Lost momentum

Prettyinpaisley

After 3 years of constant logging and monitoring, I lost 45 lbs, which was honestly about 10lbs below my goal weight. People were saying I looked too thin, so I thought I could stop logging to put back on a few pounds. Problem is, I've gained back 20 lbs, and now I have work to do again. I got rid of all my clothes that were too big, and now everything is starting to feel snug again.

I think I'm realizing that the journey will never be over. I lost all the momentum, and have to regain focus. Does anyone have any ideas for how to regain momentum?

trollerskates

I caught a spark and honestly dont know how i did it. Watch a bunch of youtube videos to afirm your new choices. And make a menu for this coming week. You got this

sijomial

I let my weight slide upwards following a recurrence of a chronic back condition, resulting inactivity, feeling fed up and combined with the added temptations of Christmas.

Was lazy about reversing it until I set myself a cycling challenge. Even then really didn't commit to dieting back down until a friend made the comment:
"You're determined, you know how to do it, when you want to then you will."

Really brought back into sharp focus that the responsibility for everything that passes my lips rests with me - every bite is a choice.

Actually lost the weight easily (9lbs in 10 weeks) by keeping my calorie goal at maintenance but having a mixture of maintenance days and deficit days when it fitted in with lifestyle, exercise etc.

bradmorris67

Paisley - who said it was hard to regain focus? You did it before (track record), just do it again. No need to over-complicate yourself.
or in the words of that great modern day philospher Shai Le Beouf ....
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZXsQAXx_ao0

Morgaen73

I'm right where you are. I want to lose a few more kilos but I think I've slipped into a maintenance mindset. URGH!!!! No idea how to get out of it.

DebSozo

trollerskates wrote: »

I caught a spark and honestly dont know how i did it. Watch a bunch of youtube videos to afirm your new choices. And make a menu for this coming week. You got this

I did that. I watched (healthy) weight loss youtube testimonials one after the other until I started telling myself, "If they can do it, so can I!" I love before and after photos of real people. They are inspiring.

DebSozo

sijomial wrote: »

Actually lost the weight easily (9lbs in 10 weeks) by keeping my calorie goal at maintenance but having a mixture of maintenance days and deficit days when it fitted in with lifestyle, exercise etc.

I am setting my calorie goals for the maintenance weight that I want to be. That way I am already at aspired maintenance calories before I get to maintenance. (But I am only 10 pounds away from goal so I am transitioning ahead of time so I keep it off.)

dopeysmelly

I did this recently.

You just sit down and do it the first time. Log one day and every day after that is progressively easier, and you'll be wandering why you thought it was difficult.

And, honestly, you never have to start from scratch again. You already know what to do.

skinnyforhi

Congrats on your weight loss! 10 pounds is nothing compared to what you have already done! Just tell yourself that in 10-12 weeks it will all be gone, and in 5-6 weeks you'll be halfway to your goal (depending on how you do your settings).

RoxieDawn

You can't go back and undo anything.. its in the past. Anything that happened yesterday or 5 minutes ago is now in the past. But you can change the future. Everything is hard the first time. The second time... meh.. not so much.

You already know how to do it. Today or this week is no different.. you are already skilled in this/ We all can inspire each other, but no one can turn the magic light on for us, we have to do it ourselves.. Just go turn back on the switch..

Francl27

Just ask yourself if you really want to go and buy bigger clothes...

a_candler

I'm the same way. My husband gave me a ton of crappie over looking too skinny. I admit I did look skinny up top and in face, but not unhealthy. Anyways, I've let it slide gained am lost 10 lbs. Which I'm OK with but I've completely stopped working out which isn't helping with keeping things toned!

I've got to find a way to stick with my goals while also finding a compromise or something with my husband.

dopeysmelly

a_candler wrote: »

I'm the same way. My husband gave me a ton of crappie over looking too skinny. I admit I did look skinny up top and in face, but not unhealthy. Anyways, I've let it slide gained am lost 10 lbs. Which I'm OK with but I've completely stopped working out which isn't helping with keeping things toned!

I've got to find a way to stick with my goals while also finding a compromise or something with my husband.

I found that it took a good year for my weight to settle on my body after losing it. I felt kinda skinny at first but the skin etc. just settled.

nxd10

The goal is not to lose the weight, it's to maintain a healthy weight forever. Personally, I think that's what makes it easier - every day I step on the scale and I'm still there, I celebrate.

bellabonbons

Motivation comes and goes. Dedication is what bridges the gap. Pain is the glue of transformation. Just be relentless with effort and the outcome will be a positive one.

bellabonbons

Finally, it's becoming a way of life. Joining the MFP community turned my life around. No more guilt about food. I learned that we all struggle. I felt guilty because I could eat an entire bag of cookies in two days. Even the most successful struggle with weight loss. It's not as complex as we make it.

