My Slim Fast diet
Replies
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Wow--unshakable huh? OK. I would only ask that after a couple of months please let us know how it all went. I've been here 8 years and have seen so many posts like this. No one ever comes back to tell us if their plan worked. I'd love to know. Thanks----and Good Luck.10
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PixieKazza wrote: »[...]I'm going to do Slim Fast as a jumpstart to trying to get back to 'normal'. The structure will hopefully keep me on track, I won't have to calorie count every meal and the shakes are nice and quick to make. I do understand healthy eating, I'm just going to try a different approach to losing the lockdown lard. I don't think it'll be an easy option, but hopefully the weight will start to shift and I'll get some motivation and focus back :-)
Would love to hear from anyone else doing Slim Fast to find out how you're finding it :-)
Hi Pixie,
I have used protein shakes as a jump start several times in my life. I can understand your motivation. And I can tell you that it works for me. Also I disagree that protein shakes are inherently "unhealthy" but that is a lengthy discussion
I have never tried Slim Fast. Just checked the nutrional values and I think there are better options. I usually take a good protein powder. They have less calories, higher protein and taste well. Maybe they are even cheaper (Don't know).
I make my shakes usually with sugar free almond, oat, rice or soy milk. Depending on what I achieve I add nuts, peanut butter, banana, blue berries, mango, coconut, linseed etc. The options are endless. This way I can regulate the calories of my shakes between 154kcal up to 500-600kcal per meal. And I can also regulate macros and fibres. And taste
Obviously shakes can't replace solid food and are not a long time / life long solution (duh). You'll eventually get to a point where you'll figure out your own diet. But I think you know that already. You'll cross that bridge when you get there. No worries.
But shakes are great helpers to get started. Also they are very helpful when you have a very hectic work life (e.g. travel a lot). And the only options is a quick, unhealthy, fatty meal somewhere or a shake that will tie you over until you can have "good" food. Another positive thing I found is that they "make my stomach smaller". When you are used to eating big meals and overeating a few weeks of shakes can help you to get to a point where you can't eat the portions that you were used to.
Good luck to you and don't listen to the naysaysers
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PixieKazza wrote: »*There's also a difference for taller people - maintenance calories for them can be 2000/2500 per day, that's in effect a meal more than the 1500 cals a day I can have. So smaller people have to restrict their diets more, whatever you 'experts' say. I'm not saying it isn't a struggle, but we're all different and I know what works for me. A larger person following a strict 1200cal diet is likely to lose weight faster because the calorie deficit is bigger.
This is very true. My maintenance calories are somewhere around 2200kcal. I can easily go down to 1200kcal for a period of time without feeling hungry.
Update to my last post: I have no problem feeling hungry, so intermittent fasting is something that works well. If you can do it to, then you can fast till lunch, have a shake for ~400kcal and still have ~800kcal for a very nice meal.
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PixieKazza wrote: »So there's a few comments from some judgy people...
*Whatever diet I choose, initial weight loss will be water loss. I know that, but as others say it's the initial boost which spurs me on. At under 5' any extra pounds show up.
*There's also a difference for taller people - maintenance calories for them can be 2000/2500 per day, that's in effect a meal more than the 1500 cals a day I can have. So smaller people have to restrict their diets more, whatever you 'experts' say. I'm not saying it isn't a struggle, but we're all different and I know what works for me. A larger person following a strict 1200cal diet is likely to lose weight faster because the calorie deficit is bigger.
I'll be honest I was looking over your old posts, I often do this when stats aren't mentioned by the time I've posted, as you can sometimes see them in other threads, you'd mentioned a few years back, that you'd been struggling to eat enough to maintain (opposite problem to now). Looking beyond your initial 'reset' is there a middle ground between the super-strict nature of what you were doing then and what you have been doing to gain the weight? Perhaps looking to increase your NEAT rather than relying on exercise. https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10610953/neat-improvement-strategies-to-improve-weight-loss/p1
There is a difference in taller people because they have a physiological need for more calories that you don't, so that comparison isn't really useful to you in my opinion. I think somewhere further back you mentioned needing to eat 1200 calories but the reality is, if your maintenance is 1500, you just need to eat less than 1500, that could be 1200 or it could be 1400 calories and you go slower.
