Can't motivate!

[Crunch70]

I have lost as of this morning 36 Kg since I started my own weight loss journey about 3 years ago and I have gone from nearly 50% fat to 31% fat. The last couple of weeks I have been struggling to lose any weight (in fact I've gained!), I feel this is starting to put me in to a slight depression and because of this I just can't be bothered, I am ready to just start eating whatever whenever and I will just sit and do nothing. I know it is only me that can do anything about this but does anyone any good ideas on how to get out of this and start getting my motivation back on track. I joined a gym at the end of last year but now I just pay the monthly subscrption and don't go (mainly due to the fact I go on my own and feel I am the biggest person in there!!)

[WendyB]

Welcome to the forums!

You have done so well. Do you really want to go back? Stop and think about why you started to do this in the first place. Maybe right it down and put it some where that you can read it often.

You can do it!

As for the gym. No one pays attention to you. You should not feel bad about going. Go and do what you want and dont worry about what anyone else thinks. They are there to get fit like  you.

[monkeypull]

Everyone has a time where they feel unmotivated.  Everyone has a time when they have a setback.  You shouldn't feel bad about it.  You are noting it and looking for support and motivation to get past it. 

I used to have weeks where I felt I was doing everything right and saw zero progress.  It happens, but that doesn't mean you aren't doing the right things.  Look at what you've done so far!  You have already lost more weight than I needed to lose when I started the journey to get back in shape.  (36kg is about 80lbs for those who never learned metric.)

Many people in the gym have been in your shoes.  If you feel like the biggest person there, don't worry.  The other members are not ridiculing you, they are CHEERING FOR YOU.  I know what it takes to get back into fighting shape.  When I see others doing it, I feel nothing but respect because I've been there.

Do you want some more motivation?  Go to the gym and put a 20kg weight in each hand and just walk around for 10 minutes.  It's not easy, but that's what you were doing to your body all day before you took off the weight.

[HelenaFitbit]

I'm sorry you've been feeling like this @Crunch70, but we all have our setbacks whenever we are beginning a new weight loss journey. 

Remember why you are doing this and go visual with your reminders, hang a pair of your old pants or an old photo of your highest weight, prepare your week for any possible setbacks you encounter and hang in there! 

You can do it, keep going 

[Illaia]

It will seem like you're at your wit's end... perhaps you've plateaued and therefore your body is so efficient that it doesn't feel the need to lose any more weight.  Of course, that's just your body being strong. 

My suggestion is to take it one day at a time -- just like you started your journey in the beginning.  When you do the same number of steps a day -- bump it up and do an extra 1k on top of that.  I like round numbers so when I hit 10k, I still feel weird because it's not 5 miles.  I try to do 5 miles... then the calorie burn is off, too.. and so then I try to reach that goal.  Try for all greens on your dashboard.   And when it gets too easy, because your body will get used to that too, bump it up!  Keep challenging yourself!

As for the gym, perhaps you can find someone to go with you?  Or tune out everyone else!  So long as you're not leaving a sweaty mess on the equipment, no one has the right to judge you.  They'r e not you.  They don't live your life.  (Usually, most people are too self-involved to even bother with others.)  But if you really feel self-conscious, perhaps a group class to make friends?  Then you might make a fitness buddy.

Just take a breath and remember why you're doing this.  Going from 50% to 31% and losing 36kg is very impressive!  You should be proud of yourself!

[EllieBoo]

Hey, I have so been there.  Its like you just can't be bothered, what's the point? It's not going to work any way?....Sound familiar?  

Consider what the other's are saying, they are right.  Remember why you are doing this, remember how far you have come, wow!  Do you really want to go back?  If you are like me, that is exactly what will happen.  I fall off the wagon and go right back to the same old habits and same ways.  I am trying to honestly get fit and be healthier now.  Because I want to, for me.  So for me making small changes that I can hopefully keep forever is my route.  

The best advice I can give you:  Change your surroundings.  Dont like the gym...dont go.  There are other more interesting places to go that you can get a work out.  Hiking in the state park?  Camping?  Skating?  Dancing?  What ever you want to do, doesn't matter, just get moving.  Change it up make it fun.  Do what feels right for you.