I actually love logging now. Don't stop. Keep logging. Keep trying. It will become a new and rewarding lifestyle for you. You can do it.

Tubbs216

I made a folder on my PC called 'Fat Pics'. A little browse through that is enough to re-motivate me.
You can do it!

llbrixon

I am getting very close to my maintance goal range. I found an app that log my weight daily
I wanted to see the trend of the weight.0

pinkteapot3

Don't beat yourself up for what's happened. The past is the past and all that matters is what you need to do. If I've understood right, you were 10lbs under goal and have gained 20, so you want to lose 10lbs? That's what you tell yourself.

"Right, 10lbs to lose - that'll only take a couple of months, then I get my higher cals for maintenance again."

Take it one day at a time, change your MFP goal back to weight loss to reduce the cal allowance and start logging. Unlike the first time, you KNOW you lost before so you KNOW it's possible.

cathylopez1975

I'm with you sister - almost exact same story. I think I had weight loss "burn-out" and just didn't want to log any more. I'm up 20 lbs from my goal, and it happened gradually. So I'm back to work with a goal set for the summer (I'm a school teacher) to remember what got me to my goal weight in the first place. The biggest lesson I have learned - maintenance for me doesn't really mean more food. Also, I ALWAYS have a choice to eat or not to eat.

By the way, I think if you posted here you are ready to dig in and head back to your goal. You can do it!

Lynzdee18

Francl27 wrote: »

Just ask yourself if you really want to go and buy bigger clothes...

I think this is key.... I do NOT want to buy new clothes. I just replaced all my fat clothes AND the clothes I bought on my journey down to where I feel comfortable and confident.

That keeps me in the swing of maintaining. You can get back on the horse! Resume logging everything. I find that helps me say no to my cravings.

swim777

Knowing how to lose makes all the difference. We have been successful.. We know what worked.. Many of us have lots of new clothes we enjoy wearing..if we are good 80 percent of the time...it works...my routine actually is my comfort zone during the week...I can loosen up on the weekend for a meal or two and it's still okay. I've not got maintenance down yet...but I'm enjoying more calories. You Can do this!!!

LULU4178

Do not go buy bigger clothes! Wear the same pants and or shirt every day until they don't feel snug. That is what I did (only had to do it once). Kind of embarrassing to be a 50 year old woman with the same outfit every day but it motivated me to get it together and lose the couple of pounds I had gained. I am a school teacher and a few kids commented on my clothes. Ouch!

Look at old pictures of yourself. That also helped me. Writing in to MFP means you have some motivation. Go for a walk. Just do something-anything-different than you have been doing to get out of your rut. Think "What can I do today that I will be thankful for 6 months from now." This kind of thing happens but think how far you have come and get back on track. You can do it!

Rocknut53

Advice from someone who I think is old enough to be your mother: Most of us have been where you are right now. I started MFP 3 years ago before I turned 60 because somehow I missed the note to self that I needed to do it before I turned 60. I lost 27 pounds, got discouraged for some obscure reason and just quit. I gained back 17 pounds. Like trollerskates, I caught a spark in January and here I am today within less than a pound of my goal weight. Determination has got me where I am right now and for the first time in my life it seems like this has been the easiest weight loss ever. You have done this before, you can do it again. Don't be like me and wait so long!

Unknown

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silvilunazul

I don't think momentum is what works to maintain. Momentum will always fade away after a while. What works is creating habits, permanent ones, like the habit of brushing your teeth. People do things long term out of habit rather than motivation, and yes, you'll always have to be vigilant.

LivingtheLeanDream

Our journey is never over. If we resume previous eating habits then gain is inevitable. That's why its best to weigh in regularly and for some there is a need to continue logging foods. That way any small gain can be nipped in the bud while its still small.

Hearts_2015

"By taking the time to stop and appreciate who you are and what you've achieved - and perhaps learned through a few mistakes, stumbles and losses - you actually can enhance everything about you. Self-acknowledgment and appreciation are what give you the insights and awareness to move forward toward higher goals and accomplishments."

Jack Canfield

I found this inspiring.... there's even more at the link below... as someone already shared...watching youtube vids, Reading quotes is also what pumps me up, then sharing those quotes on my feed and other places really cements them in my mind because I realize I'm passing them on for others to gather strength from as well.

Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/goals.html