Getting The Motivation Back

[DebbieDiva 0]

I was sleeved in sept 2012 and have lost 60 lbs. I went back to work and I'm very exhausted. I track my food on my fittness.com. I'm still loosing about 1.5 to 2 lbs a week. I just need inspiration to get back to the gym.

[panda 14]

I think you meant Sept 2011 I was having a rough time week before last, did not work out had no motivation, was eating junk. But then I remembered why I got the sleeve, why I was working out before. I want to get to my goal so bad now. I have a new determination. I'm working out everyday, and sticking under my calorie goal and the pounds are flying off again.

So what's I'm trying to say is, think about why you got the surgery. Think about your goals, and what you will have accomplished when you get there. Try setting goals little by little it's encouraging to hit them.

Also think about how great it will be when you get to goal.

Hope this helps!

[thinoneday 445]

Hi Debbie, well let me tell you about the gym. . . I HATE IT. . . I'm going into my 3rd year now and have maybe been into that crazy place 1/2 dozen times if that. . . i don't see the point of going some where you hate going. . . so I won't do it. . . i have been doing natural exercises instead. For example, where i work we have a choice to park right behind the building for $12/day open parking or 1/4 mile away $2.50/day covered parking. . . . sooooooo I choose to park in the covered parking and am literally forced to walk 1/4 mile x 2 everyday. . . .then when i go groceries or shopping i purposely park wayyyyy the heck in the back 40 and walk. . . . i have to pick up my mail and my house is ontop of a very steep hill and the mailbox is at the bottom of the hill. . . every day. . . . of course there is the yard work, housework, etc as well. . . i love going to the coast so there is swimming, hiking, and things i really enjoy doing. . . life doesn't say YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE GYM. . . heavens what did people do before the gym was invented????? I would say do the best you can, do what you enjoy and when you enjoy doing what you do, you will be happier and stronger for it. . . good luck!

[virtygirl 11]

I think you meant Sept 2011 I was having a rough time week before last, did not work out had no motivation, was eating junk. But then I remembered why I got the sleeve, why I was working out before. I want to get to my goal so bad now. I have a new determination. I'm working out everyday, and sticking under my calorie goal and the pounds are flying off again. So what's I'm trying to say is, think about why you got the surgery. Think about your goals, and what you will have accomplished when you get there. Try setting goals little by little it's encouraging to hit them. Also think about how great it will be when you get to goal. Hope this helps!

Good advice as I've recently had to ask myself the same question to re-motivate myself to exercise and stay away from Snacks (not the good ones). I asked myself why did I put myself through 6+ months of pre-op torture, surgery and post surgery highs and lows to sabatoge myself now. Basically I gave myself a good 'proverbial kick in the rear' to get my behind in gear and start working out again and eating as I should. So far so good.

Good luck to all who needs to be reminded and motivated on why we chose the VSG path to begin with.

Stay focused!

[DebbieDiva 0]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I never thought of it in that way. I did sacrifice so much for this surgery that had made me a new person.

[Shells 40]

Try writing down what motivates you, this helped me a lot. There are SO many factors but the biggest reason was for me to be happy in my skin. I am overall a happy person but insecure. Losing weight, feeling good about myself, treating myself better in ways OTHER than food is my motivation.

Clothes- my best friend got me a sweater from Hollister and I never fit in there before and I do now- big motivation!

Going out- Instead of buying fast food and going out to eat, I save my money and treat myself to makeup, getting my hair styled, buying new smaller gym clothes etc when I hit my mini goals.

Holidays- I dreaded the holidays, now I actually look forward to them. I want to see my friends and family more than ever!

Hitting onederland- being under 200 pounds was such a big motivation that made me realize this is happening now and it's working. I never will be there at that weight again. Ever.

My dog- she's my walking motivation

ALL of this is better than eating bad and not working out and feeling guilty and gross.

By writing this list, it reminds me that I AM WORTH it- the fighting to be healthy, the sweat and the tears. GL

[Deigh 15]

I'm so glad you posted this, Debbie. My job is crazy right now (I'm a CPA and it is tax season) and the first thing I let fall to the side is taking care of myself. I've been lazy about my food diary and I haven't walked in several weeks. It's hard to get motivated when I'm at work from 8:30 until...well, I'm still here now and will be a few more hours. Early is leaving at 10pm.

I saw my doctor today and his comment was I probably waste more time complaining about not making it to the gym than I would spend if I just went outside and walked around the block. Also, he pointed out, my clients will survive the 10 or 15 minutes and I'll be more alert and able to do more returns if I do this.

I just need to do it, but it's so hard and I feel so whiny about it. I hate that I won't just get up off my tush and do it.

So my goal as of today is to keep my food diary every day this week and walk at least 10 minutes on three of the next 5 days. I hope to make it all 5. Next week, I'm going to aim for 15 minutes. Eventually, I'd like to get to 15 minutes twice a day.

I am taping a big sign to the back of my door that says, "Get up and Walk!" and hopefully that will remind me to do it.

When I was at my heaviest, I couldn't walk more than 100 ft without losing my breath. I was on oxygen fulltime and they weren't sure I was going to make it. (I have PAH and my weight exacerbates it.) I should be grateful for the fact that I can walk now. I should do it more often and get stronger.