Mental challenge

JamieZ0503
JamieZ0503 Posts: 24
in Health and Weight Loss
I was reading that weight loss is as much of a mental challenge as a physical one. How do you all keep your head in the game? I tend to give up easily and I don't want to be like that anymore!

Replies

  • jillmarie125
    jillmarie125 Posts: 418 Member
    i think its more of a mental challenge. the plan (cals in vs cals out) works. and while exercise helps burn calories, it is not needed for weightloss. Everyday you have to remember what you want. Do you want to eat too many calories and then possibly feel guilty after or do you want to stick to the plan and be proud knowing you are one day closer to your goal. I have been at this for some time now, and I still get stuck in mental ruts. When i just want to binge on pizza, chicken wings, and french fries. And I have. And sometimes it took me longer to get back on track and sometimes I could jump into the next day like nothing happened. To keep your head in the game, you just have to remember what you want. Keep reminding yourself that.

    Oh** and it really clicked for me, when what I wanted wasn't a number on the scale. It is to be fit and strong.
  • kendalslimmer
    kendalslimmer Posts: 579 Member
    edited October 2014
    Okay, Jillmarie and I are polls apart, because what keeps me in line is very simple: my scales. Every time I see cake/donuts/pizza I think about the fact that I'll have to weigh myself in the morning - and I make the right choice. I understand that water retention and muscle gain etc can increase/maintain weight, I do, but I don't want my bad food choices to do that job as well!
  • jillmarie125
    jillmarie125 Posts: 418 Member
    kendalslimmer wrote: »
    Okay, Jillmarie and I are polls apart, because what keeps me in line is very simple: my scales. Every time I see cake/donuts/pizza I think about the fact that I'll have to weigh myself in the morning - and I make the right choice. I understand that water retention and muscle gain etc can increase/maintain weight, I do, but I don't want my bad food choices to do that job as well!
    -
    - I was like that for the first 50 or so pounds lost when it was easy. Now that I am down around 85 and have about 10 more....the scale can no longer be motivation. I can gain 3 to 5 "scale pounds" in a day. But I can squat more than I could last month. I can do more burpees without wanting to kill someone than i could last month. That is motivation too.

  • terbusha
    terbusha Posts: 1,483 Member
    There's a few things that keep me mentally in check.
    1. I usually working towards a scary goal that takes work and dedication to get. Right now, I'm working hard for a physique show that I'm doing in July. I have to stay consistent, or I won't be where I want to be at that time.
    2. What is you why? You why is a deep-seated reason for you making these changes. It should be more powerful to you than your biggest excuse. Mine is to set a healthy example for my family. If I want my family to be healthy, I need to lead the way.
    3. Have a rock-solid support group that you can go to for support, advice, and encouragement.

    Allan
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    I want to be healthy. I want to be thin. I can't be those things and be fat.

    Generally, that's enough. I saw Gone Girl yesterday and got a reminder of how hot I am not, so that was helpful. I will never have young-woman, perky bosoms...but I can lose this weight, lol.

    You want it or you don't. If you don't, just keep eating and enjoy every donut and piece of fried stuff. That stuff tastes yummy and if you're eating it, you should enjoy it! If you want to thin and in better shape, do that and enjoy watching yourself slim down. It's hard work, but the results are fun! :)
  • jrline
    jrline Posts: 2,353 Member
    If you can get in the habit of logging everything daily you will beat the mental part. Good Luck

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  • onefortyone
    onefortyone Posts: 531 Member
    For me, I'm trying to develop healthier habits and ditch the bad habits for a lifetime. I am trying to change parts of who I am inside (the parts that believe I will be fat and lazy forever and have fat and lazy children), so for me, there's nothing to 'give up'. I didn't take on anything to 'give up'.

    I am learning proper portion sizes for foods, and I don't think I'll ever 'give up' looking at the labels on packaging. I don't think I'll ever 'give up' serving myself 1 portion, because, I learned I don't need more than that. I don't think I'll 'give up' eating vegetables or drinking water. Even if/when I stop counting calories, I will have learned how much to eat to maintain.

    As for fitness, I may take on and give up various hobbies/activities through time. But I don't think I will ever give up all activities. I love hiking, cycling, and walking. I like the feeling of pushing myself - it brings out my inner athlete. And for my health issues, being active most days is pretty much essential.

    So for the first time, I don't feel like 'giving up' is in the cards.
  • jkal1979
    jkal1979 Posts: 1,896 Member
    I made monthly goals that would help with my health and weight loss. They usually have to do with something that I'm struggling with at the time. This month I'm focusing on being consistent with my logging.

    Setting goals like this are easier for me since it keeps me from getting bored and I can control it better than saying I'm going to lose x amount of pounds in a certain time frame.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Weight-Solution-Keys-Freedom/dp/147675764X/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412870200&sr=1-9
    Forget about his television show.
    He gets the mental part right in his book. His background is in cognitive behavior -- retraining yourself wrt to thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

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