Long Term Motivation

[tlgoblue]

During my visit to the Dr. this a.m., I was discussing with him tips for successful weight loss. After he called me a CAVE MAN (I have a very sluggish metabolism), he told me that the most successful losers are those that have a well definend reason to lose. Too many people want to lose to get their clothes to fit better, or to look good in a bathing suit. Even the healthy living bit is too vague to help sustain a long term reduction. (Bummer! I thought I was doing it for all the right reasons. ) Turns out that the most successful are those seeking a long term goal, such as achieving success as a runner, or a hiker, mountain climber, dancer, etc. I guess I can see the logic in that. I must admit, I watch people who do those thing and feel like that should be me out there. (I have a friend who lost about 50 lbs training for 10K runs for a charitible cause, and continues to run and has even run a marathon! She's still thin BTW) I also worry about gaining back any weight I lose if I don't have some major shift in my life goals. So, I'm going to set a goal of some sort, and become a hiker, runner, dancer, whatever. I love being outside, I love walking in the forrest. I'm going to investigate nature vacations and see if there is any motivation for me there. I want to be good at something besides making a Killer Margarita. I want to be good at some sort of physical activity. I want to be able to do something strenuous and not feel like I'm going to die! I want to go to Football Camp next spring and catch Jacki Joyner Kersey (a nick name I gave to this incredible female running back who smoked us last year!) and TAKE HER DOWN!
Does anyone else have any long term goal/desire for losing weight? Has anyone achieved that goal?

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[LisaTx]

I thought I had a really good reason. I don't want to die.

I am thankfully healthy right now, but I knew if I continued on the path I was on, I would be looking at a future of diabetes and or heart disease.

I do want to be able to participate in physical activities and to look better in my clothes, but my prime objective is still better health.

 

[tlgoblue]

Which is the exact reason my mom, DH, and I started down this path. So why are you so motivated while my DH who has lost and re-gained 60 lbs, has Type II Diabetes, as well as a family history of hypertension and early death from cardiac and stroke, is not. Same thing with my mother.
Lisa, I did not post this to offend anyone. I thought I was doing it for the right reason, too. (And I still do.) I was simlpy stating what my Doc told me about how most successful losers keep it off. The fact is, and it is common knowledge, (so I won't go looking for documentable proof on this) that over half of all dieters will gain their weight back within a year. My only question was what are others doing to keep it off? After all WISH mentions staying healthy, not merely getting there, though that is the ultimate first step. Does anyone have a plan? Has anyone had this type of success? Maybe a better question wold be what do you intend to do with the new you, once you achieve the level of health you are aiming for? Geez, I feel like I'm on the DB.
This is not intended as a downer. I'm just trying to add some other perspective on this journey we are on. Sorry if this post trivializes anyones efforts towards good health. Those of you who "know" me, know that this is not ever what I'm about. I am truely sorry if I cast a gloomy cloud over our efforts here.

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[LisaTx]

I'm sorry, Tracy. I wasn't offended or trying to start a debate.

 

[tlgoblue]

Thanks Lisa! Sorry if I misunderstood you. I really don't like to offend my fellow WISHers. Most of us get enough of that. Hopefully, I cleared things up.

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[Amelia]

Tracy, I understand what you mean and I guess I never looked at it the way your doctor has.

I'm not a physical person, period! I have never been one to enjoy outdoor activities or indoor activities for that matter if it involved working out. I have found that I can and will tolerate video exersize tapes like "Walk Away The Pounds" and others along that line. I personally think that we're all different and some of us just weren't ment to super physically active. Don't get me wrong I think we all need exersize but run a marithon...not me! I'm happy living with in my limitations and getting the my exersize in a more realistic manner that is suited to my age and overall health.

It seems that the advise that your doctor gave you was kind of depressing! If I thought I would never be able to keep the weight off unless I challenged myself with a marathon or something similiar I'm afraid I would just give up completely! I sure hope your doctor is wrong or I'm doomed!! LOL!!

Hang in there and keep your chin up you can lose all the weight you want and we WISH'ers are here to support each other along the way!
Thanks for posting!

 

[tlgoblue]

Yea, I guess it sounds kind of depressing. The issue came up after I expressed my frustratiom with losing my best weight loss partner's (DH) support. Doc was asking how DH was managing his weight, and when I explained, he told me not to be too hard on him and started in about how hard it is for people to keep off weight. Then I asked about success stories, and that was when he told me about folks with a more defined objective.
I won't let that stop me either. I don't think he meant it to sound defeatist, just to get me over the idea of relying on DH for all the support I need, and that I probably need to look to my long term goals, instead of worrying about us getting there together.
I like sailing, too. Or should I say I think I'd like to be able to sail. I also love working in the yard. Maybe I'll go to work for an estate management (landscaping) company. I dont know. I'm just focusing on 153 for now. That's what I need by Monday to earn my clippie.

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[Amelia]

I too want that all elusive clippie by monday! I need to drop 1 1/2 pounds for my next clippie reward and I'm hoping to work hard this weekend to accomplish it.

I'll be looking for your clippie anounment on monday and you can look for mine!!

