Need advice

Ctmikey1980

Hi Folks-

I seem to start each Monday, and by Wed night I am waving the white flag, and then saying I will start again the following Monday.

I know consistency is key, but I find it easy to go off the wagon than staying on it. I try to find easy dinner ideas so any thoughts or ideas would be helpful.

In closing, just trying to see what keeps you all motivated on this weight loss journey.

Thanks in advance.

Panini911

i dont' rely on motiviation as it is fleeting. and wight loss is a long journey (marathon not sprint).

it sounds like you may be putting too many limitations and rules on this "diet" you start on mondays. are you cutting out tons of foods you enjoy? eating only "healthy" foods? Maybe even under eating? these are all things many of us to trying to "start off strong" but they can also really make it impossible to stick to.

If you haven't already, these threads are a great starting point:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10636388/free-customized-personal-weight-loss-eating-plan-not-spam-or-mlm/p1

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1399829/step-by-step-guide-to-losing-weight-with-myfitnesspal


and get a FOOD SCALE, crucial tool for most of us here
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10634517/you-dont-use-a-food-scale/p1

LyndaBSS

The first thing you need to do is dump the start on Monday mentality. If you go off course, you start with the very next meal.

I fill out the food diary a few days in advance. This way, when I wake up, my meals are already planned for that day.

I eat the foods I love and stay in a calorie deficit. This way, I don't feel deprived.

What's making you give up so easily?

kellyjheath4221

I think it’s different for everyone and that it requires some self reflection. Try to figure out why you fall off the wagon. Do you still have unhealthy food around to tempt you? Is it stress? Is it that you aren’t feeling satiated? Then try to find a solution.

For me, I love good food and cooking is a hobby for me. I would never be able to tolerate plain chicken breasts and rice with steamed veggies. I found this site, skinnytaste.com that has amazing low calorie recipes. My husband brags at work about how good he’s eating!

In addition to that, I treat myself here and there, but practice moderation. I usually plan these treats as well to prevent exceeding my calorie goal. I may fast the day of or I will make sure to be under my goal the day before and day after.

The first 2 weeks are the hardest; after that it gets much easier.

missysippy930

I guess what I’ve found that works for me is having a goal to work towards.
I may have had 100’s of the good intentions on Monday, that end on Wednesday (or sooner) as an adult. It’s definitely not easy, but sometimes it helps to know others have the same issues. There are no easy answers, you just need to find the trigger that works for you.

elisa123gal

Try this. Take a photo of yourself in your underwear as your before picture. Look at it ( I had mine on my computer) every single day. You'll make it past Wednesday doing that.

It is just when you kid yourself that you "start next Monday."

88olds

Another motivation skeptic here. Try to make your plan into a set of things to do. Then do them no matter what. Even if your brain is screaming at you that its all just a waste of time, stick to the plan.

I think the #1 thing to do is a food diary. Keep it going no matter what. Over your number? Log it. Wildly over? Log that too. Don’t know how many calories in that meal or dish? Make a good faith estimate, put down a number and keep going. The process is more important than the numbers. Don’t see the point? Do it anyway. Instead of making goals based on the scale, make your goals about doing things. Like log everything of 1 month. Plan your menu for a week. Precook your meals for a week. Go for a walk every day. Stuff like that. Do the process and the scale will follow. Embrace the process and you can ditch the on/off program, track or wagon. The only way to fail is quit. Don’t ever quit.

And don’t kick yourself for struggling. You can do it.

J_Fabulous

I am very much like you. You cannot change the past. You can only change the future. There is nothing gained by getting upset over things that have already happened. One of those eastern dudes like The Buddha or Confusous said, "It doesn't matter how slow you go so long as you dont stop."

knightreader

I agree with the people who are telling you to ditch the "starting Monday" mentality. That don't work! Start again right after you fall off the wagon. Maybe your giving up or waving the white flag isn't as bad as you think. If you have a bad day, really look at it and decide if its as bad as you think. It probably isn't. People restart this journey all the time, I've restarted multiple times in one day some days. Figure out what is making you give up so easily. This will only work when your mind is set. Maybe you don't want it bad enough yet? Find what works for you and stick with it as long as you can. If you mess up, start again immediately. Good luck.