the problem is mental...

I don't have a problem with exercise -- at least 2 hours a day every day, and I go through periods when I'm really disciplined with my eating, but I find that I start slide because I just don't ever believe I'll get the weight off. I really struggle to envision my thinner, fitter self, even though I'm only trying to lose 20lbs. Any suggestions for how to deal with this mental hurdle?

Fri. Apr 7, 7:32pm

hi there:)
i just wanted to let you know that your not alone :) I feel this was sometimes too. I try to envision people who have bodies that i admire and think "I love her nicely toned legs....... I will have to do more squats and deadlifts to get those legs.." Or something to that effect. I know it sounds dumb, but it keeps me motivated and helps me visualize how i will look with just a few more workouts......i know its TRLUY not a "few" more workouts, but alot more, but i just tell myself that to make it seem easier.
OH, the mind games we play LOL!
I know my post is confusing but hopefully it makes "some" sence ;)

Friday, April 7, 2006, 8:26 PM

So ask yourself, why do you believe you will never loose the weight? What makes you say that to yourself? Have you tried, and not been successful? Maybe a weight loss support group or group like Weight Watchers would be helpful to you, where you can meet and see real people who are loosing weight, and then you can realize that you can do it too! Tell us more about yourself.

Saturday, April 8, 2006, 5:03 AM

I'm 26 and have always been atheltic, but put on 50lbs when I stopped doing sports in college. I've managed to get about 30 off in the last year and a half by getting involved in sports again, which is great, but I still feel enormous. I carry most of my weight in my hips and thighs, and feel such depression when I see them. I've tried losing weight before, particularly last year, but don't seem to achieve any success. I've had people (strangers) come up to me to say remarkably mean things about my weight, which really doesn't help. Like when I had a small popcorn at the movies last year and this really big guy came up and said "you're not going to eat that are you?"

This makes me sound really negative, which I'm not. I'm generally quite an upbeat person, and try not to let my weight bother me, but when I'm faced with something I really want to eat but shouldn't, I have a "well, this is never going to work anyway, so I might as well just have it" moment. I'm really trying to be better and maybe joining a group like weight watchers would be a good solution.

Saturday, April 8, 2006, 7:18 AM

You hear time and time again that if weightloss is going to be successful, you have to love yourself and be happy with your body at the place it is now. In the Body-for-Life program there was an exercise to write down what you love about your body. I did it a few years ago, but I still have my list...here it is.

My current body is the most precious gift I have ever been given. I am very grateful for it and I will accept it, respect it, and love it 100% each day.

If I love my body I will treat it better. I will take care of my physical needs. I will eat healthy, exercise more, be happier, be stronger.

1. My eyes allow me to see my growing son, his smile, his perfect little body, his loving arms.
2. My ears let me hear my son's amazing laugh.
3. With my legs I can go anywhere - I am not confined to any one place.
4. I have only one body and it can heal itself. I just have to help it along by giving it the right fuel.
5. My body is my life. If I lose my body to disease, I lose my life.
6. My brain is the greatest tool of my body. This is whatI will use to motivate myself and change my body.
7. My hands allow me to work, to cook, to clean, to write and to hold my con's hand.
8. I have amazing hair. It can be straight or curly, and if I knew how to do anything with it, I'm sure it would look great!
9. My arms allow me to hold Robert, to carry George to bed, to hug everyone in my family.
10. I can experience anything in life - my body is my vehicle to finding life's treasures - being active, traveling - having great sex. :<)

Anyway - kind of corny, but really helped me out! Focus on the good things, we only have one life to live!

-Star

Saturday, April 8, 2006, 9:02 AM

It is absolutely not corny Star and very inspirational.
Thanks for sharing.

Saturday, April 8, 2006, 9:54 AM

Hold my con's hand! Sorry I meant son's, but that is too funny.

-Star

Saturday, April 8, 2006, 9:56 AM

I am with you - I have those moments too. Even though I don't have that far to go and have already made great progress - sometimes it feels like nothing I do makes a difference and I will never get there. I can sooo relate with the negative comments from nowhere (honestly the people who are usually commenting have no room to talk). Sometimes I give in and rebelliously have what I want, but I've been working very hard on staying strong and reminding myself that I didn't make all that progress by having a pity party. I did it with consistent exercise and healthy eating, and now that I'm so close (yet so far away) I can't give into the blues and start acting like nothing I did mattered. And if I give in then I'll have that much further to go.

I hope that didn't sound too negative but sometimes I have to be a little firm with myself. Reminding myself of the good things helps me more when I'm already feeling upbeat - then it helps me stay upbeat. So there's a place for that too - I'm a much more positive person than I used to be, but when I sink into my negativity, I need a little 'tough love'.

Anyway we're all a little different, but wanted to let you know that I could very much relate to what you were saying and I get that way too. Just remember that every day is a new day.

Saturday, April 8, 2006, 2:35 PM

Agreed!!!

Wow!!! 10 great ways to be and feel better about your physical self. It's all in our mental conscience! I absolutely agree with it!!

"My body is my vehicle to finding life's treasures!" haha... I got a great laugh out of it! Not corny at all! Right on Star!!!

Sunday, April 9, 2006, 9:46 PM

from the OP

With this and the Inspiration thread I'm feeling much more positive about it all. I know it will be a struggle, but I really appreciate the support from everyone, and that lovely list from Star! I will come back to read them when I'm feeling low and it will help me remember to feel good about myself and the things I can do.

Monday, April 10, 2006, 9:47 AM

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