How do I get motivated?

[Puppermint]

I’m really struggling with motivation at the minute and wondering how others are finding and keeping their mojo.

I used to be relatively fit, usually about half a stone higher than BMI 25 but I worked out five days a week, could easily run 10k in just over an hour and was pretty happy with myself.

Since last March, I’ve put on probably about two stone, have pretty much stopped working out and my diet is shocking (used to low carb as find counting cals etc triggering).

Most days I tell myself I’ll start again, but I just don’t have the oomph to get started. I’m not sleeping, so I’m tired, I’m WFH full time while trying to home school my DS10 and I just feel like I am not in control of anything any more.

I’m living in leggings and baggy tops, feel gross and am terrified I’ll be told I’ve got to go back to the office soon, so everyone will see how fat I am and I’ll have nothing to wear.

Can anyone help me find myself again? I’m so unhappy but don’t know how to turn things around.

Similar story here! I gained exactly 2 stone since March 2020. I went into first lockdown running 5 k 3 times a week and low carbing, in pretty good shape.

I am shocked at how fat I have become. My waist is 39 or 40 inches.

Like you I was waiting for my mojo to appear, wake up one day and be inspired to do something. That didn’t happen.

I just started anyway, fat and uninspired . I am on day 10 and have lost 5 lbs. restarted C25K and low carbing suits me.

Start today, next grocery shop buy what helps you lose weight, cut out the junk, start a yoga video, weights, walk, whatever suits you. Something to get you moving, get your mood up. Take some measurements or get out a pair of jeans you want to fit in. Write downs goals, food diary. Just start now basically. Fake the motivation and ooomph!

Good luck.

I couldnt get motivated at all..i find the more you think about it the less motivated you are...i just cut out the junk food at night to start with..(was awful for nibbling in bed)...i ate as normal during the day but then found i wasnt eating as much and then found it easier to cut down on not so healthly food...it was kick start i needed...once i seen my "muffin top" start to shrink it gave me motivation

I keep my motivation by planning all my meals in advance and writing down what I will have, usually after dinner for the next day and not when I’m already hungry/tired/busy/stressed
Today I know lunch will be a warm salad with fried mushrooms. I’m looking forward to it so won’t be tempted to snack or graze or have the exhausting inner debate over whether to be ‘good’ or not.
Would that work for you? Do the decision making bit around food when you are at your most motivated, one less thing to think about during the work/school day.

I've had this since second week of January. I was bit ill at the beginning of the months and since then it all went to hell. Just no energy. And I had very firm talks with my fat self about this.
I am still doing well with food, but workouts are just so... "Bluegh" now.

I'm struggling so much. I did dry january and had really hoped to work off that extra stone gained during the pandemic, and was hoping to lose an added half stone (obviously not over the course of a month - but to make a start). Nothing. Tried low carbing recipes but I've lost interest in cooking, so I'll discover some recipes and do them for a week and then blah hits. Now extending to dry February. I'm a solid, 5 days a week drinker who loves feeling merry of an evening, drinking with music on whilst cooking or having a drink of an evening and doing household chores, but this dry Jan and dry Feb? THAT is easy peasy. Similarly I was a smoker (not heavy but a 5 cigs a day habit for 35 years). Gave up no problem last April. Why can't weight loss be easy peasy?

@Pepper54 fake it til you make it might not be a bad idea.

@BeastOfBODMAS that is a good idea about planning one day at a time. I usually try and plan for the week, but invariably end up not fancying what I've planned/bought and ending up with a takeaway or an orange tea. I have wasted so much food recently it's shameful.

@SchrodingersImmigrant if you've not been well, then that might be why. Hope you are feeling better soon

@dudsville I did Dry Jan too but crashed on Day 16 and have been back to drinking ever since. I know that doesn't help, but it's one of my weaknesses.

So I'm in my workout gear and am going to do a short HIIT after work. I've had a reasonable low carb lunch and have similar planned for tea. I am going to try and take it one day at a time for now - I really can't face anything more long term.

I’m stuck too- gained 13lb since March 2020.
My job role has changed until covid has passed.I do 10-12k steps a day in my role but when I get home ( from working outside) I really don’t feel like going out again.I don’t like work out videos either
I drink x2 cappuccinos before I got to work, then another at 11, come home eat toast or a cracker, then tea ( which is big, like spag Bol etc) then normally a few biscuits and bed.
I actually think I’m not eating enough, but when I do it’s shite.I eat very little fruit, very little veg.
I’m out of breath up lots of stairs at work now too.
I dunno where to start, what to eat, what to exercise, no motivation ...... help ?!?!

@Puppermint: you have my sympathies, I put on a lot of weight last year too. Around Xmas I got a bit worried about having to go back to the office too and have been determined to do something about it!

In your case, I might START with exercise, which might help you sleep better, which helps to eat better. Could you go out for a 1 hr walk with your kids during their school day? (or take him to park/a bike ride) - anything really...

I started by upping my walking and that has motivated me to make food changes. Main thing is though: look forward not back, 2020 was a *** and there are a lot of us living in leggings!