[sammie80]

hi, i am so upset that i just cant seem to get motivated and stay motivated to loose this weight. i think about it from the time i wake up until i finally go to sleep. i want to start my journey, i want to have energy, i want to enjoy my summer. there are so many things i want to do, and the most important ones are really just the very small things in life, like simply just going outside. im so ashamed of myself. my frame of mind about this weight gain is destroying my self esteem. thanks to you that have read this. any advice you have that could help at all would be so nice.

[ks2canada]

They say the first step is always the hardest; however, sometimes figuring out how to take the first step is the true test. I'm jump starting my journey again after a year of failed attempts and what has helped me so far is one change at a time. My one thing so far has been to get up and walk my dog Artoo. Some mornings I get up early and others I just can't seem to get out of bed before 10am...but it doesn't matter...it just has to be the first thing I do whenever I wake up.

Maybe you could find one thing. Anything. And work on that for awhile until it becomes a routine? Then you can add something else after awhile. Building slowly like that might help you up out of the rut and feeling more confident and proud of yourself. Once you are in a better frame of mind, then you can really tackle this journey!

[Joil]

Hi !!
I know how hard it is to start. You need to select a plan, for me it was WW but I know that is not for everyone. Also start walking every day! I always say some exercise is better than no exercise. Especially in the beginning. You might not think so when you look at the long road ahead of you but it's true. It is so daunting to think of how much work we have ahead of us. That's the hardest for me BUT I really take it one day at a time. I've started diets so many times before and I gave up. A few months later I would say to myself "If only I stuck to it four months ago now I would be healthier, would look so much better". This time I will actually take the steps so I can actually get there. There is no way we can ever reach our destination without taking the steps. No one can take the step for us. It all starts in our head. Others have done it before you so you can too. This is not a journey you have to travel alone, we are all in the same boat here. Tons of lovely people to help you here. Have a conversation with yourself and be positive!
Good luck. You can do this!!

[Buffinlovin]

Hello Sammie!! I felt exactly the same way several months ago...I felt useless, hopeless, and just downright miserable. Nothing fit, nothing looked good, I hated going anywhere for fear of running into people that could potentially recognize me...it was just bad.

There is good news though!! Usually it's at this point where you decide if you are ready to take that big step towards changing your lifestyle. It doesn't have to be a big step, either...it can be as simple as taking a walk 3 times a week, or changing one thing that you eat. For me, it was receiving the weight watchers calculator from my grandma. At first, I would just calculate the points for something, just to see what it was. After a week or so, I did the research to find how many points I should be eating (and was horrified at the amount I had been eating), and changed a few things to stay closer to my points. Then I stopped drinking soda.

Once you make that first step, stick with that step until you are comfortable with it, where it becomes habit or routine. After that, change something else, and do the same thing. Trying to do too much, too fast, can lead to yo-yo dieting and poor results. Making small, lasting choices will help in the long run, and make you feel a lot better about yourself.

You can do this!!! We will all support you, and be here for you!!!

[Remington90]

Well, you've completed the first step. You've accepted what's going on, want to change it and have come here for support. There are MANY lifestyle plans to choose from all with their own board on here. You'll find incredible support in each plan, so I'd do some research and find the plan that not only suits you NOW, but you feel you can attain for life. A lot of times, people automatically go for the diet with the quickest results. I did the same thing, thought picking a certain one would be great without thinking of the commitment for the rest of my life. I have landed with the old calorie counting. It's been great so far (with little bumps here and there) and I know I'll be able to do this for the rest of my life. For me, calorie counting has been slow-ish. I'd love to see a bigger difference sooner, but that's not going to happen and I'm fine with that. After all, I don't want to go through all this hard work to gain it all back.

I'd suggest figuring out which plan works for you. Next, set a bunch of attainable mini goals. Each time you reach a mini goal (could be losing 5 pounds, could be fitting into that certain dress.. could be losing 20 lbs!) Whatever they are, keep them small and easily attainable in a shorter time frame. That helps to avoid discouragement. Always ask questions and do research. The wealth of knowledge here is vast and I'm sure you'll find your way in no time.

Good luck and welcome to 3FC!

[Mozzy]

Welcome and good luck on your journey!!