i really need and want to loose about 50lbs, i cant seem to get myself
motivated to start...and words of encouragement?

You can do this! All you need to do is start to try and the rest should come.....

Well, the biggest motivator is, of course, seeing the scales go down. When you drop that first 2 or 3 pounds, it encourages you to keep going. However, getting going is the hard part. Many of us here count calories and keep logs at fitday, but for just starting out, all of that may seem a little too overwhelming. Usually it's best to 'ease' into something like that.

Why don't you start by making small changes, a little at a time. Like cut out one or two things you eat regularly that you know you shouldn't. Sugar would be a good start, nobody needs that. Some people have lost weight just by cutting out sugar alone. Or, if you don't eat that much sugar to begin with, cut out saturated fat - another substance we don't need. I started by cutting out all fried foods. I didn't eat anything fried.

Give me an idea of what you normally eat and I'll help you weed some of it out

Ditto on the making one small change at a time. That is how I have lost weight this time. First I start exercising 5 times a week. Then I dropped way, way down on soda, then upped my water. After that, I start writing down everything I ate, and finally started paying more attention to calories.

Think about this statement. Does it make any sense? If you really want something, wouldn't you be motivated to do something to get it? How motivated are YOU? Do you want to lose weight because you think you should or someone has told you you should? Or is it a deep down "I have to do this NOW" feeling? Only you can take the action to lose the weight. You have to make hundreds of choices all day long, every day and be honest with yourself about why you are chosing the path that you take.

Mel

Ditto on the small changes. Mine were: cut down on soda, eat fewer restaurant meals, eat more fruits and veggies, exercise four times per week. I did them each one at a time. For a long time, until they were a real habit, not just something I was trying to do.

You will feel motivated if you pick a goal and then work towards it. Just don't pick a big one. Pick a really small one. You can do it!

Hi

you know...I think we've all been there. Unhappy with ourselves but discouraged from the start because we look at the big picture and it's like "oh my...how am I ever going to lose all that weight!?!? It's impossible!"

Forget the big picture for now. Set yourself small goals...like others suggested...cut out a few things you know you shouldn't eat/drink at first. See how that goes. Substitute for something that's better for you. Don't just focus about wanting to be at your goal weight NOW and feeling bad about yourself because you're not there yet. Take charge of your life by making small changes that are good for you.

If you look at eating healthier or exercising as punishment, of course you will be miserable. If you look at it differently and do it because it's good for you and you deserve to treat yourself better, I'm pretty sure you will find that motivation you are looking for.

I started by just making wiser choices about my food. Not really even counting calories, but eating things that were healthier. The weight didn't start melting off like crazy at first, but I felt better, had more energy and that made me want to keep eating better. Pretty soon, I noticed I was losing my pants and needed to buy smaller clothes. lol That's when I started walking more regularly. And then eventually, I added weight training and more cardio. I had all this new energy I had to spend!!

What you REALLY need is decide that you deserve to be healthy and good to yourself. Start with a few changes...see how that goes...and take it from there. I know it's hard when you start and you just wish so hard you were thinner and you think you can't do it. The first step is sometimes hard, but take it. Just do it. The satisfaction and pride that comes from doing something about it instead of wishing you had done it will kick that motivation in gear.

If wishing to be thin made people lose weight, I'd be negative 1000 pounds by now. lol

hi there i just wanted to thank you for this thread it is so encouraging. i cut things out. ESPECIALLY SUGAR. then came the willingness to drink more water, and now working out atleast five days per week. i agree soooooo much that little changes and moving in the right direction. this is a change of lifestyle NOT a diet.

I don't think it is just the motivation. I don't have any real support. Everytime I buy something new to exercise with I just get the same look and laugh from my husband. I need a source of encouragement. That is the hardest thing for me to find.

Don't worry about being laughed at, by your husband or anyone else. Tell them to kiss butt and do it for YOU.

I'd start just by reading the threads around here! you can learn a lot just from reading these boards, and I think be especially motivated too. The collective knowledge here is just astounding. I think in some cases it's easier to make small changes, but in things like exercise I find I have to just do it and start today. Incorporate both and you will be unstoppable. I get teased about my exercise videos by my fiance sometimes, and I tell him he should be kinder as the videos are what is helping me lose weight and he will sing a different tune when I am at goal weight

thanks for the encouraging words. I have to make up mind to just do it!