How do I make myself keep it up?

United States
April 25, 2009 10:28am CST
I am going to start running once the weather clears up. Running seems to be the only thing that exerts my body and will help me lose weight. I need to lose about 60 pounds and running is the way to go. My problem is how do I keep myself doing it. I don't have the greatest will power when it comes to stuff like that and I don't know how I'm going to keep it up. Does anyone have any suggestions? I can only do it in the mornings before my boyfriend goes to school and I go to work because otherwise I work til it gets dark and my grandma doesn't want me running at night. My boyfriend MIGHT go with me but he doesn't have great will power either. What can I do?
3 people like this
18 responses
@fwangaa (3057)
• China
26 Apr 09
i always get up every early to run in the moring, that will good for my health,and good for my whole day mood. i have just keep running for several months. i want to run without the seen by my family, i don't know why i don't want show better to my familly.
2 people like this
• United States
26 Apr 09
I'm uncomfortable being seen by others as well. I am going to try running. :D
• United States
26 Apr 09
Be consistent, set small goals for yourself - you may begin with 20 minute morning runs and increase gradually. Establishing a routine that works for you will keep you motivated along with recording your activity and taking your measurements, I'd avoid the scale. Keep pictures of yourself around too, before and what you want to look like afterwards - I cut out pictures of the bodies I want and tap my head to them and carry them with me lol - that's a motivator - good luck
2 people like this
• United States
26 Apr 09
I'll have to start keeping a journal. And just seeing a picture of me now is motivation enough. Thanks!
@060157 (1059)
• Pakistan
25 Apr 09
well, in the beginning, you would really have to force yourself to it. but try to make some friends in the park that you'd go for jogging, and meeting them and working out with them would be your motivation... well atleast that's what one of my relative do to keep herself motivated. i myself didn't find the solution to weight loss in running. i did that for quite a while but for no result, and where i live, the temperature is a torture, so jogging isn't pleasant either. if you are finding it hard to get things going, then you might as well start exercising at home, like i did. i used to do yoga, and the early bit of exercises left my muscles cramped and that was enough motivation for me to get back to exercise lol cause the exercise relieved that pain. in the end it all paid off and i lost 17 kgs
1 person likes this
@060157 (1059)
• Pakistan
25 Apr 09
OH. soda is THE thing to cut when you want to lose some weight. when i was exercising, the only thing i cut out of my daily routine was soda. i continued with all kind of junk food but i was able to reduce that much in 3 months. working out or jogging in a group can make thing pleasant that you actually look forward to it. so if it possible to ask your friend or some other friend to accompany you, then it would be good for you.
2 people like this
• United States
25 Apr 09
I may be able to convince my boyfriend to go with me but he doesn't have great will power either.
• United States
25 Apr 09
I've done things like Pilates and Tae Bo before and they never accomplished anything for me. Running is really the only thing that works for me. Forcing myself is right. This is going to be really hard to keep up. I lost 15 pounds by not drinking soda anymore but after that I can't lose anything else. I really NEED to start running. GO AWAY RAIN!
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
25 Apr 09
I don't have any real answers for you but I wanted to read what others are telling you as I need to find the will power myself, to stay motivated in whatever exercises and dieting I am doing. I don't like to run so I bought myself a bike and I ride instead. My daughter has a bike too so we ride together. That is my motivation although sometimes I still don't go because I am tired or lazy. I like the idea that you are exercising but you also need to diet a little or you won't loose any weight. What I suggest to you is to cut back on the carbs. Or if you can stand it, keep the carbs right out of your diet for about a month and see how quickly the pounds drop off. I know because I lost 40 pounds in just two months, just by not eating any carbs. Carbs are things like bread and rice and noodles and potatoes. Well, good luck with your running and loosing weight.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Apr 09
I ride my bike a lot and it has yet to really do anything for me except I now have rock hard calves. No pounds dropped however. And I don't think I can do the no carbs thing. I don't eat a lot of meat - don't know why just haven't craved it - and I LOVE all of the things you listed. I try to eat fruits and veggies but I am not a veggie fan really. Fruits I can do but I still don't eat them much. My boyfriend MIGHT go running with me but he doesn't have the greatest will power either. I highly doubt I'd be able to do the no carbs thing.
• United States
25 Apr 09
What does that leave us with then? I love bread, rice, noodles, and potatoes. And I can eat bananas, pears, and sometimes apples. But I don't eat much meat. What am I left with?
