Those days were stupendous. I just remember being really motivated (because I had to be weighed in front of my teammates) and really trying to be healthy (because I wanted the spa trip so badly). Sadly, I did not win...or make it to the final four and therefore did not get to lounge around blissfully pool-side while getting my feet massaged.
My new company announced a few weeks ago that they would be hosting a similar competition with a few differences. There are no weigh-ins and everything is measured in "Life Points". Overall, it is way less competitive and barely anyone gets all up in my business about how many "Life Points" I have earned in a day.
Essentially, to win, you have to exercise or participate in some sort of physical activity and for however many minutes you did said exercise is how many points you get for the day. And exercise is quite a loose term because upon reading the rules online, I realized that if I vacuumed my apartment I could record 15 "Life Points" for the day. And all of this is recorded on an honor system.
At my old company, we taunted each other mercilessly and to stay in the game you had to lose weight or you were finito my friend. We played legitimately by the rules of the TV show.
I have to admit, I do like the fact that I have a bigger chance of making it to the final rounds of this new competition since I do a fair share of walking to work everyday. And my team captain sends us out emails on a daily basis motivating us to do better and drink more water (because for every 8 glasses you drink a day you earn "Bonus Life Points").
But I can't help but wish this competition was a little more fierce to pump me up. I have like zero motivation to be active since they aren't telling us what the prize is yet and I'm scared it's going to be like a $25 Target gift card and a membership to our building's lame-o gym (which I wouldn't hate, but really motivate me with something great people!).
So here is my plea. What are some things that motivate you to lose weight? And do any of you workout at work (like running around the building at lunch type of thing)? Because my team captain would love it if we power-walked everywhere and anywhere.
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17 comments:
I have a dress that I must fit in by September. That is my motivation. If you want a good website to help log calories, you should try caloriecount.about.com, it's really handy and idiot proof.
I work out on my lunch break in the building's gym - stops me from going out and buying cookies and lattes! As for motivation...keep a food diary. It's so easy, you just keep a scrap piece of paper to track everything you eat...you'll find that you watch what you put in your mouth so you don't have to write it down! And it never hurts to have a pic of a supermodel in a bathing suit for something to aspire to! hahaha...
I keep a pic of Alessandra Ambrosio on my fridge door. Amazing how every time I go to eat I take one look at her perfect body and decide "hey maybe I don't NEED that ice cream after all!"
I find not wanting to have through the roof cholesterol, or diabetes, or one of a zillion other health hazards is motivation for making life changes that happen to have weightloss as a (positive) side effect of simply not wanting to die due to putting the wrong thing in my body or being inactive.
I've just started to Break-Up with food and say good-bye to pounds, so I'm very interested to see what suggestions pop up on here!
It's NEVER been easy for me to motivate myself to work out or diet or whatever, but this time around, I'm finding that each successful temptation defeated becomes motivation. Like, if I win the fight and say no to McDonald's in the middle of the afternoon, why betray that effort by giving in to the next junk food temptation? I don't want to undo my hard work with one bad choice.
I agree with Kage that food diaries can be helpful. Even if you're not a rigid calorie counter, it helps you learn an idea of the nutritional value of various foods, so if you decide to eat something, you know what you're getting and how much it will help or hurt your quest for health!
That being said, it's SO HARD for me. It's a constant mind game. THe other thing that's making a huge difference is having a couple of friends who have made the same commitment at the same time. True, a couple of them are on the opposite coast from me, so all our encouragement comes through texts and tweets, but it helps so much to have someone to contact and say "omg I want a brownie so bad right now" and they talk you down...or someone to share triumphs with...or someone to hold you accountable to your goal of running tonight!
Good luck, WGs!
I perform dancing- and the prospect of being on stage is probably the hugest motivation. Somehow I know when everyone is watching me I better be good! So I'll start putting in triple the effort into my exercise/dancing/stamina. I have actually NEVER gone to a gym a day in my life. 0 motivation.
I challenge myself with absurd things; like try to save money by getting off the train a stop early and walking the rest of the way and getting healthy in the process. Or, figure out how I can get in exercise during the workday without killing my feet (means shoe buying) or without breaking too much of a sweat. Then, there's to good old counting of the steps. Wearing a pedometer is a pain, but at the end of the day, if I haven't walked six miles by the time I get home, I'll go for a run or walk to make up the lacking steps. I also convince myself that the stairs are better for me, and one day I'll be able to make it up six or seven flights without gasping for air.
This is a good idea; however, I'm with you on the lack of motivation. I like to know what I'm working for. Bikini season always gets me motivated or a big formal event.
I took a picture of myself in my underwear. Looking at how bad i look in that picture was great motivation for me to lose 15 pounds. i never want to look like that again!
Hi Working Girl! I love this blog and can't wait to read more. Good luck with the weight loss. I would recommend a workout partner because I am always more motivated if I am held accountable.
As a Photographer, I run around at photo shoots, but I spend a lot of time in front of my computer. To make up for that I like to do lunges to the frig (to get some water...)then back to my computer. I have also went to a few weight watchers meetings, but they got really expensive. I took all their information and then just use my will power to loose weight!
I recently lost about 10 pounds and the biggest motivator for me this time around was I want to be in the best shape of my life before we have kids (which we're about to start trying for!). Plus the fact that we're going on a group vacation with friends to the Dominican definitely helped!
I did my own version of Weight Watchers...mostly keeping a food journal. I also joined a couple friends in some workout classes through our city recreation department. It was easier making it to class knowing I had friends there that were counting on me.
I WISH I could do any kind of exercising at work...but no...I sit in front of my computer ALL day long...
I put pictures of outfits I wish I could wear on my fridge. Short skirts and skinny jeans, things like that. It definitely makes me think twice before I grab that unhealthy snack.
I don’t exercise at work. Lol! But on my lunches after I eat I go for a walk at the local park down the street.
And looking at myself in the mirror is enough motivation for me. I loathe my stomach.
I know that wasn’t much help, but i bought a journal and I keep track of what I eat, including calories, how much I work out and what I'm burning. Also I check myself every week on the scale and document it. When I see the pounds coming off, that is enough to make me happy.
We used to meet at the stairs, walk down to the bottom and then back up to the 8th floor two or three times. If you have an empty conference room, you can bring in fitness dvds and work out together during lunch.
my upcoming wedding should be a huge motivator but my health issues got in the way and i've backslid... now that it seems my pain is back under control i should be able to start an excersize regime again.
My roommate and I signed up for a brutal half marathon together and made a few bets with each for motivation. Besides having someone to depend on you to get out of bed and work out, we set goals and if we don't stick to them there are consequences. For example if I break my goals she gets to pick and keep something from my closet. That's a motivator right there.
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