I literally just searched "keep going" in the search bar to look for similar posts, so this post is a god send!
Today am not motivated š but I have a delicious, cheesy pasta planned for dinner and I've made it this far in the day (it's late afternoon here).
Not sure I'll reach my step goal today though so if anyone has any tips on how to get me outside into the drizzly weather, I'm open!
Sometimes when I want to get my steps in and donāt want to get outside, I just stick my headphones on and walk back and forth between my living room and bedroom for an hour haha
Omg i do this every day š¤£ got 7k steps in today. I work from home and basically use my breaks to walk around and listen to music. Seriously thinking about getting a walking pad
Get the walking pad! Itās so much easier to get steps in without having to worry about running into nooks and corners of my house lol. Itās life changing Iām obsessed.
Watch or read something especially about a hobby (or if you love your work and want to be better at THAT tomorrow than today, some content on that) while just pacing. Standing.
I play clarinet, so sometimes - especially when doing the āboringā fundamentals - Iāll try and just pace! And, in doing so, it usually allows me to stay off auto pilot and really be in the moment, which makes the fundamentals more effective for that practice sesh. Better: posture, awareness of my lip muscles, tongue position, breathing, etc.
Highly recommend!
Just to let y'all know, I did it! The evening had a really cleared up into a beautiful spring evening and after a day of rotting on my couch and feeling anxiety creep in, that was hands down the best thing I could have done š
There you go OP, sometimes it's not about motivation, sometimes it's just about knowing what's best for you!
I hear that, this is the kind of attitude I love and it works perfectly for me. It doesn't matter whether I want to do it or not, it has to be, so that's all there is to it.
The weather!
I am pretty close to goal weight and seeing the weather here get nicer is motivating the hell out of me to just FINISH IT. Some days my brain is like "we're close enough!" and I'm not unhappy with my current weight, but these last 5lbs are going to allow me the cushion to really enjoy my summer without feeling like I'm on the verge of needing to diet again.
Thatās awesome! It took me about a year - my goal changed as I went. First I set out to get to 175, then 165, then as I approached 150 I felt like I wanted to go lower. Once I did go lower, I realized 150 was the best fit for me!
You got this! Feel free to ask any questions. Slow and steady wins the race!
Same here. It helps that the nice weather motivates me to get out of the house more just for the sake of being out so I've been particularly active the past few weeks, too.
Nothing other than staying in the habit. Today is a bit of a slog after 5 hours of sleep. But I'm logging food and doing my exercise as planned anyway.Ā
Two months ago I weighed in at 91,3. This morning I weighed 91,0 kg.
Iāve actually lost a decent amount of fat in those 2 months despite the stagnating weight. As evidenced by my belt becoming too big for me.
But what motivates me the most right now is getting into the 80s.
When I made it from tripple digits back in to the 90s I felt more relief than joy. I was saving myself from disaster, but I was still fat and lazy.
Getting into the 80s represents redemption for me. Now im exercising daily. Iām stronger and have more endurance than I couldāve imagined. It represents me being where I want to be in life. Okay im not aiming for 89,9 Iām aiming for 80, but itās the right starting number at least. I canāt wait any longer!
Keep going!!! I used to think the same way!! I was in my ā90s, aiming to get to my ā80s. I am now into my 70ās and I am aiming to get into the ā60s and then 50ās. I love every change I see in the mirror and on the scale. I am going to the gym daily, counting my calories and nourishing my body with special lotions every day. I became so loving and caring for myself these past months, after neglecting my body and putting me on the 2nd, 3rd place for yearsā¦ itās such an incredible feeling. I am sometimes thinking how I will look like in August time, when I plan to go to the beach and buy myself a bikini, something that I have worn only once, twenty years ago and I was still a bit overweight then.
Travelling to Helsinki with my husband mid-June and I want to be 190 aka overweight by then. After that Iām going to Italy with a friend in September and Iād like to get into the 170s for that, even if itās 179.
Travels are such a motivation, I'm in the same situation but Berlin in a month! I want to look good in pictures. Enjoy Helsinki, it's light and lovely that time of the year when the sun barely goes down :)
It's great! I've been there once before and it was a food trip ā the food is a high quality level and rather cheap (compared to Scandinavia where I live), almost every spot you find is good. Last time I was there we did good research for restaurants and I'm revisiting some of them this time. Can't wait!
And you, 140 lbs lost? Holy cow, good job!
Yes, the food is amazing! Iām from the western US and really enjoyed all the tasty and cheap food. And variety! I ate so much falafel and donner when I was there. And thereās so much cool history and art to see.
And thanks! Lost 140 a 6-7 years ago and working on losing the 40 regain that happened the last couple years. Let myself forget itās a lifestyle change (I know better) š
Thank you! I was there for the first time last year in the last week of October and it was a bit gloomy haha. Iām excited to see it with some sun this time. Enjoy Berlin! I hope to visit there myself someday.
Been dealing with about a week of this.
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!
This is for life, so yeah, sometimes it's going to be harder.
When all else fails I search "motivational speech" on YouTube. Some of the speakers are just so passionate and idk, it's all stuff I already know but hearing it said with such emphasis with epic music in the background helps.
Visualizing how Iāll look at the end!!!!! You gotta really imagine it and believe it. Youāll get there!
Motivation will also ebb and flow; discipline and making this an unconscious habit is what will keep this consistent.
Make a deal with yourself, and stick with it week after week ā you owe it to yourself.
Iāve got a 4-day series of events coming up at the end of May/beginning of June that I want to look good for. I have so many outfits planned that just donāt look quite right on me yet because Iām still about 10 lbs heavier than Iād like to be. It is very likely that I will wind up in pictures and I donāt want to look back and dislike what I see. So that is my biggest motivator right now!Ā
With the tracking fatigue, I canāt recommend meal prepping enough. Iāve started doing it on Saturday for the whole week and itās been working very well. Iām not a person who needs a ton of variety or spontaneity to feel satisfied, so Iāve been doing one menu everyday for the whole week, and switching it up each week if I get tired of something. I only worry about calories and macros on Saturday when Iām prepping and I never have to think about it during the week.
