Needs motivation...

**DMGibson** · 05-02-2011 01:10 PM

Hello everyone! I'm a newby to the site. I am 61 years old, 5'8" and 225 lbs. I obviously can't go anything about my age or height but my weight problem is definitely within the realm of possiblity. I have a membership at a gym and before Christmas I was going fairly regularly. I have just recently started back. I try to go every other day but it is so hard to stay motivated. If I have a bad week at work I'll just blow off the gym altogether. I don't have a great support system in place and I need to know someone cares, understands and won't be critical. I've read some of the postings and I think I have come to the right place. Good luck to all!

**KMonte85** · 05-02-2011 02:35 PM

Well you made a start with the gym membership!

Getting to 225 didn't happen overnight, and getting the weight off won't either.. so staying motivated during that time can be troublesome!

What are your daily habits like now? What do you eat? When do you hit the gym (ideally, every other day - but what time)? And what exercises do you do there? Sometimes part of the motivation is just making the time spent there more enjoyable.

**Mighty Grasshopper** · 05-02-2011 04:16 PM

have you looked into hiring a personal trainer? one of the best ways to get started. it can be very hard to go on your own and that other person will push you as you get started. eventually you'll enjoy the gym and it'll be easier to go. in fact, when you have a hard week, you'll look forward to the gym to blow off that steam.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 05-02-2011 04:43 PM

Consider joining LoseIt (google it, no outbound links allowed here). It's an excellent tool for REALLY keeping track of what you're putting in your body. I'm not overweight, but I had gained some weight and was having a hard time taking it off. I joined and started logging my food intake and exercise and couldn't believe how quickly I saw results. I was eating WAY more than I thought I was. You can also add friends, which I've done (most are people I've met on here and recommended to the site), and we motivate each other and encourage each other. If you join, and want to add me, let me know.

Gym is definitely a good start. You need a regimented exercise routine and a very balanced diet. LoseIt helps you take accountability for what you do. It's NOT easy logging your food when you know you've gone 1000 calories over your daily limit and haven't exercised. It also has an iPhone app if you're into that kind of thing.

Keep posting. You'll get lots of encouragement here. We want to see you succeed, and we all know you can.

**mayamania** · 05-02-2011 05:26 PM

One thing you can always do to help your motivation is to have some leverage over yourself. For example, give a friend/ relative you trust very much 1000$ or whatever amount of money is a lot to you, and tell them you will call them every single day you go to the gym and do your workout (3 times per week minimum is it seems what you wish for), and if by the end of the week you have not done your workout, tell them to spend that money on something that can not be taken back. Commit yourself to doing this during the entire year, and if for one week for any reason (except for some obviously legitimate reasons, like death at a family, major sickness ...) you do not do your workout 3 times a week, they are to spend that money.

You can put any reason that will motivate you enough instead of money. For example promise them you will do something you hate (clean their bathroom perhaps:P) instead of giving them 1000$.

I hope this helps motivate you, good luck!

**snooks** · 05-07-2011 12:31 AM

Like you I am in my early 60s and this is my first posting. I feel gym membership is a bit over rated. It has a very definite place in fitness and weight loss but there are other, perhaps more enjoyable forms of exercise that may interest you more and keep you motivated. What about walking, jogging, swimming or a sport? Maybe a pedometer would help by telling you how many steps you walk in a day? Whatever you do it is important to keep active along with a sensible diet of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, low fat dairy and lean meat. One form of weight control doesn't work without the other. All the gym sessions in the world won't help if you eat fatty and sugary foods! I wish you all the best in your endeavours. Kepp us posted on your progress.

