I am 26/f and looking for the final motivation to push me to STOP slacking and do this. I absolutely know I am making excuses and putting the weight loss off, and I know I just need to GET OFF BUTT and do it, but something always gets in the way... (Or at least thats what I tell myself)
I am 5'8 and was 179lbs. I am down to 172 mostly by eating better I think. goal is 150-155. I would like to lose the weight and tone up.
regimen used to be eat whatever I want, drink whatever I want, never exercised a day past high school etc. I am a smoker, and up until recently was a heavy drinker. I would drink at least something every day, but more days than none I would have 1/4 to 1/2 bottle of rum or sometimes 6-12 beers. I noticed more and more that I got more comfortable drunk then I was sober, and realized that I needed to make a change. I'm no longer drinking to get drunk, and only having a couple beers on the weekends. Rare occasions I will have one during the week if I want, but its definitely more under control now. And, I feel a ton better already
I am also a smoker.. With cutting back significantly with alcohol and with a new diet that is insanely bland (basically just some type of protein and veggies), I'm scared giving up smoking will be too much at once, and would rather get comfortable with the other things I've given up on first before I overwhelm myself.
The problem with smoking is that its REALLY hard to exercise. I make excuses because I will go on runs, and get sharp pains in throat/collar bone area. I make excuses because now its really cold and I prefer running at night. I make excuses because once I get home from work I need to cook for the kids, homework, get them ready for bed etc and then I would rather sit down and catch up on a TV episode then put on running shoes and go for a run.
Does anyone have any experience in putting their journey off? What FINALLY motivated you to get off the couch and start once and for all? I'm really sick of feeling down on myself because I'm being lazy about the whole thing. PUSH ME PEOPLE!
Amandy wrote:Does anyone have any experience in putting their journey off? What FINALLY motivated you to get off the couch and start once and for all? I'm really sick of feeling down on myself because I'm being lazy about the whole thing. PUSH ME PEOPLE!
I've put journey for years still to this day i struggle. I have a lot of ambition on goals but sometimes lack of motivation gets in the way. This website is great for encouragment though! i truly have benefited from the people on this website. But in the end it comes down to you and what you want out of your life!! You have children though and a healthy mom helps for a well balanced and healthy life for them too. I think just remembering that might help you with all the motivation you will ever need! Congratulations on cutting back on alcohol. That is no easy feat. Keep it up and keep pushing!!
You need some tough love sister, but first, I will be practical.
First, I don't care how late it is, get off your butt and MOVE! It sounds like you may need to join a gym. I realize if you live out in the middle of nowhere like me, it is hard to pack your gear and go to the gym at night. I also don't like going out for a walk in the cold at night on a lonely dirt road. Here's what I do instead: I bought a workout dvd. Buy something you think looks fun. I got a kickboxing dvd. Maybe you like dance, or zumba, or Richard Simmons I dunno. If it bothers your lungs that bad, get an indoor walking dvd; I've seen them for sale.
Secondly, quit freaking smoking! I don't understand how somebody as young as you got started on that in the first place. There are warnings right on the package for Pete's sake! Your health will be compromised, you will get cancer, and you WILL die! I don't wanna hear any excuses about "It might not happen to me." Good luck with that nonsensical line of thinking. brother finally quit smoking after many years. It was easy for him. However, his wife quit too, and I didn't think that would ever happen. She did it by eating those small, sweet navel oranges everytime she wanted a cigarette. It gave her hands something to do, it took awhile so she had a break from what she was doing, it was somehting to put in her mouth, and it tasted good. After awhile she got full of oranges and enough of the cigs too. Not saying oranges will work for you, but it's a heck of a lot healthier.
