Losing drive need focus

Smallville127

How do you focus and stay on track with no hiccups along the way?

1houndgal

Smallville127 wrote: »

How do you focus and stay on track with no hiccups along the way?

If I get a hiccup I do my best to track food and excercise during said hiccup. And then get back to what works again.

Kohanai

This one is much easier to answer lol. There is zero chance of having zero hiccups. I don't think there is any situation that lasts long term in which everything goes smoothly at all times.

So, just work through it. Accept that you are stumbling, or falling, take the lump, and then get back up. You reached out on here, and that's big. I'm sure other people will agree.

As for focusing, it's different for everyone. I'm currently struggling with focusing on my thesis, like, in the worst way. Focusing on using this site? On working out? that's different. I just try my best. If I need a break from something, I take it for a day or two. but I do not let myself go beyond that. I am the kind of person that if I take too long of a break on something, it's highly likely I won't pick it back up again. If I'm not feeling it when I get back at it, I just do it anyway.

We are all different, so what I've said may not work for you.

h1udd

Hiccups are good for you ... you need the odd break from the monotony of following a plan, they are a little hug when your head needs a dopamine shot, they are the social aspect with your friends, they are the little learning experiences.

The secret is to accept them and not let them derail you ... know that 1 McDonald’s will not make you fat in the same way 1 salad won’t make you thin ... know that 1 missed gym session might just give your body a bit of needed rest. Know that it’s the overall trend that counts, and jus get back on track for the next meal

The hard bit is the acceptance though ... I know all this, I reached my goal weight but the hiccups still hurt and confused me on the way even though deep down I knew I was on track

Good luck, stay positive and remember ... it’s the long term trend that counts .. the hiccups don’t even register when you look at the trend

kommodevaran

Maybe you have to find a track with fewer roots and rocks? Healthy living makes you feel well. If you build good habits, you just need some effort and awareness every day to make it go around; "a healthy lifestyle" shouldn't have to be on your mind 24/7.

Dani9585

Hiccups are a part of life. As long as you know how to get over them in the moment, and expect that it may be more work and a little uncomfortable, you will be fine.

Seffell

Smallville127 wrote: »

How do you focus and stay on track with no hiccups along the way?

There is no way to do this. Don't go down this road, you will fail.

Nothing wrong with hiccups.

ffswmn

Personally I like the little hiccups. I had a pretty big hiccup yesterday and feel disgusting today. Made me remember how bad I felt the night before I started MFP so I am focused again.

andreaen

As everyone says, they happen, and the clue isn't avoiding them but getting BACK on track. Whenever I have a client who is struggling I try to keep motivate her as often as possible with little messages and cheering her on, so maybe finding an accountability partner could be a good idea? For myself I've been in this game for so long I just accept that it happened and move on. Last night is a perfect example, I was planning on having just a small spoonful of icecream before bed and ended up eating the whole box. Today I was back to normal and following my normal diet and training.

raindawg

My rule is accepting hiccups but not allowing a hiccup more than one day in a row. I have a hiccup and then right back at it the next day. I don't dwell on it too much.

TavistockToad

Smallville127 wrote: »

How do you focus and stay on track with no hiccups along the way?

There's always hiccups... but you keep your eyes on the prize and be as consistent as possible.

crazykatlady820

It comes down to a few things for me. One is that I made changes that I can live with. If it’s too hard for me to do every day for the rest of my life then it’s not something that is going to make me successful in this endeavor. That way when I have a day where I want to eat the thing and the thing cancels out my deficit it’s super simple for me to just carry on and trust the process. Because I’m essentially including those hiccups into my process.

Another thing is I give myself permission to eat at maintenance on the days I’m struggling. In the beginning I had quite a few of those days, but now not so much. It helped me transition to a deficit I think.

And lastly, I am honest with myself. I used to blame my lack of discipline on willpower and motivation, but when I’m honest with myself it was just my way of not taking responsibility for my actions. I am responsible for everything I eat. I’m in control. Even when I decide to eat over my calorie deficit I am in control and I chose it. It makes it really easy for me to go right back to a deficit the next day because I never allowed myself to feel out of control. I made the conscious decision to eat it. I’m not sure if that makes sense to anyone else, but it’s a very important tool for me.

mortuseon_

I think that forgiving yourself for small errors, and the ability to 'get back on the horse' the next day, are both really important skills to learn. Try not to beat yourself up over mistakes. Things like allowing yourself to eat at maintenance (or having cheat days), having occasional indulgences in treat foods which you might not usually eat, and going for a short walk instead of the gym on days you aren't feeling up to it - these are all really useful tools that help you to stay on track when you feel like falling off the wagon. I think that @crazykatlady820 's advice is really good.

KickassAmazon76

I'm hiccupping worse than bugs bunny does when he's "drunk". But, even though it's a bit of a trudge as opposed to clear sailing, I refuse to give up.

I've had some setbacks. Emotional. Physical. But I'm on my way back. I'm lifting heavy again, decided on a goal to compete, and am trying to convince myself that I care enough about my weight to stay logging again.

It's not always going to be pretty... But it doesn't mean it can't be done. Just keep swimming.

brightresolve

As many above have said, dealing with hiccups is the whole show. I try not to let myself get judgy over a bad day or even a bad week. I get back to it as soon and well as I can and I know that my choice to get back to what works for me, is PRACTICE in coming back after a hiccup.

I don't think I will ever stop having hiccups; I think I will get quicker and smoother and less bothered about coming back to the core stuff that works.

itisidaisy

I think it’s impossible not to run into any hiccups. I try my best to stay focused on my weight loss goals, but sometimes I eat more than I should. All you can do is learn from your mistakes, not beat yourself up over them, and move on. If you’ve gained weight, look at why you’ve gained the weight and try to do better next time.

AnvilHead

Smallville127 wrote: »

How do you focus and stay on track with no hiccups along the way?

There's no such thing as "no hiccups along the way".

The best analogy I've seen is comparing it to a two-week cross country vacation. If you get a flat tire on the second day, do you call the whole thing a failure, cancel the entire vacation and head back home with your tail between your legs? Or do you fix the problem, continue on with your original plans and have a great time as intended?