What motivates you to get out of bed and go to work and exercise?

I am curious what motivates ppl to get out of bed and go to work? And what about exercise? I am trying to find a job in my area and well no one is calling me back. Plus, I am not sure if I am stable enough to go to work either. I have a hard time as it is keeping track of what I gotta do in a day just to keep myself healthy. Seems crazy but yeah I get on a schedule then it gets all messed up if I have a bad day. If a bad day happens I lay in bed all day or on the couch. I want to go to the Gym so bad but I do not have the money for that right now. I love swimming but sometimes the weather is not hot enough for me to go or either to hot for me  to be out in. I have not ever in my life ever felt nausous in the heat ever before....the other day I could not breathe and was so sick to my stomach it was aweful. I do not understand that because you figured that after losing weight being able to breathe and not be so hot or anything would make you feel more comfortable well I guess not. Tonight me, hubby, and some of the family went to a fair tonight. I got on the rides that I would and loved it! I missed riding the rides. I got my fun in tonight even though my feet, back, and knees are hurting. Some of the rides were rough LOL. I to thought my feet and back and everything would get better after dropping ggeezz 50 some pounds by now and I am still complaining...what is wrong with that? I could not imagine having that extra 50 back!!!  My exercise is very limited I was doing good and lately I just do not want to move...except tonight I did at the fair. I do clean around my house and sweat as i am doing this. so what motivates you to get going and what exercises do you do? I have no machines and no tapes.

I need to vent a little..but the ppl who get out of bed to go to work that is awesome because I still find it hard to do. Even looking for a job is a chore for me. I can fill out applications like crazy get an interview and well not get  a call back. Has happened to me twice already. Weird huh...god is telling me something...he does not want me to work. What is my purpose then if I cannot get out of my own house to go to work? Even after In the past I would get a job and go to two days and leave. Can anyone tell me why would I do something like that? I always try to answer that myself but I give myself exuses all the time...and well..one of them happens to be that I hate ppl..and being around them. Is that bad or what? How do I get passed this issue of being afraid of ppl and being around them? Is it because I am fat and do not want ppl looking at me? I hope so because I have been praying to God that when I get the courage to get the job that I always wanted that I can stay there and be able to get my ass in gear to go. I start college in Oct and I am praying that these classes and hopefully a part time job soon will keep me busy and happy and working on my fear of being around ppl. In addition to getting this job in a career that I would like and move on.

What motivates me to get out of bed and work?  My paycheck and the stability to be able to afford the things that hubby and I NEED and also what we WANT.  I can by no way say that we get everything we WANT and I can also confess to getting things we WANT as opposed to getting things we NEED, but by in far, our needs are met and we are doing well. 

You've been told this before - your issues cannot be solved just by losing weight.  You said it in  your post "I'm making excuses for myself"  You need to get to the bottom of these issues.  And a good part of that can probably only be helped by some type of counseling.

You've also mentioned in the past that you were going to drop things (IE medical insurance from your husbands company) in order to be able to afford things.  Granted, mental health costs can be high and are not always covered under insurance - but goodness knows that HAVING things like insurance will allow you more opportunities.  And, if you HAVE dropped insurance already - there are clinics and what not available to people who are uninsured.

None of us will be able to fix your problems or totally answer your questions.  We can, as always, give advice.  And for all I know many will disagree with my post here.  But  you came with questions and I've always been a believer in being honest - and these are my honest answers.

I deal with the public not only on an every day basis but during times of true crisis; when I can guarantee you people are at their absolute WORST behavior.  Talk about not liking people!  Generally most of the time I am being yelled at, called names, belittled, or told I am wrong.  Granted, the paycheck makes it worthwhile.  But some how, so does helping people, regardless of if they are thankful for it.  I get paid $25 an hour and in that hour I can SAVE or END your life.  And yet there are professional athletes getting paid multi million dollar year contracts to play a "game" for 4 hours a week.  Hmmm.  Pay the "game player" multi million dollars or the one who can end  your life???  It's not fair.  But it is what it is.

I truly believe you are setting yourself up for failure in many areas and are making excuses to make yourself feel better about those situations you are putting yourself in.  Ok...so the weather is not good for swimming - there are exercises you can do IN YOUR HOUSE WITH NO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT.  I'm sure there are online guides for such activities.

And...the nausea in the heat thing.  I'm wondering if you aren't dehydrated?  If your day was "thrown off track" and you have had days of "just wanting to stay in bed" are you really getting enough fluids in?  64 ounces is the reccommended amount on an AVERAGE day.  On days with the humidity and heat being as high as it has been - you need MORE than that.

