motivationhelp needed

[Learning2Crawl]

All,

I've faced the facts before—I'm severely obese. I want to lose about 170 pounds by then end of next year. I do good periodically—especially aftert I hit the weight-loss clinic and weigh-in. But soon the stressed of work and being a new dad and life in general creep in and I'm no longer focused on my health. I know I need to watch what I eat. I know I need to stay focused. I know I need to exercise. I know I need to do all of this so I can see my son grow up.

My problem is—and always has been—motivation. How can I stay motivated on a daily basis to accomplish my goals? I've never know life (since childhood at least) of not being overweight so I need to get over the hurdle of my life, basically, to get my butt in gear (and in shape!).

Any help/ideas/tips/prayers are greatly appreciated.

 

[fallen^sparrow]

My advice would be to stop worrying about "weight" and "pounds" and start focusing on living a healthier and happier "lifestyle." Throw out the bathroom scale, you don't need it. Rediscover the basic joys of life... being outside, walking, cycling etc... just being active and finding ways to reduce the stress in your life. Hearing the fact you've always been on the heavy side makes me think there is a genetic factor involved and you may never fit into the "ideal" BMI range, no worries. Aim for slow, steady improvements and healthier all around choices in your life, both fitness wise and nutritionally... body, soul and mind are all inter-related. You can't fix one without fixing the others. That... and never stepping on a scale again, you'll be happier for it.

fallen^sparrow

 

[goat37]

I had a friend who was also highly obese (about 150 lbs overweight) and he too was also a new father... He knew he needed to change, and also had a problem with the motivation.

Finally... he took a picture of the 'fat' him, and a picture of his new baby boy and hung them up side by side... He would look at the picture of his new born and smile and be happy, and then look at the picture of himself and be disgusted. He never wanted his child to remember him being like that... he wanted to be able to go out and play with his boy... he didn't want the kids to make fun of him for having a 'fat' dad.... He just wanted to be healthy so he could see his boy grow tall... and not have to worry about his son having to bury him at younger age than necessary.

That was enough for him... took him a little over a year and a half but all together he lost close to 160 lbs... His son is two now and he loves being able to roll around on the floor and play in the backyard and go to the park with him... Losing the weight completely changed his life.

Do it for you... do it for your family.

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

(assuming you're married) keep in mind that all that fat around your pelvis is robbing you of effective "length".

Also, maybe set a goal, I'm sure you're near a city that holds a 5-k races. If you're looking to lose 170lbs, I'm thinking a 5k is further than a year away, but there's usually a 1-mile "fun run" at those events. That very well may be do-able.

If all else fails you could always write out the explaination your children will need if you die of a heart attack.

 

[BeanMak]

I have been where you are at! It really helps to have a workout buddy, or an accountablity partner.
Put the baby in the stroller, and head out for a walk with your wife. She will love it! Fallen^Sparrow is SO right. Find fun things to do. maybe a yoga class would help decrease the stress level. The Park District is always a good place to start. In January, I couldn't make it up a flight of stairs without being short of breath. In just 8 weeks of increased activity, I feel SOOOOO much better, and that is a great motivator.

Increase the protein in your diet, lose the junk. Help your wife with the shopping so that there will be only good food in the house.

 

[pittsburghkid]

Though it is not PC to say gluttony is as detremental to a christians witness as smoking is. At your weight you would see great success if you would get up and move and lower your total calories by as little as 500. Every time your ready to over indulge think of all the times being overweight embarresed you, better yet write them down.

 

[foreveraltared]

I was pretty overweight a year ago when i really felt like God was telling me to do it for my family. I really took it serious this time... and now have lost 60 pounds - a little at a time. Just decided that I was worth it and so was my family

 

[foreveraltared]

The famous words of my daugher - we love you, you can do it, you can be tough, and you are awesome and good and tough