling is an amazing way to better health. Wishing you all the best.

mmblz · 04-24-2012, 01:17 PM

watch "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead"
it's on Netflix streaming.
I'm not overweight but I've started drinking a green smoothie in the morning, and consider trying a stretch of time with only green smoothies...

SteelCityBoy · 04-24-2012, 01:19 PM

For what it is worth IMO I would suggest you try to find something you like to do. That can be going for a walk outside on a beautiful nature road, or hitting the gym. For everyone it is different. I for example can't stand to run...just don't like it! I would try and try to commit to running 5 miles a day at least 3 times a week and it just wouldn't stick for me. I found mountain biking to be very peaceful and a "fun" way for me to exercise. I am not a super fit guy or anything but I can tell you how amazing it is to me to watch the pounds fall off when you can get into something active that you really enjoy.

I wish you well in your goals. The important thing is to set a goal and a rountine that you like and then do all you can in your power to stick with it. Everyone else already had some great ideas shown so I am sure that with the right routine you put yourself in you will get to where you want to be!

Good luck!

04-21-2012, 11:01 AM	#1
IlmProcess ¿Spectacle Join Date: Apr 2012 First Name: Trent Location: IL Posts: 117 Trading: (0)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... I think taking a look at photos of you when you were thinner is a great way to motivate yourself. Also, taking photos as you lose weight and comparing them to your current size is also a confidence booster. To say what has already been said: diet is in the kitchen. If you cut down your calorie intake you will have to work much less hard. I used to work out: I'm a thin frame and wanted to put some muscle on my body. I did with a bulk diet and added a good chunk of fat on as well. To cut, I cut my calories and did some light workout routines and cut most of the fat pretty quickly. Other friends tried to workout harder but didn't cut calories and weren't successful. __________________ Status-Quo Dissonance

04-21-2012, 11:54 AM	#2
ECJ Guest Posts: n/a	Re: I need some serious motivation..... Check out http://www.sparkpeople.com. There are some really great tools over there that can help you reach the healthy lifestyle that you are looking for. The community is great and very supportive. I lost 40 lbs with the help and support of their 4 step plan. It is not an intensive crash diet, but a lot of small steps to reach your big goal. You didn't get where you are overnight. It is going to require a lot of patience. If you start the plan don't look back until about 6 months in and I think you may be pleasantly surprised. Then quickly turn around and head forward again. Ed

04-21-2012, 01:11 PM	#3
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... This is all good info. We put excess weight on because we take in more calories than we need. We also live sedentary lives, and the food we eat is packed with way more useless "bad" nutrition we don't need. Point being, I can exercise myself into a heart attack, but if I don't change the way and amount I eat, the exercise will just make me hungrier and I compensate by eating an extra cake or two. The EASIEST thing we can do is drink water. Drink 16 ounces before eating anything. Drink water all day long, bordering on a couple gallons, but at least a gallon. That one simple thing requires absolutely no exercise and it'll shed pounds immediately and dramatically. Once weight starts coming off, it's its own motivator. We start looking for other things we can do. Simple things like eating cereal from a smaller bowl. Having a salad instead of 3 different appetizers when we go out to eat. Another big one is "stop eating when I'm full". If there are three spoonfuls left in the bowl, it is no longer my job to empty it. If I have half a steak on my plate and I'm full, I put it in the fridge and eat it later (or someone else does). There are so many simple things we can do that don't require jumping up, buying a gym membership, forcing ourselves to exercise when we hate it, or eating tofu. It's a progression. It took me a lot of years to develop habits that caused me to be extremely overweight. I chiseled away at those things on step at a time and took time to make them habit. For instance, I NEVER drank water. I hated it. It took a month or two to make that change, accept it, and learn to love it. Then I took another step. It's taken a couple years to lose 60 pounds and keep it off and stay at a reasonable, healthy weight. I continue to work at finding a balance that I'm happy with. The difference is that now, I'm not afraid to make a change and I don't fight with it. I truly welcome it and enjoy it. It's just as much fun seeking out something healthy to eat as it was eating two boxes of Little Debbie Swiss Rolls a day. Be patient, my friend. And go find a great big water bottle you can make your best friend. Mine is sitting right in front of me. __________________

04-21-2012, 10:03 PM	#4
Dave128 Sexy Dave Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Dave Location: Voorheesville, NY Posts: 3,922 Trading: (4)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... You guys are all awesome. Thank you for sharing what works for you. I'm going to have to digest all of this and find someplace to start my journey. __________________ "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin I "heart" Boobies and Beer!

