How to motivate yourself just to get started????

I know how important it is to loose weight and how it feels to start loosing weight.  I am 4"11 and weigh about 258 lbs.  Almost two years ago I weighed 200lbs.  2years ago I started to excercise and eat right, I lost about 25 lbs.  When I stopped doing that because of a car accident, I lost my routine since then. Which made me lazy and start bad habits again and now I gained the weight back plus 25lbs more.  I say I am going to start again walking and I have gone like once a month.  For the life of me I can not start myself a plan again.  One I feel embarrassed because of the way I look and two I just get can't get started. I have no motivation, just the fact I know I am fat and need to loose weight and think someday.  Help me someone, tell me how you got motivated.  I can't afford a gym, I have no extra income, have four kids, can't afford the expensive healthy foods.  Isn't that something you have to spend to eat healthy.

I struggle too, so I definitely completely understand where you are coming from.  My only thoughts that I can offer is what I have recently discovered myself.  We either really want to stay where we are or we really want to change.  I guess it's pretty simple.  What I want to happen bad enough is what I will choose to do.  I know, for me, there are lots of emotional issues that surround overeating so I have chosen to deal with them through counseling.  Maybe that's an option for you.  Hope this helps.  I am praying for you.

Man alive, it is hard! Esp with no money to throw around. All i can say is to start small, maybe drag your body out that door to walk, even for 15 minutes a day at first. The point is to make that time sacred and establish your habit.

Try to make family menus from the sale ads - then make out a list that you stick only to that list - no junk, no running back to the store & blowing $ on food you did not need. Stick to bin food like beans from scratch, grain dishes with ground turkey in them. I know - the kids don't like them...well, to an extent yes, make things they like, but to other extent, they ain't all that hungry if they get that picky!


ETA:  do you have a rule to keep kids out of the fridge between meals?  we did in our fanily of five kids...no in-between meals eating. Maybe they will stay out of your stuff that you may buy for yourself.

Come here and pst, never know what inspiration you may find! Welcome!

I'm just getting started, too. I'm up to 16 minutes at day. I call it "Starting the Habit". I truthfully started with just 2 minutes a day and built up 2 minutes at a time. I know that I can get addicted to exercise, because I have in the past, and I love it! So I'm just creating the habit, and letting myself want more when I finish.  On a limited budget, you could try some fun things. Play with the kids, or use them for weights! Pick one up ten times in a row (if they're small enough)! I used to let my granddaughter jump down the last three steps and I would catch her! Or use cans of vegetables for weights! Turn the radio on and march in place for a few minutes. Even march around the room in circles. Just have fun with it. Once your body gets used to moving and pumping blood again, you'll truly enjoy it, and you'll probably be able to come up with things to do for ten to twenty minutes starting out. I know you'll do just fine once you get started! If you need an accountability buddy, let me know!

I think that is awesome...2 minutes, 15 minutes, you got the point to make it a habit. 

I like what you say - exercise is something to get addicted to, just like junky food or being lazy, so why not start a positive addiction today!

I LOVED what you say about the veggie cans...I would add to that make "every day" movements meaningful - do lunges when you dust, wipe down cupboards & showers/tubs and feel how your side muscles stretch! Go wash the car to funky music....It all counts, everything 'cept sitting in your chair.

I HATE going one day without exercise.  i really do. Even if it was only parking far away at every stop I made or housework...i never sit around much any more. (truthfully, i never did, and i know that is a blessing to be born that way).

Thank you guys so much for your replies to my message.  It is great to get some other people experience out there and know that you are not alone.  I need to get rid of all my excuses and just get started. We have really good cooks in the family and food is a comfort for us.  I will have to do better.  No more after dinner bowl of cereal.  Thank you guys again.

Here's a great article about eating healthy on a budget http://www.zonya.com/health_budget.html.