**eldannadel** · 05-10-2011 11:15 AM

Hi DMGibson,

I have to agree with snooks on this one. I absolutely could not work out in a gym. I felt like I was a hamster running around on a wheel. I found the most success in fitness for me came from taking classes that I would enjoy. I took salsa for a few years, yoga and pilates. The thing about taking classes is that it absolutely comes with a support system. Suddenly, you find yourself surrounded by people who care and are interested. That is really neat and keeps you on track. Not to mention you see yourself improving your skills and getting better

**snooks** · 05-10-2011 07:24 PM

You seem to have a good system going eldannadel, swapping disciplines when you get tired of one and trying something new. I too like doing a large variety of different forms of exercise and do find it keeps me fresh and motivated. Is there anything else you think you might like to have a shot at DMGibson? What about golf perhaps? Or one of the other areas mentioned? If stale at one, do try something different. There are planty of options and if you do something with a friend or in a class you will get the support you feel you need. Have you a partner who will accompany you? Do let us know what you chose to do.

**s_2011** · 05-23-2011 10:49 AM

Fast Ways To Stay Motivated To Weight Loss Plan:
1.Workout With A Friend

2.re-Assess Your Goals

3.take A Few Progress Pictures

4.try A New Recipe

5.Book A Session With A Trainer

**daydreamer06** · 06-29-2011 11:33 AM

DMGibson:

What is your motivation for losing weight in the first place? Is it just for yourself to be healthy or for family or for up coming event? Sometimes writing the reason down and posting it somewhere noticeable is a helpful reminder.

I personally prefer to set small goals. Helps me feel like a "winner" when I beat it. I don't know what your exercise regimen is but I set exercise goals not weight goals. A good example I can think of is running goals. Run 10 mins this week. Increase a minute everyweek till 45 min. You can apply this to whatever you are doing. Helps me get competive against myself-I hate to loose. Plus you get a bonus good feeling at the end of the week. Not only feel good because you exercised but ALSO because you accomplished your goal.

You mention stressful days at work make you just want to go home. Boy, do I ever understand that! Things are pretty stressful for me too, but unfortunately, home is not a sanctuary for me (roommates). I have discovered that walking my dog all over the neighborhood helps me tremendously. I get out of the house, enjoy the weather, meet people, and enjoy changes in scenery. I find the steady rythum of walking calming. Each step takes me away from sources of stress so I can calm down and return ready to face the challenges.

While exercising it helps to have music or something to get you in the mood. Fun music that gets your blood pumping makes it easier to get moving. A partner is also helpful. I found that I am much less merciless toward my friend than me. What I mean is, I wouldn't accept her lame excuses for not exercising, but if I was by myself, I would use the same excuse to not exercise and accept it because it's just me. I learned that excuses sound more lame outloud to another person than when it's just you. However, having a partner can be tricky. If they keep dragging you down, it won't benefit you.

A lack of motivation could be because you're bored. As some have mentioned check out the different classes the gym offers. If you are enrolled in a class, it makes it harder to skip too. My aunt who is about your age loves water pilates because she can exercise without hurting her joints and loves to chat with the other ladies in the class. Yoga is also a great low-impact exercise and a great de-stresser as well. The progression of the class and new moves can keep it interesting for you.

My mother loves the wii fit because it keeps track of everything! Weight, different exercises you do, how long, how often, etc. And alot of the exercises are games you play. I like it because I get competitive and want to win. Mom loves it because the different games work different muscles and you keep unlocking new ones, so instead of it feeling like a chore exercise becomes fun. You also can do this in your own home. For some that might be a great benefit but for others it means to many distractions at home. All depends on your situation.

Lastly, I personally found the answer to my motivation in my dog. I know pets aren't for everyone, but I would like to share with you how I found my fitness motivation. A dog is the perfect partner. They expect the same amount of exercise everday, day-in and day-out, irregardless of weather or how you "feel" that day. They don't except any of our excuses, but they always love you. Not only can a dog be motivation but they also are a great way to meet other people. People will approach a dog owner more easily. Owners will congregate at parks, pet stores and dog classes. Many of them are people who are easy to talk to-you already have one thing in common! Not all activities have to be outside or just walking/running: fly ball, agility, training classes, herding, smelling, etc. are different kinds of activities to do with your dog.

Anyway, here are my thoughts. I'm sorry it's such a long post but I hope it can help you. Please let us know how things are going. We would enjoy to hear what works and what doesn't so we can keep motivating each other

Best of Luck!