Another thread that may be useful is the Volume Eaters thread, there are a lot of good food suggestions in there for bulking out meals without the calories https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10563959/volume-eaters-thread/p112 -
snowflake954 wrote: »Wow--unshakable huh? OK. I would only ask that after a couple of months please let us know how it all went. I've been here 8 years and have seen so many posts like this. No one ever comes back to tell us if their plan worked. I'd love to know.
I have lost ~20kg-25kg twice in my life using protein shakes as a tool (Currently on my 3rd weight loss with the help of shakes).
Shakes are just a tool for me, nothing more nothing less. I used them for 1-2 months, mostly in combination with intermittent fasting and usually replacing 1 meal (rarely all meals). It worked great for several reasons (easy, healthy, reset my stomach to normal portion size etc.). Then when I'm on a roll I phase the shakes out and just do calorie counting. After another few months I'm just planning my meals, watching the scale and all is well. I did that twice already. It's obviously key to have a regular diet at the end.
Sadly after maintaining my weight for 2-3 years the bad habbits came creeping back in and I ended up at the beginning
But I wouldn't blame that on the shakes. Because when that happened I was 2-3 years on a healthy diet and didn't have had a single shake in 2 years ...
So. They are a tool that's working for me.
I hope this time I can maintain longer / forevertinkerbellang83 wrote: »[...]Perhaps looking to increase your NEAT rather than relying on exercise. https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10610953/neat-improvement-strategies-to-improve-weight-loss/p1
[...]
Another thread that may be useful is the Volume Eaters thread, there are a lot of good food suggestions in there for bulking out meals without the calories https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10563959/volume-eaters-thread/p1
These are two great threads! Thank you!
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PixieKazza wrote: »So there's a few comments from some judgy people...
*Whatever diet I choose, initial weight loss will be water loss. I know that, but as others say it's the initial boost which spurs me on. At under 5' any extra pounds show up.
*There's also a difference for taller people - maintenance calories for them can be 2000/2500 per day, that's in effect a meal more than the 1500 cals a day I can have. So smaller people have to restrict their diets more, whatever you 'experts' say. I'm not saying it isn't a struggle, but we're all different and I know what works for me. A larger person following a strict 1200cal diet is likely to lose weight faster because the calorie deficit is bigger.
Not judging it’s just facts based on experience from people that have had long term successes. Do what you want with the advice but it’s not judgement 🙄10 -
So the opposite would demotivate you? Like when you go off plan and then gain a couple of pounds, get demotivated and continue to gain weight?paperpudding wrote: »sunnysidefarmsus wrote: »Pixie, do what works for you. You are taking steps that you feel will help with your current state. I wish people would be more supportive and helpful rather than so opinionated and bashing. It sounds like you know yourself well and don’t have the energy to get started so I agree with you 100%. I believe this can give you a few days of less food, curving your appetite and Lose a few pounds of bloat and water weight. This will make you feel better and encourage you to keep going with a healthy and active lifestyle. Wishing you success and joy in all areas of your life.
My bold.
But what is the point of doing this??
losing water weight and bloat for a few days does nothing to help you lose fat in the long run
Just for mental motivation. You think "hey I can do this" rather than "I'm never gonna lose so whats the point".
That's how it is for me anyway. Seeing the scale go down a couple of pounds motivates me and reminds me that making better choices will work in the long run, helps me stick to plan, and then the "real weight" loss comes off.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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But the reality is smaller people NEED less calories than someone larger. That's a given. You apparently DON'T need more that 1500 calories, but are envious of people that can eat 2000 or more? You've already mentioned that your partner likes choccy and biscuits, both which are calorie dense.PixieKazza wrote: »So there's a few comments from some judgy people...
