Wendy Armitage's Journal, 23 September 2014

Hi Wendy, I know exactly how you feel and it seems like such an enormous task to lose so much weight. But my husband says there is only one way to eat an elephant and that is one bite at a time...I am trying for small bites - 5 kilos at a time - and I know that the 30+ kilos I am trying to lose will get closer. When I lost the first 500grams I picked up a 500g packet of rice and though 'I don't have to carry that around any more'! I felt so excited when I could turn over in bed without doing a 10 point turn! The little goals are helping to keep me motivated so I hope you can find the same mindset - good luck!! 

Coming back on here is a good start. Maybe join me in my challenge binge be gone? There are no big pressures just a group of people wanting to get in control of their food and stop overeating. 

Two months ago, I was a certified couch potato, also carrying an extra person. Yesterday, I weighed in and discovered five kg gone. My motivation secret, the app Zombies! Run! It has given me the daily motivation to get out and walk everyday. I am now walking 2 km every day. At first it was just to hear the progress of the Zombies story line, but as I get fitter, I find I am doing it cause it makes me feel better. I highly recommend this app if motivation is a problem. I wish you the best of luck.  

Hey Wendy! Like Njashka8 said, acknowledging the problem and coming on here is a great start. You're already ahead of everyone else by taking action! If i may suggest some things; Don't bite off more than you can chew. Start small and simple. Maybe tell yourself, "I'm not going to drink any soft drink or have any cookies". You don't even have to go cold turkey straight away, maybe just tell yourself that you're going to cut down. A big problem that a lot of people have is that they have all these great plans. They say they're going to start getting 8.5hrs sleep, eating health, going for a run, eating no more sugar. And what happens is that they get overwhelmed with it all and end up going to where or even going backwards, and we don't want that do we! The reason why i suggest no cookies and soft drink is because when you cut down on the heavy sugars your body will feel a lot better. I will warn that if you're a regular soft drink drinker or cookie eater, you're body may feel like crap at the start. This will be your body going into shock because it's not getting the huge amount of sugar intake that it's used to. After you think you have that down, start going for morning walks. Walking in the morning in the fresh air will boost your whole day. At first it may feel unpleasant but if you keep going you will start to feel really good. And if you have to stop and talk a break on your walk, don't get discouraged, remember that you're already ahead of everyone else that are sitting at home or in bed while you're out there DOING something with your life! You're already motivated and strong enough to go out for a walk and make a change in your life! I hope this stuff helps Wendy. If you have motivation problems, maybe look up so motivational videos on YouTube to get you started. I know when i don't want to go for a run i open up some videos and get pumped up and just go for it. Just think about how good you will feel about yourself afterwards! One last thing. There's a metaphor i like to use that i was told by a man by the name of Greg Plitt who's my inspiration. You're body is like a piece of clay on a shelf. It's been sitting there for years, not moving, lethargic. You pick up that piece of clay and put it on there wheel. You throw some water on it and try to move it but it's not moving! Arrg this is so frustrating, why can't i do anything with this clay!? It's been sitting on the shelf for so long, it's molded into that state. BUT YOU'RE MOTIVATED! You don't give up, you want to make something out of this clay like you want to make something out of your life. You throw more water on it, you keep trying to move it, more water, keep trying to move it. This is your body going for walks, week after week, eating health week after week, then all of a sudden, BOOOM! You can start moving this clay, you can create something great with it! Then once you've made what you want, you let it sit and set. It's not going anywhere and it's going to stay like that. What I'm trying to say is that you're not going to see instant progress, it's going to take weeks on weeks on weeks, months on months of good eating and walking! So after 2 weeks, if you're not seeing any weight loss don't get discouraged. KEEP GOING AND I PROMISE YOU THAT YOU'LL MAKE PROGRESS! It may take a while and that's why people give up too easy. They don't see the results that they like and just quit. You can do it Wendy! And everyone else on this site believes that you can to! If you ever feel down come on to the website and say what you're feeling. Everyone here is on the website for the same reason and they'll be more than happy to help motivate you. Good luck on your journey Wendy! 

I understand Wendy - i think this online community will help us a lot - make it a habit to check in once a day if you can - and just set little goals at first - that's what I'm trying to do...