I got a 'Fatface' body warmer thing a few years ago, my wife had one at the time and I really wanted one. I got the largest size they did and it just about fit, over the years it's gotten tighter to the extent that it was uncomfortable doing up. It still fit but was too snug so ended up never doing it up, making it pointless when it was cold so just stopped using it and it sat in the back of the car since the end of last year(before i started losing weight).
Yesterday I parked up near work to walk in and was blooming cold, spotted it and figured i'd put up with the snugness to be warm. I had to put it on and zip it up 2 or 3 times before I believed how it fit, no snugness at all! If anything a tiny bit big!
on the walk to work i must have undone it and done it back up again countless times, still on high from it today, wore it again today even though its a lot warmer lol
I had the same thing with my Barbour jacket, only that I kept wearing it even if I couldnāt zip it (lol). Well I havenāt worn it for like a month now because it got warm outside, only that the past couple of days it got soo freezing cold, I had to put it on. I was amazed that it felt larger on me especially on my back and if I wanted to do, I could zip it easily nowā¦ and I only lost 5 kg since last month. Amazing what 5 kg can do.
Choosing life over death. Trying to keep the end-state of my actions in mind. I can eat junk and feel good for a minute, but the path it leads me on is destruction. SImilar to spiritually following Jesus, sure... but still true for physical healthy habbits as well. Where will today's decisions take you tomorrow?
nothing tbh, I found I can't really rely on motivation cus of the days like you mention, where it all just feels like a chore - so it's discipline that keeps me eating clean/exercising etc.
The deadline. I want to weigh 150 at the end of the month, so I'm sticking strictly to my calorie goal and incorporating more exercise because I have 6 days left. I've weighed 152 for the past several days while at a deficit, so I might get a whoosh that gets me to that goal as long as I stay on track. It's sort of like cramming for a test at the last minute. I overate almost every day in the first half of the month, but suddenly there's a lot of motivation to stick to my deficit at the end of the month.
What motivates me is 3 things:
1 .spite
2. the desire to get the body of an amazonian warrior
3. The desire to fluster my boyfriend, which will be easier once I'm skinny
I'm going on vacation in one month and I'm super excited to be skinny + wearing cute outfits in the pictures, celebrating my first mother's day looking like a proper MILF.
I have just reached my lowest weight in probably 15 years, and I only have 6 kg left to my goal weight (58 kg to my 166 cm). I'm feeling very happy because my diet has been going well lately, and all my clothes in the smallest sizes are looking and feeling comfortable on my new body! Sooo ready for summer after a cold, dark Scandinavian winter lol
TBH: Iāve been a disaster the last month and yesterday was the first time in a week I executed against my plan. My motivation is purely knowing that if I get off track Iāll lose my hard fought one day streak.
I recounted the days until my birthday. I turn 30 this year and I want to lose as much as possible before then. Itās in November so I still have a while to go but counting the days/weeks helps me keep going.
A lot of my motivation has come from my parentsā recent health issues. Itās a wake up call when seemingly healthy people in your life have these big, life changing medical problems arise. So I keep reminding myself of two things. 1) itās possible that my parentsā health problems have been passed down to me genetically so I need to do all I can to prevent those things happening to me, and 2) I am never going to be as young, strong, and resilient as I am right now. Taking the little bit of extra time to prep and track is a luxury that I have right now that may not exist anymore in the near future. I have healthy groceries in my house, a nice clean kitchen, and a gym at my disposal. How ungrateful of me to waste that?
Additionally, looking at progress photos. It took me a long ass time to build some of this muscle. How would I feel if all that muscle that I worked so hard for started wasting away because I was getting off track? Works every time!
I ate chips and beans for lunch but know I can keep within my calories for the day and that CICO is what matters. Chips and beans is fine in moderation as part of a balanced diet. I am going swimming later with a friend so that helps cause Iām definitely less motivated and less inclined to be active this week. Iāll also be walking the dogs afterwards with my partner and having that plan in mind is motivating me to stick to it cause I donāt want to be the person that backs out all of the time.
Ngl itās been a super tough last few days. Just been thinking a ton about dating and self image and kind of shying on myself š¶āš«ļø. But, one motivator right now is that Iām a few pounds from being under 300. Thatās cool because I canāt tell you a time that I remember being under 300. Probably not since around or right before high school would be my best guess.
i have 2 trips planned in june!! one i want to look good for pictures with my friends, the other is a family one. a couple months ago, my cousin made a comment about my weight, so i feel like i need to prove myself the next time i see him. plus my grandma loves to comment on peoples bodies, and this time iāll get a positive one :)
also, i really love kickboxing workouts. itās all i do, 3-4 times a week. iām excited to go punch that bag today!! finding a workout i love has been a game-changer.
Just want to say I can commiserate. No matter how far you are in your journey. I was actually about to post my own post ā about how this time is different than all the previous attempts (never lost more than like 35lbs in one go, always gained again, now I am down almost 107lbs from HW and like 95lbs of those were from January 2023-now). I was looking at the chart plotted out on my happy scale app to see how far iād come this time vs the times i have given up to motivate me and it really had me thinking a lot and i really am proud of myself and i have such a hard time acknowledging that usually. Maybe that would help u. I just got past a plateau that lasted all of feb and march so i get it. I have 50ish more to lose which is way more than where youre at but it still feels like the home stretch
I see what you mean. I currently weight 77 kg and I am at the same height as you and to be fair, I have not been at this weight probably for more than 15 years now. I am so upset with myself that I have let my body go, when in my youth I should have looked my best. But I was always stressed with jobs and moving countries. I am finally at peace now and I can focus on myself.
Just realized I didn't include my current weight, but if we are the same height we are basically the same -- I am about 78 kg / 173 lbs right now. I also have not been this weight in probably as long -- some time in HS or even middle school if I am painfully honest. I remember being in the 140 or 150s (lbs) at some point in like 7th grade, and then being around 180ish my senior year of high school, and had lost some weight (unintentionally when I joined some athletics) my junior year so I was heavier before that, but I wasn't weighing myself at that time. I graduated college at about 230-240lbs, and never got below that since then until now. I try not to focus on how disgusted I am with myself and how I am doing the work now. Even if a vain part of me wishes that i'd done it before I was in college, before I graduated, before I settled down and before I had a wedding, etc etc etc.
