how do you do it?

perkymommy

I just started again on MFP. My question is how do you get started when you've been off the wagon and want to get started again? I start by weighing myself and get the beginning weight logged and then start weighing what I eat each meal. I gradually add in exercise but I don't do that at first or else I'm more likely to fail if I try to make too many changes at once. I also cut out fast food pretty much completely but that's the only thing I totally cut out. I might eat a salad out but I do better if I just avoid fast food for a while until I get back to a good habit of eating better.

kommodevaran

If you want to get started, you just start. Maybe you don't want to? Do you resent logging your food? Or cutting out fast food? What is your goal with this endeavour?

cmriverside

I think I had fast food maybe three times in the last six months. I like fish and chips, so I do that every now and then since it's messy to make at home, and I don't keep that much oil on hand. I had Subway once when I was far away from home, but I planned on that.

Most of the time I'd rather eat my own self-prepared food. It's better and it's exactly what I like and how I like it.

I think getting into a routine is what has helped me. Daily outdoor walks are part of that.

sardelsa

For me, I do a weigh-in, take measurements, photos... then I organize workout plans, figure out my macros and calories, put together recipes, meal plan for the week, go grocery shopping. But that might be too much for some people... if you can't handle too many changes, start with one small goal a day ex. Log all food, drink more water, eat more vegetables, go for a walk, etc.

toxikon

Weight loss is all about calories. You can continue eating all your favourite foods, just in smaller portions. It doesn't have to be some huge lifestyle revamp. Counting your calories accurately (a food scale really helps) and sticking to a calorie deficit is all that matters.

Spartan_Gingi

Just remember; weight loss begins in the kitchen!! Get your kitchen (eating) in order, and THEN add workouts, etc. For many of us, doing too much too soon guarantees burnout. It's so hard to go big right out of the gate.

tinkerbellang83

I stopped considering it as on/off the wagon, it's just life, there will be days you do everything right, there will be days you do most of it right, there will be days when you just don't give a *kitten* and your calorie allowance, planned exercise, etc goes completely out the window. I just continue to try and do my best, if I have a couple of days of not eating the most nutritionally balanced meals or not exercising as much as planned I draw a line under it and just carry on trying to improve, in the grand scheme of things a day, a week, even a couple of weeks are just a drop in the ocean when you look at the bigger picture.

This has worked a lot better for me since I dropped the all or nothing attitude and realised I don't have to cut things out, I can eat a decent amount of food, I don't have to workout like a mad woman and I will still lose weight.

Getting into some sort of routine like @cmriverside mentioned is also a big help, when little changes become part of your routine, they eventually become a habit, just like getting up in the morning and brushing your teeth, etc.

DebLaBounty

I just started one day, and kept going. I wasn't afraid to cut calories and start slowly with exercise, I just did it. Nothing magical about it. You can do this, too.

callsitlikeiseeit

start small. start simple. add more as you adjust to the changes.

trying a major life overhaul at once is usually a surefire way to burn out and fall off the proverbial wagon.

perkymommy

Spartan_Gingi wrote: »

Just remember; weight loss begins in the kitchen!! Get your kitchen (eating) in order, and THEN add workouts, etc. For many of us, doing too much too soon guarantees burnout. It's so hard to go big right out of the gate.

That's exactly my thought. I don't want to change too much too fast. I start in the kitchen and with my meals and choices in foods and weighing/measuring things. I can't add on working out until I get the eating part down or I'll likely give up easier.

MelanieCN77

I never got off the wagon. Maintenance to loss to gain is a pretty tight margin in my opinion, going to have to always be vigilant.

Famof72015

You are here so you can do it. Dont give up. Give yourself 6 weeks, anyone can do anything for 6 weeks. Pick what MFP gives you and just do it. Pre log your food, give yourself a treat if you want. I️ pre log a snickers every night doesn’t mean I’ll eat it but it’s pre logged. If you step on the scale & the number hasnt gone down don’t give up tell yourself I can do it you can eat all the same foods you want just now smaller portions buy a food scale weigh it, this is a life long journey just remember don’t give up!

tulips_and_tea

I believe that there's no "on" and "off" when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I'm not shooting for perfection. There's no such thing and life is ever changing so learning to adapt and keep on my personal plan is what helps me.

Need2Exerc1se

I usually start with exercise and fat. I'm pretty active but if I feel my pants getting tight, first thing I do is add more cardio and pay more attention to how much fat I'm adding to my meals.

ttreit

Make a change, stick to it for a month, make another change.
Make as many healthy choices as you can every day.

Some days I might not make a lot of healthy choices but as my monthly changes begin to stick I see my lifestyle slowly turning toward health.

If I try to make too many permanent changes at once I give up.

EDIT: As an example one of my first changes recently was to give up video games. I did that for a month. Then I added no more tv, did that for a month and then reintroduced a small amount back (because Stranger Things). Next I added going to the gym every day. I'm still in the middle of that one. Not sure what I'll add next month.