I need advice for helping my sister get motivated and lose some weight. At a very young age she was found to have a very low motor-skill index, and has some learning disabilities. The low-motor skill index means that even if she was in shape, she would not be a good runner or swimmer.

She's now in her mid-twenties, and she lives a very sendentary life. She really wants to loose weight, but she can't seem to either get the motivation or the willpower. I believe that her obese weight is really recking havoc on what her life could be (less friends, less options, less self-esteme).

Since I live quite far away from her, I cannot take her out for exercise (which I would gladly do if I could). Seeing some of the rave reviews over DDR, I was thinking about buying her a playstation and that game. But I would like other input as well.

Any ideas on motivating my sis?

It's really hard to give any advice since I don't know her and how she "works". Things that are inspiring to one person may not be the right thing for another.

After I started loosing weight, many I know has been inspired by my progress and started doing something about their life too, which I again find very inspiring...I can't let them down, can I?

One of my friends and coworkers has actually went down from a massive 320lbs to 198lbs in less than 6 months! :claplow:

I think maybe one important thing you could do is to motivate her to start, at least with something. It could be as little as walking or biking or something a couple a days a week, give her tips on how to improve her eating habits...just to get the ball rolling.

Once she has started, it'll be very important to follow her, give her feedback on her progress, compliments etc. That'll build self esteem and confidence as well as motivate her for further efforts.

I started easy, adjusting my diet, and after a month, I was working out 4 times a week. Now, about 8 months later, I'm working out 5-7 times a week, and I can't imagine going back to my habits in "my 7 fat years", as I call it.

Hope this helps :tu:

show her the transformations in the media gallery here. that should give ANYONE motivation. Show her mine. I lost 92 lbs since last September and hell it wasn't even that hard... you just need to be dedicated and follow the rules you lay out for yourself and you'll be there before you know it...its just a matter of time. I dunno about the ddr idea...if someone got me that when I was fat I would have felt kind of insulted maybe...that people feel i need to lose weight THAT BAD...kind of embarassing...
Good luck with getting her started though!!! :nod:

I should clarify that I'm looking for other motivational methods. She's seen me loose 50 lbs. My brother has also lost weight. but these things will not motivate her.

Actually, I suppose I'm looking for alternative exercises such as DDR because she will not go running or lift weights.

I need advice for helping my sister get motivated and lose some weight. At a very young age she was found to have a very low motor-skill index, and has some learning disabilities. The low-motor skill index means that even if she was in shape, she would not be a good runner or swimmer.

She's now in her mid-twenties, and she lives a very sendentary life. She really wants to loose weight, but she can't seem to either get the motivation or the willpower. I believe that her obese weight is really recking havoc on what her life could be (less friends, less options, less self-esteme).

Since I live quite far away from her, I cannot take her out for exercise (which I would gladly do if I could). Seeing some of the rave reviews over DDR, I was thinking about buying her a playstation and that game. But I would like other input as well.

Any ideas on motivating my sis?

sw, here in lies the problem. You can't. External motivation is like that first cup of coffee in the morning. It gets you going but the steam runs out fast. I'm speaking from experience here. For years, and I mean literally years I can't tell you how many of my friends and family tried to motivate me. It worked for a short while but eventually I fell off the wagon. It finally came down to me making the choice to make the changes. That's why I put that quote by Gordon on my sig file. You can't change people, you can only change yourself. If by changing yourself it makes other people want to change then great. If they don't want to change, then great as well.

The best thing you can do is ask her what she wants to do. Explain to her that the motivation is going to have to come from her and no one else. Support her in whatever she does. This is the only answer I've ever found to work. For example, one of my cousins has so many ailments that I can't even begin to scratch the surface but he kept going to a local doctor I went to whom me and my best friend agreed is a quack. My cousin kept getting sicker but would get mad at us if we suggested he switch doctors to get a better diagnosis. Maybe he was afraid to find out what the doc told him wasn't right. But the doc had him on, literally, enough medications that he had to carry them around in a bag. He finally got sick enough that he did switch and he's doing better. I stopped trying to tell him long ago that he's best to switch and let him come to his conclusion on his own. In the end, one's own experiences are the best teacher rather than trying to learn from someone else.

So don't try to motivate her. Just try to steer her in the right direction as her motivations comes, if ever. Continue to love her and support her in what she chooses to ultimately do. That's all we can ever truly do. Best of luck.

Todd

You could give her an incentive or make a bet with her...
Also, you could buy her a weight set or a manual tredmill (for walking) or something like that...or even an mp3 player to listen to while she walks or soemthing...
I was very inspired by BFL, and if you're looking for something less "you need to lose weight, yo!" you can find other books that can inspire people to do something with their lives..its hard to say what shes in to, since I don't know her, but "Its Not About the Bike" by Lance Armstrong made me just want to DO something with my life; helped me understand that I'm young and I'm lucky and its important to get off my ass and make the best choices I can for a better future, and live for today!
Have you thought about talking to her friends (if you already know them, dont' go out of your way) and seeing if they're interested in working out too...maybe if you get her friends involved she'll be more inclined to lose weight as well...

I should clarify that I'm looking for other motivational methods. Actually, I suppose I'm looking for alternative exercises such as DDR because she will not go running or lift weights.

She might repond to exercising with someone. If family members or friends could be there, doing it as a team effort. Maybe a church group or YWCA might have a program.

It might not be motivation to lose weight that draws her in, but companionship and fun.

Just try to steer her in the right direction as her motivations comes, if ever. Continue to love her and support her in what she chooses to ultimately do. That's all we can ever truly do. Best of luck.

Todd

I totally agree with Todd. If she ever wants to get inspired or motivated. Here are my pics that she can see.

http://www.valeriefontanez.com/knotbio/images/Val_weight.jpg

Good Luck to her.
Val :d_smile: