How to keep motivated?

[xemilyx001x]

I am struggling to keep myself motivated at the moment when I am working so much lately and can't go to the gym. Does anyone have any tips on how to stick to it? I really want to lose the weight!

[decadesofun]

I'm in a bit of a dip myself at the moment; just think of the end result you want to achieve, don't be hungry - there's loads available to fill up on without feeling bad - look for ideas and motivation without having to pay out - websites such as slimming world, weight watchers, BDA, Tesco Diet, Weight Loss resources; for the physical activity side of things I was advised to just do what you can - stairs at home & when out, going for a walk, parking a bit further away than usual for extra walk, even housework ... Just keep moving it will all count. Good luck

[MrsWobble2]

I like Decade's reply. You don't have to go to the gym. Just do something. If your job is active then you have done something. If you are sitting all day, then just go for a walk for 30 mins or more once a day and avoid high calorie foods. Every effort you make each day counts towards another pound off each week. Have a good day

[SXman]

I like to give myself small intermediate targets and rewards to keep myself focused. It needn't be much - for example on reaching a weight goal of losing 3 kilos, I rewarded myself with a trip to the cinema. Larger goals have larger rewards. It's just part of an overal plan

[sk1nnyr1bs]

I don't know if you have ever tried just hardly having any carbs and filling up on protein... That really works for me, plus I have to say a bowl of porridge in the morning, stops all my cravings and keeps me going. I make it with 50/50 water and milk and add a sweetner to make it more palatable. We all have these tough times and you just have to ride it out. GOOD LUCK

[Prin]

Some ways I used for motivation. I counted down BMI points, so small steps. Plus my son had bought me a coat and the sleeves were way too tight I put it on every week.....

[xemilyx001x]

Thank you for all of your comments! There are some good tips there! This morning I bought some new jeans I am determined to get into in the next 2 months!!! Thanks!

[GoogleMe in reply to xemilyx001x]

The wardrobes and charity shops of Britain are full of clothes people bought to 'motivate' themselves to lose weight. I suspect that, ironically, buying new clothes that fit you well right now are often much more effective (provided they are not elasticated waists or tents)

[GoogleMe in reply to GoogleMe]

Nothing wrong with promising yourself new clothes (ie a reward rather than a bribe) - although I lost 20 kgs, from obese to healthy BMI and still wear the same size clothes for the most part...

[katedaniels]

I struggle in the heat, it just seems to drain all my energy. June is usually a bad month so I set myself a target of walking a hundred miles this month rather than a weight loss goal. It works out at 3/4 miles a day which is about an hour (I do that in my lunch break as it's too hot for me to eat) and a bit more at weekends, yesterday I walked my hundredth mile I've also lost 6 lbs so far this month which i'm really happy with. If you don't have time to go to the gym is there something you could do at home? Do you have any stairs at home? Could you aim to do 15 minutes a day using the bottom step as an aerobic step and do exercise on that? Set yourself a target of doing 100 steps a day on it? The advice about going more for protein than carbs is good. I've also bought a couple of tops in the next size down as inspiration to keep going.

Good luck.

[housewife1]

Make sure you have your breakfast, take a pack lunch with you and some fruit or raw vegetables. If you work on a upper level at work take the stairs instead of a lift. If you bus, get off the stop before or if you drive drop your car off at home and instead of going in doors straight away go for a brisk walk round the block. Try to have your last meal no later than 7pm. Good luck.

[OlsBean]

If you are struggling to stay motivated then the chances are you have set unrealistic goals for yourself and/or you are doing more than you are capable of.

It's important to remember before anything else, that the core of any changes that you make to both your diet and activity level need to be life, so it's critical that they are manageable by yourself, ideally regardless of what the real world throws at you. It should not feel like a prison sentence, I've been there (not prison :)) and trust me you don't want it to get like that or eventually it will lead to an epic fail.

Try not to focus on end points it's counter productive, OK I understand we all have target weights we would like to reach and maintain however the journey there and beyond is about much more than that, it's about becoming healthier and more active, understanding more about our own well being. Focus on the fact you are in a better place now than before you started, or at least you should be less you are doing something wrong. Remember it's not a race it's a marathon, the distance being your lifetime.

Good Luck with it.

[Hidden]

Most people have to exercise before or after work for an hour so getting up earlier than normal some times or going straight after work for a swim or to gym etc. Exercise is important and you should make time and fit it into your day no matter how busy or not. We all live busy lives and some times don't have time for things but certain things you have to make time for no matter how busy and just get on with it.

[Marie71]

Think of it as 'Healthy Living'. I am a full time (older) working mum of a 7 yr old. My family helps me with motivation. I do not have time for the gym, so we get up at 6.30 am and walk/jog.cycle to school and back every day (1 1/2 miles). We all eat together and have similar foods but instead of sausage and mash. I have meat free sausages and boiled pots. I think of it as a way of life-not a diet!

[Hidden]

No time to exercise or do gym you make time and find time no matter how busy exercise is very important for lots of reasons to make an excuse your busy is stupid. Yes we all live busy lives but some thing must be fitted into your life and done no matter what.

[Janelily]

Yes how familiar that sounds. FIRSTLY I have started taking magnesium tablets from Tesco.

I found I had to give up my yoga after 20years. I'm not very self motivated but, I challenge myself over the week end to do some form og exercise. I have some lovely yoga tapes but if I'm too lazy. . . I walk up and down the stairs with out holding onto the rail and a try break my last record. 10 times and I'm exhausted. But hey I have done something.

I get home so tired but I don't go any further than the kitchen and start preparing our evening meal immediately I get home. Give. WHEAT. And drink water.

Good luck Emily.

[Hidden in reply to Janelily]

What a load of rubbish that's not proper decent exercise to loss or maintain weight ffs