To ask what MAKES you choose to eat healthily?

[fatgirlgonerogue]

I’m struggling with motivation to lose weight.

I’ve never been slim and in my adult years have never had a BMI less than 29.
Right now it’s at 37

My motivation for eating healthily used to be socialising, I wanted to look and feel good.
Since that hasn’t been happening for the last year I no longer have that motivation. I don’t get dressed up. I just live in lounge wear.

I start the day well and just eat rubbish come early evening.

I pretty much live on takeaways at the minute.

I ordered it and I know I’m fat and will get fatter, but I just think so what

I’m always really fascinated when I see people out running, eating healthy food.
Why is that? What makes people want to give up a nice big juicy burger (which would bring so much satisfaction) in favour of a salad

I don’t even think about the health implications of my weight. It’s like I just don’t care.

I did go for a walk to my local park a few days ago and saw a friend. I purposely walked in the opposite direction so she didn’t see me and my vert obvious large weight gain.
So it must to an extent bother me. But not enough to do anything about it... 🤷🏻‍♀️

Wanting to fuel my running properly.

I started running a very long time ago, primarily to lose weight, but once I got the bug, I found wanting to be a better runner was a far better motivator than wanting to lose weight for appearance sake.

Only thing that has ever worked for me is low carb high fat. So cut out carbs and sugar, lots of green veg but also lots of fat, meat, fish, eggs, butter, cream. It fills you up so much and you end up eating less.
I've lost 9lb in 2 months and I'm really happy. It's not the quickest but that's because I've had the odd cheat. Also drink a lot of water. I dont drink alcohol anyway

Here are (some) of my reasons, I’m still trying to lose some baby weight. My BMI is 31 at the moment. I gained 4 stone last year, have lost 2 and a half. Some of that was pregnancy but a lot was lockdown between March and June. So my motivational list is:

• to not feel embarrassed at having my picture taken with ds, to have lots of lovely photos to look back on.

• to have another baby and not fall into the category of obese so I get all the raised eyebrows and being told how bad I am!

• to not have a fat back!

• to get married!

• to have a whole new wardrobe when the shops reopen.

• to really enjoy food when lockdown ends, I want to be able to go to pubs and restaurants and cafes and not be worrying about calories.

• to be a role model to my children, I do worry about childhood obesity.

I find the exercise thing tricky because to be totally honest the only things I would enjoy are too expensive or impractical to regularly do (swimming in the sea, skiing ...) I don’t particularly enjoy walks usually but I do long ones with the pram now and it’s company of sorts. Would you like to borrow a dog maybe?

I exercise and eat healthily for the same reasons I brush my teeth and use my seatbelt when I’m in a car. It’s being responsible for myself and to society. I try to stick to the law and treat people well because it’s the right thing to do.

By looking after my health I reduce the likelihood of becoming diabetic or having another lifestyle illness, I know I’m going to die but I’d like to die well rather than ageing badly over 30 years.

Probably sound preachy but you did ask.

Life isn’t easy so you need to be strong & fit.

Things that help me are to order in Gousto or Hello Fresh boxes are they are always tasty and fairly low calorie.

I also try to keep away from alcohol because as soon as I have a drink I start picking and if I'm hungover I crave greasy food.

Since trying to lose weight I've been out walking and exercising more and I've found that after doing all that work I don't really want to put crap food in my body, it just doesn't feel good. I don't limit myself completely, I still have to odd chocolate bar or whatever but I try to prioritise nutritionally beneficial meals at least 80% of the time and I do feel so much better for it.

Right now the motivation is pregnancy but in general it's looking and feeling better.

I buy healthy food so it's there and I don't let myself order in or get anything else.

It's funny because last night I really wanted a takeaway but I had avocados in the fridge so I made avocado toast, which really didn't sound very exciting...but actually tasted amazing and was way more satisfying than the takeaway would have been.

Having a fruit and veg box delivered every week and paying a bit more for it, so everything is fresh and plump and tastes ace, so you want to eat it.

I used to have a less expensive veg box and I was faced with potatoes covered in mud and shrivelled sticks of salsify and it all seemed like too much hard work.

For me, I go running so I can eat the pizza! I love my food and like you OP, struggle to make healthy choices and resist junk food. Exercise kind of keeps it all in check (plus I really enjoy it, the more you do of it the easier it gets, I promise!). But I wish I had the discipline of some people on here.

Too much sugar makes me feel sick, grumpy and anxious. So I know there's a link...but I find it hard not to reach for the treats when the DC are playing up (I also don't get a lot of sleep so that doesn't help).

I would say, everything in moderation. I don't think you need to drastically cut everything 'bad' out of your diet (you'd only be setting yourself up to fail). Introduce a balance system. Go for a power walk - enjoy a biscuit. Do a home work out - have a takeaway but with healthier choices.

Good luck - it isn't easy which is why so many of us struggle with our weight!

Also I was a total sugar addict and binge eater. I know its hard.

*And also, it sounds lazy but I buy pre-prepared fresh or frozen vegetables where possible...it just removes an extra mental block of 'I'll have to get the chopping board out and prepare it' etc

I don’t want to come out of lockdown heavier.

It’s hard sometimes but early on when I thought this is long haul I switched to low carb and running. I had a blip over Christmas but back on the wagon now.

I get it OP, my issue is I just haven't found an exercise I like.
I don't enjoy sport (I'm anxious and uncoordinated) and even when I was fit, exercise felt like a chore.

Im deeply jealous of people who have hobbies and interests that keep them fit - it's a major life advantage and if I ever have children, I'll be encouraging physical hobbies from a young age.

