Re:Ask HN: How do you motivate yourself to exercise or eat h...
by DrScump on Wednesday July 15, 2015 @04:54AM
(#9890361)
Besides look in the mirror?
But seriously, in my case, I'm determined to never become an insulin-dependent diabetic. I was over 340 lbs. 16 years ago (and believe it or not, I was not a big eater compared to male peers), then I read about low-carbohydrate eating strategies, and had slow but significant success (lost over 120 lbs in a 20-month span).
But getting back to the question: my motivators were/are:
1) appearance
2) staving off degenerative disease (diabetes, heart disease, etc.)
3) activity enjoyment (e.g. hiking, volleyball, etc... weight is a limiting factor and contributes to injury)
My biggest problem is maintaining a regimen when I am not getting results. This is how I derailed in the first place in my late 20s -- despite running 4-6 miles 2-3 times a week, I couldn't lose an ounce.
Also, keep up on current science: for example, you could expend a lot of effort doing something that isn't that helpful if you a part of the population that is a low genetic responder to cardio (see the University of Bath study as covered in Michael Mosley's "The Truth About Exercise" on PBS). In my case, I also exhibit the classic symptoms of AD-36 exposure, so I have a tougher row to hoe.
But seriously, in my case, I'm determined to never become an insulin-dependent diabetic. I was over 340 lbs. 16 years ago (and believe it or not, I was not a big eater compared to male peers), then I read about low-carbohydrate eating strategies, and had slow but significant success (lost over 120 lbs in a 20-month span).
But getting back to the question: my motivators were/are: 1) appearance 2) staving off degenerative disease (diabetes, heart disease, etc.) 3) activity enjoyment (e.g. hiking, volleyball, etc... weight is a limiting factor and contributes to injury)
My biggest problem is maintaining a regimen when I am not getting results. This is how I derailed in the first place in my late 20s -- despite running 4-6 miles 2-3 times a week, I couldn't lose an ounce.
Also, keep up on current science: for example, you could expend a lot of effort doing something that isn't that helpful if you a part of the population that is a low genetic responder to cardio (see the University of Bath study as covered in Michael Mosley's "The Truth About Exercise" on PBS). In my case, I also exhibit the classic symptoms of AD-36 exposure, so I have a tougher row to hoe.