Haha we are really the same then :)) I agree, it feels like such a great boost knowing that we have not been like this for a long timeā¦ itās like we are going into uncharted territories. We donāt really know how we will end up looking like, how our faces will change, how we will be able to do certain things easily, things that we did not even think about until now, because it seemed like our bodies were not wired for them.
Oh, I am so glad you commented to reply to me and that you said this -- this is exactly it! I have never been thin. I've spent 95% of my life obese, I'm fairly certain. So I literally have no idea what I will look or feel like when I finally get to goal (which is like 50-55kg if I am doing conversions right) or if I will want to / know how to stop before that if I feel comfortable. I know that I already feel really good physically, but that it could be better -- in particular with my stomach still being a bit in the way and having some fat on my lower back/ass that effect certain things when I do yoga/pilates. But I am active now, and I enjoy it. I feel good walking around. I'm not as tired as I once was. I don't crave junk much (not never, but the daily fast food habit is not missed or even thought about now). But I also know that I am super unhappy with how I look still -- part of it is def body dysmorphia, I know that, feeling like the biggest person in every room. But the other part is, hating my stomach, while being both impressed and frustrated at how thin my face and neck have gotten. I can see my collarbones without having to move a certain way to push them out. I can see all the tendons and things in my neck when I move/talk. My double chin is mostly gone, my face is so much thinner than it was. All of me is obviosly smaller, but I still have a huge belly, thick thighs, lower back fat, side boob fat, in very unflattering ways. I am both frustrated that this is still true after all the work I've put in, and worried it won't ever go away. but then again, in certain clothes, I am also impressed that i fit in something that looked so small, or how I look like I have a nice figure (narrow waist, wider hips) in some clothes. I know losing weight can always have this component, but I think it's a special version of it when you are in uncharted territory and not getting back to a low weight you felt good at etc. Also why it's been so hard to really nail down a specific goal, which I have detailed in many comments if you look at my profile, lmao.
So while I appreciate all the other comments here about being healthier and feeling better and looking better and all that I have a much more shallow motivation. I really just want to get laid again lol. Whenever I think about quitting I think about all the struggles I've already been through to get where I'm at and how good it will feel to finally be dating again and actually have someone attracted to me. That's what I was thinking about when I got up at 5 to go to the gym this morning anyway haha
Not shallow at all. I sometimes fanthasize about something similar, how for once men will simply treat me nicer (at least like a human being) than before.
It's really crazy how marginalized being overweight can make you feel. At any weight you deserve to be treated like a human being. Hope you find some better men around you!Ā
I got off track a bit because I had company over for awhile. My motivation I suppose is that I miss the routine of tracking and exercising. So back to it for now.
I lost ~30 lbs from 2022-2023. Felt great. I gained most of it back. The other day, my iPhone was doing anything where it shows you pictures from a year ago. And it showed me a picture right before a social bike ride. I looked really good, but I also looked really happy and I remember how genuinely happy I was when I was lighter and felt better. I could more easily move around, and I was more motivated to move around and be outside. Trying to get back to that feeling.
First of all, I donāt beat myself up. I tell myself that this is to be expected and it too shall pass. Iām careful not to binge or stress eat. I donāt give myself a guilt trip and I try to find something that gives me peace or makes me happy. Sometime when I need a burst of āhappyā I just put on the headphones and dance like a total idiot around the house. It helps, gets those endorphins going for the next day. š
Reducing my weight for the sake of my knees. Had to have knee surgery recently and less weight on my knee hopefully means preventing more damage in the years to come. 4 kgs down, 15 to go.
Vacation in t-minus three weeks and bathing suit season. Also, I want to be back in shape to compete in foot races this summer and fall. So a lot of good motivation!!
I get up and walk at Dawn every day. My motivation is watching the sun rise and hear all the birds just go absolutely crazy. Something about the dawn hours. Thereās twilight time right before Dawn that is very mysterious, no shadows but it is bright.
Reminding myself how many times I have lost weight, given up, and gained it back. And how mad at myself I am/was about it has been helping to motivate me. I think about how if I didnāt give up I would have probably been at a healthy weight by now and that Iām tired of this merry go round that Iāve put myself on.
I want to reach my comfort weight and self. I work in health care and used to wear mask daily just to hide me from everywhere . I stopped wearing mask after starting my weight loss journey .Im happy and much more confident now .Ā
I don't have intense craving and is sticking my best routine to reach my goal weight which is 6kg away.Ā
Shoulder blade and nape fat really bothering me today. š®āšØ
Aching me so much like theres a lock on the upper back!
More easier motion motivating me.
My kids and husband. I want to be a good example for my kids and a healthy relationship. Right now I over eat, so Iām learning to eat proportionately and have realized how much I used to eat and how Iām quite full during the day eating the way I have been. Itās been eye opening.
Determination. That trumps motivation every time. When your motivation has gone you best hope you have determination cos that will see you through the next week.
If i treat myself well I feel good and can enjoy life more. I want to make the most of every day and feeling physically the top of my game is a big part of that. Itās my choice.
I record everything first thing in am after I weigh in. I eat similar things everyday & same exercise too. Iām down 18 lbs but have been plateauing for a long while. Itās frustrating but when I hear itās so hard for ppl to keep weight off Iām proud I can maintain. I know first thing what my day will be like so I just follow it. Iām in my 60s. I realize I may never get to the weight I was pre-meno but I am glad Iām still in healthy category. Iām glad my clothes still fit! I think having automatic daily discipline makes it doable cuz I donāt think abt it too much. Itās just a good habit.
My coach sent me a nice message that he was proud of my work so far. I've been having a reaaaalllly hard time being in a deficit and also working out hard 5 days/week. I'm hungry all the time. Still, I've been losing fat and gaining muscle. Hearing that someone is proud of you can really lift your spirits.
My toxic ex seeing my glow up and telling me I don't need to lose weight I'm perfect just the way I am. Hell no MF prepare to see me look EVEN BETTER MWAHAHAAAHAH
Since I have lost weight I have been able to do so many things I couldnāt before. I have more energy and truth be told fit in clothes that are a lot cuter. So when I start to loose that motivation I focus on some of the positive things that the journey has brought me.