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
25 Apr 09
You need to be careful what veggies you eat too, as peas and corn are a carb. Also fruit has a lot of sugar in it so you have to be careful about the amount you eat. Some people think that you can eat as much fruit as you want when dieting but that isn't so. Very high sugar content in fruit.
1 person likes this
• China
25 Apr 09
i think losing weight needs very strong willpower.one years ago,i just graduated from school,and i think i am too fat.so i decided to lose weight.firstly i want to go to the fitness club.but it is dear for me.so i changed my way.i do many kind of sports,such as running,practising when i am taking a shower,do some sports on the bed.i think another key of losing weight in my life is my diet.generally,i didn't let myself keeping hungry all the time.but i will eat some low calories food,such as vegetables,fruits with low sugar. and far from fried food and fat food.sports with proper diet are important things in losing weight.also keep a happy and upward life will help you to do all the thing.if you are always laziness anything will fail.go on,and make your deep decisions to beat the laziness with srong well-power.the light is not far from you
• United States
25 Apr 09
I used to work at a fast food restaurant so eating fried food was common. I no longer eat fried food because I live in a small town without fast food restaurants. I try to eat right. It's the exercising I have will power issues with.
1 person likes this
@jayrene (2708)
• Philippines
25 Apr 09
i have a problem in losing weight too... and it was just when i found out i have a hypohtyroidism that i know what was wrong with my body... having something like that means i have a slow metabolism, so even if i eat small portions only i gain weight. try to take note also of your eating habit and how your body reacts to it, i think in trying to lose weight we should try to understand how our body reacts to foods we eat. i do exercise, running dont work for me. sit ups does. bike nope, aerobics does. see what works for you. if you really like to run, try treadmill, go to the gym if there's one near your place. and lastly, i drink senna tea every night. it's a laxative, body cleansing tea. helps me control my weight. there are two things you have to watch if you're going to drink this, first is that once you start on this, watch how you lbm, the time, as it will become regular, daily. and if you are going to stop this, this is the tricky part, you will always feel hungry, so you have to discipline yourself. this tea habit is what works best for me in losing weight.
• United States
26 Apr 09
I'm not a big fan of tea but you're right, certain things work for certain people. Running works for me. We don't have any gyms because we are a very small town.
@kassdaw (591)
• United States
25 Apr 09
Make notes on your bathroom mirror. I sounds silly but it really helped me when I started working out. Another that helped my sister we a picture in the kitchen, she was wearing shorts and a tank top. It pushed her to workout so she could replace the picture when she felt comfortable in an outfit similar to that. You could get a walk calendar that you look at every day and set a side a time to go running, mark it on the calendar so you remember. And the best way to stick with any workout/diet is to reward your self. Set goals at like 10, 20, and so on, as far as pounds lost. Make sure it isn't a food reward and make your final reward something big. While I was losing weight I set my goals and once I lost as much weight as I felt I needed to I gave myself a $1500 shopping spree. The time it takes to lose the weight will give you time to save up the money. Besides you will need to buy new clothes anyways once you have slimmed down.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Apr 09
A calendar sounds like a good way to keep track of things - and my boyfriend's mom goes running a lot but not in the mornings otherwise I'd go with her. I can't stand looking at a picture of myself in anything less than long pants or a long skirt so wearing shorts in a picture might do the trick. Ick! My dad's girlfriend offered to give me $20 when I lose 20 pounds but it just doesn't seem to motivate me. I have a few goals outside of losing weight that would take up the shopping spree money but I'll try to come up with something for that big goal being accomplished. Thanks a ton for the suggestions!
@drdivu (1011)
• India
25 Apr 09
thats great kassdaw..It wil make me motivated too as i m on the way slowest way to lose weight..thanks for the great idea..
• Philippines
26 Apr 09
I think it's better if you run in the morning. of course, you don't get fit that easily, and it's really the motivation that you need to force yourself running in a long distance. and loosing 60 pounds takes a lot of work out. you should also consider dieting but not to the point that your compromising your health. You two should motivate yourselves in doing this. you might not regret it in the end.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Apr 09
I think my boyfriend is perfect the way he is but he wants to do it anyways and he is wanting a six pack. So I figured if he wants all that then he'd probably go running with me. He agreed. :D And as far as dieting goes - I need vitamins. Somehow - I try to eat throughout the day, but after recording my calorie intake for a week - on average I only get around 700 calories a day.