[Crunch70]

Thank you all for the support and encouraging words I need to get through this wall and I will, I am still eating healthy I just need to start exercising again!

[SuperStephSteph]

I can definitely relate to feeling like the biggest person at the gym (some days it's totally true, others not so much). 

The best thing I can tell you is that everyone is dealing with their own insecurities. Those perfectly thin women that you're probaby admiring/envying, and those ripped guys all have stuff that they're working on. Often times those people have way more body issues than you'd think, which is what led them to being so fit in the first place. 

One thing that helps me get over feeling like the fattie in the room/gym is to think about how hard I have to work to get the same workout that all the fit people are getting. For instance in Zumba I'm normally one of the bigger gals there, but I keep up with everyone else. After class I can't help but think that I totally killed it! All those thin women in the class did the same workout I did...except I had to work twice as hard. Which means I'm twice as amazing! Suck it everyone else! 

Point being, that going to the gym can be hard when you're not the shape you wish you were, but chances are nobody is even noticing you, and if they are they're probably commending you in their heads for being there. If by chance your gym is filled with a bunch of a-holes then switch to a gym that's more inclusive.

Good luck! 

[Trooper]

I noticed that the biggest problem with dieting is that people hate certain foods. I don't want to eat "Kiwi," because Oprah or Dr. Phil said to eat it. I don't want to eat fish or Salmon because I am allergic to Seafood. I don't like Pecans or Turnips in my Salads. I could go on and on about how much I hate diets that tell  me how to lose weight by eating what someone else eats. You have to create your own diet with foods that you like. As long as you can count the calories, the food is healthy and nutritious, and not deep fried, you should be fine. My diet is strange to a lot of people. Sometimes I eat breakfast more than once because I like it. Sometimes my breakfast and lunch are the same because they are easier to count and keep track of. By creating a meal plan aound what I like and not on some stupid Deal A Meal Cards or little colored containers to put food in, I found that eating is more enjoyable!!! Feel free to look at what I eat on daily log. I took it off privacy settings. Good Luck.

[dancefoxtrot]

Hi Crunch,

Then you have more to be proud of if you get to that darned gym. If you worry what people think about your size you give away your power. That is probably leading to depression because you feel powerless. Eating whatever, whenever is hurting yourself and defeating yourself all because you think that you shouldn't be where you should be.

Thoughts lie. You tell yourself a lie and you make the mistake of believing it. 

You have lost a lot and you can continue until you are comfortable with your size.

Keep your power, continue on your journey to health and pay them no mind. 

You can do it,

Barbara 

[josephz2va]

Best way to motivate yourself is to ask yourself this thing daily. "Why do I want to lose weight? What are my goals? Do I want to look great in the mirror or look like the TV commerials one day for six packers? Will my image improve my quality of life and my social relationship?"

I don't follow those TV shows of 600 pound people or whatever it's called. I don't follow those infomercials like Dr. Oz. They're in it for the money. Before those infomercials ever came out as a fad for fat burning magic pills, I lost 120 pounds by Dieting, Exercising, and having a Personal Training System in place. I've always had depression and I had to motivate myself and my coworkers motivated me. I was convinced to improve my quality of life. I have to fight with myself daily. I had to get up every morning and get it done.

Now. Everyday I workout. 4:00 AM daily in a 24/7 gym I'm working more of it off. I'm improving my quality of life everyday. Slowly, but I'm getting there. Only 40 pounds left and 6% fat to lose for some abs. From 302 to 191. 30% fat to 13% fat. 60 sized pants to size 32. Everyone can't believe how far I've come and keeping me motivated to keep it going. Except for one. She tells me I'm losing too much. But I ignore her. It's the quality of life that's important. The 8% fat goal is what I'm shooting for.

[VivisFitbit]

Consistency is the key to reach any goal you have in your life. You have to give one step at a time and never give up. Sometimes you may not feel the same motivation, but just think and focus on what you want and keep walking, remember one steps at a time. 

I know you'll do fantastic!