ok i need some serious help

[lowie57]

i have posted on this site a while ago now, i was fully pumped and motivated, it lasted for about a week, then i have been doing pretty much nothing since then, i mean while im writing this im eating M&M's lol, i know i shouldnt be eating them, but i just cant help myself. i am not excercising at all, and eating like crap, i really just need to discover a true desire to do this, i know i want to do it, but realisticaly i cant be bothered at the moment. i have little to no energy, and everything just seems like it would take to much effort, i need to get out of this thinking habit. can anyone share some tips/secrets on how to accomplish this? it would be muchly appreciated

 

[M2M]

First - PUT DOWN the M&M's!!


Now, you said:

i know i want to do it

Then, you said:

i cant be bothered at the moment

Those are two very conflicting sentiments.

If you want to get healthy, then you need to put out the effort. It isn't easy, it takes work, but you CAN do it! You just need to be ready and willing.

I found when I started walking every day, my energy level went through the roof! Getting out there and MOVING seriously helps!

You don't have to reduce your daily maintenance calories by a lot, but arming yourself with information you can make changes that fit within your lifestyle that will get you started.

I know that for my personality, I can not follow a prescribed "diet menu". I would forever more be feeling like a failure for falling off the wagon. I also believe that those plans don't help you learn what or how much of 'normal' food you need to maintain and that's why people gain back weight they've lost once they go 'off' the diet.

How much do you weigh? What do you want to lose? Are you willing to put forth the effort needed? What can you do to start changing right now, starting today - even if it's almost bed time? Do you drink enough water?

If you're willing, you CAN do this!

 

[Barnold]

Lowie57 - think small! What I mean by that is don't make drastic changes to your lifestyle all at once. Make some small adjustments to the way you eat and exercise, and stick to them for a while, several weeks at the least. And it might even be a good idea not to weigh yourself during those first few weeks.

One thing that might work is setting a goal, something you want to do or want to be in the future. It's easier to motivate yourself with something like "I want to be able to do this and that by that time" than "I don't want to look like this, I don't want to feel like this". Positive thinking! At least that seems to be working for me.

 

[mpall]

I have the same problem when it comes to chocolate. I just make sure nothing but healthy stuff comes into the house - no chocolate, biscuits etc because if they're within reach I'll be sure to eat them!

Motivation is the most important part to work at when it comes to weight loss, I certainly find it the hardest. Here's some tips I find useful. Sorry its kinda long. I'm sure you'll have read it all before but reinforcement of these motivational ideas is important.

LEARN TO ACCEPT SELF:


The most common reason people lose interest in exercise / dieting is due to unrealistic goals. Some see the images in the media or television and this coveys the message of how we are supposed to look, adverts enforce these images with false promises that "you too can have a body like this!" and we believe it. When the desired goals aren't reached we're made to believe we have failed.

We need to put these images into prospective and realise that most of the population just do not have the genetic predisposition to look like the models in the magazines, plus most images are now adjusted by computers to look better than they actually are.

Learn to love yourself for who you are, not who you wish to be.

FOCUS ON POSITIVES NOT NEGATIVES:


Many of us have a tendency to look at our bad points, however once you start to accept yourself it will be easier to focus on the positive side more. To make it easier try writing a list of all the good things in what you've done or what you like about your physical self. Practice running these positives through your mind regularly, it may take time but its surprising what you can believe if it is said enough times.



if you don't reach a goal when you want, just focus on the fact that you will get there in time

remember how far you've got not how far you need to go

if you miss a workout one day don't worry just go back with more vigour to improve

remind yourself that a worthwhile pay-off lies ahead in an improved you

remember the exercise is improving your health and fitness and will help increase longevity

remember exercise has many psychological benefits including renewed confidence and self esteem

any type of action always drives motivation


SET GOALS:


Setting goals has the advantage of focusing on what you intend to achieve. A goal acts as a form of mental contract with yourself and your degree of motivation will drive you to complete that contract. If the goal is too hard to achieve it can affect your success. The subconscious mind does not distinguish between big or little, it only knows success or failure. If you set a goal of four training sessions each week but only complete three then the mind sees this as a failure. For this reason you must set realistic and easily reachable goals. When you attain each goal it gives momentum to increase the level of motivation further.

Try these tips:

write down your goals

set easy goals often so you create a habit of success in the mind

set measurable goals - I will lose 1 pound each week. This gives you something to go for

tell friends and family about your goals for motivational support

make any routine fun and exciting to help maintain interest

try new challenging goals to stop your normal routine from becoming a chore

reward your success on reaching a goal

think positively, replace thoughts like "I can't" with "I can and I will"

don't set goals that are too much too soon