STAYING motivated

I'm anywhere between 10 and 30 pounds overweight depending upon your perspective (160 at 5' 5").  I feel happier, much prettier, and more energetic when I weigh less - but right now I'm healthy, reasonably cheerful and energetic, and my husband isn't complaining about my looks.  

I would LOVE to lose 20 lb, but there's no absolute reason for it except "I want to."  I'm also worried that, now that I'm over 50, keeping the weight off would be a gigantic project that will drive me crazy!

I count calories, eat well, exercise moderately.  Then I lose 2 pounds.  Then I go to a party, have a couple beers and a handful of chips and dip, and it all comes back.

HOW DO I STAY MOTIVATED for the long haul?????

 

Maybe you don't really want to lose weight?  I'm the same height and according to the BMI calculator I need to be 149 or less for a healthy weight - really less since I have a small frame.  I guess for me I'm in my late 30s and I know this isn't going to get easier.  My husband doesn't complain at all but I'm sick of the sizes I wear and I want to be comfortable in a bathing suit.  So I want to lose it for me. 

I'm not sure it is a "gigantic" project, it would just involve more tracking, more menu planning, yes sometimes saying no to alcohol at parties because, for me at least, having a drink or two makes me much more likely to overeat.  Maybe also throwing in some strength training to strength your muscles and bones and help burn the fat off.     

Well, DC, I've lost these same pounds multiple times, and find that it's not a matter of "just" doing anything.  Yes, I track.  Yes, I exercise.  But the slightest slip, and the same pounds pop on again in a quarter the time it took to take them off.

My life changes from week to week, so I can't just do the same things over and over again -- sometimes dinner has to be early, or late... sometimes I have to eat on the go....  sometimes there are events to attend...  and in many cases I have no idea of how many calories are in a dish I'm offered in a situation where I have few options.

So, yes, it would require a lifetime of vigilance, and in all likelihood I'll be gaining and losing those same pounds many more times as life intervenes and I don't happen to have access to the "right" foods at the "right" time.

Do I want to lose the weight?  Absolutely.  Am I having a hard time with motivation?  Yes - hence the post on this forum.  I would appreciate suggestions as to how to become more motivated, and/or how to manage the juggling balls.

Lisa

I guess it would really help that you must lose weight for your OWN GOOD. Do not think that your husband is okay about your weight right now. Think of healthy living. Remember, you want to lose weight because it's a gift for yourself and your family as well.

Hello Sunshine - thanks!  Can you say more about the "healthy living?"  I am not quite sure how to think about that...  given that I'm not dealing with specific physical problems, I eat lots of fruit and veg, and I do exercise each day...  I feel pretty healthy.  Is there some reason why being X - 20 pounds versus X pounds makes a significant difference to one's health?

NEVERMIND!

yes, DC, once again I see that I have come to the wrong place to ask about motivation.  from what I can tell, the answer I am likely to receive is "if you're not already motivated enough, don't bother."

I have done ALL the things you describe, and many others.  packed snacks in the car.  taken intense exercise classes.  following "points" and calorie count systems.  felt virtuous.  felt guilty.  I have lost and gained weight for many reasons, with new children, self employment, a dying mother, a move, an unemployed husband, you name it.

I am asking others what keeps them motivated, not to hear a lecture on why I'm just not doing enough.

I say think of healthy living because that will help you become motivated in the long run. Yes, you eat lots of fruits and vegetables but I guess you should also watch and monitor what you eat aside from those foods.

Is there some reason why being X - 20 pounds versus X pounds makes a significant difference to one's health? - I'm not sure how to answer this question but I guess it really depends on gender, age and height. Because as we all know there is an ideal weight for everyone. I hope this chart will help you understand what I'm trying to say.

 

 

I think it's a matter of short term vs long term gratification. I have the same battle, but at the end of the day, I'd rather have health be my reward than the seconds something I want to eat is on my tongue. I also want to respect myself by taking care of my body, although, of course, I want to overindulge in all kinds of food. I guess it's a choice each person has to make for themselves, and my choice has varied during different periods in my life. Good luck to you!

Hi bithoo

I think you have to cut out the booze babe it contains a lot of cals.

I've made that mistake in the past thinking that drinks dont count as food/cals. And then maybe increase yr exercise.

Good luck

 

Ok you are looking for what motivates so here is my list of motivators and I hope something here spurs you on. For the record, I am 27, married already and looking to get into supreme-o shape.

 

1. I want to get pregnant but I want to be in good shape before I do so losing the baby weight is easier and so I am healthier for my child
2. I want to be an active mother, jogging with my kids, cycling, coaching them in sports, spending weekends hiking etc. Of course you could say the same about when you become a grandmother
3. I want to do something for me. My husband doesn't care, but I want to look amazing for me so that I have more confidence. I want to be able to lift weights so that I feel strong and tough and so that I don't need help with everything
4. I want to strengthen my bones so I don't get osteoporosis
5. I want to increase my flexibility as its only going to get worse as I get older
6. I want to drop my BMI to 20ish so that I am in the middle so if one of life's disasters comes along, I don't move into the danger zone
7. I want to drop my body fat below 25% so I can have a visible zix pack
8. I want to learn to eat healthy so others around me eat healthier. I want to inspire change. I want my husband to eat healthier, which he has to do when I am eating healthy!
9. I want to avoid the avoidable cancers by minimizing my body fat around my waist which is a direct contributor
10. I don't want to get diabetes

Thats a good start on my list. There are lots of other specific things I want like to be able to do certain moves in yoga etc but those are not so much motivators as goals along the way. Like I know I'll be fit when - I can do 20 pushups, I can safely do all the inversions in yoga etc.

 

Edit: I forgot one. I want to go on a cruise and do all the eco-touring that is strenuous. Climbing mountains, biking through rainforests, the whole damn lot of it. And I don't want to be useless the next day :)