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... 🤷🏻‍♀️

I used to be a BMI of 35, I am now a BMI of 19. For me it was the absolute fascination at watching what my body COULD do if I fuelled it right, lost the weight, and watching myself get stronger, walk farther, less out of breath. It was so addictive. A fitbit really helped me, but if I get really depressed I have to really watch it because I end up back in the "what is the point" camp. The point is YOU. The point is so you don't feel like shit walking in the park, so your confidence can absolutely blossom, and so that once every few weeks you can eat that massive takeaway knowing it's ok to do so.

You are worth being the best version of you, you are WORTH wearing the snazziest outfit you know, and you are worth so much more than your BMI or a number on a scale. Focus less on that and more on making you feel better.

I'm a recovering alcoholic so it's part of recovery really to keep my mental health as good as I can and exercise and eating ok and trying to get enough sleep is a big part of that. I was in a right bloody state with drinking and (as a side effect of booze calories) my weight at one point and can vividly remember what it was like to feel that shit. That motivates me.

I'm skinny and hate salad. I LOVE food, but decent food. Can't think of anything more boring than salad! You need to find some decent, tasty healthy recipes. Good tasting food can be healthy too.

Also if you like spicy food you can make anything a bit bland taste a million times better

I’m not sure OP. I don’t eat very healthily, I go in phases. For me it’s about controlling my weight I guess. But even then I can happily eat a couple of chocolate bars for lunch, then nothing until evening and control my weight that way too... so 🤷‍♀️

I imagine it’s doing something good to me on the inside when I eat vitamin-rich foods. I have no proof. Yet. I think I feel the same.

My BMI is around 19, I'm in my 50s and I eat utter crap 90% of the time but small amounts. I skip meals and leave out the protein and veg stuff. I do love running and swimming. I love doing interval training.

I think some of us genuinely love the feeling of exercising and exercising hard. I think goal setting is key. How about aiming for a 30 min walk? There could be time by getting up early or walking in the evening or walking around the house. Unfortunately, one has to make the time. And remember, whilst walking or exercising, you can't eat so double win

I just feel better if I exercise and eat well.

I hate feeling crap which I do eg with a hangover or when I've eaten loads of crap.

I don't find it hard to motivate myself to eat healthily as I like most healthy foods and think I have a good relationship with food to eat in moderation generally, BUT, I have a sweet tooth and like snacks, so that's where I need to motivate myself to reign myself in or I can put weight on. I manage this by allowing myself treats, one small chocolate bar a day and try to limit snacking in the week so I can live weekends more freely. Also, doing a bit of activity to counter act some of the calories. In terms of what motivates me to do this, I just feel miserable when I'm a few pounds heavier, it affects my confidence, I like fitting in my clothes. When I'm a size I'm happy with I relish in it, so I guess it's just the memory of that? I'm also generally quite health conscious so do relish healthier choices in that regard.

My brother in law is obese, and losing weight is a nightmare for him, because there are very few 'healthy' foods that he likes. No nuts, no seeds, no red meat unless it's a burger, chicken only if southern-fried, no veg at all and only grapes as fruit. Everything slathered in ketchup, or it's takeaway swimming in oil, or chips.

I always think that I am just lucky in that I really like salad, and spinach, and whole grains, and healthy proteins that haven't been breaded and fried, etc. I would choose a scrambled egg and greek yoghurt with fresh fruit every time over sugary cereals or white toast with jam. I prefer almonds to crisps as a snack.

It's not fair. It's no great moral victory for me, or failure for him. And there's no real reason for it. We grew up in pretty similar food cultures.

It's not that I don't like chips and takeaways - sure I do - but on most nights (ie, 29 out of 30), I am honestly just as happy with a healthy meal made at home. And he would not be - he would suffer on my diet, feel really deprived.

I don't have an answer. I wish he could eat what he wants and not be diabetic. He's an amazing guy.

My mom, she’s 88. Healthier than most 20 yr olds. never an overweight day in her life, no meds no illnesses nothing.
I want to age well.

I definitely do not always eat healthily, but I would genuinely say that after years and years of an unhealthy relationship with food, discovering initiative eating really helped me.

I would also strongly recommend reading Fat is a feminist issue, by Susie Orbach!

I like taking care of my body and keeping it strong and healthy, so I think of eating as a way to put good nutrition in. Eating junk isn't a treat to me and eating healthy food isn't deprivation (it's delicious!)
I used to binge-eat and tbh it was a form of self-harm.

@PopUpName

My brother in law is obese, and losing weight is a nightmare for him, because there are very few 'healthy' foods that he likes. No nuts, no seeds, no red meat unless it's a burger, chicken only if southern-fried, no veg at all and only grapes as fruit. Everything slathered in ketchup, or it's takeaway swimming in oil, or chips.

I always think that I am just lucky in that I really like salad, and spinach, and whole grains, and healthy proteins that haven't been breaded and fried, etc. I would choose a scrambled egg and greek yoghurt with fresh fruit every time over sugary cereals or white toast with jam. I prefer almonds to crisps as a snack.

It's not fair. It's no great moral victory for me, or failure for him. And there's no real reason for it. We grew up in pretty similar food cultures.

