How to motivate myself?

[Booksandpens]

I've been meaning to lose weight for years now, but instead of keeping on top of it, I'm actually steadily putting on loads of weight every year.

Should I look for a group, I know there's a SW group nearby, or is there a way to do it properly alone? I have mfp but I never manage to update it, and as soon as I'm bored or frustrated with the DCs I eat. And if I feel hungry I eat high sugar, high calorie junk. I'm also so tired, but I'm sure that's 90% diet.

I just can't find the lightbulb moment that will make me actually just look after myself.

What worked /is working for you? I want to change but all my habits are absolutely awful.

My fitness pal app/website is good if you are goal orientated.

Get a photo of yourself at your worst angle and stick it on the fridge! Download MFP and stick to it, becomes easy after first few days. Find an exercise you enjoy and fits in with your life. I’ve found weight / strength training after ploughing on with other things I really didn’t enjoy and I love it and actually look forward to my workout

Haha, I tried the photo, it didn't seem to be a deterrent!

I'll try mfp again, but I've had it for at least 3 years, and have never managed more than one day every 3 months or so.

I need to lose 4 stones. When I started to try and lose weight I "only" had 2 stones to lose. Now it's twice as much, and I'm almost obese according to bmi, and that is a scary thought, but still not enough to get my act together. I really want something to click in my brain, as I am really worried about what will happen if I keep this constant eating up! The worse is I know what I'm doing "wrong" but I don't understand why I haven't been able to change my habits.

I think groups like SW only work if you are someone who is quite social and enjoys clubs and motivated by the combination of competition and support you get from group weigh in. Plus you have to get on with their diet of course!
So if you are not that keen on groups for other things (eg you wouldnt join a club related to an interest) then that may not work for you. Or if you don't like the SW diet. Some people don't agree with the principles they use eg low fat, promoting branded products like mullerlights etc, but ever since I read an AMA on here about someone who lost 15 stone on SW then I think it works well if you do it right.
Another option is an online support thread on here or a weightloss forum.
One thing to look at if you tend to overeat carbs and sugar and struggle with hunger and cravings is whether you have a problem with t
carbs, some people find going low carb reduces their cravings, all to do with insulin I believe.

Try the Lose It app - much easier I find than the MFP and very good connecting with Fitbit or Apple Watch!

Calories in and out clear and is quite motivating I find xx

Just started my journey after years of trying.
I downloaded the Scottish slimmers app. It gives you a daily ‘check’ allowance.
25 calories = 1 check.
On top of your daily allowance you are allowed a calcium and fruit allowance, and also have a flexi check allowance which is quite a generous allowance you can split and use daily, or can save if you have a meal out or fancy a night off.
I’ve done several diets in the past and I’m finding this one really easy to follow.
And you can scan barcodes through it. It also has the points for many restaurants on it so it’s easy to work out the checks when you can’t scan a barcode.

Mine is pretending I'm single!

Works for me.

I am an advocate for cooking from scratch but it kind of needs to become a hobby as it is time consuming ( but I enjoy this )
The gains are the lower calories and no processed foods.

Don't do what I do and pay the monthly subscription for WW but not actually do it. Thought payment would motivate me but it hasn't and I've wasted a shed load of money! I'm in the same boat OP can't get there mentally in terms of willingness to make changes. I am trying to drink more water and I took cooked chicken to work for a snack today (I didn't eat it and got some chocolate) but at least I bought that chicken - progress !

Just seen that AMA, very impressive! I still don't know if group weight loss is for me.

I have just downloaded SS but it's only free for a few days, and I've had experience of paying for weight loss apps and not using them, which is why I think I'll keep to mfp, just need to actually start using it. I understand how it works, but keep putting it off!

Hopefully today is day 1 of new me. I do actually think the idea of pretending to be single may be the way to go. Because ultimately I have to do it for myself. And I'm the one who has to learn self control.

There's a great Fb group called motive me teamrh public, I find it really motivating!

I've downloaded zero. It's a fasting app. I'm planning on doing 16:8, so have stopped eating for the day until 10am. I still have snacked more than I should today but if I avoid the evening munchies, it should help, so I might not lose weight if I'm not careful but hopefully should not put any more on, which is half the battle at the moment.

Have you got children or grandchildren? Do it for them. My darling mother died unexpectedly last Thursday aged 61 leaving behind 5 children and 5 grandchildren. She was overweight (BMI about 37) and had high blood pressure but we never expected she’d go so suddenly. She didn’t have any symptoms. My brother saw her in the morning and then she went to visit a friend and walking back home she had some sort of heart failure, we don’t know exactly what happened yet and never made it home. We didn’t even get to say goodbye because she had died before paramedics arrived. Mum was so important to us all and were so heartbroken. It’s difficult to accept I can never talk to her, tell her what her silly grandson did, ask for advice or opinion or just tell how the day went. I miss her so badly. How do you get over your mother’s dead especially it was so sudden?

I just wanted to tell her story so you can act before it’s too late. Life is unfair and cruel sometimes

I was reading this thread trying to find some motivation.

I am so sorry for your loss Newfitme

Sorry for your loss NewFitMe and you're right, I need to think about the DCs too.

I've made a (secret) motivational Pinterest board! Fat pics of me, outfits I'd love to wear, women with the sort of (realistic) figure I'd like to have wearing underwear, places I'd like to go on holiday and not have to worry about wanting to cover up in the heat, healthy recipes that also sound nice, exercise ideas, the odd (possibly cringeworthy) quote etc.