Getting motivated and staying...

[JCTigger]

motivated.... how does everyone do it? I've tried several times to diet and exercise but I just cannot seem to stay motivated.. I've got a gym membership that I pay for every month but I hate going to the gym its always so crowded and you have to wait forever to get onto the machines... I'm searching every where for a Wii Fit to hopefully keep me motivated...but a huge problem i have is I work in a very high stress constantly job and by the time i get home i am way to tired to go and deal with the gym and i don't have the money to purchase a treadmill or anything like that plus i dont have the space for one... does any one have any tips or tricks that keeps them going?

Thanks Jill

 

[twotoohappy]

Hi Jill!
I find a lot of support to keep me motivated and staying on track
on the "dieting for disney" thread here on the WISH board.
As far as finding time, I go right after work or get up early
and run, do pilates, or work out to the Jillian Michaels dvd. I found that
if I went straight home after work, I never went back to the gym.
I also started bringing sneakers to work and walking during lunch.
Good luck! Everyone here on the WISH boards are very supportive
and can help you get and keep on track
~Liz

 

[roselark]

I know how you feel. My job used to not be stressful, but has become almost overwhelming since last August. I fell back into the bad habit of fast food, sweets, and relaxing in front of the TV after work.

I KNOW that the best stress reliever is exercise, but I didn't care. I was just so tired all the time.

I am really not too sure what happened (maybe it was the picture I saw of myself that was taken for the work newsletter), but I have recently gotten motivated again. I am back on Weight Watchers and I am trying to exercise at least 20 min a day, even if it is 2 10 min walking breaks at work. This is my 3rd week and I have to say, I am feeling much, much better. I knew I would, but getting my brain to convince my body was the hard part.

I am saving that newsletter with the picture and keeping it in my desk drawer. Whenever someone invites me to go out to lunch, I look at it and have a sudden surge of motivation again. So, for now, that will be my motivator.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I WISH there was an easy answer. I know I'm always trying to stay on track and it is certainly a battle for me.

I don't know how to put that WANT into others. We've got to WANT it like we mean it. If we really want something practically nothing will get in the way. How DO we get that WANT?

I'm glad you are coming here looking for the support to get you through. To me it means that you are not giving up and that is most important! Never give up!

I like the suggestions offered about walking at lunch; you do get a lunch I hope. Try the library for different exercise DVDs. Play with that for a time.

Try using the 10 minute idea. Do your exercise as soon as you get home or when you get up for at least 10 minutes. If you get through that, try another until you get in those 30 minutes. If it is so tough, bag it and try later or the next day,.

Schedule in your time like you schedule everything else and just get it done. I know this is easier said than done, but if you've scheduled it in your planner or calendar, it may make it something that you will do.

Log your food on a web site calculator. Those are amazing and will help to keep you informed. I use spark people dot com or fit day dot com.

Come to WISH to support others too. This helps to keep things going. Even if you are having a bad moment, helping others through will help keep you on task.

Try for small successes. Things that you CAN do and make it happen! You can do this.

 

[bubba73]

Hey Jill! Welcome aboard the most encouraging, supportive sites on the net. You have come to the right place to get that kind of stability.

As far as keeping my motivation up, I get it right here. You will see in a lot of people's signatures that they belong to a team here on WISH. Well, those teams are set up to see which one can do the most amounts of cardio, exercise and even races to see which team wins. The contest started in February and ends in December, but that has been one of my biggest motivators.

My other one, as mentioned before, is the Dieting for Disney thread. This was a thread that I started about 18 months ago for that purpose. I wanted to help others and myself with that very issue, motivation and encouragement. At the time, I had no idea that they were going to help me as much as they have. But I can tell you that we have a GREAT bunch of people over there that are excited about being healthier and sharing what has helped them.

Keep posting somewhere on a routine basis. That can also keep you motivated. More than anything, it can be an eye opener when it is needed.

Have a great day!!!
Bryan

 

[eeyore65]

I was in your shoes. The best thing that ever happened to me was getting laid off from that job. I am now in a new job with less stress and a more reasonable work and travel schedule (and less money). I can now eat the majority of my meals at home - I used to eat 75% of them out - many at the airport. I also have more energy and time to work out.
I now realize I was killing myself at that job - and for what? When times got tough, I got laid off just like everyone else. I loved my work, but at what price?
My health is now much, much better. I have lost 30 lbs and work out most days. My blood work shows vast improvements. I hope to now be around to enjoy my life and family. I work to live - no longer live to work.

Sometimes it takes a change to get things in the right direction. I know what happened to me is not possible for everyone, but it was the wake up call I needed to reevaluate the important things in my life, my family, friends and my health.

 

[wezee]

I do WW from home...not too fond of the meetings, but they helped when I first got started. I know exactly what you mean about exercising, but as the OP said...you have to schedule workout time. I prolly have it easier than most, since DH works second shift and I don't have to schedule my workouts around his gawking giggles.

I do 3-4 mi. Leslie Sansone (Walk Away the Pounds) workout, 6 days a week. I love her DVDs and have lost lots of inches, in addition to pounds. I find I am not coordinated enough for some of the other workouts, but with Leslie Sansone...you easily learn the 4 basic steps and follow along.

I am a serious food-a-holic and found that if I just grab and go, I tend to be hungry all the time. Take time to plan your meals, sit down and enjoy them...and remember to plan for a light desert even if it's a fat free fudge bar. Good luck...you are on the right track!

 

[HockeyKat]

I also have a long hour, stressful job (in fact, I am posting from there at 7:15, so that might give you an idea). I also have a half hour commute each way.

I have four ways to stay on track:

1) I WANT it (as the people above described). I want it so bad that I can pass up that cookie, that free lunch, and have learned to embrace hunger and not nibble on whatever comes my way. Until you get there, honestly, almost nothing will help you.

2) I go to the gym at lunch. I talked to my boss and explained what I wanted to do, and he and I agreed that I can take a little over my hour for lunch if needed as long as I make up the hours (which I more than do). I found a gym w/in 10 min of work and I shower before coming back.

3) I pack a cooler and take it to work. It has an icee to keep it cold, and a bunch of salad makings and healthy fixings. I don't have time to make lunch in the morning, and I have a desk job, so I keep a plate and knife and fork at my desk and I make my lunch and eat it at my desk as I continue to work after I get back from the gym. It almost always includes a dinner-sized salad, some form of protein, and some fruit that I can cut up and nibble on throughout the afternoon.

I also keep some non-perishable meal-type items in my desk just in case I forget (soups, hormel meals, etc).

4) I track my food. Every single bite that goes in my body. I use sparkpeople.com, which is free and accessible from everywhere. I put my exercise there too.


As far as planning goes, I also keep my gym bag in my car and stock it regularly. I am notoriously late in the mornings and that way I don't have the "I don't have time" excuse.

Oh, and I don't eat "diet" food. I just eat food and track it. I do 1200 calories and am constantly surprised at how much food I can pack in there!