To ask for advice on how to get motivated to start losing weight?

[TimeToGoOnADiet]

I'm very overweight. I'm about 190lbs at 5'2 and it is really starting to impact my health.

I'm only 25 but I feel like crap all the time. My feet hurt constantly, my joints ache and I feel tired constantly. I honestly feel like an old woman most of the time .

I know I need to lose weight but I have no clue where to start and can't get motivated.

If you managed to lose weight then how did you get motivated? What pushed you to do it?

I'm tired of being a fat mess .

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I started running. Yes, I know... But I'm older than you and the woman I run with is about 250 pounds and older than you too. Started with one minute run, one minute walk for 20 minutes at just faster than a walking pace.

I'm also 5:2ing at the moment but the running was what motivated me.

[TimeToGoOnADiet]

I want to exercise but I have no clue what exercise is best. I've tried going to the gym but I'm exhausted and gasping for breath after 10 minutes .

[TimeToGoOnADiet]

I have thought about running Terry but do you not feel silly? I'm scared people will laugh at me .

[whateveryousay]

Take a photo of yourself in your underwear, and look at it every time you want to eat unhealthily. Works for me!

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I used to turn puce and be gasping for air after one minute. Just ran for 20 minutes and am fine. It's taken about three months. Running absolutely every week three times. One excuse and you're buggered.

[evensmilingmakesmyfacehurt]

Have you asked the gym for some pointers on things to do, most are happy to give you some guidance in the right direction.

Also, have you thought of joining anything like Slimming World or Weight Watchers? I found myself that having to go and weigh and be accountable every week for my weightloss was a good incentive.

Otherwise, if you don't want to run, start by walking, aim for the 10,000 steps a day and you will soon feel yourself getting fitter / it getting easier and then you can increase your target.

[PacificDogwod]

I just suddenly got fed up with myself.
I got got fed up with the excuses I came up with - 'I'll start tomorrow'

I then tripped across DietDoctor.com and the science behind it convinced me.

I am now eating better than I ever did, I am never craving anything and I cannot see myself changing back to my bad old ways
I also do a tiny bit of intermittent fasting (16:8 aka no breakfast).

In the words of a well-known manufacturer 'Just Do it' - v best of luck.

[PacificDogwod]

DietDoctor

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

I don't know how much 190lbs is in stone, but I lost 2.5 stone (35lbs) through low-carb eating last year. It was really easy to stick to. There are threads on here with recipe suggestions for low carb eatING.

I also started running. I went to a "begin running" class where I was taught how to breathe whilst running, and also the class started off vrh slowly with 30 seconds running then one minute walking. It was also good fun. It was women only and some of the women were very overweight.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Headphones mean you can't hear the haterz. And fuck them anyway. I find that people are far more, "GO TEAM" to my friend. She finds it annoying.

www.efap.ca/services/documents/SportMedLearnToRun10KProgram.pdf is the program I did. Very very slow running to start. Like shuffling almost. Speed is not the point. Consistency is.

[Haggischucker]

Are you in the UK? A good place to start is your GP who can refer you to a program to help. I was in the obese bracket and got referred to 'healthy start' where I got 12 weeks slimming world and gym membership for free and had regular calls with an advisor. I've now lost 2 stone since September, the hardest thing is getting started and seeing results to keep you motivated. I've now joined weightwatchers and a more local gym and hoping to be 'overweight' rather than obese in the next month, yay!

[AyeAmarok]

Honestly OP, people who see you out running will just think "good on you" for getting exercise and trying to lose the weight.

Just put earphones in with good music or a podcast or audio book, put on your trainers and go. Walk then run between alternate lampposts, you might only last a few minutes, but after a week you'll last longer, and then you'll be well on your way.

[Dragongirl10]

The Louise Parker Lean for life book has transformed my weight issues and sugar addiction.

I just pick meals from her book for 4 days ahead, order the ingredients online, (l hate food shopping) and cook those meals only, they are all simple and very tasty.

I cannot honestly say l have bneen hungry and had no headaches or cravings at the start, its the only way that has worked for me.

Can l say that if you want to lose weight it is 80% diet and 20% excercise.

Exercise is good but you cannot exercise away a bad diet so sort the food plan first, then just walk as much as possible every day until you are lighter then exercise will get much easier.

I recommend buying the book, read the whole thing, clear your cupboards and fridge of junk and all processed food, or if like me you have dcs then clear a space just for your ingredients. Meal plan 4 days ahead and get the ingredients in, and then start and don't deviate until you are down to your ideal weight.

l avoided meals out for the first few weeks or took my lunch and ate it seperately then joined friends for a coffee only.

Once you are at your ideal weight you can have the unhealthy things up to 20% of the time and as long as you are eating as per the plan the other 80% it will work for ever.

Good Luck

[Runnngupthathill]

I agree with starting running / jogging. You would probably be better joining a beginners group if you can to motivate you more. I've ran on and off for years, it's the one thing I always go back too. Also the endorphins flying around your body afterwards will lift your mood! Get fitted for proper running trainers though to prevent injury.

