Why oh why is it so hard to start????
- Thread starter freddog
- Start date
faireygod mother
DIS Cast Member<br><font color=deeppink>I need som
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I was hoping you would have an answer for me. I told myself that I was going to get going on the one year mark for the cruise, but that passed 8 days ago. I think I will lurk and see if anyone has oearls of wisdom that will become that aha moment for me. Best of luck to you.
Dolce27
<font color=teal>It's kind of hard to ride with so
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The answer is simple: you
You have to reach that point to where you are ready to make those changes in your life. It's not easy. I've been there. But I was finally to a point to where I wanted to be skinny and healthier more than I wanted the food. It's not "popular" to discuss this anymore but you have to have willpower. It's so much easier to cave and stop off for that Big Mac and fries and not go out and do your 20 minute run when you're feeling down and tired.. and maybe the weather's not so good. You have to reach that point mentally to where you can move past all of that, skip the unhealthy food for something healthier and lace up those running shoes.
This is one thing that has to be about you. There's no magic diet pill - although they try to sell enough of them. You don't always get to eat exactly what you want to eat and you sometimes have to hit the gym or jogging trail even when you don't want to. But, trust me, after you've chosen that healthier eating option and after you finish your workout - you feel much better than you would have had you not done it. That emotional "high" is enough to get out there and do it.
Just remember: if getting off weight and getting into shape was so easy, this county wouldn't have the obesity problem that it does. It's not easy. It takes work. You have to mentally struggle some days. If you're trying to get the weight off look at a program such as Weight Watchers that will slowly help move you from bad all-out eating to eating within proper portion controls and with much healthier food. I lost 77lbs from doing this.
If it's running: the C25k program is excellent. You just have to plow your way through that mental roadblock and get out there and do it - regardless! I started with the C25k program. Now I'm training for the Disney marathon. This morning I had to do a 5 mile run. I didn't want to stop at 5 miles (but the training schedule told me to - I don't want to build up too fast and risk injury) so I followed the 5 mile run with a 5 mile power walk for a total of 10 miles this morning. Piece of cake. Get out there and, as Nike says, just do it!
You have to reach that point to where you are ready to make those changes in your life. It's not easy. I've been there. But I was finally to a point to where I wanted to be skinny and healthier more than I wanted the food. It's not "popular" to discuss this anymore but you have to have willpower. It's so much easier to cave and stop off for that Big Mac and fries and not go out and do your 20 minute run when you're feeling down and tired.. and maybe the weather's not so good. You have to reach that point mentally to where you can move past all of that, skip the unhealthy food for something healthier and lace up those running shoes.
This is one thing that has to be about you. There's no magic diet pill - although they try to sell enough of them. You don't always get to eat exactly what you want to eat and you sometimes have to hit the gym or jogging trail even when you don't want to. But, trust me, after you've chosen that healthier eating option and after you finish your workout - you feel much better than you would have had you not done it. That emotional "high" is enough to get out there and do it.
Just remember: if getting off weight and getting into shape was so easy, this county wouldn't have the obesity problem that it does. It's not easy. It takes work. You have to mentally struggle some days. If you're trying to get the weight off look at a program such as Weight Watchers that will slowly help move you from bad all-out eating to eating within proper portion controls and with much healthier food. I lost 77lbs from doing this.
If it's running: the C25k program is excellent. You just have to plow your way through that mental roadblock and get out there and do it - regardless! I started with the C25k program. Now I'm training for the Disney marathon. This morning I had to do a 5 mile run. I didn't want to stop at 5 miles (but the training schedule told me to - I don't want to build up too fast and risk injury) so I followed the 5 mile run with a 5 mile power walk for a total of 10 miles this morning. Piece of cake. Get out there and, as Nike says, just do it!
