I swear, I can't help myself with the stupid titles for these posts
Anyway...
So, as mentioned elsewhere, I am trying to lose weight. I don't do faddy diets or spend money I can't afford going to weight loss clubs; I just eat better and less. If I lost a stone and a half I'd be content. Last year I did just that, but put it all straight back on after a bad bout of depression. I know how and I know why; what I don't know is how to find a reason to do it, to stick to it, that I actually give a flying you-know-what about.
I gave up smoking cold turkey 5 years ago. No problem. Wasn't an issue. Smoker one day, non-smoker since. I've had the occasional yen over the years but never gone back. Dieting though, I just cannot stick to it.
As I said, I know all the reasons, both physical and mental, why losing the weight is good, but I haven't got a single reason I can hang on to to make me stick to it. I am a firm believer in - It will not work if I am not doing it for myself - by which I mean if I do something because other people tell me to or because I think it is what they want, I will not keep it up because I have no personal investment in it. This has proven true for my entire life.
So I made a list of reasons why I should lose the weight and stick to it. Yep, it'll bring my blood pressure down a bit, but I've coped with it without meds for years and I ain't dead yet. Yes, it'll ease the pressure on my joints, but again, I manage perfectly well and I'm getting to the age where you naturally want to slow down anyway, so so what. Yes, I'll look better and my clothes will fit better, but who cares? I don't have anyone to look good for, I have no interest in clothes, and I don't care what other people think anyway!
There's loads more, but you get the gist. I can't find a single reason to stick with the diet that I care enough about. Nothing, zero, zip, nada...
Anyone still here? Sorry about the long post, but I can't help thinking surely I am not alone in this. I know most people struggle with motivation when it comes to dieting, but this is more about changing my lifestyle than a transitory diet, and it simply won't happen without a rock solid reason I can believe in with all my heart and soul.
I'm not stupid, and I know other people cannot give me a reason, but I did wonder if all these busy female minds (and any random males who are hovering in corners, trying to blend in with the cobwebs) could chew on the problem and, looking in from out there, maybe suggest something I haven't thought of. Real world groups are no use to me as I am not a social animal, but that also means relying on others and that goes against the basic principle here - if I can't do it myself, it isn't going to happen