[olympicsrock]

You need to give yourself a reason to lose weight. Picture how you want to be in three months who you are with what you are wearing what you are doing how you feel. Now save that image and think of that image every day. Make remembering your goal a daily routine.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Can l say that if you want to lose weight it is 80% diet and 20% excercise.

I absolutely agree. But in my case the running motivated me and also made me think, "I worked so hard on this run, I can't screw it up eating crap". It's psychology

[SheepyFun]

You have to decide you want to do it. I was overweight due to eating too much (I exercise a fair bit), and I know that it's harder for women to lose weight once they're over 40, which isn't so far away for me. I now allow myself one treat (e.g. a slice of cake) and two squares of chocolate a day, plus as much savoury food as I want. I've lost 4lb so far, and am technically no longer overweight, for the first time in 5 years. I'd like to lose a fair bit more, but I'm happy for steady and slow; this is a lifestyle change I think I can maintain. Before Christmas I was eating a lot of sweet food, but I've been surprised how easily I've said no, having decided I'm going to do it. Being ill (nasty flu type virus, nothing digestive) for the last couple of weeks has significantly helped!

[ClashCityRocker]

Personally (and I appreciate everyone is different) I found focussed exercise caused me more problems with weight loss than they solved...ie because I'd been for a jog, I could eat xyz when in reality I'd probably burnt enough calories to eat half a mars bar.

There are many ways to skin a cat, however I firmly believe you can't outtrain a bad diet.

I do agree getting more active is an important part of overall health and will help waiver loss, but I would suggest sorting your diet out first.

I'm doing slimming world at the moment. I just ignore all the fat free filled with shite stuff they punt and stick to lean meat and vegetables in the main with a weekly more relaxed (but not crazy) day and it's working well. The groups give me the absolute rage at times as they're so happy clappy but it plays on my incurable need for the approval of absolute strangers and gives me a sense of accountability which was sadly lacking prior to this.

[TimeToGoOnADiet]

I agree that it has to come from me. I want this to be a permanent lifestyle change and not just a diet despite what my NN right now implies.

I was thinking about printing off some motivational quotes about weight loss and sticking them in various places around my house. That sounds so corny but I think it will help me.

[justilou]

I have lost 50kg (110lbs) by following a low carb/low calorie diet. Other side effects include - Rosacea clearing up, shiny, fast-growing hair, arthritis improving, more energy, etc. I love that when I get out of bed in the morning my feet no longer hurt from the time they touch the floor. I walk whenever I can. I never could stand running, because - boobs - but I have just downloaded the couch to 5k ap on my phone. (Saving up for some decent running shoes before I start though, so mid-month is the kick-off). My dog is much fitter now too!

[Tanfastic]

I did three things recently.

1. bought a Fitbit - not so much for the exercise but so that I can track what I eat in comparison to what I burn off.
   
   
2. a diet plate - I use it every night, such a simple thing but it works.
   
   
3. I got DH to take a pic of me in my undies. I was horrified.
   
   These three things combined keep me motivated. I've lost half a stone in three weeks....and that's without exercising and just using a combination of my Fitbit to track what I eat and my diet plate. I basically make sure I eat 500 calories less a day to what I burn off. If my Fitbit says I have reached my daily goal, I do not eat anymore that day. Simple. I am being very very strict and honest about what goes in my mouth though. I think that's the key.
   
   I'm finding this much much easier than Weight Watchers and points/weighing food which I've done before and got pissed off with.

[MGFM]

Start small. Swap full fat sugary drinks for zero sugar. Going cold turkey would be hard I imagine. Make slightly smaller portions. 5cal jellies are good for when you want something sweet. Try not to eat past 7pm. Have a healthy breakfast. Try not to snack between meals. Cured meats are you friend - very few calories . Swap creamy salad dressings for oil/vinagarette. When I eat out sometimes I ask them to
Swap the carbs for veg and I always order the light pizza from pizza express.

Agree with the photo idea

[Deliaskis]

This is probably going to make some people want to vomit, but my first step to losing 5 stone a couple of years ago was to try and think about myself, and about why I deserved to feel better about myself. Once I could think about healthy eating and exercise as a way of actually being kind to myself, giving my body a chance, and giving me the fuel and the fitness and well-being that would really help me do everything better, the rest just feel into place. It sounds stupid but I think there is a lot around diet and exist that people see as deprivation and punishment, but once I talked myself into it being a positive thing and a helping hand to doing better at everything else in my life, it wasn't even an effort to lose the weight.

Sorry for the ridiculousness of this post if that wasn't the kind of thing you're looking for.

[Treaclespongeandcustard]

Join weight watchers and go to the weekly meetings. You'll meet loads of people in the same boat and the leaders are often very inspirational too. Strike whilst the iron is hot and you'll achieve great things. Good luck

[Dragongirl10]

very true, Deliaskis