How can I get and stay on track?

MellieNeenie

I’m so irritated that I am here again. 5 years ago I lost 60 pounds. Over the past 2 years I gained 40 back. And here I am on this roller coaster again. I kind of hate myself right now and am wondering why I cannot stay motivated. I know what I’m supposed to eat and workout. I just cannot seem to do it. I try everyday and by mid afternoon I’m off the wagon. How can I get started and stay on track?!!!

DaisyHamilton

I had the same problem for a long time. I feel like something has to "click" inside you. It's hard to force yourself into something you aren't interested in, even when you know you "should" be doing something. Have you tried setting up a goal for yourself? A big vacation? New clothes? Any special events coming up? Sometimes you just have to keep pushing yourself through it for a few weeks until it becomes habit.

seska422

Don't jump in with both feet. Start from your comfort zone and make small changes one at a time. You want to craft a way of eating that will work for the long haul and feels as close to your normal way of eating as you can get it.

Log the way that you normally eat for a week or two in order to gather data. You can then look back through to see where you might eat smaller portions and/or make satisfying substitutions.

MellieNeenie

Thank you, I like the idea of starting small. I have always jumped in with both feet and it didn’t work out well. I want to change my lifestyle, not just go on a diet this time. Very helpful. I think I will make my goal farther in the future than I have in the past, that way I don’t feel pressure and stress about it.

seska422

MellieNeenie wrote: »

Thank you, I like the idea of starting small. I have always jumped in with both feet and it didn’t work out well. I want to change my lifestyle, not just go on a diet this time. Very helpful. I think I will make my goal farther in the future than I have in the past, that way I don’t feel pressure and stress about it.

I recommend that you drop the time goal altogether. I set my goals around things I can control, such as eating my target protein goal and being close to my calorie goal. You can't control what the scale says day-to-day and setting a time goal can turn what should be a success into a feeling of disappointment. For weight loss, as long as I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing and the scale is on a general downward trend (over months, not day-to-day or even week-to-week), then I'm meeting my objective.