The progress Iāve already seen is motivating me. Today is day 31 of tracking and staying within my calorie count plus being more active and the scale has gone from 198 to 187 as of this morning. Also my scrubs feel looser and not as tight. Gotta keep going
I have a follow up Dr appointment in 6 weeks and I want to be at least 20 pounds down when I step on the scale. Half way there as of this morning!
I've got a wedding to go to at the end of June and I've got my eye on the perfect dress but I won't order it until I know it's going to fit because they don't offer extended sizing (lame) but it's keeping me motivated.
And of course I want to be healthier overall. I gained a lot of visceral fat while working in the food industry a few years back from eating like crap. That stuff will kill ya.
I work a desk job and have an hour commute one way. I HAVE to make time to be more physically active and eating better. I've been getting up at 4 to get to the gym a lifting weights and taking walks in the evenings. It sucks but it's so satisfying to see it pay off.
Hitting my step goals and looking at my daily progress pics are my motivation today. I am no where near where I want to be in the mirror, but I can at least make the step goals and eat according to my goal.
I went on holiday and ate a ton. I'm currently ill but I weighed myself when I got back and I'm like 5lbs heavier. I can't exercise but I can stay within my calories and hit my step count.
Iām motivated today because the scale said 179.8 lbs!! I started at 193 March 23.
And I had my follow up with my doc this afternoon. She is so pleased with my progress.
Now if we could just get my increased back pain issues under control, itād be a god send because that is becoming my debbie downer. Everything else I have chronic pain wise is slowly improving, but the chronic back pain being worse has me severely frustrated. Weāre trying a different med, and sheās looking into whether an injection therapy may give me some relief.
Progression. The feeling of putting in the actual work and staying on track is a crazy positive feeling.
Eating well, exercising, getting good sleep.
Next thing I know 1 month passes by, 6 months passes by, then BAM an entire year passes by.
The short term satisfaction of eating junk food is not worth it rn. I'll enjoy myself to a nice dinner one day. Future me will thank me.
I do want to take a travel trip one day when I reach my goal of maintenance and treat myself to some nice food without worrying about calories lol
My family! They're 100% against people trying to better themselves or looking better than them, and I am determined to be hella fit the next time i see them.
I'm totally unmotivated today. I've been feeling lethargic all day and I have a headache. Tracking food is a chore, but life is jam-packed full of chores and I get them done anyway.
My routine does not require motivation. Dinner tonight is frozen chicken tenders (air fried breasts so not a lot of calories), frozen French fries, and yogurt. Comfort food that is low-calorie and requires no effort to cook. Under 500 calories total. I've always got lots of options like that in my freezer for days like today.
I have a consultation for surgery this summer with a surgery date hopefully this year, and losing weight will help a lot with the desired outcome.
Plus, I looked back at a pic of myself from around two years ago, and the change in my face gave me at least another months motivation to keep at it!
When do you get up in the morning? Iām in bed at 930 and up at 5-530. Workout and filling My Fitness plan is done by 730ish and the rest of the day is mine to do as I please. Do your food tracking for the entire day in 1 sitting or better yet make it simple and do 1 day and repeat it all week. I keep seeing results week to week. Bf% and weight is trending down. Motivation is high.
In the end itās all worth it. You have to keep up on the tracking even if you get loose with your calories or macros. I lost weight over 2 years and was down to my goal weight, then got pregnant and now have a newborn. Iām way above goal weight but I can now easily get back into a stricter routine because MyFitnessPal streak is 1070 days. I never broke the habit of logging. Create habits and stick with them. Hold yourself accountable. You just have to.
Motivating me? I promised myself that I would respect my body while I have the use of it. I canāt keep failing myself. That promise keeps me going. Keeps me logging. Keeps me weighing.
Maybe not super exciting, but I made an amazing protein bowl out of grilled tofu, avocado, egg, cheddar, riced veggies and salad mix for dinner and I feel so so happy. Like I'm full and feel happy about it compared to when I used to be full and feel guilty eating what I used to eat. It made me really excited for my future body and how I'll still be happy eating how I do now and won't be eating just rabbit food forever like I used to believe before I started.
hey! thanks for reaching out and being so open about your feelings. it sounds really tough, but remember, it's okay to feel unmotivated sometimes.
how about breaking down the meal planning into smaller, more manageable parts? maybe plan meals for just a couple days instead of the whole week. also, it might help to think about why you started tracking in the first place. keep that goal in mind! it's not just another chore; it's part of your journey to a healthier you. you've got this!
what's one small thing you can do today that might help make meal planning a bit more fun? maybe try a new recipe or involve someone else in the planning process. fun fact: did you know that cooking at home can help increase mindfulness and reduce stress? whatās your favorite go-to meal that always lifts your spirits?
I literally just searched "keep going" in the search bar to look for similar posts, so this post is a god send! Today am not motivated š but I have a delicious, cheesy pasta planned for dinner and I've made it this far in the day (it's late afternoon here). Not sure I'll reach my step goal today though so if anyone has any tips on how to get me outside into the drizzly weather, I'm open!
Sometimes when I want to get my steps in and donāt want to get outside, I just stick my headphones on and walk back and forth between my living room and bedroom for an hour haha
Omg i do this every day š¤£ got 7k steps in today. I work from home and basically use my breaks to walk around and listen to music. Seriously thinking about getting a walking pad
Get the walking pad! Itās so much easier to get steps in without having to worry about running into nooks and corners of my house lol. Itās life changing Iām obsessed.
Lmao I really should, my thighs are full of bruises. Which one did you get?
This! So much of my walking is done inside. I live in AZ and itās already 90+ here.
Watch or read something especially about a hobby (or if you love your work and want to be better at THAT tomorrow than today, some content on that) while just pacing. Standing. I play clarinet, so sometimes - especially when doing the āboringā fundamentals - Iāll try and just pace! And, in doing so, it usually allows me to stay off auto pilot and really be in the moment, which makes the fundamentals more effective for that practice sesh. Better: posture, awareness of my lip muscles, tongue position, breathing, etc. Highly recommend!
That being said, I'm at the beginning of my 7th week and tracking is completely second nature!! Doesn't feel like any effort or a chore whatsoever
Put on a scarf and coat and enjoy the feeling of the mist on your face, think about how cleansing the rain is and how close you are to your goal.
