Another lost cause...

[Wampler2]

Hi I am new to this forum, but it seems to offer lots of good information. I lack motivation, I will have the best intentions to only then not do anything about it.

Brief history: 39 yrs old, female, hypothyroid for 20 yrs, only looking to loose 20lbs. In the grand scheme of things it isn't much compared to what others struggle with, however it feels like a ton to me. With my hypothyroid I stay completely worn out, it was just tested and I am extremely low and am awaiting a visit to a specialist on June 1st.

I have struggled with many things in my life only to rise above it and meet the challenges, but with getting in shape, I stumble everytime. I absolutely love food...

I am trying baby steps, drinking lots of water and not eating out so much.

Look forward to any helpful hints on motivation.

 

[Wampler2]

Failed to mention that I am 5ft 6 and I weight 174 lbs. 150 is ideal for me, any less I look like a skeleton!

 

[unrecognizeable]

only looking to loose 20lbs. In the grand scheme of things it isn't much compared to what others struggle with, however it feels like a ton to me.

No worries about that, this isn't a competition! Everyone has their own mountain to climb, right? Good luck with your weight loss!

 

[Nahaschiid]

Hi I am new to this forum, but it seems to offer lots of good information. I lack motivation, I will have the best intentions to only then not do anything about it.

Brief history: 39 yrs old, female, hypothyroid for 20 yrs, only looking to loose 20lbs. In the grand scheme of things it isn't much compared to what others struggle with, however it feels like a ton to me. With my hypothyroid I stay completely worn out, it was just tested and I am extremely low and am awaiting a visit to a specialist on June 1st.

I have struggled with many things in my life only to rise above it and meet the challenges, but with getting in shape, I stumble everytime. I absolutely love food...

I am trying baby steps, drinking lots of water and not eating out so much.

Look forward to any helpful hints on motivation.

I really know what you're talking about. I have a chronic illness called Sarcoidosis that manifests as Erythema Nodosum. It's an extremely painful and debilitating illness that is accompanied by chronic fatigue. When I was at my worst I was taking Phentrametrazine just to make it through the day and keep my job. I wasn't using it to lose weight I was using it to make it 8 hours without collapsing. Then the doctor started me on chemo and my illness is dormant. Unfortunately the chronic fatigue is still with me.

I brought this up on another forum and I think it's valid here as well.

I'm a musician. I am a classically trained vocalist and pianist. I decided two year ago to learn the mandolin. A stringed instrument is a complete different discpline than a keyboard so it was completely new to me. (yes I do have a point and YES I'm getting to it)

Being classically trained I learned a long time ago that there is no such thing as motivation. It doesn't exist. I have never been "motivated" to train myself musically or to practice. But I did. Sometimes 4-6 hours per day depending on the piece I was learning at the time. The hardest piece I ever learned (Rachmaninoff Opus 3 #2) had me practicing up to 5 hours a day. It was tedious, repetitive and extremely technical. How was I motivated? I wasn't. I didn't have an ounce of motivation. But I learned.

The key is structure, routine, and prioritizing. Set up a routine that has a structured progression. Something you can do day in and day out until it becomes second nature. Make sure that the time you set aside for youself is sacred and untouchable. No one is allowed to interrup or interfere with you during this time. It's YOUR time. Set a goal. Be determined to reach that goal. Determination is the key factor. Fantasize about your goal. What you want to do with your weight loss. How you want to look. What you want to wear. How you wish to feel. All these things have to become real in your mind. visualize your goal and make it happen. Everything takes time and practice no matter what it is if you wish to become proficient. Once you get yourself set up with a routine it becomes second nature and that will become your motivation.

Sorry for the long post. I hope it helps.