So close but lacking the inspiration I once had...

I'm brand new to this site - think it's a GREAT idea and appears to be a great support system for many people. 

Most of my life I've been a good weight.  In high school I was very athletic and active and actually nabbed the "best figure" superlative in my senior yearbook.  But I was always a cheeseburger away from slipping.

I am 28 yrs old and 5'2" on a good day.  In HS and college I always hovered around the 117 mark and I've always been rather curvy.  After college I was put on Paxil briefly, and my weight sky-rocketed to 138 at its peak.  Of course I was not obese at that weight, but I did look like a different person.  After discontinuing the medication and following a strict 1200 calorie diet + step class 2-3 a week for about 9 months, I got down to my lowest weight of 107 (TOO skinny for me - I looked diseased.  Even at my height, I guess I am too "thick" to weigh so little).

Then I went to law school.  Needless to say, between the stress and the sedentary bookworm lifestyle, I gained weight back.  I am now graduated and working and I am around 120-121 and have been for about a year.  I'll lose a few pounds here and gain them back there.  My ideal weight is around 115.  I am thin at that weight without losing my curves. 

My problem is that I have lost all motivation.  I used to look at getting in shape as a game - a challenge.  Now it's just annoying.  My job is boring - all I want to do is eat.  My boyfriend has some sort of bionic metabolism whereas he eats approximately 4,000 calories a day (with no exaggeration) and gains not an ounce.  Needless to say hanging out with him puts my will power to the test and then some.

Does anyone have any advice?  Can anyone share their inspiration for looking their best?  I hate to waste the potential to have a great body while i'm still young.

Hi there!

This site is awesome as far as keeping track of what you put in your mouth, the trick is stopping that Mocha Frapaccino from ever being made! I have been amazed at WHAT I actually eat.........44 oz of Pepsi today??? OMG!

I lost 60 pounds 4 years ago and have managed to keep 40 of them off. I had thyroid cancer and it wreaked havoc on my body, but I began exercising (NO DON'T LEAVE!!! it gets better....I promise!) I started out on this creaky old Scwinnn single speed bike.........at 5am so no one would see me........LOL!  It took about 6 weeks and I noticed one morning that the shadow from the streetlights was skinnier!!! Woooo Hooooo, that was all I needed, I went to the bike store and bought a Cannondale....damn! that thing was FAST!  It took me 2 years to lose 60 pounds but I felt so good and was wearing sexy skinny clothing and not feeling tired at all.

My newest motivation: In 8 weeks I am going dancing in Jackson Hole, Wy at the Million Dollar Cowboy bar and I want to look HOT! If you can find a short term goal that excites you (Valentines Day is only 13 weeks away) a particular time when you want to see results by, then it will be easier. OR a particular piece of clothing (if clothing excites you) I found a dress that is a knockout and it is 2 sizes too small for me currently (I even wrote the company that makes it and asked if they'd make a larger one for me...........geez!) BUT if I want to wear that dress in 8 weeks I have NO CHOICE but to count my calories and exercise. I have other dresses I can wear, but I want to wear THAT ONE!

I also wear this gaudy cubic zirconium ring on my left hand and whenever I want to eat something I know will push me over for the day I look at that ring (it is pretty sparkly!) and it reminds me that I am but a diamond in the rough. Sometimes something as simple as that is all it takes to keep us on the right track.

I hope some of this helped!

Julie

Hi Julie

Thanks so much for your reply! I absolutely adore your mini-goals. You're right that they are one of the best ways to find motivation. Just yesterday my parents booked a place in Florida for the month of February and have invited my boyfriend and me to spend some time there. So I will choose that as my mini-goal. I want him to look over at me on the beach and be proud :)

It sounds like you are on the right track and you'll be able to wear that dress in Jackson Hole.

ADORE the diamond ring trick!

GOOD LUCK and let me know how it goes!

Susan