Okay everyone... I need your help. How do YOU stay motivated? I am not happy with the way I look right now. I am good for about a week and then I loose it. I saw some pictures of the Insanity and I really want to do that. I whole life I have dreamed but being happy about my own body and not being so self conscious but I need help with the motivation. What do you do once the initial excitement of being healthy wears off? I REALLY need to do something. I want to get as skinny as I can until I get as fat as I can, if you catch my drift ;) haha but for now thats not happening so I am focusing on getting healthy and slimming down. So please if you have any suggestion or workout or ANYTHING that has worked for you please do share. I have got to change something ( I also want to look good for Sam and Vanessa's wedding in Cali this summer!) thanks everyone! :)
My Fitness Pal has helped me to stay motivated.
ReplyDeleteDo that thing where you fill a jar with marbles equivalent to the amount of weight you want to lose. When you lose a pound or two you get to move the marbles over to the other jar! It's a good visual representation that you can look at every day.
ReplyDeleteAnd take pictures of yourself. Like in a sports bra or tank top. Obviously only your eyes would see the pictures, but even just a few weeks you can see a difference. That always helped me stay motivated because I could see myself changing. Even if it was just barely. It's hard when you look in the mirror and still see all the things you want changed. That's why taking pictures helps you see that you are changing. It's just a slow, steady change.
Last thing. Find a good ab workout. Work them abs and arms! Working my abs definitely makes me feel the best. Along with a good jog or whatever. But you can do it! And when you get to Kansas, we'll do it together! (Maybe. If you don't have a little one on the way.... :) Even then, we'll go on walks!)
Love you!
Here's what I tell my Health students: find something you love to do. The nice thing is you get a free workout facility up there at BYUI. :) So try a bunch of different classes, like aerobics, pilates, yoga, spinning, even water aerobics, and see if you like any of them. Sports or even just walking a track will do too. People never stick with a workout if they don't enjoy it. Next, find a workout buddy. Schedule a time to meet to workout 3-4 times a week. People are less likely to back out of working out when they are accountable to someone. (Unless you prefer working out alone...then just report to Matt.) Finally, make no excuses! There will always be homework, or you're tired, or you don't feel like it...etc. You just have to make it a priority. I figure if I have time for TV, I have time to workout. :) Give it at least a month, and you'll find your motivation as you feel better. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteDon't be too hard on yourself. But at the same time, I seriously know how you're feeling. I don't feel too great with myself right now either. I don't really believe in diets because the second you're off the diet, you'll gain it all back. It's all about learning the healthy lifestyle changes you make. Currently, I'm doing this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/best-workout-for-your-body-type
It's nice because you can figure out workouts & your eating plan depending on your body shape. I love it. As far as staying motivated, that's tough! Just research a bunch of FIT & Excercise stuff on pinterest. Type in "motivation quote" and you should find some. . . that always helps me :) good luck.
we&serendipity
Keep your goal at the very front of your mind all the time. Health and wellness has as much to do with mental exercise as physical exercise. Make sure your goal is phrased in a positive way so that as you think about it you're thinking positively. It makes a huge difference. For example, instead of thinking "I need to lose 20lbs. by wedding time" you think "I will look amazing at Sam and Vanessa's wedding." The difference being the goal. Even if you'd love to lose 20lbs, if you're constantly thinking about the 20lbs. then that is what will become most important to you and you will easily fixate on that number. Then if you don't make that number you will be so frustrated and get really down on yourself. Your motivation will diminish and you will be unhappy. On the other hand, if your goal is to look amazing then any progress you make will be helping you feel that way. You will be happy and stay motivated because you'll be feeling "amazing" about yourself. Saying/thinking you look amazing is a positive reinforcement for yourself and it won't take long for you to believe it. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteAlso, exercise can only do so much for true change. Insanity, P90X, aerobics, yoga, running are all good exercise programs but they will do very little if not coupled with good eating habits. JayDee hates when I remind him of that because he thinks he can lose weight and love his body by eating whatever he wants and just exercising. Now by saying this, I don't mean "dieting." You will never reach your long term goals by excluding things you love from your life. It will take some research but all the change that really needs to be made is to make more healthy choices. Fill your diet with as many whole foods as possible, eat every 3 hours, and stay away from processed foods. But also remember that life is to be enjoyed, so if you love ice cream, have some ice cream. Just don't have it every day and keep your portion small when you do indulge. Also don't beat yourself up about it if you do eat something you shouldn't. Shake it off and do better the next day.
Good luck! You can do it!
P.S. The healthier you are when you get pregnant, the better your pregnancy will be and the easier it will be to lose the "baby weight" after. :)