Can't get/stay focused...

[Battle*Hound]

Long story short

After tearing my leg up 3 years ago next month, I gained a lot of fat. I basically had to have my leg propped up for 11 weeks and the 'snowball' was in full effect.

So now I am trying to lose the fat. I am late thirties and according to recent bloodwork and such, in good health (other than being FAT). I feel like my diet is definately getting better. I track EVERYTHING I take in and try to keep calories down. I use livestrong's food tracker.

The problem at this point is getting up at 0500 to get a workout in. Or even at he end of the day. I tinker around with p90x but not consistently by any means.

I'm just wondering what 'tools' others may use to get focused on the goal and stay focused. I am tired of letting myself down and am looking to get my ass kicked. Anything you'd like to share?

[IYAAYASwarrior]

For me, I like to take it personal. Kind of like a vendetta against bad health. So many around me in my family, and in general day to day living have fallen victim to bad habits that could deteriorate health quickly. What has helped me is creating a "milestone" to reach and once I have done that, I repeat that thought process until the next milestone. Now I have been blessed and have not had substantial injury to date to hamper my attempts so unfortunately I can't relate to that. All I can tell you is that it sounds like you have already beat the hardest part by actually identifying the problem. Now all you have to do is set your goals, and climb the ladder. Good luck!

[Battle*Hound]

For me, I like to take it personal. Kind of like a vendetta against bad health. So many around me in my family, and in general day to day living have fallen victim to bad habits that could deteriorate health quickly. What has helped me is creating a "milestone" to reach and once I have done that, I repeat that thought process until the next milestone. Now I have been blessed and have not had substantial injury to date to hamper my attempts so unfortunately I can't relate to that. All I can tell you is that it sounds like you have already beat the hardest part by actually identifying the problem. Now all you have to do is set your goals, and climb the ladder. Good luck!

Thanks for the input!! I've read quite a few of your other post on the subject matter and have that info stored in the back of my skull as well.

[Hizzie]

Stimulants are not the long term answer. They are good for the occasional episode of draggin ass. Perhaps you just don't want it bad enough if you are having that much trouble. You say you had bloodwork done and are in good health, other than fat, so that rules that out.

So just how bad do you want to improve?


April 15th, 2010 I had 2 labral tears and delamination repaired in my right hip after being sidelined for 18mos. Post-Op I have run several 5K's, a 10K and this past Saturday Squated 405x3. I won't stop till the Coroner pronounces me dead!

Steps required to grow this attidude:
1) Undo belt
2) Physically and Visually inspect trousers to see that you indeed have a pair
3) Now ****ing sound off
4) Repeat as needed

[Battle*Hound]

Stimulants are not the long term answer. They are good for the occasional episode of draggin ass. Perhaps you just don't want it bad enough if you are having that much trouble. You say you had bloodwork done and are in good health, other than fat, so that rules that out.

So just how bad do you want to improve?


April 15th, 2010 I had 2 labral tears and delamination repaired in my right hip after being sidelined for 18mos. Post-Op I have run several 5K's, a 10K and this past Saturday Squated 405x3. I won't stop till the Coroner pronounces me dead!

Steps required to grow this attidude:
1) Undo belt
2) Physically and Visually inspect trousers to see that you indeed have a pair
3) Now ****ing sound off
4) Repeat as needed

Good for you!! Glad you pulled through. I really dig your four step program. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED Appreciate it!

At 0500 the suck will begin...it has to.

[Battle*Hound]

0500--- sounding off!!

[Reagans Rascals]

the easiest way IMO is to find a battle buddy..... you'll each motivate each other... someday's you won't feel up to it and he'll get you going and on other days just the opposite

everything is easier with a friend...

also... you need to focus on the end goal... what is the actual overall perceived end game you are trying to achieve? How many pounds do you realistically want to lose, once you have the actual real goal, you just focus on that single goal and just don't stop until you reach it...

its a shitty process, that takes months and months of dedication... and the only real way to stay motivated is to not lose sight of the end goal... which is very hard to do... so what helps is... find something you want to do when you are at your ideal weight... something you can't really do do until you are at that weight... maybe its sky diving and theres a weight limit... or maybe its just taking your shirt off at a pool party or the beach without feeling self conscious... once you find something like that, something you truly would like to do now but wish you were thinner.... then just ruminate on that event, focus on it, and replay yourself actually doing it over and over again in your mind.... once you have the end goal its not difficult to reach... its when we have no set goals and are just kinda going with the flow that we lose motivation and eventually give up.... if we see no perceived benefit we are unwilling to work for it....

[pmarc]

0500--- sounding off!!

Congrats! The longest of journeys start but with the first step.

[TomF]

Find a fitness event you want to attend and train for it.

Tough Mudder, GoRuck Challenge, adventure races, etc are all good ways to get motivated. Most of them also donate money to charities that help our veterans.

I am doing my second Tough Mudder in three weeks, and started training hard for it about 12 weeks out. Me and a few buddies are looking for another TM or a GoRuck Challenge event in late summer to give us another 10-12 weeks to train up for the next one.

[WillBrink]

Long story short

After tearing my leg up 3 years ago next month, I gained a lot of fat. I basically had to have my leg propped up for 11 weeks and the 'snowball' was in full effect.

So now I am trying to lose the fat. I am late thirties and according to recent bloodwork and such, in good health (other than being FAT). I feel like my diet is definately getting better. I track EVERYTHING I take in and try to keep calories down. I use livestrong's food tracker.

The problem at this point is getting up at 0500 to get a workout in. Or even at he end of the day. I tinker around with p90x but not consistently by any means.

I'm just wondering what 'tools' others may use to get focused on the goal and stay focused. I am tired of letting myself down and am looking to get my ass kicked. Anything you'd like to share?

Wish I had a good answer for you, but what motivates me will be very different from what motivates you, so I find giving advice in this area not terribly useful. For me, the impact it has on my health and well being, knowing what the alternative is (looking and feeling like crap), knowing life will throw things at me that prevent me from any exercise (as you also experienced) so I should be grateful for the times I can without road blocks. I also try and view it as a "I don't have to like it, I just have to do it" event where choice is not really a factor per se. Some days I look forward to it/enjoy it, some days, not so much. Either way, it's gotta get done, like a lot of things in life.

It don't get any easier believe me, so use all known strategies to stay in the fight (do stuff you like, partner up, set goals, etc etc) and before you know it, weight is off, feeling better, exercise not such a slog and onward 'till something else tries to kick the shit out of you.