Trying to find my SPARK

Posts: 21
5/5/11 7:59 P

Sometimes, when you're just starting out it can just be, well...daunting. The amount of weight to lose, all the changes you'll have to make, the idea of making this HUGE committment. So, for myself, I've found that if I just focus on it one day at a time, it's not so overwhelming. I tell myself that I just have exercise today, that today I will make that decision to exercise and eat right. Then when tomorrow comes, I tell myself the same thing. It really helps to think of it in small increments. You can do anything for a day. Then, before you know it, you see some progress and that progress is what motivates you to continue. It's not always easy but you CAN do it.

SparkPoints: (10,514)
Fitness Minutes: (9,193)
Posts: 342
5/4/11 4:39 P

Thank you to everyone, I am still getting used to how this site works but I am so grateful for all of the support you have shared with me! I am feeling better every day you all helped me so much to hang on just long enough to start feeling some inner momentum!! THANK YOU!!!

Posts: 3,592
5/2/11 11:34 A

Make a good vision statement and read it every day!

Posts: 1,778
5/2/11 10:09 A

You have made the right choice is starting here. Don't focus on the 50-60 pounds that is your end goal. Break it down into bite-size chunks. Set small goals and work toward each of them. Start with tracking your intake and starting a workout plan.

You didn't gain the weight in a day and you will not loose it any faster than it took you to gain it. Like your child learning to walk you have to go through the stages, but keep reminding yourself "you are worth it." So believe in yourself and get going!

SparkPoints: (6,032)
Fitness Minutes: (10,265)
Posts: 344
5/2/11 9:26 A

You can do it, you will be fine. 50-60 lbs is nothing compared to what a lot of people have done around here. After the first 5 lbs you'll realize you've gained some more confidence and you'll start to realize it won't be all that difficult.

Then you'll be hooked. You'll find yourself admiring yourself in the mirror, and you'll crave more. That 5 lbs will turn into 10. That 10 will tun into 2o, and so on. Eventually you will barely be able to wait until your next workout.

Eating healthy is really easy. Healthy food can taste good, be inexpensive and easy to make. Keep reading the book and exploring this website and you'll find all the ideas and motivation you'll need.

Posts: 2,699
5/2/11 9:00 A

Baby steps. If you're overwhelmed, start with baby steps. Look at what you eat, start to track it, then you can see where you need to make cuts. Read a few articles here. Decide to do at least 20 minutes of exercise 3 days a week to start. Just do something. Then, as you start to get going, you can add more in. You can do this. You can. I had at least 35 pounds to lose, if not 45. I am down 12 pounds after a month. I just decdied I was going to be dedicated to changing my lifestyle, and I am finding the spark plan (with some personal modifications to fit my needs and life) to really be helpful.

Another thing that is helping me is to pick my long term goal & put a date on it that's completely doable. I picked Labor Day weekend which is when we are doing a vacation to an amusement park. It gives me plenty of time to reach my goal, and it is motivating to have an end date, and a reason to want to be there. But, within that, I have mini goals. 10 pounds by X date, do at least 30 minutes of cardio 5 days a week, etc.

Feel free to add me as a friend, send me messages, I will listen & commiserate. I have 2 kids, a husband and a full time job, so I know how challenging it can be to juggle everything. But, you have to make time for you. If you aren't happy, your son will sense it. Happy Mommy = Happy Kid, for the most part. Good luck! You can do it!

Ohhh, I also love the little ticker thing. It is ridiculously gratifying to see my little yoga girl moving down the line!

Edited by: JENMC14 at: 5/2/2011 (09:03)

SparkPoints: (1,253)
Fitness Minutes: (419)
Posts: 62
5/2/11 8:51 A

In my process to get gastric bipass I have realized that it isnt a diet its a life change..

start thinking of it more as changing your life than a diet..

It really does help

Posts: 224
5/2/11 8:49 A

I hear you....I've been there. For the past few years, i've been struggling with so many things that i just dont think i have any control over my life. Then i started doing some warm up exercises...nothing much...just lasting 5-10 minutes. I kept kidding myself that i was actually working out by doing this!!! But yesterday, i was in for a BIG surprise...u know what...i have this nice shirt which was quite snug on my arms ( I have fat arms)and yesterday...for the first time in 2 years...i felt that the fabric did not constraint me so much as before. Ok it was still tight, but not bursting at the seams. Now thats something i was quite amazed at!! Imagine - with minimal exercise, if i could see a difference, what would consistent exercise result into?? I could have that fab body and i could lead that healthy life...if i wanted to....

See - its all about choices. And yes...it did prompt me to extend my work out to 15 mins today and i feel good :)

SparkPoints: (158,833)
Fitness Minutes: (112,042)
Posts: 46,222
5/2/11 8:42 A

OLSONRAC,

It's so easy for us to focus on all the could've, would've, should'ves instead on the positive things that we do.

Changing life-long habits takes dedication, determination, and most of all time. So many of us have made unhealthy habits such a big part of our life that it is going to take more than a few weeks or months to truly integrate the new habits into our lives so that we no longer have to think we just do.

If you look at this journey as a quick means to get to a certain number on the scale only to go back to the way you used to live, you will not keep it off for long.

Just by making small permanent changes into your life can lead to big results down the road. There is no place for perfection in this journey we call healthy living. One oopsie moment doesn't mean we have blown it for the day...we always have the opportunity to make healthy choices any time.

Every day brings the opportunity of new beginnings...if you fall, pick yourself back up and carry on and know that your SparkPeople friends are here to help you along.

You can do this!

Nancy

Posts: 2,014
5/2/11 12:40 A

I think you just took the most important step which is deciding to get started. That is the hardest part. Now you will start to learn the proper way to train and eat. This is not a diet, it is a lifestyle. There will be ups and downs ahead, so be prepared, but you can and will do it. Slow and steady is key. You didn't put on weight over night, and you can't safely lose it that way either.

Good luck and welcome.
Scott

SparkPoints: (10,514)
Fitness Minutes: (9,193)
Posts: 342
5/2/11 12:35 A

I want so badly to take back my life and start living again. I cry every single time I have to get dressed, I bought the book and I am trying to find my spark but feeling like there is no way I have this in me. I need to lose 50-60 lbs and I just never see it really happening in my head. I've always been thin and active until I became pregnant with my AMAZING son. I ended up gaining 95 lbs and I just can't seem to make it back to a decent size =( I could use ANY advice on how to hang in there...