In need of motivation...

[shirlgibbs]

Hi everyone, I'm in need of some community help! I've had my fitbit One for a few months now but I don't really feel like I've been using it to the full potential - I haven't made any friends to challenge yet so I'm just kind of plodding along doing my own thing. I try and run (jog!) a couple of times a week and also try to fit in some pilates and yoga, but I've just started full time work after finishing university and I'm struggling to fit it all in. I also try and follow a healthy diet and I'm mostly a well person, but last week I was stressed and busy helping my sister prepare for her wedding and ate convenience foods that totally lacked the nutrition I needed. And now I've got a kidney infection 😞 so I've decided it's time to ask for the help of you lovely people to motivate me and help me stay on track, initally, and then hopefully build up to the more difficult challenges and badges. Any help will be greatly appreciated! 

[MakMak]

@shirlgibbs, welcome to the Community! It's definitely hard to get started building some of those habits, especially as life happens.

One suggestion is to find some like-minded people in an Activity Group.

For example, there are groups of "newbies," people who are aiming for a certain step count, probably people in your area, etc. You can pick a group that seems active (very important!) and is a good fit for what you're aiming to do and this might help motivate you.

[SunsetRunner]

@shirlgibbs 

It's not about dieting, dieting is following a diet to loose weight, reach a goal and as soon as stopping the diet, eating the way like before it's possible to gain everything back, since of eating the way before, and your body when being at a lower weight requires lots less calories to maintain the new weight, it's not possible to eat as much as before.

Also it would lead to having to 'diet' for always, it's okay to diet change food habits.. reaching a healthy weight range, but try to stay at the new weight range rather than pulling your body through a constant cycle of dieting / gaining everything back / dieting again.. (your body can think there are lots of periods of famine, this can lead possibly to that your body increases it's natural weight range, to protect against a new period of famine.. making it more difficult to loose weight.

Eating nutritient rich foods mostly when getting hungry (until satisfied, not stuffed), can be the key to stay at the new weight (with the new food habits), since these are less in calories, making feel satisfied for longer..

It's about changing food habits over time which you are able to maintain, which also means being more aware when eating, feeling how hungry your body is, trying listening to if it needs a bit more or having enough.. not eating out of boredom or loneliness or if possible not out of habit.. but to nourish your precious body when it needs nourishment (what is it asking for, how much? a salad, can be some or a whole pizza, something else..)..

When the goal is to eat fully naturally, non processed foods.. give your body time to adjust (change food habits over time, not changing everything at once), there can be a craving for having some piece of cake, some candy.. when being aware eating nutritient foods mostly, allowing to have some of other not so nutritient rich foods is alright to have, even just for the taste if not being so hungry..

Allowing to have some when desiring, prevent possible binge eating when restricting for to long, and eating more from at the next chance.

[LucyAP]

Hello Fitbitters, Great to see you here! @shirlgibbs Just wanted you to know that I've gone ahead and moved your recent topic "In need of motivation..." to the Weight Loss board. Hope this helps you to receive a response you're looking for. For your reference, you had originally posted your question in the 'Getting Started in the Fitbit Community' board, which is dedicated to discussion around how to use the community and its features.

Good luck. Thanks for your understanding! 😉 

[WendyB]

I agree with finding an activity group that fits your needs. Many great groups out there!

Keep  us posted as to how you are doing!

[Mermaid3011]

Hi @shirlgibbs

I am sorry you have been sick and so stressed out!!

Stress depleats our energy reserves and really makes us even less likely to lose weight. The psychological component of reaching for comfort food is just the "cherry on top"... together with being too tired to get our work outs in. It's a vicious cycle.

And getting out of university, starting a new job, a new schedule, all those expectations. That's a lot to manage if you add your own expectations and those of your family and friends into the mix. 

If you dont have a jogging or workout partner close to home or work, how about joining an online group? I dont have friends who would either be willing to work out regularly or they want but often cant make it. And I dont want to leave it up to the schedule of someone else, to get my exercise in. So I joined a group of approx 50 people (mostly women) who are following different eating and workout programs, but we all have the same goals and cheer each other on and motivate each other to do that 30 min exercise when we get home after a long day, even if we'd rather flop on the couch and take a nap. 

I must say it's the best that could happen to me, because we are running 1 week or 3 week or 6 week challenges for motivation and support and in order to break down big goals into many small ones... step by step... 

So today I was slacking off a bit since its so hot and humid here in Toronto (Canada). But with their motivation and seeing that everyone was getting their work outs in, I got off the couch and did my 30 min Pilates and Yoga workout. After 30 min I was dripping and felt so accomplished!! 🙂 Happy! 

The nice thing is: nobody gives you a set time. I can schedule everything myself and there will always be someone to chat with... 

So... think about that about. Maybe an online support group fits your busy lifestyle. I am happy to give you more details - if you are interested, message me. 

Best

Birgit

[mom2girla]

Hi Shirgibbs, How are you doing now? Hopefully the wedding is over and you are less stressed! GIve an update please.