How do you motivate yourself to workout and eat right?

Question

I'm having a hard time going to the gym these days. When I was single, gym was my sanctuary. but when I got married, I stopped and I gained 25 lbs. The only thing that kind of getting me to go is, we're planning to have kids soon, but I don't want pregnancy weight to be on top of the weight I already have. I want to loose as much before I have a baby. please help me feel motivated.

Answer 1

Loosing weight is very simple; the key is to be active after you have eaten something. Think of food as fuel, which it is, and take steps to use that fuel, like walking out side or going shopping. After I have consumed a large meal I like to run and listen to music. Up Beat music is the best for working out/running. I suggest walking at least two times a day; to music and slowly begin to challenge yourself to running and jogging. I would also suggest that you immediately stop drinking soda (!), if you do, and start water or ice tea, I recommend green tea. Soda is very bad! It severely lowers your metabolism.

If you are a busy person, I suggest that you plan better "Large" meals, such as salads and hoagies. Generally stay away from Italian foods, i.e., pizza, and fried foods. Most of all try to walk every evening/night and use up any excess fuel!

For motivation, try listening to your favorite up-beat albums when you are exercising. Just enjoy being outside, getting air, and enjoying the sunshine, It relieve stress too!

- sorry didnt have time to check grammar!

Answer 2

You have already stated your motivation.

I will help you along with that motivation.

My wife was overweight before she had our son. Her pregnancy was miserable. She gained well over 50 pounds above her already over-weight figure (about 35 pounds over). She was unhappy with her appearance all the time, and had many complications. By the way, our son *is* healthy, but the pregnancy was harsh.

Here is another motivator. Overweight and underweight women have a higher percent chance of miscarriage than women at a healthy weight. You don't have to be perfect, buy being obese is a factor. If you are 25 pounds overweight, you may be in that category. Check with your doctor.

Answer 3

You don't need to go to the gym if it's becoming a hassle. Why not work-out at home? You can get yourself some equipment or some exercise DVDs so that you can work-out whenever time permits. When working out becomes an obligation or a nuisance rather than a lifestyle system, it ends up becoming difficult. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is quite a different thing: All you need is to put on your trainers and go walking around your neighborhood and/or hop on to your elliptical machine.

As to diet, try to incorporate good foods rather than depriving yourself of anything. If you add two salads and two fruits a day to your diet, you know that you're at least getting some healthy nutrients in your diet.

Answer 4

I struggled with gym motivation too. After a lot of wasted money on gym memberships (I tried 4 different gyms, 4 different times), I realized it just didn't interest me. What did finally motivate me long-term was karate, which is an incredible cardio and muscle workout, and it actually fun to do. It keeps me motivated because
a) you learn fun things, it is challenging, no "lets do 400 reps of some boring leg lift" stuff
b) you work towards the different belts, which gives you goals and motivation

I love it and I've become much more fit! I am tired of trying to force myself into a gym!

Answer 5

I have been physically fit my whole entire life. I graduated from college with a degree in Health and Physical Education, I ran track and cross country in college, and I played basketball when and wherever I could. I have suddenly developed what I like to call my "forties flab" - fat around my midsection that just would'nt go away. I decided I was destined to keep it and lost the desire to exercise. The I read a book called "Living the Good Life". It gave me the motivation I needed to get back in shape. I started exercising the very next day. I found a partner to exercise with (someone reliable). It's easier to exercise if you know someone else will be with you. Find someone who exercises at the same level as you too. You don't want someone who holds you back or makes you feel bad about your skill level - you want a partner who compliments your abilities. Find exercise that you enjoy too (you're more likely to continue the exercise if it''s something you have fun doing). Good luck!

Answer 6

Small goals and small rewards for meeting those goals. For instance, if I go to the gym five days, I get a new bottle of nail polish. If I go to the gym for a month, everyday, and lose some weight, I get a DVD or some lotto scratch offs. If I eat like I should for an entire week, a frosty from Wendys. Small things like that.

On the plus side, losing a few pounds seems to help people get PG, it gets their hormones in check or something...LOL

Answer 7

This is going to sound so bad, but this is what i do, I look at overweight people, and I focus on how the clothes don't fit them right, how uncomfortable the are in about every seat and then think how sick they are (health wise). Then I think that if I slack with the gym and don't keep up my good eating habits I can be that person too.
I hope I'm not offending anyone.

Answer 8

Weight Loss Diet – Choose The Best And Persevere
http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1637.html

Answer 9

Just sit in any mall & watch the women walk by; over 50% will be fat. If that's not motivation enough, do it for your husband. I'm sure that, even though he loves you and won't tell you that the extra 25 lbs. bothers him, he would sure like to see you the way he was when he married you.

Answer 10

For me, once I get into the habit of going to the gym, I feel really bad if I skip it. If you can force yourself to go for a couple weeks, your motivational problem could go away on it's own.