[CarlyMaria]

I'm in week 2, did really good during week 1. I haven't weighed myself yet because I am waiting till then ed of week 2. Does anyone have any good inspiration or motivation to help get through the first few weeks? I"m eating healthy and exercising, so that in itself should make a difference. Is there something that you just keep telling yourself? For me the hardest part is not seeing results. I know it takes time, and at my weight it will be awhile before I can tell a difference. I just need tips or something to tell myself when I find myself finding everything else to do but go to the gym!

[randomcards]

just spend some time in the success stories and goal picture albums on that site. that should help.

[JayEll]

Keep going! And keep in mind that no one who has had success got there by skipping the gym because of other things... Of course, we all have days when we just can't make it, but consistency is important! If you miss one day, then you have to make it the next to stay on track.

Thoughts that might help:
- A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
- Every day is a new start. You can move forward, or you can move backward--it's up to you.
- Losing weight is hard. Being fat is hard. Choose your hard. (Often seen on 3FC)
- Everything counts. Your body doesn't care what your mind is thinking. You think you deserve a treat? Your body will turn excess food into fat, no matter what the reason was for your eating it. You are too tired to exercise? Your body is fine with that--it will just shrink your muscles since you're not using them...
- Exercise helps you become healthy while you're losing, but it's mainly the food that makes the difference.

Hang in there! And let us know how it goes!
Jay

[kellost]

Just stick with it! It may seem simple, but it's true. Don't give in and give up. Decide that you are going to see this thing through....that this time, you are going to really do it, no matter how hard it might seem. That this is your new lifestyle, the new you. That you really deserve it, and you're going to do it for yourself this time. And believe that you can do it!

[xxbabyxannxx]

I know exactly how you feel, but the one thing that I am doing to keep myself motivated is logging down my emotions and I am trying to figure out what got me fat in the first place and unfortunately there are a list of things that made me end up this way but you know no matter how many reasons you have to stay fat or reasons why you CANT do it, there will always be a million MORE REASONS why you want to lose weight. I have kept that in mind this week. I also posted a very shameful picture of me on the fridge and that helps.
One other inspiration I am doing is I am not weighing myself until I start to see a physical difference because the scale ALWAYS discourages me the mirror will fool you! Like you, I need support also.... this is my first posting but you can do it!

[shcirerf]

I WILL NOT LET GO! I WILL NOT LET GO! I WILL NOT LET GO!

I work for a veterinarian. Some days the safety of myself, the vet tech and the veterinarian, my boss, requires that I DO NOT LET GO! NO MATTER WHAT!

Have I come up bleeding, yes! Have I ended up on the floor on top of a 130 lb grumpy dog? Yes! Did that 200 lb hog kick me and tear a hole in my pants and make me bleed? Yes! Did that 8 lb kitty cat sink its teeth into the palm of my hand? Yes! Did I get splashed with all kinds of nasty stuff while I was the one cranking on the calf puller to get that baby born? Yes!

Did I ever let go? NO! Letting go is not an option!

I do have to admit, that once in awhile circumstances happen and you do let go of that critter, but we still have to corral it and start over and get it doctored. We do that. We don't give up. WE NEVER GIVE UP!

Don't let go and don't give up!

p.s. All aforementioned critters survived and are doing fine!

[Eliana]

What has kept me going is giving myself an anniversary date. I started on November 9th and I WILL keep doing this until November 9th rolls around again no matter what! That has kept me highly motivated. There's something comforting about knowing that no matter what the scale does, I'm in this for the long haul.

I took a picture of myself at my start and plan to take one on every month's anniversary. I've seen others in the goal pics who have done the same and the difference is AMAZING. That fist month may not be amazing. Maybe not even the second. But I know that a year from now, I will have 12 months of comparison pictures and I know that will be amazing.

I keep in mind a quote from someone's signature around here: "A year from now you'll be glad you started today."

I like to think of my weight loss in terms of items. For instance, 5 pounds is 20 sticks of butter!! 10 lbs is a bowling ball! The 30 lbs I've lost is the same as my really heavy vacuum cleaner!! LOL! That's just amazing to me and I find it motivating. Also, even if you can't tell a difference once you've lost any amount of weight, just think that is X number of pounds that your poor knees no longer have to carry.

You're on your way! Make it a great journey!

[CarlyMaria]

Thank you everyone for your words of support and encouragement. Yesterday was just a tough day, I did get out and play basketball with my boyfriend and he is being very supportive as well. One thing that I find really true, thanks to Jay for saying this is Every day is a new start. You can move forward, or you can move backward--it's up to you. I like this! Thanks to all again