Living The Lifestyle Friday 12/18/20

imastar2

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion.

Monday - crewahl (Charlie)
Tuesday - whathapnd (Emmie)
Wednesday - Al_Howard (Al)
Thursday - misterhub (Greg)
Friday - imastar2 (Derrick)

Today's Topic: Is there a single reoccurring stumbling block that keeps you from accomplishing your weight loss goals or maintenance goals?

imastar2

Portions is probably my biggest stumbling block. I've always fought that battle and it still haunts me today. I love food and I think it stems from my childhood. I didn't eat to survive growing up rather I ate because I loved the taste of almost everything. Also growing up in the South fried foods were really a big item ie; fried chicken, fried this fried that. Even though vegetables were popular and ready available there were cooked southern style with ingredients that lets say not to healthy. I guess I have to add sweets/desserts into the mix as well.

The main culprit currently for me though remains to be portions. I'm working on it with every meal. If I stay with it long enough it does become a habit so I just have to keep working on it. I'll get there because I'm not going to let it whip me since I'm no quitter.
👍😄

linmueller

Ya, my give a d#&m, it gets busted, and it can take months/years to get back!

Today marks 26 weeks OP, 1)2 a year, and this question is very timely. I've been struggling with cravings, and thoughts of "is it worth it?". THIS TIME I think the reason is I've started eating sugar again. Following the program was easy w/o sugar, but add it back and I struggle. So far, this is day 1 w/o, I'm feeling fine. Usually takes 3 days, so expect challenges, but right now, I'm enjoying feeling pretty in control.

Sometimes vaca sends me down the slippery slope and I don't recover, tho I've found that having healthy food choices waiting for my return, helps set me on track before I can totally turn my back on my goals.

Since I have no idea how to flip the switch to get back OP when I'm truly off, maybe the key is to head things off early. Duh!
Start to slip, tighten up.
Craving, cut sugar
Too much grazing, start plating meals. etc.

I'm going to have to think about this some more. And I don't know if it makes sense to anyone else, but this might be a really important revelation for me! Thanks for the question Derrick!

podkey

Ya my "give a daaaarn" goin' south. Amen to that.

crewahl

I think the biggest thing I struggle with is the concept of deprivation. If I have to say no to something, suddenly there seems to be nothing I want more. “Sorry,sir, that two week all-inclusive vacation is hell is sold out.” Whaddaya mean I can’t go to hell?! I WANT to go to hell! If you won’t take me, I’ll get there on my own!

So a lot of my choices are around making sure I GET to make a choice. For example, I wanted carrot cake for my birthday, but knew it wouldn’t fit well into my week. I ultimately decided that if I chose not to have it, I was just going to end up finding a different way to overeat. So I got the carrot cake, and made sure it was gone in twenty-four hours. Did you know a slice of carrot cake is exactly the same as my daily points allowance? Got down to two weekly points,and up two pounds - but I didn’t deprive myself, and I’m back on track.

So deprivation - knowing when to say no and when to say yes and when to say not now -is a challenge for me.

Flintwinch

Perfectionism. The perfect is the enemy of the good. Weight management is more about what I did right rather than what I messed up. This is helpful to sustain my efforts for the long haul.