It's not that I don't like chips and takeaways - sure I do - but on most nights (ie, 29 out of 30), I am honestly just as happy with a healthy meal made at home. And he would not be - he would suffer on my diet, feel really deprived.

I don't have an answer. I wish he could eat what he wants and not be diabetic. He's an amazing guy.

It's unlikely though that he dislikes all healthy food, it's probably more that his tastebuds are screwed from excess sugar and salt. If you give up chocolate for example, it's not uncommon to find the first time you eat it after not having it for a while for it to taste really, really sweet.

A burger is fine is made with lean mince, and you can make Southern fried chicken without deep frying it or adding tonnes of excess calories. Rather than be all of nothing, sounds like small changes and finding recipes he does like would make a difference. Lots of people don't naturally prefer natural foods, because processed food is literally made to taste nice.

If you're living on take aways, cash saved would be one motivator. Save all that money for a holiday.

The other for me is if I eat burgers/pizza/ Indian, Chinese I feel awful - all that bread and grease makes me feel lethargic, bloated and slightly sick. And it tastes awful.

Even easy quick stuff like home cooked savoury rice with some seafood added in tastes so much better. A big healthy serving costs about £1. Then treat yourself to some luscious fruit like mango.

If you're living on take aways, cash saved would be one motivator. Save all that money for a holiday.

Excellent point, money is the biggest and most immediate motivator for me

I am such a foodie so it is hard to be careful but I am because it affects my mental health when I feel bad about myself. I feel like I’ve got my life I order when I am eating well and exercising, if I don’t I start to be lazy in other areas of my life and it goes downhill from there.
It doesn’t need to be so black and white though, as in, choosing to swap a burger for a salad. There is so much healthy food that isn’t salad.

My short answer would be that I want to be healthy and physically tough enough into my old age.
My dad dropped dead at 62, and as I'm pushing 40, the idea that I might only have another 20-ish years fills me with horror. He was always pretty overweight, and never did anything resembling exercise. And although there were multiple factors that contributed to his death, his weight won't have helped.

I think a lot of the healthy eating thing, is re-framing it in your own mind. When you pick something healthy, over an unhealthy food, it's telling yourself, "I deserve this. I'm eating this food that keeps my body healthy and strong. I am treating my body with the love and respect it deserves."

The other day, I was really craving a supermarket sandwich (I don't know why either!) At first I looked at the tuna mayo, that was £1.50, but then I asked myself, "is this the healthiest thing I can give my body?" Then I ended up choosing the chicken salad, which was £3.

I saw the extra £1.50 as "investing" in my long-term health.

A good question, I’m not sure 100%. I know when I eat well and do some exercise I feel good (clearer mind, more energy, sleep better, more positive outlook) and all these reverse when I eat poorly. I go through spells of both, and usually its a picture of myself or reading exercise magazines that DH reads that gets me back on track again.
The eating poorly part for me is all cravings driven, but I know if I’m strong enough so last a day, then a week the bad cravings which were YELLING EAT ME! to begin with turn into a soft whisper and I can keep going. If you are looking to change, start small, perhaps a bit more walking with a podcast you like or radio catch up (I love Liza tarbuck on radio 2 catch up, she cracks me up and is great company on my walks).

1. Vanity
2. To be rugby fit
3. Type one diabetes

For me OP it is my clothes - I have some lovely clothes, some of which are 20 years old and so they are irreplaceable and I love how I feel when I wear them. I have gathered them for decades from many sources from charity shops to high end boutiques and I want to fit in them and feel good in them.
If I start to look in my wardrobe and think 'what fits me' rather than 'what do I want to wear' I know I need to think about my eating.
So long post summarised - nice clothes and not wanting to look like a blob motivate me
I really let it slide in lockdown as I wasn't going out and wasn't wearing the nice clothes and before I knew it I went to put on a dress and the zipper was sticky/a struggle and I realised , put it back on the hanger and felt like a prat. 12lbs gone now and another 6lbs to go to get back to my fighting weight again.

I think it is clothes for me too, I don't buy a lot if I changed size I'd need a whole new wardrobe so if I feel them getting tight I'll exercise a bit.

Vanity mainly. Being slim makes me feel better about myself, and feeling better means I'm happier, and better prepared for life.

I put on around 2 st a few years back and I was completely in denial. I've always been slim (and a very keen weight watcher) so this was a shock.

I eat lots of crap, but I always measure calories very strictly.

And I don't buy stretchy clothes any more.

My body is precious and valuable, and I try to treat it that way.
You wouldn't mistreat any other priceless thing you owned, you would care for it the best you could, and for me it's the same thing.

I like to be healthy and look good for myself, not just for other people to see me (socialising etc).

You just need to make a start and once you have been eating healthily for a while the habits tend to stick and you get used to it (in my case anyway).

Another one whose life has been changed by reading 'The Obesity Code'.
I'm mid fifties and have been overweight for most of my adult life.
I hated it.
I would start another diet every Monday morning and as soon as I 'broke' it I would eat everything in sight.
Seeing a friend lose weight through fasting got me started.
It took me a year, but I lost almost 50 pounds and have stayed at BMI 22/23 for several months now.
I still love food and can enjoy all my favourites without counting calories.
I hope you can find what works for you.
Good luck