Ever Feel Overwhelmed? I sure do!

stephmw9

Hey guys,
I've been on a roll lately with losing weight but started feeling a little overwhelmed last week. I think i'm just overwhelmed by the amount of weight I still need to lose. I'm down to 215 ish, but still need to lose at least 65 more.

Any tips for not feeling overwhelmed, or giving up? or seeing the light at the end of the tunnel?

lgtijerina

Not sure if this will help, but what I have done is set mini goals. For example, 120 days before my birthday I decided that I wanted to lose 20 lbs. I have 28 days to go and I have dropped 12 of the 20 lbs. I have lost almost 90 lbs this way. I sometimes think about how I still have another 40-50 lbs to go and get a little overwhelmed, but then I concentrate on my current mini goal and it seems so much managable. Good Luck.

cebreisch

At 300 pounds, Yes, I still feel overwhelmed at the amount I have left to go. I'd like to get down to about 150 range myself.

I can't let myself focus on the distance...have to focus on the now and exercise patience. I can put on weight in a blink, but it'll take weeks to take off the same weight gained. Life's weird that way.

The more I set shorter 5-10 pound goals, the easier it is for me to reach them - at least with trying to lose weight.

Nobody begins riding a bike by just jumping on and doing it without some crashing, bumps and bruises. It takes time and persistence and patience. This road's just a bit longer is all. Think about what people had to do to get from here to China before planes. It could take months of who knows what kind of travel. There are things we can do to make the trip more comfortable, but we still must endure the process whether by boat or by plane.

Do an estimate of 0-2 pounds a week and you could be at 65 pounds lost within the next year. Maybe set a goal for New Years Eve 12/31/2015...if you hit your goal, go to Time Square in NYC??

Mediocrates55

I like to break it up into manageable goals - 10 or 20 pounds at a time. And then celebrate the hell out of those. It's also fun to look around and try to find things that weigh the amount you've lost. For me, it's more than my 6 year old, almost as much as TEN five pound packs of ground beef, six of the eight-pound packages of chicken breasts we buy, or almost two 24 packs of pop. I'm weird like that though.

segacs

Read item #2 here: http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-ways-youre-sabotaging-your-own-life-without-knowing-it/

Focus on the little bit you have to do every day, not on the end goal. You'll get there.

futuremanda

Definitely use mini goals!

If your ticker is correct, only 3 more lbs before you've lost 20 total! There's a fantastic mini goal right there.

I also like to focus on mini achievements. Think of what you've already accomplished, and pat yourself on the back for it. Lots. Write it down, even.

You started. You have a # of days you've stuck to it. You probably have a number of times you wanted to quit, but didn't. You have lbs and inches lost and probably feel differently. You've probably learned lots of great things, and are practicing others. There are lots of things you can remind yourself of.

And I don't know if you are exercising, but set tons of fitness mini goals and pat yourself on the back for every little achievement too. Like if you start planking and can only hold it 5 seconds, really commit that feeling to memory. Because the day you nail 1 minute, you'll want to remember that 5 second start day.

Think ahead, too. How awesome will you feel at 30 lbs down or 40 lbs or 50! Or goal weight! And how proud of all the things that you found challenging along the way, that you worked through. That it wasn't always perfect or easy but that's what makes it an achievement.

And finally... it's not like you start being acceptable the day you hit goal weight. Every single day you are growing and taking care of yourself (assuming you are), and working hard for something. You're great now, you were great 17 lbs ago, you'll be great at goal weight. So try not to do the "ugh so many lbs until goal weight" because... it's not a magical switch flip to anything.

JenniferInCt

I also tell myself- ill either feel overwhelmed by how much i have to lose (but great about myself for trying, eating better, increased energy, and exercising) or ill feel overwhelmed by being big, not working out, having crappy energy levels, etc.. Yes its overwhelming but each pound adds up and is one lb less than the day before. Just keep at it. Motivation comes and goes. Be proud of yourself for doing it, no matter the outcome.

TimothyFish

I don't focus on the end goal much. Its just something I'm doing right now and something I'll keep doing next week and the next week. Eventually, I'll reach the end of this thing I'm doing and I'll have to change my eating habits again. But for now, this is what I'm doing.

LuckyMe2017

We often have anxiety about the unknown or things we don't have total control over. I have mini goals as well but have been obsessing over weight loss since day one of my journey.

For me, the mini goals as well as tracking progress towards end goal helps. For example, I have lost 10% of total weight. I am a third of the way to my goal (just two more thirds to go!). I have set a personal weight loss record. My previous highest weight loss was 17 pounds... And so I on.

I am not sure how long you've been at this, but for me the anxiety has lessened over the 8 wks since I started.

I really want to get off my BP meds and do a 5k. Those are measurable goals that will help me get to my weight goals. You might try such motivators that aren't Solely related to weight. Maybe get a motivation pic or put aside a garment you want to fit into.

Best!

tulips_and_tea

Good advice has been given so far. Definitely just keep telling yourself that if you give up you will ALWAYS regret it. And you will have gone backwards. Yes, look forward to mini-goals, as everyone has said, but also look back and enjoy and celebrate your success!

stephmw9

Thank you for all the replies! I was away from the computer yesterday but it's so awesome to read everyone's advice.

Thank you all!

I will try and make more "mini goals", not just look at the ultimate goal.

luluinca

I've been here for almost 1.5 years and have lost 60 of the 70 lbs I want to lose. Looking back now, I'm so glad I stuck with it and didn't give up or get distracted, or I wouldn't be here now. This could be you next year. You have to decide what you want, and then go get it, in whichever way works best for you.

beets4us

Every day, even if you haven't lost anything, is an accomplishment. It means you have successfully kept the weight off! When I experience the inevitable frustration with slow loss, I remind myself that at least I am not gaining weight. That's where I would be if I was not doing this! I'd rather be losing weight slowly than continuing to pack on the pounds.

TheSatinPumpkin

one day at a time and with time blitzing by faster every year (my perception anyway) it will be 02.25.2016 before you know it.