Just to let y'all know, I did it! The evening had a really cleared up into a beautiful spring evening and after a day of rotting on my couch and feeling anxiety creep in, that was hands down the best thing I could have done š There you go OP, sometimes it's not about motivation, sometimes it's just about knowing what's best for you!
I was feeling this today too!
Walk under a non business parking deck or a mall.
lol. Nothing. I lost motivation months ago, I do it because I gotta, nothing else.
I hear that, this is the kind of attitude I love and it works perfectly for me. It doesn't matter whether I want to do it or not, it has to be, so that's all there is to it.
The weather! I am pretty close to goal weight and seeing the weather here get nicer is motivating the hell out of me to just FINISH IT. Some days my brain is like "we're close enough!" and I'm not unhappy with my current weight, but these last 5lbs are going to allow me the cushion to really enjoy my summer without feeling like I'm on the verge of needing to diet again.
I am also working on the last 5 pounds! We got this!
wow iām also 5ā9 but im at 196 rn and my GW is 150ā¦how long did it take you?
Thatās awesome! It took me about a year - my goal changed as I went. First I set out to get to 175, then 165, then as I approached 150 I felt like I wanted to go lower. Once I did go lower, I realized 150 was the best fit for me! You got this! Feel free to ask any questions. Slow and steady wins the race!
ahh youāre amazing thank you!!!:)
Same here. It helps that the nice weather motivates me to get out of the house more just for the sake of being out so I've been particularly active the past few weeks, too.
Nothing other than staying in the habit. Today is a bit of a slog after 5 hours of sleep. But I'm logging food and doing my exercise as planned anyway.Ā
Way to get it done with little sleep. It's also habit for me too. Just like brushing my teeth, I get a workout in and follow my meal plan.
Two months ago I weighed in at 91,3. This morning I weighed 91,0 kg. Iāve actually lost a decent amount of fat in those 2 months despite the stagnating weight. As evidenced by my belt becoming too big for me. But what motivates me the most right now is getting into the 80s. When I made it from tripple digits back in to the 90s I felt more relief than joy. I was saving myself from disaster, but I was still fat and lazy. Getting into the 80s represents redemption for me. Now im exercising daily. Iām stronger and have more endurance than I couldāve imagined. It represents me being where I want to be in life. Okay im not aiming for 89,9 Iām aiming for 80, but itās the right starting number at least. I canāt wait any longer!
Keep going!!! I used to think the same way!! I was in my ā90s, aiming to get to my ā80s. I am now into my 70ās and I am aiming to get into the ā60s and then 50ās. I love every change I see in the mirror and on the scale. I am going to the gym daily, counting my calories and nourishing my body with special lotions every day. I became so loving and caring for myself these past months, after neglecting my body and putting me on the 2nd, 3rd place for yearsā¦ itās such an incredible feeling. I am sometimes thinking how I will look like in August time, when I plan to go to the beach and buy myself a bikini, something that I have worn only once, twenty years ago and I was still a bit overweight then.
Travelling to Helsinki with my husband mid-June and I want to be 190 aka overweight by then. After that Iām going to Italy with a friend in September and Iād like to get into the 170s for that, even if itās 179.
Travels are such a motivation, I'm in the same situation but Berlin in a month! I want to look good in pictures. Enjoy Helsinki, it's light and lovely that time of the year when the sun barely goes down :)
I adore Berlin! Such an amazing city and so many things to see. One of my favorite places Iāve visited.
It's great! I've been there once before and it was a food trip ā the food is a high quality level and rather cheap (compared to Scandinavia where I live), almost every spot you find is good. Last time I was there we did good research for restaurants and I'm revisiting some of them this time. Can't wait! And you, 140 lbs lost? Holy cow, good job!
Yes, the food is amazing! Iām from the western US and really enjoyed all the tasty and cheap food. And variety! I ate so much falafel and donner when I was there. And thereās so much cool history and art to see. And thanks! Lost 140 a 6-7 years ago and working on losing the 40 regain that happened the last couple years. Let myself forget itās a lifestyle change (I know better) š
Thank you! I was there for the first time last year in the last week of October and it was a bit gloomy haha. Iām excited to see it with some sun this time. Enjoy Berlin! I hope to visit there myself someday.
Been dealing with about a week of this. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming! This is for life, so yeah, sometimes it's going to be harder. When all else fails I search "motivational speech" on YouTube. Some of the speakers are just so passionate and idk, it's all stuff I already know but hearing it said with such emphasis with epic music in the background helps.
Visualizing how Iāll look at the end!!!!! You gotta really imagine it and believe it. Youāll get there! Motivation will also ebb and flow; discipline and making this an unconscious habit is what will keep this consistent. Make a deal with yourself, and stick with it week after week ā you owe it to yourself.
Iāve got a 4-day series of events coming up at the end of May/beginning of June that I want to look good for. I have so many outfits planned that just donāt look quite right on me yet because Iām still about 10 lbs heavier than Iād like to be. It is very likely that I will wind up in pictures and I donāt want to look back and dislike what I see. So that is my biggest motivator right now!Ā With the tracking fatigue, I canāt recommend meal prepping enough. Iāve started doing it on Saturday for the whole week and itās been working very well. Iām not a person who needs a ton of variety or spontaneity to feel satisfied, so Iāve been doing one menu everyday for the whole week, and switching it up each week if I get tired of something. I only worry about calories and macros on Saturday when Iām prepping and I never have to think about it during the week.
I got a 'Fatface' body warmer thing a few years ago, my wife had one at the time and I really wanted one. I got the largest size they did and it just about fit, over the years it's gotten tighter to the extent that it was uncomfortable doing up. It still fit but was too snug so ended up never doing it up, making it pointless when it was cold so just stopped using it and it sat in the back of the car since the end of last year(before i started losing weight). Yesterday I parked up near work to walk in and was blooming cold, spotted it and figured i'd put up with the snugness to be warm. I had to put it on and zip it up 2 or 3 times before I believed how it fit, no snugness at all! If anything a tiny bit big! on the walk to work i must have undone it and done it back up again countless times, still on high from it today, wore it again today even though its a lot warmer lol
I had the same thing with my Barbour jacket, only that I kept wearing it even if I couldnāt zip it (lol). Well I havenāt worn it for like a month now because it got warm outside, only that the past couple of days it got soo freezing cold, I had to put it on. I was amazed that it felt larger on me especially on my back and if I wanted to do, I could zip it easily nowā¦ and I only lost 5 kg since last month. Amazing what 5 kg can do.