And eventually the back pain and what not will begin to fade with weight loss - but it will take some time.  Also realize that you may have already done true damage to your joints by being overweight.  Many of us are realizing this just a little to much a little to late.  Mary Ivins posted back in April regarding her knee issue and that she will eventually need surgery to correct it.  It came from years of being overweight...granted weight loss HELPED her begin to live a quality life; but the weight she did carry around had already worn away cartilege etc, so she will unfortunately have pain until it is corrected.

I know this whole post sounded harsh...and I've told you before that my intent is never to hurt anyone on this forum.  However, like I said earlier...if you ask questions, I will answer them.  And a wise person once said "Don't ask questions you don't want the answer too"

I can say that I am not the best at completing daily exercise. I do try like hell to do it when I am off and most of the time I succeed in that - at the very least taking a walk.  When I am working I am out of the house for approximately 14 hours of the day...I wake up at 4:45pm...am out the door by 5:45PM..at work by 6:30pm....there until 7:15am...if I'm lucky I get to come right home which puts me in the door at about 7:45am...but most days I have errands to run or something and I'm not home till at least 8am or 8:15am...eat dinner...and aim for bed somewhere before 10am...which puts me at 7 hours of sleep AT BEST.  I can honestly say I don't even make the attempt to do any formal exercise on those days.  And yes, on my days off I do catch up on my sleep and sleep much more than that.  The point being I am far from the one who can claim I always do my exercise and I play every rule by the book.  I am the furthest thing from that. I am, however, someone who is almost 2 years out, has maintained my goal weight since 11 mos out, and plays by most of the rules most of the time.

Pam

I work because I have bills to pay and I like to have money.

I exercise because it makes my body physically feel good and because I can.

Girl,

I ditto most of what Pam had to say and we are here to offer you support for your WLS journey, what you truly need is some good counseling and I guess it's the NY in me, but I speak the truth as I see it. 

Personally, I go to work to have the life that I have, it helps my self-esteem to know that I can be self-supporting, heck at 48 years old, I bought my own home, after being in a marriage that cost me 10s of thousands of dollars because I was married to some loser, so what motivates me is plain and simple, the desire to feel safe, secure and know that I've done all I can to help myself.  Having been among the unemployed in the last year, and while I may not love everything about work, work gives me a sense of purpose everyday that being home did not. 

As for exercise, if you've got cable, there are plenty of choices on it to do, go to Marshalls or Ross' and buy some bands, weights and/or an exercise ball and get busy, you are short changing yourself if you think you will have good results without exercise, or at the very least keep what weight you lose off.  The things I told you to buy at Marshalls can be bought for under $10 each.  Sparkpeople.com offers a whole section on different ttypes of exercises you can do at home. 

Bottom line here, is you need some self motivation, we may sound hard, but you are, as Pam stated setting yourself up for a not great future.  I'm hoping you are just experiencing some of the hormonal stuff that goes along with this surgery, but truth be told, I do think you need some good counseling, as losing the weight is only a part of the solution. 

Best wishes, Laureen

Just like you have a routine at home you would working too. I am up at 4:45 am - out the door by 5:15 - I pack all of my food for breakfast, snack, lunch and snack. I also make sure that the cats are fed and there is something out of the freezer for dinner. I usually walk back in the door at about 6pm - I make dinner do my chores and try to be in bed around 9 - my husband gets home around 10. I too have trouble fitting exercise in because at the end of the day I am beat - it is an excuse and I am working on getting it back in - on the weekends I am as active as I can be. Sunday's is my "prep" day. I cut cup cheese, fruit, make lunch meat rolls, and portion out other foods so during the week I can grab and go from teh drawer in the fridge.

We all have days where we don't want to get out of bed - but if they are happening often maybe you should mention it your your Dr? I did and I feel 1000% better now that I am on the meds - I am back to feeling like the ME I know.

AS for the joints - I was down 100 pounds and my back was out of control in pain. Dr told me that the fat cushioned things and now I was paying the price.

I do say that thinking on my feet is a very valuable asset - with this surgery you always have to be prepared for the unexpected and be able to adjust on the fly.

I second all that Pam had in there too.

1/2 of the battle is coming forward to ask - we are here to help!

Liz

I will be very direct in responding to your questions here - please take this in a positive spirit, as it is intended.

I get up and go to work because my husband and I have to support ourselves. If we didn't, no one would.

I exercise because my doctor and people at support groups say it is one of the most critical factors in lasting weight loss success after surgery. Surgery was a big decision for me. I will do everything possible to work toward a positive outcome.

As for your comments about where you are right now...