GSD4ME
As old as Tigger
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- Sep 6, 2006
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Well put, Dolce27! For me, I decided that I was going to get back in shape (AGAIN - at one point, I lost 90 pounds, but they found me again 
) for our trip to Disney in October 2010. My goal is to lose 60 pounds (but I'm secretly hoping to lose more). It really IS all about your attitude and making the healthier choices - even when they aren't the easiest and most convenient choices to make. I drag my butt out of bed 5 days a week to hit the treadmill and then make sure I'm eating healthy throughout the day. The plan that works best for me is watching my calories and fat, but everyone has to find the plan that works best for them.
I'm also very fortunate that my husband is very supportive of me . . . although, he only needs to lose about 5 pounds (grrrrr! LOL!), he does get up with me most mornings and hits the elliptical while I'm on the treadmill.
It comes down to determination and focus to make a change in your life!! Good luck - you can do it!
) for our trip to Disney in October 2010. My goal is to lose 60 pounds (but I'm secretly hoping to lose more). It really IS all about your attitude and making the healthier choices - even when they aren't the easiest and most convenient choices to make. I drag my butt out of bed 5 days a week to hit the treadmill and then make sure I'm eating healthy throughout the day. The plan that works best for me is watching my calories and fat, but everyone has to find the plan that works best for them.I'm also very fortunate that my husband is very supportive of me . . . although, he only needs to lose about 5 pounds (grrrrr! LOL!), he does get up with me most mornings and hits the elliptical while I'm on the treadmill.
It comes down to determination and focus to make a change in your life!! Good luck - you can do it!
FireDancer
DIS Legend
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- Apr 3, 2008
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- 13,255
Dolce27 hit the nail on the head. Whether you are talking about finding a new job, getting a degree, losing weight, or running a marathon you have to decide you are going to do it and do it. None of them are easy or short term, but nothing is going to just happen without your influence.
It is a cliche to say that the first step is the hardest but it is. The only real motivation you have at first is determination. Once you have started you will have your own success to act as positive reinforcement. It is a bit like physics, an object at rest will stay at rest until acted upon by an outside force and an object in motion will remain in motion. Think of yourself as the object and your self motivation as the force that gets you moving. Once you are moving there will be times that the force of positive reinforcement comes and moves you further. Sure, there will be bad days that slow down your motion, but you are still in motion.
Depending on where you are starting it very well might take you a while to reach your goals. As many people here will tell you, and I always say in threads like this, the key is changing your lifestyle. An active healthy lifestyle is permanent, diets have finite time frames. It is hard to sit here and say that it may take a year before you really start to reach your goals. But if you think about it, in 365 days a year will pass and on September 26, 2010 you will have either had a hard year full of accomplishments or another year or wishing you had started towards your goal.
Good luck, if you think you can do it you can do it.
It is a cliche to say that the first step is the hardest but it is. The only real motivation you have at first is determination. Once you have started you will have your own success to act as positive reinforcement. It is a bit like physics, an object at rest will stay at rest until acted upon by an outside force and an object in motion will remain in motion. Think of yourself as the object and your self motivation as the force that gets you moving. Once you are moving there will be times that the force of positive reinforcement comes and moves you further. Sure, there will be bad days that slow down your motion, but you are still in motion.
Depending on where you are starting it very well might take you a while to reach your goals. As many people here will tell you, and I always say in threads like this, the key is changing your lifestyle. An active healthy lifestyle is permanent, diets have finite time frames. It is hard to sit here and say that it may take a year before you really start to reach your goals. But if you think about it, in 365 days a year will pass and on September 26, 2010 you will have either had a hard year full of accomplishments or another year or wishing you had started towards your goal.
Good luck, if you think you can do it you can do it.
GrumpyOne
Stresspuppy
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- Feb 3, 2000
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- 525
Gotta agree with the above posts. There's no magic secret or magic pill. An active healthy lifestyle combined with a healthy diet can be tough for someone used to snacking in front of the TV at night. But you know, you get used to it and you get to LIKING it.
