A Disney trip is a GREAT motivator for me. I lost 40 lbs in 2003 in anticipation of our 2004 trip. I even lost during the Christmas holiday time (our trip was in January 2004, so December was my crunch time!). I kept most of the weight off during 2004... put a bit on during 2005 (but managed to hold pretty steady, due to the motivation of a 2005 DL trip), and then packed on the pounds during 2006....
Well, here I was (as of 01/01/08), up 27 of the original 40 lbs, and our next WDW trip is just weeks away!!
I VOWED that I would not return to WDW fatter than I was last time, and I have really been pushing myself since January 1... and I have dropped 20 pounds!! I have about 6 weeks left and I definitely want to lose another 10.
Everytime I am on the treadmill or treadclimber or bike and I want to quit, I imagine myself walking from one end of MK to the other! Even DS is in on it.... when I was on the treadmill the other day he tried to help motivate me by telling me to "walk faster Mom... SpectroMagic starts in 2 minutes and you are at the other end of the park! You're going to miss it!" He knows that I LOVE that parade. He is so cute!!
The BIG trick is to continue the weight loss AFTER the trip. That will be the tough part. I will definitely have to come up with another motivator (perhaps summer vacation). I will still have another 20 - 30 lbs to lose and it will be difficult to keep my motivation. Maybe if we start planning our 2009 vacation (probably NOT WDW), it will keep me motivated.... especially if it is a "bathing suit" destination.
Why isn't looking good and feeling good enough of a motivator for me??? I don't know.
It should be, but for some reason it doesn't seem to be. I need a "lots of photos taken" vacation as a motivator I guess. I just have to keep in mind that even if it is not in the planning stages, there is ALWAYS another WDW vacation in my future to keep in shape for!!
Well.... I know that you were looking for motivation and I just came on here and starting whining!! Sorry... I just hope that knowing that you aren't alone is a help! The WISH board is a great place to start. Lots of nice, friendly, Disney-loving' folks here to help and offer advise and suggestions. And it sees that EVERY concievable diet is represented here, so you will always find someone to help with your specific situation. And the monthly challenges (weight loss and exercise) are a great way to keep accountable.
Hopefully something I've said will help. Best of luck with your new eating and exercising habits........................P
I just want to tell them "do you not realize that I know I am fat, and I know the health problems that go along with it?" But look on the bright side we know that we are pooh sized but they are ugly, and we can always lose weight!!
