I'm so sick of being on a weightloss journey!!!

zyxst

OP, I go through that thinking every day. Welcome to my "journey". It's frustrating and it pisses me off, even moreso dealing with what other people believe I'm eating. Last night, MIL talked about offering my husband apple pie and ice cream and when I perked up (at the time I could have some; this happened before the cookie dough), she said I wasn't allowed desserts and that hubby had said I didn't need them. I knew that hubby would never answer for me, especially about apple pie.

Yes, it's annoying to be the one out who's keeping track of intake (and other things if you have medical issues) and have to say "No I can't eat that" when you're out with friends or your bday or whatever. I hate having to explain that it's that I don't have calorie room to eat these wings, not that I don't want them.

artsycella

I posted some of this in another forum, but I thought it might help you here too to tell you a little about my experience.

Last year I decided I wanted to lose weight and get in shape. I was very serious and dedicated. I bought a cheap elliptical, got workout gear, clothes, all that stuff. I decided I would exercise 45 minutes a day at least 5-6 days a week.

And I did, for about three weeks. But here's the thing... I was a total couch potato before I started doing that, and it was really hard to go from nothing to that. I was exhausted. My body hurt a lot. So then I went on a work trip, and I had every intention of using the hotel gym, but I forgot my exercise shoes and my sports bra, and then the gym actually cost $20 per day to use, and I fell off the exercise wagon.

I didn't get back on it, either. Once I hadn't been exercising for a few days, I felt so much better. That sounds silly and counter-intuitive, I know, but it was true. I didn't ache, I wasn't tired all of the time! And so of course then I didn't want to go back to killing myself. I felt guilty, so I stopped counting calories and stopped logging into to MFP, before you know it, a year had passed and I was back up to my starting weight.

This time around, I've been using MFP for about twice as long. But I wanted it to last this time for me--my mom has been a yo-yo dieter all my life and I don't want to be that kind of person or live that kind of lifestyle! I read up a lot on the psychology of exercise and weight loss and I heard over and over again that making big drastic changes all at once is hard to sustain

So this time I've started much more simply. A calorie deficit set to lose .5 lb/week. I did that for a few weeks by itself. Then, in order to care for myself on the fitness side of things, I decided to start taking walks as often as I could. Just walks. And no set time limit or number of times per week--just as often as I could. It usually ended up being about 1.5 miles 2-3 times per week. On the days when I don't walk, I try to do some sit-up and push-ups. Again, no set number--just as many as I find the time and have the strength to do.

After doing that for a while, I added in going to the gym during my lunch break one day a week. It's a pretty simple routine, and if I miss a week, I'm still doing everything else and I don't feel like my entire plan for fitness has failed. It also means that if I plan to go on Tuesday and I'm too busy or too tired, I just go on Wednesday instead. I don't feel guilty, I don't feel like a failure, and I'm still being healthy and losing weight.

I'm usually a Plan and Schedule kind of person, but this time around I'm trying to make a long term change that is easy enough for me that I don't want to stop doing it. So far I've lost 17 pounds, which in 2 months is waaaaay more than I expected. It also feels, well, pretty easy. In fact, I'm shocked that I can drink wine, eat custard, cake, pizza, tacos, burgers, etc. (just not all at once!) and still see a loss on the scale. It really feels like a lifestyle change this time around, not a crazy regimented diet.

Eventually, I'll up my gym time to twice a week. Once that becomes a habit, I'll probably up it again, or think about getting involved in a an exercise program, or something, but I'm not thinking too far ahead. One healthy step at a time.

Good luck to you on your journey, and please just consider that it doesn't have to be hard. It can be easy. You can make small steps towards being healthier and still see real results. I hope you find a way to make it work for you!

bcattoes

Breaking old habits and forming new habits is hard. And that's what you are doing. But the longer you do things they more they do become habits, and the easier they get. You will learn that you don't have to feel guilty about cupcakes on your birthday, and you'll learn how to make better choices when eating out. It will be easy because it's what you do. It's not new for you, it's normal for you.

Just stick with it. I guarantee that you are not going to be perfect every day, but you can reach your goal anyway. Life is not all perfect days where we pat ourselves on the back for being so perfect. Sometimes we mess up. It's what we do next that determines our success.

likitisplit

Congratulations on doing C25k. I think it's the best thing you can be doing. When you're really heavy, yes, you need to focus on your weight loss. But, when you get closer to your weight goal, it's better to start focusing on other fitness related things.

Yes, watch what you eat. However, crossing that 5k finish line in under 40 minutes is so much more satisfying than another pound down. And being active is going to take care of that occasional extra cupcake without you having to worry much about it.

Also realize that the beginning is tough. In a few more weeks, it'll be more of a habit and you'll know generally when to stop eating.

dannyXoxo

Happy belated btw hope you had a good bday. It's important to know that first off, everyone has days were they are frustrated and tired and feel like its never ending but once you reach your goals it makes it all worth it, I promise! As for your excersize I think 7 days a week is alot or working out. You need to give your body at least a day off to heal and relax, not to mention give your mind a chance to relax. You don't want to burn yourself out. I use to feel weird not hitting up the gym or working out but I realized I feel alot better taking a day off (mind you I still watch what I eat) but you get the idea. This is a lifestyle change and it shouldn't feel like a tiresome battle or be frustrating you. You should enjoy the ride and my bf is the same way... He eats out and thinks that just cause I work out now I can eat w.e and not worry. When that happens I usually tell him my opinions and then pick a healthier option to eat good luck

nicola1141

Yeah motivation ebbs and flows and it's important to just remember that this is a long-term (forever?!) plan. So you should never feel guilty about having cupcakes on your birthday!!! I thinkt he first couple of weeks are easier because your motivation is high. Then around the 4 week mark it gets tiring and motivation wanes. You just have to push through and the motivation will come back (and it will wane again at some point, and come back, etc., etc.) I figure I try to be as "good" as possible and take advantage of every day that I feel fully motivated. That way I can feel less guilty for days I don't give 100% on my workouts, or go over my calories, etc.