*Whatever diet I choose, initial weight loss will be water loss. I know that, but as others say it's the initial boost which spurs me on. At under 5' any extra pounds show up.
*There's also a difference for taller people - maintenance calories for them can be 2000/2500 per day, that's in effect a meal more than the 1500 cals a day I can have. So smaller people have to restrict their diets more, whatever you 'experts' say. I'm not saying it isn't a struggle, but we're all different and I know what works for me. A larger person following a strict 1200cal diet is likely to lose weight faster because the calorie deficit is bigger.
And the calorie deficit ISN'T bigger if you're smaller. It's in proportion to what your height and weight is.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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That 1200 or 1500 calorie number is not absolute -- you can change it.
While you can't control your BMR (driven by your age, height, weight -- for today), you are completely in control of your TDEE each day (based on how much you move.)
I'm short for a guy and older (54). Maintenance for my current stats is 1,911. I'm eating ~2000 calories per day and losing over 1 - 1.5 lbs per week. How am I able to do that ? I'm not sedentary. Want a bigger budget, move more.
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Agree. I'm not tall by any means (for a guy anyway) and my maintenance is around 3000 because of how much work I do in and out of the gym. Obviously if I eat less than 3000 I'll lose weight.FitAgainBy55 wrote: »That 1200 or 1500 calorie number is not absolute -- you can change it.
While you can't control your BMR (driven by your age, height, weight -- for today), you are completely in control of your TDEE each day (based on how much you move.)
I'm short for a guy and older (54). Maintenance for my current stats is 1,911. I'm eating ~2000 calories per day and losing over 1 - 1.5 lbs per week. How am I able to do that ? I'm not sedentary. Want a bigger budget, move more.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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FitAgainBy55 wrote: »That 1200 or 1500 calorie number is not absolute -- you can change it.
While you can't control your BMR (driven by your age, height, weight -- for today), you are completely in control of your TDEE each day (based on how much you move.)
I'm short for a guy and older (54). Maintenance for my current stats is 1,911. I'm eating ~2000 calories per day and losing over 1 - 1.5 lbs per week. How am I able to do that ? I'm not sedentary. Want a bigger budget, move more.
Great point -- I'm a shorter woman (5'4) and I maintain on about 2,000 because I decided to move more throughout the day. It was really a win/win because not only do I get to eat more, I feel much better mentally and physically with more activity.9 -
Agree. I'm not tall by any means (for a guy anyway) and my maintenance is around 3000 because of how much work I do in and out of the gym. Obviously if I eat less than 3000 I'll lose weight.FitAgainBy55 wrote: »That 1200 or 1500 calorie number is not absolute -- you can change it
....
At 5'7", 145 lbs (my stretch goal weight, my weight in my profile picture) my sedentary maintenance calories (1,742) will only be a couple hundred calories higher than the OPs. To support a flexible calorie intake budget, I prefer to work out a lot. Comparing my budget to a 6'5, 250 lb man isn't really useful. I control what I can control.
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I'm the same height at currently 183lbs and a few years older (57). I do want to end the year at 165lbs for reasons of not only being leaner, but saving cartilage in my knees and ankles till I'm well into my 90's.FitAgainBy55 wrote: »
Agree. I'm not tall by any means (for a guy anyway) and my maintenance is around 3000 because of how much work I do in and out of the gym. Obviously if I eat less than 3000 I'll lose weight.FitAgainBy55 wrote: »That 1200 or 1500 calorie number is not absolute -- you can change it
....
