what keeps you on track?

earthbound95

I had a good 23 day streak of eating right and exercising consistently, and then...nothing. Its like I convinced myself I could take a day off, which became a whole week off my health regimine. Its discouraging because I feel like the results of my workout efforts have faded and now im starting over. What keeps you from losing dedication? i have more than enough reasons that weight loss is necessary and would be beneficial, but its staying on track over the course of months that really do me in. I can keep a good rregimen going for about a month before sliding dangerously close to my old ways lol -_- ideas?

Koorii

Honestly, as hard as it may seem, you don't want to take days off for the first month or two, if you have a choice. That time period seems to be the hardest to get through, and you are very vulnerable to falling back into old habits.

For me, the breaking point was/still is taking care of my granddad. He has Alzheimer's, and I told my self that I would do anything in my power to prevent that from happening to me. And although few thing about preventing or treating Alzheimer's has been confirmed, I figured that being as healthy as I can be is a good start.

That has kept me going for 8 months, and will keep me going for the rest of my life. It only gets easier, and you will get to a point where you can safely and consciously take a day off (I'm taking a day off today) and not fall back into your old habits.

One more thing you need to understand, is that if you mess up/eat a little extra, it isn't the end of the world. Just get back on the horse. I used to miss a workout and thought that my whole week was ruined, so I would wait until the following week to start again. That is the wrong choice. As long as your healthy choices outweigh the unhealthy choices, you will make progress.

earthbound95

thank you for your feedback. 8 months is great congratulations on stickin with it:) I think you make a very valid point regarding the necessity to stay healthy to reduce risks of diseases like alz. its nice to get a serious response from someone regaurding this issue, my SO and family ddefinately dont make a healthy lifestyle priority and they often make me feel like i'm overreacting to consider health important. Im starting fresh today:)

Azuriaz

earthbound95 wrote: »

I had a good 23 day streak of eating right and exercising consistently, and then...nothing. Its like I convinced myself I could take a day off, which became a whole week off my health regimine. Its discouraging because I feel like the results of my workout efforts have faded and now im starting over. What keeps you from losing dedication? i have more than enough reasons that weight loss is necessary and would be beneficial, but its staying on track over the course of months that really do me in. I can keep a good rregimen going for about a month before sliding dangerously close to my old ways lol -_- ideas?

Knowing that I'll do exactly what you did and how I'll feel about it afterward is a big part of what keeps me on track. But it doesn't always stop me, sad to say, or I wouldn't be gaining and losing the same blasted 20+ pounds over and over.

Sabrinarose8

Do you think you could be trying to change too much at one time? It might be easier to to just stick to 1 healthy behavior a time, then once it becomes easy for you (habitual, and you almost never even think about it) add another. for instance maybe just focus on logging and staying under a reasonable calorie goal consistently for a few months, then add in x number of workouts per week.

earthbound95

Sabrinarose8 wrote: »

Do you think you could be trying to change too much at one time? It might be easier to to just stick to 1 healthy behavior a time, then once it becomes easy for you (habitual, and you almost never even think about it) add another. for instance maybe just focus on logging and staying under a reasonable calorie goal consistently for a few months, then add in x number of workouts per week.

yeah that is likely part of it, trying to focus on too many goals at once. its hard to accept because i feel like i should be able to eat right in addition to exercising regularly however the times i slip up tend to be moments when i feel overwelmed with life in general, work, family ect. i just want to feel like i can accomplish everything haha /:

Azuriaz

earthbound95 wrote: »

Sabrinarose8 wrote: »

Do you think you could be trying to change too much at one time? It might be easier to to just stick to 1 healthy behavior a time, then once it becomes easy for you (habitual, and you almost never even think about it) add another. for instance maybe just focus on logging and staying under a reasonable calorie goal consistently for a few months, then add in x number of workouts per week.

yeah that is likely part of it, trying to focus on too many goals at once. its hard to accept because i feel like i should be able to eat right in addition to exercising regularly however the times i slip up tend to be moments when i feel overwelmed with life in general, work, family ect. i just want to feel like i can accomplish everything haha /:

Stress is a huge trigger for a lot of people. Perhaps you could channel your stress into your workout routines? (Without injuring yourself overdoing it, of course!). I find that helps. I get stressed, I have a two wheeled, metal framed therapist to go ride. I love it. I think I need to put air in the tires again today, though.

kjurassic

I've been doing this almost TWO YEARS!!! Wanting it bad enough and weighing daily keeps me on track. I don't EVER want to have to lose 95 pounds again. Once is enough!

earthbound95

@Azuriaz

yeah stress is definitely part of the weightloss struggle, its tough to be consistent when you feel like you "deserve" a break. I try various things to manage stress, something that's been really helpful for me is yoga.

earthbound95

kjurassic wrote: »

I've been doing this almost TWO YEARS!!! Wanting it bad enough and weighing daily keeps me on track. I don't EVER want to have to lose 95 pounds again. Once is enough!

it helps knowing that others are going through the same thing, its not just my weak will also knowing that its possible to accomplish your goal is reassuring, good job losin those 95 lbs def no small feat:)

jazzyj1230

I have only been going for 15 days but I recently had the same experience you did. I had family come to visit and all the sudden my old eating habits were right back to where they were. It took me a few days to get back on track, but I did it. What I always try to tell myself is a quote I found on pintrest (im sure you have heard it before) "saying- Ive already cheated today on my diet so I might as well eat whatever I want- is the same as - I already have a crack in my phone screen so I might as well just stomp my phone into the ground." Also I remind myself how hard it is for me to get back on track and I ask myself "is it really worth that caramel apple? or whatever food you are wanting to over indulge in"

Also what helps me is I will watch videos on youtube of people who have lost weight. I see people who have set goals about how they want to look at Christmas or New Years or whatever. I think about what I would like to look like at those Holidays and that really keeps me going. I want to be able to look cute in my outfit during New Years, not wondering if everyone is secretly thinking things like "wow is she really wearing that?" I want to feel confident by then!

Also when I have run out of calories and feel like I want something more I do things like brush my teeth or put in a teeth whitener. Then that way I wont eat a ton of sweets or junk food ( maybe this only works for me idk?)