04-22-2012, 06:22 AM	#5
Stevez Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Steve Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 487 Trading: (7)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... Good luck Dave and thanks to all who have replied with suggestions. I too need to desperately lose weight and I go through periods of great motivation and back to slipping for a period of time. These threads help motivate me too and keep us posted Dave. Don't hesitate to PM me if you want a motivational "buddy"! Thanks. Steve

04-22-2012, 07:48 AM	#6
emopunker2004 Central Fla rollin Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Justin Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 6,171 Trading: (46)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... working on giving up soda I usually have at LEAST 2 20oz bottles of coke a shift at work. Last night I only had one but also drank 80oz of water while at work If you're a soda drinker, stopping will help alot. Just think. Each 20oz bottle of Coke is 240 calories! That's insane! __________________ Cigar Asylum: Where all are equal, unless you are from CA, then you are more equal.

04-22-2012, 09:04 AM	#9
hammondc Moar Padrons! Join Date: Aug 2010 First Name: Chip Location: Senoia, GA Posts: 2,626 Trading: (17)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... All good advice. Especially the food intake advice. You need a lifestyle change, not a diet. My wife and I committed to that about 7 years ago. No fast food, no soda, no sweets in the house.

04-23-2012, 03:22 PM	#10
Madman31 Just in from the Storm Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 15 Trading: (0)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... Start small. Hang up pics of the body you want. Lift weights to gain muscle. The endorphins you get will keep you going. That's what worked for me!

04-23-2012, 06:53 PM	#12
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... Watch all the Mets games you can...this will make you furious and make you want to work out...pent up frustration and all. Best of luck Dave. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

04-24-2012, 11:27 AM	#14
ashtonlady The Lady is Here Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Laura Location: Seattle WA Posts: 1,090 Trading: (8)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... I started my life style change this week. What I leaned yesterday was there is a learing curve. Dont quit because the first day doesnt work the way you though it should. Change it so it works better and as said before start small and add as you go. Find support that will help not tell you what you are doing wrong. You already know it is wrong, sometimes you just need to talk about it to see a diffrent direction to take it.

04-24-2012, 11:41 AM	#16
PCR Maduro! Maduro? Maduro. Join Date: Aug 2010 First Name: Paul Location: NW Washington State Posts: 429 Trading: (6)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... Please google Scott Cutshall or large fella on a bike. Scott was over 500 pounds and discovered cycling it changed his life. You can do it! __________________ "I smoke cigars when I win, to celebrate ... and I smoke cigars when I lose to console myself." -Winston Churchill

04-24-2012, 01:17 PM	#19
mmblz .090909... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NH Posts: 4,031 Trading: (3)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... watch "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" it's on Netflix streaming. I'm not overweight but I've started drinking a green smoothie in the morning, and consider trying a stretch of time with only green smoothies... __________________ herf wear

04-24-2012, 01:19 PM	#20
SteelCityBoy 7th Heaven Will Commeth!! Join Date: Sep 2011 First Name: Ken Location: * THE WOOD * -Cigar Zombies- Posts: 1,236 Trading: (21)	Re: I need some serious motivation..... For what it is worth IMO I would suggest you try to find something you like to do. That can be going for a walk outside on a beautiful nature road, or hitting the gym. For everyone it is different. I for example can't stand to run...just don't like it! I would try and try to commit to running 5 miles a day at least 3 times a week and it just wouldn't stick for me. I found mountain biking to be very peaceful and a "fun" way for me to exercise. I am not a super fit guy or anything but I can tell you how amazing it is to me to watch the pounds fall off when you can get into something active that you really enjoy. I wish you well in your goals. The important thing is to set a goal and a rountine that you like and then do all you can in your power to stick with it. Everyone else already had some great ideas shown so I am sure that with the right routine you put yourself in you will get to where you want to be! Good luck! __________________ It's Just THIS Easy To Help Out The Troops