Timshel_

This is not a journey becuase really there should be no end to lviing healthy. You are merely retraining yourself to make the better choices in what you eat, how you eat, and mostly how MUCH you eat. You exercise for life becuase it helps you hae a quality of life many are missing and maybe give you some longevity. There is no time on or time off. There is no falling off a wagon or cheat days.

You are working to be healthy, and that will be for the rest of your life. With that, you don't need to completely give up eating good foods. It is always about moderation.

queenjustine03

I know how you feel, it is somewhat frustrating at times. Especially when someone next to you is eating whatever they want! My boyfriend lives on pizza pops.. (my favourite) and chips and HE'S SKINNY! But, the way I've done it, and I feel as though I've been quite successful in my journey so far, that I haven't restricted myself completely. I am a junk food ADDICT and a chocolate fiend! So I have the odd treat. My house has a big bag of little mini dark chocolate squares. I have one every few days when I really want chocolate. (I prefer milk chocolate, but dark fulfills the craving and you only need one or two!) It's your birthday, have two cupcakes! How long is it going to be until your next cupcake? Just remember you can't eat them everyday. But if you're really craving something, have a bit in moderation. Because if you're completely depriving yourself of something you love, you won't stick to your lifestyle change. My whole family decided to go on "Gluten Free" diet. I'm not 100% supportive of this diet, but in support of cutting back carbs. (I'm a carb addict as well... I eat all the wrong things. :P) But now I've cut back a lot, and I feel fabulous! I have probably 1-2 servings of carbs a day and it suffices my cravings. (Plus, if you can eat nuts.. they help too!

Don't restrict yourself completely, remember, slow and steady! If you create yourself something that you'll be able to keep up, you'll succeed. It's not a temporary thing, because after you've lost the weight you have to maintain it! Make a lifestyle change. So don't be super strict on yourself! And if you are that crazy about one extra cupcake on your birthday, add an extra 15-20 minutes to your work out!

We can do it together!

Jewels_in_the_rough

Yeah, it can get annoying to constantly be thinking about what you eat and how much activity you get. I totally understand and relate to how you can become sick of doing it.

But I also try am sick of being overweight. I'm sick of not being happy with what I see in the mirror. I'm sick of not be confident because of my body, etc, etc.

So which am I more sick of? Which is more important to me in the long run? Just keep reminding yourself why you are doing it, and push through, and know you can reach your goals.

cwolfman13

You say "lifestyle"...but you're not treating it as such. "lifestyle" is sustainable. You maybe need to re-evaluate...maybe cut yourself some slack. My lifestyle, for example, includes a whole lot of nutrient dense whole foods and good eating...but you better believe I'm going to have a cupcake or whatever on my birthday.

Lifestyle is about what you do most of the time...you're trying to be 100% restrictive and that is doomed to failure...100% restrictive isn't a "lifestyle" that is generally sustainable.

I eat 80-90% good, nutritious foods...but I also allow myself some pleasures, and do so without guilt. Life would just suck without them. I've also lost 40 Lbs along the way and counting. You don't have to deny yourself all of the time. Take a more moderate approach and really treat it like a lifestyle.

Hanfordrose

So, I guess that was beneficial! Hopefully somebody responds in a way that I'm like "yeah, that's exactly what I needed to hear!"

Well...Sorry, Sis. I can't give you sympathy. That is not what I am feeling.

On my 68th birthday in February, I was about 2 months into my time on MFP. I went out to lunch at my all time favorite restaurant with my very supportive hubbie. This was my idea...not his. However, I took the time to plan out my favorite meal...with the manager and chef of this fancy restaurant, days in advance. I didn't feel deprived, because I got what I wanted. Better yet, I had leftovers enough for dinner...AND...the whole day was still within my calorie limit for that day.

Planning is part of my life now. Yes. Sometimes, I do have to make a last minute change; but I DO NOT give myself permission to exceed my calorie limit. That's called commitment.

You are wanting to lose almost 140 pounds. I know that you didn't expect that to happen in the first month. It has taken me 6 months of commitment to lose 50 pounds...without FREE DAYS. Other folks may chose to be off their exercise routine or their food plan limit from time to time; but I can't afford to be that free wheeling. I have a goal that will change my life. If I want to stay fat, miserable and bound to a wheelchair for the rest of my life...all I have to do is feel sorry for myself and go right back to my old WAY OF LIFE...eating myself fatter with every passing day.

Is your goal really important to you? Are you willing to make sacrifices? That's what this is all about.

Your hubbie needs to be on board for this change of life, or he will sabotage you constantly. Something tells me that you haven't convinced him or yourself that you REALLY WANT this change in your life. If you really want it, then you better convince him that this isn't a joke...something to pick up and put down with every passing craving and whim.

If you are committed, it will get easier...honestly...it will. It will take a LONG TIME to lose almost 140 pounds; but you will succeed, if you are willing to really go for it...in good times and in bad times.

As for working out with your hubbie, it sounds like a problem area. I love my hubbie, but I work out ALONE. I don't need his input, good or bad, when I am working out. It is MY WORKOUT. Your workout needs to be FOR YOU alone.

Again...sorry, but I can't join the sympathizers. I am way too busy losing weight and reaching out for my new life. You're welcome to join me. We both need to lose about the same amount of weight. 199 pounds is just the first step for me.