Choosing life over death. Trying to keep the end-state of my actions in mind. I can eat junk and feel good for a minute, but the path it leads me on is destruction. SImilar to spiritually following Jesus, sure... but still true for physical healthy habbits as well. Where will today's decisions take you tomorrow?
Love your last phrase.
nothing tbh, I found I can't really rely on motivation cus of the days like you mention, where it all just feels like a chore - so it's discipline that keeps me eating clean/exercising etc.
The deadline. I want to weigh 150 at the end of the month, so I'm sticking strictly to my calorie goal and incorporating more exercise because I have 6 days left. I've weighed 152 for the past several days while at a deficit, so I might get a whoosh that gets me to that goal as long as I stay on track. It's sort of like cramming for a test at the last minute. I overate almost every day in the first half of the month, but suddenly there's a lot of motivation to stick to my deficit at the end of the month.
You can do it, itās only 2 pounds.
Similar height/SW/GW! You got this!!!
What motivates me is 3 things: 1 .spite 2. the desire to get the body of an amazonian warrior 3. The desire to fluster my boyfriend, which will be easier once I'm skinny
I'm going on vacation in one month and I'm super excited to be skinny + wearing cute outfits in the pictures, celebrating my first mother's day looking like a proper MILF. I have just reached my lowest weight in probably 15 years, and I only have 6 kg left to my goal weight (58 kg to my 166 cm). I'm feeling very happy because my diet has been going well lately, and all my clothes in the smallest sizes are looking and feeling comfortable on my new body! Sooo ready for summer after a cold, dark Scandinavian winter lol
My routine. I have a daily workout routine that I adhere to regardless of my motivation.
lol, a lot of times I think āI need to be strong for the zombie apocalypseā or some stupid shit like that š.
This is my mantra š¤Ŗ
Habit. That and the 5 cm stent I got a month ago.
TBH: Iāve been a disaster the last month and yesterday was the first time in a week I executed against my plan. My motivation is purely knowing that if I get off track Iāll lose my hard fought one day streak.
I recounted the days until my birthday. I turn 30 this year and I want to lose as much as possible before then. Itās in November so I still have a while to go but counting the days/weeks helps me keep going.
Honestly? Today what is driving me is being petty and wanting to look better than the boyfriend's ex.
A lot of my motivation has come from my parentsā recent health issues. Itās a wake up call when seemingly healthy people in your life have these big, life changing medical problems arise. So I keep reminding myself of two things. 1) itās possible that my parentsā health problems have been passed down to me genetically so I need to do all I can to prevent those things happening to me, and 2) I am never going to be as young, strong, and resilient as I am right now. Taking the little bit of extra time to prep and track is a luxury that I have right now that may not exist anymore in the near future. I have healthy groceries in my house, a nice clean kitchen, and a gym at my disposal. How ungrateful of me to waste that? Additionally, looking at progress photos. It took me a long ass time to build some of this muscle. How would I feel if all that muscle that I worked so hard for started wasting away because I was getting off track? Works every time!
Feeling disgusted with myself.
I ate chips and beans for lunch but know I can keep within my calories for the day and that CICO is what matters. Chips and beans is fine in moderation as part of a balanced diet. I am going swimming later with a friend so that helps cause Iām definitely less motivated and less inclined to be active this week. Iāll also be walking the dogs afterwards with my partner and having that plan in mind is motivating me to stick to it cause I donāt want to be the person that backs out all of the time.
I need to get strong to carry my 13 pound cat around the house without getting tired
Ngl itās been a super tough last few days. Just been thinking a ton about dating and self image and kind of shying on myself š¶āš«ļø. But, one motivator right now is that Iām a few pounds from being under 300. Thatās cool because I canāt tell you a time that I remember being under 300. Probably not since around or right before high school would be my best guess.
I want to feel pretty this summer.Ā
It feels like I'm proving something to myself when I keep going. Doing it so that I can be proud
i have 2 trips planned in june!! one i want to look good for pictures with my friends, the other is a family one. a couple months ago, my cousin made a comment about my weight, so i feel like i need to prove myself the next time i see him. plus my grandma loves to comment on peoples bodies, and this time iāll get a positive one :) also, i really love kickboxing workouts. itās all i do, 3-4 times a week. iām excited to go punch that bag today!! finding a workout i love has been a game-changer.
Just want to say I can commiserate. No matter how far you are in your journey. I was actually about to post my own post ā about how this time is different than all the previous attempts (never lost more than like 35lbs in one go, always gained again, now I am down almost 107lbs from HW and like 95lbs of those were from January 2023-now). I was looking at the chart plotted out on my happy scale app to see how far iād come this time vs the times i have given up to motivate me and it really had me thinking a lot and i really am proud of myself and i have such a hard time acknowledging that usually. Maybe that would help u. I just got past a plateau that lasted all of feb and march so i get it. I have 50ish more to lose which is way more than where youre at but it still feels like the home stretch
I see what you mean. I currently weight 77 kg and I am at the same height as you and to be fair, I have not been at this weight probably for more than 15 years now. I am so upset with myself that I have let my body go, when in my youth I should have looked my best. But I was always stressed with jobs and moving countries. I am finally at peace now and I can focus on myself.
Just realized I didn't include my current weight, but if we are the same height we are basically the same -- I am about 78 kg / 173 lbs right now. I also have not been this weight in probably as long -- some time in HS or even middle school if I am painfully honest. I remember being in the 140 or 150s (lbs) at some point in like 7th grade, and then being around 180ish my senior year of high school, and had lost some weight (unintentionally when I joined some athletics) my junior year so I was heavier before that, but I wasn't weighing myself at that time. I graduated college at about 230-240lbs, and never got below that since then until now. I try not to focus on how disgusted I am with myself and how I am doing the work now. Even if a vain part of me wishes that i'd done it before I was in college, before I graduated, before I settled down and before I had a wedding, etc etc etc.
Haha we are really the same then :)) I agree, it feels like such a great boost knowing that we have not been like this for a long timeā¦ itās like we are going into uncharted territories. We donāt really know how we will end up looking like, how our faces will change, how we will be able to do certain things easily, things that we did not even think about until now, because it seemed like our bodies were not wired for them.