My choice was to continue to be a lazy bum and buy a larger size of pants or to take charge and, with effort, look and feel like I wanted to. So rather than buying larger pants, I've had to buy smaller ones and I did the Expedition Everest Challenge at Animal Kingdom last night.
You've got one body and other than your immediate family, no one else will directly benefit from your healthy or unhealthy lifestyle. If you're not happy, make a change. For many people, the only things they have to lose are high blood pressure and diabetes.
My choice was to continue to be a lazy bum and buy a larger size of pants or to take charge and, with effort, look and feel like I wanted to. So rather than buying larger pants, I've had to buy smaller ones and I did the Expedition Everest Challenge at Animal Kingdom last night.
You've got one body and other than your immediate family, no one else will directly benefit from your healthy or unhealthy lifestyle. If you're not happy, make a change. For many people, the only things they have to lose are high blood pressure and diabetes.
JoanneNC
DIS Veteran
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Awesome and honest advice has already been given. I think that until you give yourself permission to be selfish - you will always follow a different path. As mothers and spouses, it's our nature to put others first and when it comes down to personal health and fitness, you need to be selfish with the knowledge that in the end, you are really putting your family first.
Everyone has their own personal day of reckoning where the stars and moon align and the will power and wisdom and STRENGTH all fall into place at the right time and the life change starts with the realization that this new lifestyle has no ending date. For some it's looking at recent vacation pictures or being inspired by a friend's recent achievement, or a medical diagnosis, etc regardless of the reason, give yourself permission to be important.
Since January, I have lost 25lbs and have roughly 8-9 more to go
I have started running and will be running my 1st 1/2 marathon in January and my 2nd on in Feb, etc.. I have done a few 5k's and 10k's and while they are exciting and fun, nothing has come close to how I felt when my overweight non-active sister started running and said it was because I inspired her. We will be running her 1st 5k together soon and I am so proud of her. For many years I have always said I needed a hobby and now I finally have one - ME
You deserve to be the best you that you can be but being the best doesn't come easy nor does it come overnight. It takes 1 step at a time and one minute of each hour of each day. But man being skinnier and healthier and able to run 10+ miles at a time sure does taste better and for longer than the best piece of chocolate/cake/cookie, etc I have ever had.
I wish you luck and hope that you will give yourself permission to be a better you.
Everyone has their own personal day of reckoning where the stars and moon align and the will power and wisdom and STRENGTH all fall into place at the right time and the life change starts with the realization that this new lifestyle has no ending date. For some it's looking at recent vacation pictures or being inspired by a friend's recent achievement, or a medical diagnosis, etc regardless of the reason, give yourself permission to be important.
Since January, I have lost 25lbs and have roughly 8-9 more to go
I have started running and will be running my 1st 1/2 marathon in January and my 2nd on in Feb, etc.. I have done a few 5k's and 10k's and while they are exciting and fun, nothing has come close to how I felt when my overweight non-active sister started running and said it was because I inspired her. We will be running her 1st 5k together soon and I am so proud of her. For many years I have always said I needed a hobby and now I finally have one - ME
You deserve to be the best you that you can be but being the best doesn't come easy nor does it come overnight. It takes 1 step at a time and one minute of each hour of each day. But man being skinnier and healthier and able to run 10+ miles at a time sure does taste better and for longer than the best piece of chocolate/cake/cookie, etc I have ever had.
I wish you luck and hope that you will give yourself permission to be a better you.
wdwscout
DIS Veteran
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I LOVE this thought. I'm going to put it on my bathroom mirror.
I am having difficulty getting my brain in the correct mindset to start (again). Mostly I feel tired when I think of how hard this is. I have successfully done Weight Watchers in the past. I used to exercise routinely and loved it!
I KNOW how good it feels. I KNOW how to eat well and make good choices.
WHY can't I get off my butt and do it? I always blame time- I'm too busy, I have other things that have to be done, etc.
