downs82's Journal, 23 September 2015

I think the exercise or program you chose may not be enjoyable to you. Try something like Zumba or Hip Hop Abs. They're not difficult and you'll find yourself smiling throughout them. You can even take a class at a gym and just ask if you can pay a day-fee. You never know, you may like them and even join. 

Why look on the internet for inspiration? There are many many people on this site how have lost thousands of pounds in spite of many obstacles of health issues, etc. Check out the "before and after" photo groups! Good Luck. 

Motivation is such a fickle thing....Some days I am on fire and other days I could care less how fat I am:) I have a new mantra this time around and its " non-negotiable consistency" I am up at 4 and at the gym at 5....Some days it is sooo hard, but it is paying off for me. I have 120 pounds to lose...so motivation comes and goes. I just do it anyway:) Love your icon.. I am also an avid gamer... 

Everyone's weight fluctuates all day. It's normal. Find motivation can be hard. I have days when i love working out. I have days when I don't. But I always feel better when i do. Maybe you need to find something you enjoy. There are so many activities. Yoga, pilates, zumba, swimming, workout videos, etc. Even just walking is great. 

I fought through it. I dont really have much I enjoy. You would have to pay me to do Zumba or Hip Hop abs. I hate the music. I get annoyed hearing the music blast from the classes at my gym. I like swimming but only at night and the water fades my hair really fast. I wish I would just hurry up and become an addict to exercise like they say happens. For now I just pretend it is my job and I have to do it. I do enjoy hula hooping and use a weighted hula hoop but it is more for fun, doesn't really burn many calories. I am doing the slim in 6 videos. I have had them for years. Figured I would pick them back up  

I hope by the time you read this entry you found your motivation. Keep up the good work! 

hahaha I totally understand about the music! It's usually perky pop. I like a well-crafted pop song as much as anyone, but those are few and far between. I don't recall ever seeing an exercise to music program which uses punk, goth, or alternative. And unless you're a dancer, trying to do the steps & learn them at the same time is frustrating. I remember doing an aerobics class once, hearing the instructor shout out "GRAPEVINE!", and by the time I had figured out what this meant in terms of choreography & shushed my inner voice which was demanding to know how this sideways motion reminded anyone of a grapevine and who names these things anyway, everyone around me had moved on. I've heard that Zumba classes are somewhat easier, in terms of not running into classmates & causing injury to self and others. I know someone whose wife makes him accompany her. He says the class forms a 2 foot "no dance" zone around him, as much to protect him as themselves. I'm someone who procrastinates exercise as well. I don't mind actually doing it, once I'm there and all set-up, it's just getting all the supplies together to keep me entertained & distracted that takes time. I have to take the Kindle Fire so I can watch Netflix while I use the elliptical. I went through almost all the seasons of Dexter while exercising. Now I'm doing a re-watch of Chuck. Sometimes just wanting to see the next episode gets me there. I also make sure my phone has juice, because the wifi at Crunch Fitness is sometimes iffy, and the phone is a fallback. I have to get something to drink (diet RockStar or diet Wylers grape drink), and some hard candies, like wintergreen Life Savers. See? It's a process that can take awhile and you can micromanage so much that while you're ready for anything, you no longer have the time to work out. The good thing is that the more you're able to make yourself go, the easier it will become. Maybe catch up on your podcasts while you hit the machines? Good luck! 

For consistency, I only weigh in each morning. I also never allow clothing to influence the weight. I noticed that when I take a rest day from the gym, my weight will be as much as 2lbs higher the next day due to water weight since I didn't sweat hard on my day off. Get on once and set the scale on it's side in the closet. That way you are not tempted to step on it. Let your healthy diet and exercise lifestyle just make you happy and check in on progress each morning to tell you how to tweak your diet. 

If you find low carb difficult, take a look at your fat intake. I have found that when I skimp on the fats, I start craving sweets or get hungry. I learned to throw in some coconut oil to help keep the fats up where they need to be. Also, here is a good Keto calculator to figure out what your target Protein, Carbs, Fats should be. I keep my carbs under 20g and I struggle to take in enough calories each day.