Exercise tapes are not required. You don't need machines. Take a walk. All you need is shoes. On hot days get outside before it gets really hot, or walk in the evening when it cools down. Your pain may improve with movement. The more you do...the more you will be able to do. We have had some humid days but most days, if you can get to a pool, the swimming will keep you cool for a long time afterward.

If you are not getting calls back on jobs, you probably need some help with interview skills or filling out applications. To be honest, your work history very likely works against you. This is a very competetive job market and employers want to see energy, enthusiasm, and commitment. If there is even a hint that you would work 2 days and then not show up ..you're not employable to them. 

To be blunt, God may be telling you that you have to work harder....not that He doesn't want you to work at all. I'm no Biblical scholar, but oftentimes, God pushed people beyond what they thought they could do. Does your county have a job placement service? Lancaster County does and it has a very strong track record. Check around.

I agree with the other advice you have received here. If you struggle with fears of people, low energy and motivation, inability to work, making excuses, and otherwise are having difficulty with productive daily living, you do need some counseling. Please check into what community mental health services may be available. Some churches also have counseling programs available. Some therapists work on sliding fee scales.

The surgery alone will not address these problems.

Best of luck to you.

Hi Dee -
I work TWO jobs.  I do it because I have bills to pay.   I've been doing it since I was 19 years old.  I'm going to be 40. Necessity is the driving factor that gets me out of bed in the morning.  Jobs are really tough to find right now and you have to be proactive in the search.  Call your college book store, maybe they need help and you might even get a break on some of your books.  Remember the goal - you have every right to be gainfully employed regardless of what you look like.  Confidence is key.  You can do this.  Fear has gripped us all at one time or another.  Force yourself to get past it.  Do it for you and your family - No one is more important.

It sounds to me like you have some signs of depression.  If you don't want or can't afford to see your Dr., exercise could really help you. I believe that Serotonin is released when you exercise, which can help combat depression.  Most of us don't love exercise, but again, necessity drives us.  There are so many things that you can do to burn calories that don't cost a thing.


1)  Lift "weights" - use two 16oz. cans of veggies to do arm curls and triceps exercises.  It's a good start. 

2)  Force yourself to walk.  If it's too hot, go to the mall and do laps while you window shop.

3)  Dance !  Turn on the radio or put in a CD and shake what you got ! 

Good luck,
Lisa

Dee,

You've gotten a lot of good advice so far in the posts here, and I agree with what they've all said.  Just wanted to share a couple of things that have helped me get my head around the exercise motivation.

Shauna (leads the sat. support group at Barix) said something that really stuck with me.  "Exercise is, for us, part of maintaining our bodies.  It's a necessity to keep everything working properly.  I would no more think of not exercising than I would go out of the house without brushing my teeth."

I don't spend much $$ on exercise.  I walk (and now have worked up to some running as well).  I'm jumping rope (ok - i spent $5.99 on a jump rope).  I stretch.  There are some great "on demand" exercise programs on Comcast and I occasionally do one of them.  I have hand weights that I've had for years that strap on to your wrists (you can find them in thrift stores as well) - while i'm walking i wear them and do bicep and tricep curls, shoulder lifts, and punches.  At my school (and you should look into this at yours) there's a wonderful fitness center that is FREE for employees and students to use, complete with access to trainers.  

The key is, as with this entire journey, to get your head in the same place as your stomach.  That means getting counseling as you need to work past the depression, whether that is through meds or through talk therapy and exercise or a combination of all of them.  If you can't get out of bed because you're depressed, it doesn't matter what you KNOW to do - you won't be able to get yourself to do it.  (I see this with my husband, who is bipolar. It's devastating to not be able to move yourself out of the bed with depression.)  That's why you need to get to a Dr. and get the extra help to do it.  Otherwise, you're wasting this golden opportunity you've been given to change your life. 

Challenge yourself - when you make an excuse for yourself that you wouldn't accept from your sister / husband / kid / best friend to keep from doing something that you want to do, challenge it!  Have a conversation with yourself to ask "Why did you say that?" and be honest.  Is it fear of going into public because you're fat?   Guess what?  You're in the process of changing that, and trust me, YOU notice you a lot more than anyone else notices you!  Everyone out there is wrapped up in their own little worlds that revolve around them - unless your weight somehow influences their little world directly, the vast majority of them won't even notice it.  So who cares?  Most of america is overweight, too!  The difference is that you are actively doing something about it!  Hold your head proud and ignore them - you're doing it for YOU, not for them.

I hope some of what you're reading here helps.  Maybe the folks at Barix can also help - call dr. P and tell her how you're feeling and see if she has any insights or referrals for you. 

Karen

Good suggestion Karen. I am sure Dr. P. would want to know what is going on and make some suggestions.

Thanks for the Advice and suggestions.