Good luck!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Tracy, some of my long term goals are to be able to get back on a horse and take dressage lessons....maybe even compete some day; be able to dance all night instead of having to sit down after bopping to just a couple of oldies. These are both activities to last a lifetime. Of course, my first physical activity goal is to participate in the 1/2 marathon at WDW in Jan '05. Who knows, that might end up being another 'sport' I'll become addicted to!
I think it is a good idea for us to think about how we will 'use' our bodies when we become fit. What's the old saying, "use it or lose it"!

 

[catherine]

Well I'm not planning on doing any marathons or anything What I want to do is work with children on health promotion. I already have a BA in HP and I am going to apply to do a nursing course starting in April. It is really difficult to advise adults about changing their lifestyles and health threatening behaviours (as we all know!! ), never mind children. I feel that it would be even more difficult working with children and young adults with a weight problem. So I am hoping to change my future along with my weight. I would love to be able to help children with a weight problem, because I know how it is being an adult in today's image conscious world, I can't imagine how difficult it has to be being a child or young adult.

Being a member of WISH has helped me soooo much and that is down to each individual who inspires and motivates me, so thank you to everyone, WISHers are the best!!!

 

[LAWalz23]

Tracy, I never thought of it that way but I want to walk the Disney 1/2 marathon in Jan 05 and that keeps me going when I do not feel like exercising that day or laying off the foods that will make me gain weight, so maybe he has a point. I have lost and gained 40-50lbs. at least 3 or 4 times because I had nothing to sustain the loss. After the Disney marathon, I hope to enter more.

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

I too am being motivated by the 2005 WDW 1/2 marathon (walking it, no running for me) and by the desire to look and feel better and be healthier and also by everyone here at WISH. This board keeps me going even after I have had a bad day or 2 and I hope it will be here for a long time so that we can all continue to help each other! Why don't you consider joing the rest of us WISHers for the 1/2 marathon. Try not to let your doctor discourage you. I think that it has a lot to do with your mind set and if being healthier is a good motivation for you than you should be able to keep the weight off. Maybe if your DH and mom see how well you do you will inspire them to do better! I know reading about how well others are doing here has been a great motivator for me. Keep up the good work and good luck with finding that motivator for you! And again why not consider walking the 1/2 marathon with the rest of us - the more the merrier!

Cheryl

 

[disboo]

One large part of my motivation is to be able to have an active retirement with my husband. I want to hit a few tennis balls with him, take long walks, travel independently (you know - carry my own luggage!) and have an active physical relationship with him. I have been very selfish at times in my life (started my own business, especially, and all the "away time" that takes), and my husband has been behind me 100%. He would be miserable if he had to spend his retirement years alone. So, not only do I want to be alive,m I want to be kickin', too!

Also, I want to ride a horse, I think!

 

[nativetxn]

I didn't read all of the replies but I have a question for you: are you older than 40 or younger than 40. How about your husband?

The reason I ask is because both my husband and I are in our 50's and he has already had two heart attacks and open heart surgery, all due to out of control type II diabetes. That is our motivation. To live longer and to feel better.

On the other hand, I would love to do something like hike the grand canyon with a group of WISHers. In fact, although I don't run, can't run (bad knees) and don't even like to run-I like hiking.

Wouldn't it be neat to plan a WISH hike every year, even if it was in 3 or different locations so everyone would have access to a WISH hike? Yes, I'm looking to the future with WISH. I just think we have the greatest group of people here, I can't imagine not having y'all around to talk with everyday

 

[tlgoblue]

Kath,
That is a good point! I, too, was wondering about people over 50. DH and I are both 40, so there is still time to get fit and do more strenuous physical activity. I was actually thinking about asking that question in a separate thread, because I don't think it is particularly healthy for us to lose too much weight as we age. It seems to me that elderly people with a little meat on them fare better than the thinner ones (just my own observations, not necessarily true )

Yes, then there is the "other hand." My mom, who has been fighting all her adult life with the scale. She now lives in Phoenix, at the base of a beautiful mountain range. We always walk the easy trails when we visit, but she would love to conquere some of the more difficult trails. So I told her to walk them as far as she could a few times a week and I bet before she knows it, she'll be thinner and stronger and able to go farther. Of course her knees are bad too (Dr. said weight related, she's 61), so she can't do it. (i'm really hard on my mom and think she just doesn't have the motivation to do it. However, I can see why her motivation is non-existant. She has no support)

Which brings me to your last point. A WISH hike would be cool. We already have a DIS WISH walk, and that seems to motivation for a lot of our members. I think any motivation is good, and though I am of a big fan of this mantra, in this case I'll make an exception: More IS better!

Your point is a good one. Maybe for younger people, the reason "better health is too vague" is because we haven't yet experienced really bad health. On the other hand, folks old and young who have, do have an entirely different mindset. I'm sure the good Doc was talking directly to me and my situation, but I did see his point about motivation for the long term. (I often hoped my parents would get healthy to watch their grand kids grow, but since they both live on opposite ends of the contintent, with us hear in "the Heartland", maybe that is not any real motivation after all.)

As always Kath, thanks for the observations. Another perspective well in focus!

Keep the Faith!
Tracy