Thirdly, drinking is bad. Alcohol is pure sugar, and sugar wreaks havoc on your entire body. I don't care what people say about a little being good for you or digestion or something. Bullcrap. I don't believe that. I don't touch the stuff, not even in moderation. What is the point of drinking if you aren't getting hammered anyway? No fun at all. Even so, leave it alone. Especially being a girl, alcohol can wreck your female organs as well as your liver and kidneys. I also don't think it will be bad for you to cut sugar and sweeteners everywhere else. I read on WebMd that women have their worst PMS in their 20s and that artificial sweeteners make it worse. Since I cut those out, I feel tons better. You say that everything you eat now is bland. Well season it woman! I recommend salt-free Mrs. Dash. I like the original, but they make other flavors. It is worth buying; I would die without it. Garlic powder (with just garlic on the ingredients list) also makes everything taste better. And don't forget onions. They aren't that expensive and add flavor to everything.
Besides, once you start eating clean, nutritious food, no junk at all, you will get a sort of high off that. And believe me, you will feel so accomplished, better, and proud when you know you are providing homecooked, nutritious meals to your family instead of prepackaged junk. For an easy transition, I recommend Light Cooking magazine. They sometimes have tasty stuff that is light, but not necessarily diet food. I could give you a million good recipes myself plus advice from a fellow young female, just ask.
Ok, here's another point I want to make. You make excuses pretty bad. It sounds like you have a serious drinking and smoking problem. Joining a gym and being surrounded by other healthy people may help, joining this site will certainly help, but if that isn't enough, you may need to see a counselor. I know, it sounds crazy, and I don't want you to, but consider it. It sounds to me like you are seeking comfort in your life, so you turn to food, alcohol, and tobacco. You have to realize that those are all punishments. Instead, recognize the positives in your life. Focus on them and fight to be the person you want to be. It isn't up to anybody else, so stop making excuses to them. You need to love you, do what is right for you, and lead by example. When you cut out all the negative things in your life, think of all the things you can do. Like play with your kids more, go get your teeth cleaned, set a good example, surround yourself with new positve, supportive friends, shop for new clothes (that don't smell of smoke), get more work done around the house. The list goes on and on.
If that doesn't motivate you enough, here comes the tough part. You need a mental picture you can focus on everyday to motivate you. Some people picture themselves with the perfect body or look at fitness models. That helps me a little, but when I really need motivation, when I really need to dig deep, I get dark. Forget the positve happy, smiling models. They don't get me out of bed in the morning. I think "Why am I really doing this?" It is for health. I feel happier and in less pain when I work out consistently. But that still isn't quite it. When I was 15 dad died suddenly of a massive heart attack. He was overweight, had severe episodes of low blood sugar due to his diet, and he drank pretty much everday. He didn't take very good care of himself. I was there and saw dad dead in front of me. We didn't have an autopsy done, but they said massive heart attack. A year later his brother died of the same thing, also overweight, heavy smoker and drinker. They had an autopsy, and they found a genetic heart defect. We could all potentially have it. His son, whom I was close to died a few years later at 32, massive heart attack, also an alcoholic and one of the heaviest smokers I've ever seen, slightly overweight. Then a few more cousins died, same genetic heart defect, all unhealthy. I don't want that to get me too; I wanna beat this thing by increasing chances any way I can. I want dad to be proud of me.
Before you start saying this isn't you, it is. Everytime you can't find the motivation to quit, to move, to actively plan your meals, to make a positive change, come up with this mental picture. I want you to picture YOURSELF dead, lying in the dirt, with your kids crying their eyes out around you, knowing you won't open your eyes, you won't ever laugh or speak to them again. Imagine what they must think. "Mommy didn't love me enough to live for me" or "Mommy was too LAZY to live" or "I must not have been good enough for mommy to take care of herself so she could live for me." Then imagine them spiraling into depression, taking up the same bad habits you have now, and ruining their lives. This could all be avoided by you setting a good example now while you are still young.
If you make changes for the better, you will reap the benefits. Everyone on this site will have your back. You will meet all kinds of new positive people in real life too. You will learn all kinds of things about fitness and nutrition to the point you feel like you are in a secret club or something. I will love you if you stop smoking. You will love yourself when you achieve your goals. You just have to commit to a new lifstyle and change. You said you needed motivation. That is the absolute best I've got. You're welcome and best of luck on your new path!
