Just stay motivated. That's the hardest thing is staying commited. Believe me, I know. I too lost 25-30 pounds. I was really fat as a kid and throughout my high school years.
But even after I lost it, the harder thing is keeping it off. Don't get comfortable but keep going. And I'm still not at my ideal weight but I'm still going as we speak.
Here's one thing I keep telling myself whenever I don't feel like working out. Losing weight is extremely hard. So I don't think of it that way. I think of it as staying healthy. I keep convincing myself that IF I didn't have a weight problem, I know I'd be lazy and never work out. And I know in the long run, I'd run into other health problems. So I see my weight struggles as a blessing and a curse. The curse is working out and avoiding foods that you would normally want to eat, which is tough to do. But the blessing is, if you work out on a weekly basis from now on and eat healthy, you'll be healthier in the future.
So that's how I motivate myself. I keep telling myself that I'm doing this to stay healthy for the future and not just about losing weight. And then if you keep at it, you'll lose weight while you're keeping a healthy lifestyle. The priority is staying healthy. And the wieght loss will come naturally.
So that's how I do it now.
Before I exercised on a weekly basis (about three to four times a week), I couldn't keep up with my friends on a pick-up game of basketball. But after working out for a month, 30-40 minutes of cardio a day, three times a week, next game we played, I didn't get tired at all. I wasn't the ideal weight but the point is, I got healthier and kept up with my friends.
So it's not just about motivation, but it's about having the right perspective. Because whether you're skinny, muscular, short, tall, or overwieght, if you don't exercise or keep a healthy lifestyle, you'll be unhealthy in the future. I know some people who never work out and eat like crazy but don't gain weight. But years later, these same people have other health problems. It's not really the outward that counts, but the inside. So with that in mind, I keep going because it's beneficial.
And here are a few tips I do whenever I exercise. Exercise can be boring but here's what I do:
1. I work on a stationary bike, the one with a seat to support your back. This is great cardio and is simple to do. What I do is I play my DS or PSP while working out to pass the time. Because I'm into a game I'm playing, working out seems like a breeze. It's not always smooth sailing, but if you have a good game, I can go on for an hour and not even realize it. Or watch your favorite television show or movie while working out. And have a bottle water with you at your side always. And finally, don't overwork yourself. If you can't do a certain speed, don't be embarrased but go with what you can do.
If you don't have a treadmill or bike at home, just take your DS or PSP to the gym. I took my DS all the time. I even played Pokemon Diamond next to hot girls and a muscular dude once working next to me. But I wasn't embarrased...well, a little, but who cares, right?
2. The second tip is work out with your friends. That's what I did. I worked out with the same guys I played basketball with. Motivate each other and you'll see working out as a good time.
3. Set realistic goals. It's always tough the first three weeks because you see no results. But don't get let down because you don't see yourself getting thinner. It takes some patience. But like I said, take your head out of losing weight, but keep your head for staying healthy. Than that will help you stay motivated.
4. It's always good to hear compliments from others of your progress. Sometimes, asking your parents or friends if you got thinner or healthier gives an extra boost of confidence. But don't do it all the time and don't push it on them. But once in awhile, when your dad or mom or friends tell you, "Hey you look thinner." It feels good. Those things can keep you going because you know it works.
5. And finally, don't trust your mirror. You look at yourself everyday, so you won't be able to tell if you lost weight or not. So like my number 4 tip, it's always best to let others compliment you. Your friends don't see you everyday but when they do, they may notice a difference. So NEVER trust your own mirror. It's deceptive.
Hope this helps.
Log in to comment