When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get....Help?

Crafty_camper123

Actual footage of me right now...

[Vent] SO I've been doing really well over the last 6 months. Either counting calories or eating until partially full. Working out at least once a week with a goal to hit 3x a week when I can. But the month of July is going to be insane and very out of routine for me. We have 4th of July plans for that week, the week after we go on a trip to see family in Florida, then the week after that we have a good friend coming into town to stay with us. I feel like I have been running around with my hair on fire trying to get everything buttoned up so that the month of July is easier. House 100% clean, Pets all caught up on shots and everything to be ready for boarding, prescriptions up to date. Work 100% caught up so I'm not Crazy Kermit when I get back...

So How do you stay motivated to continue with fitness and eating right when life gets crazy?? I'm kind of thinking I'll at least try to stick to one workout a week, and let everything else fall where it may. My only saving grace is that most of my plans for the month involve something active. Tubing on the boat or swimming during the 4th, vacation will involve lots of golf, swimming and walking, and there are plans for hiking later in the month. I plan to get back on track in August when things slow down, but I'm a little afraid I'll be in "eh, screw it" mode and unable to pull myself out.

Some things that are different this time then every other summer I try to lose weight. I have set myself I goal 52 weeks of fitness. I'll be a little disappointed in myself if I break my 6 month streak. I genuinely want to see where I can get myself by the end of the year and beyond. Because I've been working out consistently I am smaller in size then I usually am at my current summer weight. I don't want to lose that. I also realize this is a long journey and one month is merely a bump in the road. [/vent]

This was mostly just a vent, but really. Any advice you fine people of MPF have when life gets busy and crazy that keeps you motivated to keep on trucking will be valued. Anything I can put under my hat for later is a good thing.

quiksylver296

My July is crazy, too. Camping and vacation and 4th of July equals lots of food and adult beverages. I haven't figured out how I'm going to handle it. Just here to commiserate!

Crafty_camper123

quiksylver296 wrote: »

My July is crazy, too. Camping and vacation and 4th of July equals lots of food and adult beverages. I haven't figured out how I'm going to handle it. Just here to commiserate!

Thanks!
And yes.. lots of yummy food, and booze. I guess we can plan to take it one day at a time and laser our focus in August. Other then trying to squeeze some camping/hiking in, my August is pretty empty thank God!

The good things are that I will be more active and less sedentary. Some of the major food plans involve fairly healthy things like low country boil on the 4th and Grandpa's Florida Vacation Bed & Breakfast cooking. I never know what my GIL will cook while we're there, but it's always amazing and usually pretty well balanced.

Also Vodka is only 100(ish) calories per shot, and I'm a lightweight anyhow! I was making 150 calorie Cosmo's with diet cranberry juice that were pretty tasty over Memorial Day weekend. That will probably be my main drink over the 4th as well.

I'm sure I'll get through my first hike this year huffing and puffing (but less then last year). And I'll remember why I got started in the first place and keep going, lol.

motivatedmartha

A toughie but with all the preparations sounds like you'll be too busy to eat anyway What helps me is to completely disassociate food with fun. Not saying I don't enjoy my eating - in fact I do so more now than ever because I don't waste calories on either 'meh' food or by eating mindlessly. However, with all the fun you got planned I would be focussing on all that activity (what I wouldn't give for reliable weather in summer!!) and not on the yummy food. When your friends are staying with you show them how good and nutritious food can be delicious too. If there is loads of food on offer at any given time, eat a sensible portion and then go do something physical. Either way, when the month is over get straight back into the swing. Good Luck - but most of all, enjoy the time with friends and family.

emmamcgarity

I would recommend setting your calorie level to maintenance for the month, then determining what you feel your "minimums" are. For example, you might decide that for the duration you will still eat 2 vegetables per day no matter where the calories land. Or, you might decide water is important to you and set a minimum water consumption for the time period. If I were in the same shoes, one of my minimums would be to track every day, no matter where the calories land. Think about what your overall health goals are and see what makes sense for you. Define the period of time you plan to be at maintenance calories and don't stress about it during that time.

ossentia

Agreed about tracking everyday. I can go over on my calories and still stay on track if I'm staying conscious about what I'm eating. If I stop tracking, eventually I stop everything, and it is so much harder to get back up and do this thing from scratch. That said, I fully understand your dilemma. I'm there, too!

Crafty_camper123

@motivatedmartha
Other then a few events, I probably wont be too focused on the food or even adult beverages overall. Plus the heat kind of suppresses my appetite, so there's that. I haven't really counted my calories at all this month and have maintained the whole month. It just got to be too much at the moment. I have however, been calorie aware still.( If that makes sense.) I like to know what the calories are in something before I decide how much to eat, or to eat it at all. Also, a bonus the friend that is coming to stay is VERY active. Chances are very good we will be out and about doing active things. I think I am going to start meticulous logging again once July is over though. I'll have less to focus my energy on, and can regain focus on losing weight again.

@emmamcgarity
I like the advice about determining my "minimums". I'll have to decide my priorities and make sure to at least have a few checks and balances in place to make sure I don't go off the rails. For me I think that will be weighing in a few times a week just to make sure my trend stays at or below maintenance. I'll know if I need to up my activity level or lower my food consumption if I start trending up for too long. And also to sticking with my goal of a minimum of one workout or "active" activity per week. And trying to be mindful of portion control ; especially when there is an abundance of food present.

@ossentia Definitely keep tracking if that's what works for you! I totally understand the thing about stopping one thing and then stopping it all. I've been there many times myself. My strategy this time is to try and focus on just a few things that I can find manageable. I hope it works! And I hope you find a groove that works and keeps you on top of it too!

Thanks for reading my vent and giving me a few pointers! If anyone else has a rant, rave or story to share it's always appreiciated.

VUA21

My secret: my motivation is fleeting at best. It's dedication that keeps me going. Dedication to myself that drags my butt outta bed and to go for my run no matter how much I don't feel like it and completely lack motivation.

I refuse to let off days, weeks, or even a month ruin years of hard work.