Yo-yo Dieter Here

daniellecollins20

The problem with me and dieting is lack of focus, lack of ambition, lack of energy, lack of self-discipline and lack of support. Each week I'm going to really focus on one of these problem areas and address ways I can better myself. This week is going to be all about focus. Logging my food religiously and really making sure I stick to my calorie needs, also ensuring that I get at least thirty minutes of physical activity every day. If anyone has helpful tips to accomplishing these goals or upcoming weekly goals, I would really appreciate the guidance.

stm712015

Wow, you're coming from such a place of "lack". I think anyone would feel overwhelmed when looking at a diet this way. In reality, you need to make a life style change (not go on a diet) and that's the easy part. The hard part is reframing the mental approach you take because that's what's going to carry you through in the long run.

I remember when I was young and feeling powerless over my weight. It was awful and I came from a place of "lack". I've been up and down with my weight many times in my life, getting down to my ideal weight and maintaining for a few years before allowing myself to creep back up. Even though I've technically been a yo-yo dieter because of my fluctuations in weight, I also feel I've been successful because I know what it takes to lose weight and keep it off for several years. It's been a learning process and each time I've lost the weight it's given me a sense of empowerment. I've done it before, so I know I can do it again. I love that! My focus this time is much more on how I can maintain my loss for life, so I'm already thinking about the maintenance phase and looking at how to reframe my diet into life-long habits instead of 2-4 year habits.

I tell you all this, because your post seems so self-negative and powerless in the way it's worded. And one of the most important parts of losing weight and keeping it off is finding that part of yourself that says you are in control; you "lack nothing" because you have what it takes within you to do this; feel empowered and KNOW that you got this. Having a positive outlook is essential, especially for those times when the scale doesn't move as quickly as you want, or you're tired and don't feel like exercising.

So, my long winded advice is to:

1. take it one day at a time. Wake up each morning and decide you're going to give it your best effort. Don't look at what you lack, but look at how determined you are and how you feel better each day with each change you make towards a healthy life. If you fall off the wagon, get back on and tell yourself it's okay to not be perfect.
2. honestly - down to every last morsel - track your food. It's extremely enlightening. Find where you can improve and then make those changes. Lots of vegetables and protein keep me satisfied w/out going over my calorie allowance.
3. as much as possible, try to prepare your meals ahead of time. Pre-logging your meals into the food diary is also helpful. These two things help me more than anything to stay on track and not splurge.
4. if you aren't use to exercise, start small. Your body will begin to respond and change a few weeks into it and then it gets easier and easier to do more.
5. pay attention to non-scale victories. Take pictures and measurements now so that when your weight plateaus and you feel discouraged, you have other areas to measure you progress from. It's not all about the number, it's about how you feel.
6. try positive affirmations and don't allow the negative "lack" mindset to creep in. Making this change in your life requires you to feel empowered and able. Own it!