Weight

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Need advice and motivation to loose weight!

cowgal

As you probably already know, their is no "silver bullet" to weight loss.  I am in the same boat and working on dropping some weight and getting back into good shape and it is definitely a struggle for me to stay on track.  I see weight loss as a 3 prong approach:  diet, exercise and motivation. 

Motivators for everyone are different and you need to figure out what motivates you.  Some of mine are:

Reduce reoccurance of cancer risk

Feel and look healthy

Be more flexible with more stamina

Be able to not have packed closets of clothes that are too small to wear

For exercise, my favorites are taking my dog out for a walk or riding my horses.  I added interval training to my walk today, which is supposed to give you results faster then walking at the same pace. I use a gadget (Gymboss) for this so I don't have to keep track of it that someone recommended to me from this site.  I have added some other things on occasion like a Jump Snap (ropeless jump rope - I know that sounds silly) and a weighted hula hoop lately as well so that I have some things I can actually do inside the house.

Personally, I think it is better to take small steps with changes then to get into something that is too hard that you will get frustrated with and stop or get injured doing.  I do have some limitations due to lymphedema in one arm that prevents me from doing some exercises.

You may prefer working out on a fitness machine in the house every day or going to the gym.  I don't live near a gym and I have found that exercise equipment is just expensive clothes hangers for me and that I prefer to be outside when I can.  You just need to see what you like best and can stick with.

I go to Weight Watchers to help with the diet part of the weight loss equation.  I do think that I have been eating better since I am concentrating on it and low and behold when you eat better, you feel better. 

Keeping motivated can be hard.  We need to keep our goals in mind.  When we don't do something quite right as far as diet and exercise, we need to forgive ourselves and not give up but get right back on track immediately instead of promising we will start over tomorrow.  I do think that when you start seeing results and feeling better that it does help with motivation.

I hope this helps.  Please realize you are not in this alone.  Many of us on this site are trying to take weight off as well.  Good luck!