At 5'7", 145 lbs (my stretch goal weight, my weight in my profile picture) my sedentary maintenance calories (1,742) will only be a couple hundred calories higher than the OPs. To support a flexible calorie intake budget, I prefer to work out a lot. Comparing my budget to a 6'5, 250 lb man isn't really useful. I control what I can control.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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So the opposite would demotivate you? Like when you go off plan and then gain a couple of pounds, get demotivated and continue to gain weight?paperpudding wrote: »sunnysidefarmsus wrote: »Pixie, do what works for you. You are taking steps that you feel will help with your current state. I wish people would be more supportive and helpful rather than so opinionated and bashing. It sounds like you know yourself well and don’t have the energy to get started so I agree with you 100%. I believe this can give you a few days of less food, curving your appetite and Lose a few pounds of bloat and water weight. This will make you feel better and encourage you to keep going with a healthy and active lifestyle. Wishing you success and joy in all areas of your life.
My bold.
But what is the point of doing this??
losing water weight and bloat for a few days does nothing to help you lose fat in the long run
Just for mental motivation. You think "hey I can do this" rather than "I'm never gonna lose so whats the point".
That's how it is for me anyway. Seeing the scale go down a couple of pounds motivates me and reminds me that making better choices will work in the long run, helps me stick to plan, and then the "real weight" loss comes off.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
For me personally seeing my weight go down regularly on morning weigh ins motivates me to eat better that day. It is easier to commit to continue that trend and not put it back on. So yes - "kick starting" that would be helpful to me.
During times when my weight is increasing I might sometimes get discouraged and adopt the "*kitten* it I'll start tomorrow" mentality. And then tomorrow, and tomorrow, etc and it can become difficult to snap the cycle. Thus my large weight gain during the pandemic stress, and months long illness I just went through. I knew that I shouldn't be eating what I was but I couldn't find the mental motivation to shift my habits.
The mental aspect is big for me. I think it is pretty clear that we all technically know how to lose weight. The mental motivation may be more difficult for some of us, and the tools to work through that might not be the same for everyone.
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I totally agree that the challenge for most is mental. And I agree that people find success with different approaches to the mental aspect. I'm a long time commentor so some on here may have heard me say before that I'm a big believer in the power of small things done faithfully to make big lasting changes (in fact I think that's the only thing that really does). E.g. It's the small kindnesses every day, not the extravagant Valentines present back in 2002, that strengthens a marriage. Unsurprisingly, then, for me, adopting a small change that's doable long term, and really sticking with that small change, is a more useful stepping stone to success than a radical diet change I intend for only a few days/weeks.
That's me. Repeating my comment up-thread, everyone has to experiment to find what works for them.7 -
At this point I think all the points that need to be made are made and the OP has made up her mind.
OP I wish you success and hope it works for you. I'll leave with one final suggestion. If it doesn't work for you, try Noom for 1 month. No need for doing it long term, just 1 month. It will help you identify your TRUE motivation and also help build a routine and teach you about sustainable eating habits. In your particular case, I think it will be the best $50 you'll ever spend. I used it for my jump start and ditched it after a month because I established a routine and I already knew everything they teach you, I just needed to get back into a routine.
Most people have goals like looking good in a swim suit this summer. My goal is to be fit and healthy enough to be active with my grand kids when I'm in my 70s and 80s. My Mom is over weight, diabetic, has heart problems and must use a walker at 80 after being overweight since you was in her 30s. She couldn't attend my daughters college graduation which was the first person in our direct lineage to graduate from college. Find your own motivation like this and success will follow.8 -
I just wanted to comment on the whole thing about a bigger, taller person's physiological needs being the same as a smaller person, despite the difference in calories it may take to lose or maintain. Yes, that is absolutely true that theoretically the physiological hunger would be the same if a 5'2 person cut out 500 calories (going to say 1200 calories) and a 6'2 large person cut out 500 calories (maybe going to 2500). However, psychologically that's a big difference, especially if you live with a large person who is also trying to lose weight.
For many of us who have struggled with weight, the reason we're overweight is because we eat for so many other reasons besides physiological needs and hunger. It can be depressing honestly to see that one person "gets" to eat more food than you and lose weight (probably even more quickly, too). Logically you probably know the reason why and know if you ate that much not only would you not lose weight, you'd gain weight, but it can feel defeating.
