Newbie

[VaperGamer]

Hello, new to HealthUnlocked. Trying to pluck the motivation to start getting fit and healthy from somewhere but I just can't seem to find any anywhere!!

What do you guys find motivates you to get fit??

[Folliegirl]

A little bit of healthy competition!! I am naturally competitive, a couple of friends are also on weight loss journeys, so that always spurs me on 😉 But I also want to be the fittest, lightest version of Me, giving myself small goals always gives me something to work towards. ... Good luck on your journey 🌻

[VaperGamer in reply to Folliegirl]

I don't have anyone to have a bit of healthy competition with .. I wish I did!

Good luck on your journey too!

[Folliegirl in reply to VaperGamer]

Mmm, I think there are challenges you can sign up to on here - someone more experienced than me can probably point you in the right direction! On my phone I can scroll right down to the bottom of the page and there are challenges in the pinned posts 😉

[HubbysMissMouse]

Hi VaperGamer If you look in the pinned post section on the right hand side of the page where messages from us are, there are various articles here that have the challenges on such as "awesome April exercise challenge". You should be able to join some of these if you wish or I also find just spending the time on here and seeing things that help us all and supporting each other spurs me on enough to keep me going. I also want to prove all my family wrong as many of them think I will never do this as I have been overweight all my life but found out this was because I never ate enough to start with. It turned what I did eat into body fat as my body thought I was starving it and this weighs more than calories. Now I am eating enough and losing weight. Good luck with your journey though.

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello VaperGamer and welcome to the weight loss forum ☺

The first place to look is at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), read the Welcome Newbie thread first and move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you ☺

Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news ☺

Have a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as many people have had success with it. Also use the BMI checker to find your target calories, it's important to eat enough. This was a major turning point for me, realising I could eat anything I wanted as long as the calories are accounted for ☺

Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate ☺

The forum also have group weigh-ins every day if you wish to take part. The posts can always be found in the Events section on the 'home' page ☺

You'll notice a grey box next to people's names, these are achievement badges, and as a new member you may have a 'Newbie' badge. If you have any questions or would like a Newbie badge please just ask ☺

We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too ☺

Best wishes

[VaperGamer]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Didn't expect to get replies so quickly! I will have a look at the pinned posts and take all my measurements when i get home for motivation. Thanks again girls!

[WildlyPrecious]

Hi VaperGamer,

That is a really interesting question and I guess it is different for everybody. It will be interesting to hear what people say!

For me - it is seeing the end results of an unhealthy lifestyle from 20+ years of working in the NHS - the suffering and misery that it causes. Also, the loss of quality of life, like - not feeling good about yourself, lack of energy, the feeling that food (or whatever) controls you, not the other way around etc (as I used to feel).

Today, I am doing my best to live my life to the full. Eating healthily gives me all the energy I need as well as saves me money (I eat mainly plant based whole foods and fresh protein like eggs) and helps me to feel good about life in general.

Nowadays an unhealthy/processed meal makes me feel heavy, lethargic and ...bleurrgh. So, that even when I am tempted to eat junk, my brain finds it much easier to choose - because I know how it will make me feel.

I found that getting the food right first makes huge difference because - it requires so much focus initially. Trying to hit the gym AND sort the diet out at the same time is often too much for most people's will power stores - which is probably why a lot of people give up?

I believe that with the right nutrition (and energy it gives) - it's as if your body starts to 'tell you' to move more! Then you can find something you Love to do (like dancing or hiking or anything that you enjoy) and do that!

Best of luck to you!

[VaperGamer in reply to WildlyPrecious]

I'm so glad your journey has been a success. I can't wait until i have reached the stage you are at and I can finally be happy with myself and my lifestyle.

[WildlyPrecious]

Hey, sending you loads and LOADS of positive vibes! I know that you can do it! You've made a great start already coming on the forum. Don't beat yourself up for not being 'there' yet. Like you say - it's a journey and it takes time - especially to get the mindset and lifestyle habits in place...but you are on the right road. Go for it - and become the next great sucess story that everybody will be talking about - with the health and body and lifestyle you deserve!!!