I like art, crafts and entrepreneurial pursuits. All of these involve sitting down a lot 😅

Interesting you've identified the mindset point. I grew up in a family where fresh food - lovely fruit and crunchy fresh veg - were plentiful and enjoyed and savoured. That has stayed with me for life.

When I want a burger, I make it with lean mince and have it on a wholemeal or multigrain roll, with lots of salad on the side. Delicious! But some limp soggy fat laden junk that was made 20 minutes ago and then scootered to my door? Gross. That's my mindset.

How well do you cool? The problem may be you aren't able to make tasty healthy food that you really want to eat.

Eating healthily is like an acquired taste IMO

You can actually get used to eating salads, and enjoy it! But you have to make nice salads and the catch is, there's a hideous several month changeover period where your brain is saying 'but pizza!' And you just have to tell it no.

I even managed to break my sugar addiction to the point where i could calmly walk down the cake aisle and just think, I don't eat this stuff (I've got it back agaim though )

Because being fit and healthy and eating well is so much better for the body, and lessens your risk of so many illnesses. Doing regular excersise does wonders for me physically and mentally. A takeaway etc is OK once in a while as a treat, just like other fatty foods and sugar, but eating clean feels so much better imo

I'm in my 40s and I eat healthily now because I realise that I'm not invincible. I look at people 10 years older than me and they seem to either be doing great and very fit, or accumulating health problems. I want to be in the former camp. My kids are teens and I want them to have a healthy fit mother throughout their teens and twenties (hopefully a lot more). I used to eat healthily out of vanity, so I was thin.

Mine is a mixed bag.
I feel dreadful if I overdo junk and genuinely prefer less fatty foods as I have an assortment of health issues including IBS that get worse if I don’t heed their preferences.
Watching my mother. We have the same body shape and it looks ridiculous with weight gain- spindly arms and legs and a double chin atop a barrel tummy. I am vain enough not to want to look more like that than I have to. She’s also got T2 diabetes.
I’ve been way too sedentary this lockdown and have gained half a stone. Most of my clothes are quite fitted because that’s what suits me but the muffin top is therefore obvious and has to go. I can’t afford to be replacing half my wardrobe either!

I get the feeling that your mindset is holding you back and hope you can find something that motivates you to want to be healthier.

I struggle with my weight (binge eating disorder) BUT I am really aware of how good makes me feel. When I haven’t eaten enough vegetables I feel so ill. If I eat too much meat I get awful gas that smells foul.

So, I think about what my body wants as well as what my brain wants. My brain wants cookies. My body wants an apple. So I’ll compromise and have a couple of cookies AND an apple. Rather than an entire pack.

It’s easy to get in a rut with bad food though, however a tuna pasta or a homemade bolognese with loads of veg in is far tastier than fish and chips which leaves me feeling bloated, and a bit sick from the grease.

I love food. It gives me such satisfaction and good food changes my mood for the day. Despite this I now chose healthier options because of how hard I have worked to lose the weight. I feel amazing now that my BMI is back within the healthy range. When BMI was close to 30 I felt tired all the time, i was always hungry and thinking of food, I had no sex drive and gynae issues constantly, my legs rubbed together and were sore, if I walked outside in the cold my legs would itch like crazy. Little issues that I didn’t realise were weight related vanished and I don’t want to go back to that.

I prefer to be slim. I like the feeling of clothes fitting and moving around easier.

I don’t live on salad but your example about the burger is meaningless to me as I would never eat one. It’s just stodge and fat to me and not appetising.

I do eat too much toast and butter and occasionally like chocolate or ice cream but I would never be tempted by takeaways. I’ve also never eaten huge meals. If I go to a restaurant with friends I’m always the last to finish.

TBH vanity. I eat the foods I enjoy but just try not to go too mad. I love takeaways, cake, chocolate etc and am no longer prepared to give any of it up. I have a takeaway at least once a week, not including Greggs or similar. Most days I get my 10,000 steps a day and a bit more. I suppose I'm motivated by wanting to wear nice clothes, even during lock down I've still worn skirts and dresses quite a lot. I'm a healthy weight, but like most people would love to loose half a stone. I'll probably be flamed for it being about vanity, but think you have to go with whatever motivates you to keep the weight off.

High levels of dopamine.

I’m physically well, I eat really healthily, rarely drink & those combined raise your dopamine.

If you eat a lot of processed foods and gain weight your dopamine falls off a cliff.

Being vain I guess. Being overweight doesn’t suit me, some people can’t still look nice but I don’t.
Health reasons. I get health anxiety and I know eating better and being active helps me feel better and prevent being ill.
Have you tried MyFitnessPal it’s free and seeing what you have eaten in black and white helps. It’s no hassle and easy to use. You can count calories and streps.

I like really good food.

Cheap take-aways bring me no satisfaction whatsoever, I'd feel depressed if I was facing a week of pasta/potatoes/stodgy food!

A decent burger doesn't make you fat: good quality meat, salad bits, cheese, you don't become overweight for having 1 bun of some kind in an entire day.

I don't like cheap chocolate, I don't like crisps, I always finish meals with something sweet but I like good quality deserts.

I eat good MEALS and healthy "snacks", an apple, a banana.
I don't force myself to eat either, a soup or a yogurt is enough sometimes, I'll eat more when I am hungry at the next meal.

I eat healthy food because it tastes a lot better. It doesn't cost that much more, you just buy a lot less.

I just try to eat healthily most of the time - could never do it all the time. I feel so uncomfortable when I put weight on, my clothes are too tight and my knees ache.

I keep trying to remember the Rosemary Conley phrase 'nothing tastes as good as being slim feels' and it keeps me on the straight and narrow for the majority of the time.