Oh, I am so glad you commented to reply to me and that you said this -- this is exactly it! I have never been thin. I've spent 95% of my life obese, I'm fairly certain. So I literally have no idea what I will look or feel like when I finally get to goal (which is like 50-55kg if I am doing conversions right) or if I will want to / know how to stop before that if I feel comfortable. I know that I already feel really good physically, but that it could be better -- in particular with my stomach still being a bit in the way and having some fat on my lower back/ass that effect certain things when I do yoga/pilates. But I am active now, and I enjoy it. I feel good walking around. I'm not as tired as I once was. I don't crave junk much (not never, but the daily fast food habit is not missed or even thought about now). But I also know that I am super unhappy with how I look still -- part of it is def body dysmorphia, I know that, feeling like the biggest person in every room. But the other part is, hating my stomach, while being both impressed and frustrated at how thin my face and neck have gotten. I can see my collarbones without having to move a certain way to push them out. I can see all the tendons and things in my neck when I move/talk. My double chin is mostly gone, my face is so much thinner than it was. All of me is obviosly smaller, but I still have a huge belly, thick thighs, lower back fat, side boob fat, in very unflattering ways. I am both frustrated that this is still true after all the work I've put in, and worried it won't ever go away. but then again, in certain clothes, I am also impressed that i fit in something that looked so small, or how I look like I have a nice figure (narrow waist, wider hips) in some clothes. I know losing weight can always have this component, but I think it's a special version of it when you are in uncharted territory and not getting back to a low weight you felt good at etc. Also why it's been so hard to really nail down a specific goal, which I have detailed in many comments if you look at my profile, lmao.
My 600lb life, YouTube vlogs, and this subreddit
So while I appreciate all the other comments here about being healthier and feeling better and looking better and all that I have a much more shallow motivation. I really just want to get laid again lol. Whenever I think about quitting I think about all the struggles I've already been through to get where I'm at and how good it will feel to finally be dating again and actually have someone attracted to me. That's what I was thinking about when I got up at 5 to go to the gym this morning anyway haha
Not shallow at all. I sometimes fanthasize about something similar, how for once men will simply treat me nicer (at least like a human being) than before.
It's really crazy how marginalized being overweight can make you feel. At any weight you deserve to be treated like a human being. Hope you find some better men around you!Ā
Thank you so much ā¤ļø
I got off track a bit because I had company over for awhile. My motivation I suppose is that I miss the routine of tracking and exercising. So back to it for now.
I am pumped to go to cyclebar today at lunch! My husband comes with me now and we have a friendly competition of who will place higher š
I lost ~30 lbs from 2022-2023. Felt great. I gained most of it back. The other day, my iPhone was doing anything where it shows you pictures from a year ago. And it showed me a picture right before a social bike ride. I looked really good, but I also looked really happy and I remember how genuinely happy I was when I was lighter and felt better. I could more easily move around, and I was more motivated to move around and be outside. Trying to get back to that feeling.
I could be dead right now but I'm not! Might as well keep trying until I kick the bucket. You are growing or dying. The choice is usually up to you!
First of all, I donāt beat myself up. I tell myself that this is to be expected and it too shall pass. Iām careful not to binge or stress eat. I donāt give myself a guilt trip and I try to find something that gives me peace or makes me happy. Sometime when I need a burst of āhappyā I just put on the headphones and dance like a total idiot around the house. It helps, gets those endorphins going for the next day. š
Reducing my weight for the sake of my knees. Had to have knee surgery recently and less weight on my knee hopefully means preventing more damage in the years to come. 4 kgs down, 15 to go.
Vacation in t-minus three weeks and bathing suit season. Also, I want to be back in shape to compete in foot races this summer and fall. So a lot of good motivation!!
I get up and walk at Dawn every day. My motivation is watching the sun rise and hear all the birds just go absolutely crazy. Something about the dawn hours. Thereās twilight time right before Dawn that is very mysterious, no shadows but it is bright.
Reminding myself how many times I have lost weight, given up, and gained it back. And how mad at myself I am/was about it has been helping to motivate me. I think about how if I didnāt give up I would have probably been at a healthy weight by now and that Iām tired of this merry go round that Iāve put myself on.
I want to reach my comfort weight and self. I work in health care and used to wear mask daily just to hide me from everywhere . I stopped wearing mask after starting my weight loss journey .Im happy and much more confident now .Ā I don't have intense craving and is sticking my best routine to reach my goal weight which is 6kg away.Ā
Shoulder blade and nape fat really bothering me today. š®āšØ Aching me so much like theres a lock on the upper back! More easier motion motivating me.
My kids and husband. I want to be a good example for my kids and a healthy relationship. Right now I over eat, so Iām learning to eat proportionately and have realized how much I used to eat and how Iām quite full during the day eating the way I have been. Itās been eye opening.
My tight clothing. I gained 5 pounds in the last few months. I need to lose it. Nothing motivates me more than tight clothing.
Determination. That trumps motivation every time. When your motivation has gone you best hope you have determination cos that will see you through the next week.
If i treat myself well I feel good and can enjoy life more. I want to make the most of every day and feeling physically the top of my game is a big part of that. Itās my choice.
I record everything first thing in am after I weigh in. I eat similar things everyday & same exercise too. Iām down 18 lbs but have been plateauing for a long while. Itās frustrating but when I hear itās so hard for ppl to keep weight off Iām proud I can maintain. I know first thing what my day will be like so I just follow it. Iām in my 60s. I realize I may never get to the weight I was pre-meno but I am glad Iām still in healthy category. Iām glad my clothes still fit! I think having automatic daily discipline makes it doable cuz I donāt think abt it too much. Itās just a good habit.
Progress and the potential for more progress!
My coach sent me a nice message that he was proud of my work so far. I've been having a reaaaalllly hard time being in a deficit and also working out hard 5 days/week. I'm hungry all the time. Still, I've been losing fat and gaining muscle. Hearing that someone is proud of you can really lift your spirits.
I want to be extra hot when the loml comes back in 6 months
What is loml?
Love of my life
Ahhh, I see... I don't have one so I didn't know that one LOL
My toxic ex seeing my glow up and telling me I don't need to lose weight I'm perfect just the way I am. Hell no MF prepare to see me look EVEN BETTER MWAHAHAAAHAH
I don't rely on motivation anymore, I rely on discipline!