I used to be that skinny girl- I never thought about watching my weight. Then I turned 40! My job changed to a much more sedentary one, and we moved to a suburbs where I have to drive everywhere! The pounds appeared overnight! And continued. I lost some a couple of times, but they always come back. It's been 14 years now since I started gaining weight.
IT'S TIME TO STOP!
IT'S TIME FOR ME!! 
(Wish me luck!
)
JoanneNC
DIS Veteran
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I LOVE this thought. I'm going to put it on my bathroom mirror.
I am having difficulty getting my brain in the correct mindset to start (again). Mostly I feel tired when I think of how hard this is. I have successfully done Weight Watchers in the past. I used to exercise routinely and loved it!
I KNOW how good it feels. I KNOW how to eat well and make good choices.
WHY can't I get off my butt and do it? I always blame time- I'm too busy, I have other things that have to be done, etc.
I used to be that skinny girl- I never thought about watching my weight. Then I turned 40! My job changed to a much more sedentary one, and we moved to a suburbs where I have to drive everywhere! The pounds appeared overnight! And continued. I lost some a couple of times, but they always come back. It's been 14 years now since I started gaining weight.
IT'S TIME TO STOP!
(Wish me luck!
toniosmom
AKV, BCV, BLT Owner!
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I am so happy to have found this thread. I, too, have been struggling to "get started". So many of you have said just the right thing and still I struggle. But you are right. It is MY body and MY life and I'd like to be around for a long time. I am currently on medication for blood pressure and cholesterol. I adopted a baby boy at the age of 45, so here I am 49 years old and I can't keep up with my very active 4 year old. I am so mad at myself! 
Thank you for posting your words of encouragement. I am going to start moving my life in a much healthier direction. I have a way to go -- I have a good 100+ pounds to lose and hate the way I look right now. When I drop my son off at school, I have to walk past a long row of dark windows, so of course I can see my whole body. I tend to look away.
Knowing that I have so much weight to lose is very overwhelming and intimidating. I think that's probably why I have a hard time getting started. But, you are right -- time is going to pass and I am going to look back on that time as either steps in the right direction to a healthier lifestyle....or more stays snacking on the couch, watching my butt spread and spread and spread.
Anyone else struggling want to join me?
Thank you for posting your words of encouragement. I am going to start moving my life in a much healthier direction. I have a way to go -- I have a good 100+ pounds to lose and hate the way I look right now. When I drop my son off at school, I have to walk past a long row of dark windows, so of course I can see my whole body. I tend to look away.
Knowing that I have so much weight to lose is very overwhelming and intimidating. I think that's probably why I have a hard time getting started. But, you are right -- time is going to pass and I am going to look back on that time as either steps in the right direction to a healthier lifestyle....or more stays snacking on the couch, watching my butt spread and spread and spread. Anyone else struggling want to join me?
GSD4ME
As old as Tigger
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You can do it, Toniosmom!!! 
Just take it one day at a time. The best advice I ever heard was, "You didn't put it on overnight, so it's not going to come off overnight." I, personally, need to lose about 90 pounds and want to get off my high blood pressure medication . . . I didn't get up this morning and work out (which I SHOULD have), but I did make sure to eat healthy and stayed on track that way. Tomorrow is another day and I WILL get up and hit that treadmill!!!
YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR SON!!! Make sure you take care of yourself so you can take care of him!
Just take it one day at a time. The best advice I ever heard was, "You didn't put it on overnight, so it's not going to come off overnight." I, personally, need to lose about 90 pounds and want to get off my high blood pressure medication . . . I didn't get up this morning and work out (which I SHOULD have), but I did make sure to eat healthy and stayed on track that way. Tomorrow is another day and I WILL get up and hit that treadmill!!!YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR SON!!! Make sure you take care of yourself so you can take care of him!
