Motivation

anyone care to add some of their weird things:

 

#1     Start the diet with a FULL refrigerator

       &nb sp;              (whenever my fridge is empty I panic and eat whatever I can find)

#2     Start a diet only after all of your laundry is washed

       &nb sp;              (My number 1 excuse for not working out is "no clothes")

#3  Start the diet when you've got playlists of upbeat songs ready to go on your ipod!

4. Make sure to put on sunscreen first thing in the morning so you are ready to head outside right away.

#5 When out of town on business and you must eat out, skip the hotel restaurant and find one within walking distance.

#6 - I know this is corny and everyone says it, but it's so true: Don't think of it as a diet.  Think of it as a lifestyle change.

Ooooh these are some good ones!!! I better come up with some more!

#7 Tell people so you will be held to it

#8 Don't tell people so you don't have to deal with their comments!

#9 Small ceramic pig in the cupboard in front of the (binge-worthy) cereal box.

#10 Buy a food scale and leave it smack in the middle of the counter at all times so you can't prepare anything without using it.

#11 Leave a note pad and pen next to said food scale.

#12 Buy small, STYLISH plates - and focus on making your food look REALLY good, like on a food magazine

#13 snack on small freeze pops for sweetness and air popped popcorn for saltiness (like 50 calories)

Here's what has worked for me when I lose motivation to work out or diet:

#14 Buy a new "gym outfit."  I want to go to the gym/run outside just to show off my new clothes!

#15 Try on an outfit that used to fit but is too big now, that makes me want to keep going.

#16 Call up your cable company and reduce the number of channels you have - or for the very brave disconnect it entirely. It is amazing how much more time you will have for the gym/preparing healthy meals with nothing on TV. And exercising will seem like such a good idea when all you have to choose from is cleaning toliets or hitting the gym (and cleaning toliets is more productive than tv watching anyways!)

#17 Don't be afraid to try new fruits, veggies, recipes. Take the time to prepare interesting meals instead of eating out or buying pre-made frozen dinners.

#18 Spend your new found free time (previously used for eating) to "doll" yourself up a bit, do nails/toes/hair/etc to fill time!

#19 buy a mirror, and sit it on your desk and look at it throughout the day (I don't know why, but after I broke my desk mirror, I gained like 10 pounds!!! - so I got a new one ;)  )

#20 I have a cup from Denny's (I know, I know, but it was 2yrs ago lol!) It's a space rocket from the kids meal that we had when me and my daughter went to LA on or hols. I fill it with water and keep it at my bfs appt to remind me I can be healthy there too... so much more fun than a regular cup :)

#21: Figure out what food or foods can help you ward off a binge or craving.

For me it can be a hot cup of tea. Or a tablespoon of Brewyers Yeast (yes, I am one of the weird people who actually like the taste of Brewyers Yeast) alone or in a glass of milk.  Or, if I'm craving chocolate or something sweat, a single square of expensive dark chocolate - the kind that really tastes like chocolate and not wax.

I find that I eat MORE when trying to avoid a craving than if I eat a little of something that I find satisfying and is also diet-friendly.

#22 Keep a picture of a cute outfit you are going to buy at your goal weight stuck on your bathroom mirror to remind you every morning of why you're in this for the long haul.

#23 if you think you're hungry, drink a half litre of water, and then reevaluate, especially if it's only been an hour or so since your last meal.

Original Post by ratinhat88:

#6 - I know this is corny and everyone says it, but it's so true: Don't think of it as a diet.  Think of it as a lifestyle change.

 that is exactly what my boyfriend say and he's right its not a dies it becomes a lifestyle.

#24: dieting isn't about deprivation. you can still enjoy the foods you used to like, only make them healthier. ex: pita pizza

#25 Buy something 2 sizes too small and try it on periodically to see how much closer you are to fitting it. I know that popular thought says not to do this but I LOVE how my too-small clothes fit now! I want more!