When the going gets tough, I quit.

maryannamber

Here I am starting my journey yet again. Everytime I see small results I get excited but when it becomes tough I quit. I become lazy and stop putting in effort. Any tips on how to push on through when struggling with the journey?

treywolf

Like you, I am starting over AGAIN today. I do well and then it all goes downhill...then I have to start all over again. Not that I quit, but some plan of ours...typically a trip or having company, makes my progress halt because I revert back to eating and drinking like I always did and no daily exercise. It is so discouraging and I think having someone to be accountable to will help. I try to keep in mind that this is not a "diet" that ends when I reach a specific goal but a lifelong journey. Don't be hard on yourself...just force yourself to do it for a week and you'll be back in the game! I know I don't have a magical answer, but hopefully it helps to know you are not alone!

SezxyStef

Well ladies why is it so tough?

Are you treating this like a short term diet? When it is in fact a life time change?

You don't need to exercise to lose weight...so if you miss a day or two so what.
You don't need to give up drinking totally or eating "regular" foods you love and crave and want just in smaller portions.

Esp with summer here we all know things will pop up and you can choose to do a couple things...

1. Ignore all invites and not live life.
2. Go to the events and go hog wild with food and/or drink...(not a horrible thing since one or two days won't derail 1 months work.
3. Plan for it by saving a hundred or couple hundred calories everyday prior/ exercise to earn extra calories or even eat reasonable portions and stay in maintenance for a day or two...


I go for choice 3 every time...

As well when it comes right down to it...you either want it or you don't...if you do you won't see it as "tough" and quit...you will see it as a challenge and rise to it.

kommodevaran

A plan that does not take into consideration that
you have a family and/or friends, and a job,
you sometimes go on holiday or other trips,
you may get sick or injured,
food tastes good and is cheap, everywhere, all the time,
your willpower depletes through the day,
people like to get together and eat,
is not a plan, it's just a whim.
Life happens, that's what life does. Plan for life.

PaytraB

Agree with the responses above. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet.
Family, vacations, friends, drinks are all part of the mix. The long-term aim is to find a way to balance things in a healthy(ish), sustainable way.
- if you know that an event (BBQ, party, etc) will be occurring, "save" some calories for that night by saving up calories and exercising on a few extra days and not "eating back" those calories until the event.
- for vacations, go on maintanance for that time. You may not lose but you won't gain. Be aware of your food choices and you'll be fine. When you get back, go back on your deficit and add an extra exercise session or two.

The "secret" is awareness. You can both do this. It's not hard; it's about staying focused and aware. Don't give up.

kimny72

If you choose an aggressive weight loss goal, cut out all the foods you love, set up an unrealistic exercise plan, and hope you can just stick with it long enough to lose the weight as quickly as possible, you are setting yourself up for failure.

You need to find a way of eating and a workout plan that fit with your real life that you can do for the rest of your life. Choose a small weekly goal, log accurately and consistently, give yourself time to figure out how to work your favorite foods into your calorie plan, don't sweat a bad day (everyone has them and one day won't affect you that much, only quitting will), and be patient. Losing the weight is a process, it doesn't have to be all perfect days.

If your kids misbehave at the store one day, you don't kick them out onto the street because your parenting plan didn't work. If you have one argument with your spouse, you don't divorce them because your relationship doesn't work. If you have a bad day at the office, you don't quit because your job is ruined. You make adjustments, check your expectations, and try to do better tomorrow. Don't treat your new lifestyle differently Good luck!

ranchmimi

At 78 YO I have lost and gained many pounds. The last time I decided to lose the extra poundage I found MFP and followed all the above advice. I did not go on some extreme diet - but started eating sensibly and planning for those times when I couldn't really control what I ate. My mantra became "Every day is a new day for success" - and now 1205 days later I have lost 55 pounds and for the first time in my lifetime I have kept it off for 1 1/2 years. I could easily gain it all back, but I have changed my lifestyle and my eating habits are much improved! So it can be done - but you need to change your mind set - and know that every day will not be perfect - but tomorrow is a new day for success!

mommazach

Mindset is everything. Log your food. All of it, prior to eating it. Weigh and measure so you know your estimates are correct. Starting out with a goal of 20lbs at a time helps. You just reset your goal when you reach the first one. Find 2 or 3 exercise plans you like. For me, what started as fast walking is now jogging, and I'm getting really good at P90X. There are multiple videos to use and I've currently got 1 favorite. I also started riding bikes, and enrolled myself in a Bootcamp, Once the $ is spent, I'm committed.

Make sure your goals are realistic, and find some friends to motivate you. Drink tons of water, (There's an app for it) and when weekends come, you can still eat, but be sensible about it. Make choices that will make you proud. The final thing is get on a scale every day. EVERY DAY. You don't have to post them, (I only do when there is a loss) but it keeps me more accountable for what I ate the day before. Change your mindset and you'll change your life.

johnnylakis

Rather than go on and off a diet, why not just stay on a diet for life? In other words, set a calorie goal and stick to it, forever. Works for me

SezxyStef

mommazach wrote: »

Mindset is everything. Log your food. All of it, prior to eating it. Weigh and measure so you know your estimates are correct. Starting out with a goal of 20lbs at a time helps. You just reset your goal when you reach the first one. Find 2 or 3 exercise plans you like. For me, what started as fast walking is now jogging, and I'm getting really good at P90X. There are multiple videos to use and I've currently got 1 favorite. I also started riding bikes, and enrolled myself in a Bootcamp, Once the $ is spent, I'm committed.

Make sure your goals are realistic, and find some friends to motivate you. Drink tons of water, (There's an app for it) and when weekends come, you can still eat, but be sensible about it. Make choices that will make you proud. The final thing is get on a scale every day. EVERY DAY. You don't have to post them, (I only do when there is a loss) but it keeps me more accountable for what I ate the day before. Change your mindset and you'll change your life.

not for everyone...I in my losing phase got on the scale 1x a week and it was great...daily weigh in's are annoying.

pixiepie3

Great advice from everyone . I,like you, am starting over too. I broke my kneecap back in October and after two surgeries am unable to excercise. However weighing in and logging everything you eat daily is a great start. Set weekly manageable goals. Life happens so if you can, plan for it. If not, learn from past experience and make healthier choices. If you overindulge at one meal, log it and just get back on the good nutrition wagon. Learn from the experience and move forward .

maryannamber

Thank you all for the advice and tips. Ive never reached out for help and having this helps loads too