Tired of dieting...trying to make it a lifestyle

Nads36

Hi all...I am tired of dieting and have now reached the point where it does not excite me to start a new plan or exercise regime. I do really well then gain even more than when I started!
I would love to hear your success stories and what generally works for you. I think I need to go to bootcamp for a year...stepping away from my kitchen, supermarkets and restaurants!!
Good luck y'all!

chocolate_owl

It seems like small, sustainable changes would be better suited for you. Some examples:
-If you love ice cream, don't cut it out. Focus on portioning out a small serving when you have it at home, or only get it when you go out for it as a treat.
-If there's something you're currently consuming that you wouldn't really miss, do away with it. I've stopped eating donuts that coworkers bring into the office because I don't really like them that much, and I'd rather use my calories other places.
-If you cook, create a library of recipes that you know the approximate calorie count. I have a whole bunch of ~500 calories/serving recipes that I cook regularly, and I don't have to worry about exceeding my calorie limit because this is the bulk of the meals that I eat. If you don't cook, start, or at least find convenience food that fits your goals.
-Find ways to get more steps in throughout the day. A little movement here and there starts to add up. Just don't "reimburse" yourself for it by consuming more.
-Make exercise a habit. Pick the most convenient time - morning, lunch break, right after work - and do it always.
-Choose exercise that fits your lifestyle - don't decide to train for a marathon if all you have the time or desire for is a 5K.
-Cut your calories by a reasonable amount so you still feel fueled and energetic.

Things to NOT do:
-Don't go all out when you're "starting over." If you try to do 3 hour gym sessions on 1200 calories, you're going to burn out fast.
-Don't over-restrict yourself with food choices. A true lifestyle change is one that you can sustain forever.
-Don't try to do things that are super difficult to turn into habits. For example, I'm a terrible morning person. I used to try to make a shake or oatmeal in the mornings, but I ended up racing around like a crazy person and was late for work. Taking a protein bar and a piece of fruit with me is much easier.
-Don't tempt yourself unnecessarily. Everything in moderation is great, but if you KNOW you're going to eat the whole bag of Doritos once they're open, don't keep them in the house. Get a single-serving bag every now and then when you're out and about.

lorrpb

^^^
This is everything you need to know! Nicely stated @chocolate_owl !

sallyd837

Couldnt have said it better. Great advice @chocolate_owl

middlehaitch

Another + , well stated @chocolate_owl.

@Nads36 you need little else than what was stated in the first reply.

Cheers, h.

Sira125

I agree with the above. I chose to cut out a lot of my "unconscious" sugar intake and artificial sweeteners. I felt like they were contributing to my wanting sweets so much.

I feel like this was a good choice for me, your mileage may vary. I searched out lower sugar mayonnaise, bread, spaghetti sauce, etc. and I make a lot more of my meals.

b3achy

@chocolate_owl already gave some great advice. I just had a few amplifications...

First just work on staying within plus/minus of 50-100 calories of your calorie deficit each day. Initially, don't worry too much about what you are eating as much as you watch how much of what you eat and the calories associated with it. (It will shock you to know what a serving is for most things initially.)

Once you get pretty good at sticking to your calorie deficit, start to look at your macro ratios. This will guide you in making better food choice decisions when you try to balance your macros. Don't deprive yourself of foods, as @chocolate_owl already said, but look at restricting them instead if they aren't the best option to fit into your macro ratios and start to make smarter choices about what you will eat that day to balance your macro ratios.

And when it comes to activity, find something you love to do, and do it often. Just like with food, doing stuff you don't like isn't sustainable either.

Nads36

Thank you so much guys...I will definitely take it all on board...super advice! Really grateful for you to take the time to reply...I am sitting down tonight to devise a plan will en corporate your advice. Hope you all are keeping get well x