I am like many of you... I am 28 and have PCOS, so of course I am overweight. I just had knee surgery on 9/9/09 and decided a week later to do the Royal Family 5k in march. My Dr. said if I could stregthen my knee on my own I wouldn't need the physical therapy... so here I am walking completely without my crutches and walking every morning. I am up to 1.5 miles in 30 minutes. I figured if I registered I would be less likely to quit or give up. I also started an online blog to keep me going... this way if I don't blog one day about my walk/running someone will call me out on it. Check it out hopefully you will find the strength within you to get started. It only takes a few steps a day to get started. I started just walking to my car from the house and now I am at 1.5 miles. good luck.
My blog: http://injuredprincess.blogspot.com
My blog: http://injuredprincess.blogspot.com
JoanneNC
DIS Veteran
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I am so happy to have found this thread. I, too, have been struggling to "get started". So many of you have said just the right thing and still I struggle. But you are right. It is MY body and MY life and I'd like to be around for a long time. I am currently on medication for blood pressure and cholesterol. I adopted a baby boy at the age of 45, so here I am 49 years old and I can't keep up with my very active 4 year old. I am so mad at myself!
Thank you for posting your words of encouragement. I am going to start moving my life in a much healthier direction. I have a way to go -- I have a good 100+ pounds to lose and hate the way I look right now. When I drop my son off at school, I have to walk past a long row of dark windows, so of course I can see my whole body. I tend to look away.
Anyone else struggling want to join me?
Think 10% - Don't dwell on the 100+lbs as that will seem too large to conquer. Think 10% or 10lbs.....then when you hit that goal, think another 10%, etc - Weight loss/new lifestyle is not a sprint to the finish line - it's a marathon that takes many weeks/hours of practice but boy does reaching that finish line feel great. you can do this - you deserve this
Awesome job and yes it only takes a few steps a day to get started.. you should be very proud of yourself
GrumpyOne
Stresspuppy
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- Feb 3, 2000
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I have a way to go -- I have a good 100+ pounds to lose and hate the way I look right now. When I drop my son off at school, I have to walk past a long row of dark windows, so of course I can see my whole body. I tend to look away.
Be careful, you might lose too much weight and instead of looking away ... end up posing.
toniosmom
AKV, BCV, BLT Owner!
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- Jun 18, 2009
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Thanks for the morning chuckle.
Thank you all for the words of encouragement. My goal of the week is to find healthy recipes and create a shopping list from it. Next week I will have healthy food in the house and the motivation to cook it.
SundaeAfternoon
I love my Golden furbaby!
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I hear ya on the difficulties of starting! I've started and stopped so many times that I've lost count. This week is a new week and I am trying again. I was supposed to start back in January, and here it is almost October. It kills me that I could have been at my goal weight by now. Plus, the time flew! Like a previous poster said, 365 days goes by pretty fast, and I don't want another year to pass without me making any changes. Wish me luck!
JoanneNC
DIS Veteran
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I hear ya on the difficulties of starting! I've started and stopped so many times that I've lost count. This week is a new week and I am trying again. I was supposed to start back in January, and here it is almost October. It kills me that I could have been at my goal weight by now. Plus, the time flew! Like a previous poster said, 365 days goes by pretty fast, and I don't want another year to pass without me making any changes. Wish me luck!
Don't sell yourself short on time just yet. There are still 93 days left in 2009
Make these remaining ones count...
SundaeAfternoon
I love my Golden furbaby!
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Don't sell yourself short on time just yet. There are still 93 days left in 2009
Make these remaining ones count...
That's true!
dthogue
DIS Veteran
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Don't sell yourself short on time just yet. There are still 93 days left in 2009
Make these remaining ones count...
I LOVE this - what a great way to look at it - I too have about 80 pounds to lose, but I would be happy losing about 60. I keep saying I will start tomorrow, but then tomorrow comes and I give up before I even start. I would love to join this battle with you - maybe together we can motivate each other to start this journey and keep going!!!
Tammy
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