@Citychic (4067)
• United States
6 May 09
How do I make myself keep it up? Ur welcomed and one more tip, just want to encourage you to just continue to hang right on in there with him gf. a good man is hard to find. I've been married to mine for almost 21 years now and I'm not trying to say that he's the best but he tries his best to take care of business and deep down I believe he is a good man so if you suspect this about yours, just continue to hang in there b/c there are so many women that are out hoping and praying that they could find one. Good luck and happy slim down! Keep up the good work! I gotta go get my pt on right now, take care. Peace out!
1 person likes this
• United States
7 May 09
Don't worry. This one is a keeper and I ain't lettin' him go.
@Citychic (4067)
• United States
6 May 09
How do I make myself keep it up? Oh my, that would be just great for you and him, I'm sure that you two will enjoy it. I used to run with my honey but I think that he started getting a wee bit jealous b/c I could outdo him. So word to the wise, even if you think that you can beat ur honey at running, always make him think that he's simply the best. Guys are so funny like that, you always have to stroke their egos, lols.....thanks for ur response.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 May 09
Yeah - we ride bikes together and he is constantly trying to race me and I had to tell him to quit it. Haha. Well, thanks for the tips.
@Citychic (4067)
• United States
30 Apr 09
How do I make myself keep it up? If I were you, I would go out and buy myself a sexxy red or black dress along with some pumps. You will want to buy it the size that you want to become. Then hang it in a place where you will see it everyday.......That should be motivation enough for you to get down to ur ideal weight loss goal. Another thing is to find an exercise that you really enjoy doing. It could be swimming, tennis or jogging. Then try to find a friend who won't mind doing it with you. Hope this helps............
• United States
6 May 09
I love swimming but running is the only thing that really works for me. My boyfriend has agreed to run with me. :D
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
28 Apr 09
Use those goals you mentioned before. Remind yourself daily why it is important. I know some runners and once you make it a habit you will almost become addicted to it. Your body just won't be right if you even skip one day. You just have to keep pushing until it becomes a regular part of you.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Apr 09
It's gonna be tough trying to push to make it regular though.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
29 Apr 09
You can do it. Once it becomes habit you will be hooked.
1 person likes this
@gxyywhyzy (450)
• China
26 Apr 09
In my opinion It is very hard to lose my weight.I tried many times.Now I change my diet to induce the intake of high-energy.also I have to do some exercises.while the best way of losing weight is running as you said.after some days or months you will get a perfect results.however first you should believe yourself.nothing is impossible.
• United States
26 Apr 09
I'm trying to believe in myself and with all the encouragement I'm getting it's getting easier to do. :D Thanks!
• United States
7 May 09
You got to have a friend that needs the same thing you do. You want to lose weight find someone that wants that too and run together. Oh and make this a daily thing so you get use to it. You can also post little notes to yourself every where saying things like "Just do it already, get up and go" Things like that keep your running gear in front of the door at all times or where you can see it right when you wake up. Oh and when I jog I always listen to up beat music it makes me want to run faster and do more. good luck on your journey to a new you best wishes
1 person likes this
• United States
7 May 09
Thanks for the tips - and my boyfriend has agreed to go running with me. :D
• India
26 Apr 09
Don't take it too hard on yourself. When you start running and have such high goals you usually tend to work too hard. And give it up when you feel that you are straining a lot. So just work normally and slowly without any initial stress. Keep it slow and you will surely make a lot out of your running workout. I loved that photo tip someone gave in the beginning and I thnk you should follow it to give you an inspiration to lose your weight. bourne
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Apr 09
I liked the photo tip too, and I will try to keep my goals low and work up. :)
@shibham (16977)
• India
26 Apr 09
hai crazy......,i am really surprised how a person can survive withought having will power. creat your will power, there are many theories to increase will power. if u want to know, write to me. ba ba baai.
1 person likes this
@guozehua (60)
• China
26 Apr 09
there's too much way to loose weight.If you don't have time to go running,you can try to ride bicycle instead of running.Or go to a club and the coach will help you to loose your weight.If you want to keep running,my suggestion is that you can get up early and make a timetable.And to finish it everyday it will also help stength your mind.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Apr 09
Biking doesn't help me lose weight AT ALL. And I live in a town of 344 people so we don't have any gyms. Running is the only way to go for me.
@nzldzh (75)
• China
26 Apr 09
I think it is a good news to tell you that you have make your mind to take some exercise .The most important thing is to keep on .I have some ideas to share with you .First ,I think you can ask a friend of you to help you .He can be a good clock .Second ,you can encourage yourself by some words such as :you can do it or you will win . Maybe it is hard at the beginning ,but if you keep on it ,you can get a lot .
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Apr 09
I've already decided to say "I am doing this." and not "I am TRYING to do this." Thanks for the encouragement! :D