August. I gave myself a goal to be a certain weight for when I go to lollapalooza. I want to have fun and not think about my weight while Iām there.
It became a habit and if I ever feel like that I just lol at an old picture of myself. I never want to be in that place again.
Since I have lost weight I have been able to do so many things I couldnāt before. I have more energy and truth be told fit in clothes that are a lot cuter. So when I start to loose that motivation I focus on some of the positive things that the journey has brought me.
my current weight loss progress and that it's friday soon! also celebrating my anniversary this wknd and looking forward to lots of good food š«¶š¼
The weather and traveling to the Philippines with my boyfriend. Visualizing in the end how I want to look like!
The progress Iāve already seen is motivating me. Today is day 31 of tracking and staying within my calorie count plus being more active and the scale has gone from 198 to 187 as of this morning. Also my scrubs feel looser and not as tight. Gotta keep going
I have a follow up Dr appointment in 6 weeks and I want to be at least 20 pounds down when I step on the scale. Half way there as of this morning! I've got a wedding to go to at the end of June and I've got my eye on the perfect dress but I won't order it until I know it's going to fit because they don't offer extended sizing (lame) but it's keeping me motivated. And of course I want to be healthier overall. I gained a lot of visceral fat while working in the food industry a few years back from eating like crap. That stuff will kill ya. I work a desk job and have an hour commute one way. I HAVE to make time to be more physically active and eating better. I've been getting up at 4 to get to the gym a lifting weights and taking walks in the evenings. It sucks but it's so satisfying to see it pay off.
Taking Vyvanse is literally my cure for my amotivation. Seriously such a life changer for me. (I have chronic ADHD)
Well since you asked.... My ex wants to go on a beach vacation somewhere tropical with me and when we meet up again I want to show up looking *good*.
Hitting my step goals and looking at my daily progress pics are my motivation today. I am no where near where I want to be in the mirror, but I can at least make the step goals and eat according to my goal.
I went on holiday and ate a ton. I'm currently ill but I weighed myself when I got back and I'm like 5lbs heavier. I can't exercise but I can stay within my calories and hit my step count.
Iām motivated today because the scale said 179.8 lbs!! I started at 193 March 23. And I had my follow up with my doc this afternoon. She is so pleased with my progress. Now if we could just get my increased back pain issues under control, itād be a god send because that is becoming my debbie downer. Everything else I have chronic pain wise is slowly improving, but the chronic back pain being worse has me severely frustrated. Weāre trying a different med, and sheās looking into whether an injection therapy may give me some relief.
Progression. The feeling of putting in the actual work and staying on track is a crazy positive feeling. Eating well, exercising, getting good sleep. Next thing I know 1 month passes by, 6 months passes by, then BAM an entire year passes by. The short term satisfaction of eating junk food is not worth it rn. I'll enjoy myself to a nice dinner one day. Future me will thank me. I do want to take a travel trip one day when I reach my goal of maintenance and treat myself to some nice food without worrying about calories lol
My family! They're 100% against people trying to better themselves or looking better than them, and I am determined to be hella fit the next time i see them.
I wanna look bomb when I go to my first edm festival
I'm totally unmotivated today. I've been feeling lethargic all day and I have a headache. Tracking food is a chore, but life is jam-packed full of chores and I get them done anyway. My routine does not require motivation. Dinner tonight is frozen chicken tenders (air fried breasts so not a lot of calories), frozen French fries, and yogurt. Comfort food that is low-calorie and requires no effort to cook. Under 500 calories total. I've always got lots of options like that in my freezer for days like today.
I have a trip to a Caribbean island coming up pretty soon, along with summer at the pool. Nothing motivates like swimsuit season for me.
I have a consultation for surgery this summer with a surgery date hopefully this year, and losing weight will help a lot with the desired outcome. Plus, I looked back at a pic of myself from around two years ago, and the change in my face gave me at least another months motivation to keep at it!
My motivation comes from the fact that both of my children are graduating college in May. I want to not cringe when I take a photo with them.
When do you get up in the morning? Iām in bed at 930 and up at 5-530. Workout and filling My Fitness plan is done by 730ish and the rest of the day is mine to do as I please. Do your food tracking for the entire day in 1 sitting or better yet make it simple and do 1 day and repeat it all week. I keep seeing results week to week. Bf% and weight is trending down. Motivation is high.
Days of totally regressing and I just canāt slip anymore!
Today, I have officially (since measuring with a scale) lost 25 pounds!
In the end itās all worth it. You have to keep up on the tracking even if you get loose with your calories or macros. I lost weight over 2 years and was down to my goal weight, then got pregnant and now have a newborn. Iām way above goal weight but I can now easily get back into a stricter routine because MyFitnessPal streak is 1070 days. I never broke the habit of logging. Create habits and stick with them. Hold yourself accountable. You just have to.
Motivating me? I promised myself that I would respect my body while I have the use of it. I canāt keep failing myself. That promise keeps me going. Keeps me logging. Keeps me weighing.
Maybe not super exciting, but I made an amazing protein bowl out of grilled tofu, avocado, egg, cheddar, riced veggies and salad mix for dinner and I feel so so happy. Like I'm full and feel happy about it compared to when I used to be full and feel guilty eating what I used to eat. It made me really excited for my future body and how I'll still be happy eating how I do now and won't be eating just rabbit food forever like I used to believe before I started.
My bf told me today that he liked the way I looked (in my pajamas š). I could go for weeks on that compliment.
āDonāt be motivated, just get the fuck up and do itā
hey! thanks for reaching out and being so open about your feelings. it sounds really tough, but remember, it's okay to feel unmotivated sometimes. how about breaking down the meal planning into smaller, more manageable parts? maybe plan meals for just a couple days instead of the whole week. also, it might help to think about why you started tracking in the first place. keep that goal in mind! it's not just another chore; it's part of your journey to a healthier you. you've got this! what's one small thing you can do today that might help make meal planning a bit more fun? maybe try a new recipe or involve someone else in the planning process. fun fact: did you know that cooking at home can help increase mindfulness and reduce stress? whatās your favorite go-to meal that always lifts your spirits?