Where to start with weight loss when my motivation level is at zero?!

[LucyCarlyle27]

This time last year I had 3.5 stones to lose. I got stuck in, managed to lose a couple of stone despite lockdown, and all was going well till I got a new job... now I'm glued to a desk for more hours, I've lost my time to exercise and cook healthily and now I think I've managed to put all the weight back on

I know I need to make a (re)start, I know I have a mountain (of fat!) to climb yet again, I know I need to do it for my health and so I have more chance of seeing the DC grow up - and still I cannot make the effort to get started I'm eating popcorn as I write this...

Any top tips much appreciated - I'm dreading hopping on the scales but it must be done soon, or things will go from bad to worse! I'm going to book some blood tests at the GP to check my iron levels - those have been low in the past and might be contributing to my general knackeredness - but other than that, I really need to get started with sorting out my diet and exercising more, and can't give myself the kick I need to do it

I'm 45 so peri menopause isn't helping either!

If anyone fancies joining me then weight loss buddies would also be much appreciated!!

Wow....I'm sure that's exactly what you wanted to hear. Not.
It's hard isn't it, OP. I get it, I really do. People who've never had a weight issue will never understand but the motivation to lose weight has to come from you, FOR you, no one else, not even your kids.
I know that when I exercise a lot it helps me to keep on track foodwise, plus I find exercise is addictive; so the more I do, the more I WANT to do. Watching YouTube etc for ideas helps me too. Plus planning lots of nice low calorie healthy things to eat, and meal planning.
You can do this. You just need to get started, and if you slip up, start again. Good luck x

Popcorn isn’t a bad snack if it’s air popped with a little salt added.

Be mindful of drinks like latte’s, alcohol, fruit juice etc. Even normal hot drinks with milk and sugar will add up.

Find recipes or quick foods that aren’t too calorific. Protein and fibre are filling.

Keep in mind you lost weight before so you can do it again.

@KezzabellaB

Wow....I'm sure that's exactly what you wanted to hear. Not. It's hard isn't it, OP. I get it, I really do. People who've never had a weight issue will never understand but the motivation to lose weight has to come from you, FOR you, no one else, not even your kids. I know that when I exercise a lot it helps me to keep on track foodwise, plus I find exercise is addictive; so the more I do, the more I WANT to do. Watching YouTube etc for ideas helps me too. Plus planning lots of nice low calorie healthy things to eat, and meal planning. You can do this. You just need to get started, and if you slip up, start again. Good luck x

Lost 8st a few years ago. Took two years of eating less and exercising more.

That was the easy bit. The hard bit was keeping going, and that was possible because I was finally motivated to do it after seeing a colleague's serious health issues.

If the OPs motivation levels are at zero, as she claims, she'll need to fix that first. No amount of food tips, videos to watch, or recommended videos will help that.

Probably not what she wants to hear. But it's true.

Op you have done it once you can do it again! Best thing to do is break it down into manageable steps and get organised.

Give yourself a couple of hours to prep some healthy lunches and dinners for the week, even if that means just having all your veg and fruit chopped up in containers, meat marinated etc, so you don't feel overwhelmed when it comes to cooking on a work night.

Weight loss is 80% diet so don't be too hard on yourself with exercise, can you walk to work? Take the stairs? Get your steps up to 10k at least. Incorporate body weight exercise while doing other things? I do squats and lunges while brushing my teeth for example

You just need to find a healthy routine that will work for your circumstances. I think motivation is there otherwise you would not put this on a post.