Lucky for me, my husband and I have never tried to lose weight at the same time, because in the past that might have been discouraging. However, I think what's changed for me is really just focusing on myself and accepting what I can change and what I cannot....when it comes to weight loss anyway. Still working on that in other areas of my life!11 -
My husband gets whole bunch more calories than me but he weighs twice as much as me. He likes to rub my face and in it. JK2
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FitAgainBy55 wrote: »That 1200 or 1500 calorie number is not absolute -- you can change it.
While you can't control your BMR (driven by your age, height, weight -- for today), you are completely in control of your TDEE each day (based on how much you move.)
I'm short for a guy and older (54). Maintenance for my current stats is 1,911. I'm eating ~2000 calories per day and losing over 1 - 1.5 lbs per week. How am I able to do that ? I'm not sedentary. Want a bigger budget, move more.
Yes, a few years back at Thanksgiving a guest marveled at my skinny 81 year old mother's "metabolism" when she saw how much she was eating. Her size has nothing to do with her metabolism - she is super active, sometimes skips meals, and eats a lot of foods that are low calorie dense / high volume.7 -
Yes it's definitely the mental aspect. It's usually what will separate the doers from the "gonna doers". But habitual behavior also helps to keep discipline and drive mentality intact. Weight gain/loss/maintenance will depend on habitual behavior. It's just making sure that you create a habit you can actual stick to day in and day out without fighting it too much.
So the opposite would demotivate you? Like when you go off plan and then gain a couple of pounds, get demotivated and continue to gain weight?paperpudding wrote: »sunnysidefarmsus wrote: »Pixie, do what works for you. You are taking steps that you feel will help with your current state. I wish people would be more supportive and helpful rather than so opinionated and bashing. It sounds like you know yourself well and don’t have the energy to get started so I agree with you 100%. I believe this can give you a few days of less food, curving your appetite and Lose a few pounds of bloat and water weight. This will make you feel better and encourage you to keep going with a healthy and active lifestyle. Wishing you success and joy in all areas of your life.
My bold.
But what is the point of doing this??
losing water weight and bloat for a few days does nothing to help you lose fat in the long run
Just for mental motivation. You think "hey I can do this" rather than "I'm never gonna lose so whats the point".
That's how it is for me anyway. Seeing the scale go down a couple of pounds motivates me and reminds me that making better choices will work in the long run, helps me stick to plan, and then the "real weight" loss comes off.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
For me personally seeing my weight go down regularly on morning weigh ins motivates me to eat better that day. It is easier to commit to continue that trend and not put it back on. So yes - "kick starting" that would be helpful to me.
During times when my weight is increasing I might sometimes get discouraged and adopt the "*kitten* it I'll start tomorrow" mentality. And then tomorrow, and tomorrow, etc and it can become difficult to snap the cycle. Thus my large weight gain during the pandemic stress, and months long illness I just went through. I knew that I shouldn't be eating what I was but I couldn't find the mental motivation to shift my habits.
The mental aspect is big for me. I think it is pretty clear that we all technically know how to lose weight. The mental motivation may be more difficult for some of us, and the tools to work through that might not be the same for everyone.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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I'm notorious for gorging at family parties. Our parties are usually at least 6 hours long and I'm around food almost that whole time. I always get "how can you eat that much and still not have a fat belly?" I'll usually put away 4,000 to 5,000 cals that day. No matter how many times I repeat the answer, my family seems to think I eat that way all the time.kshama2001 wrote: »FitAgainBy55 wrote: »That 1200 or 1500 calorie number is not absolute -- you can change it.
While you can't control your BMR (driven by your age, height, weight -- for today), you are completely in control of your TDEE each day (based on how much you move.)
I'm short for a guy and older (54). Maintenance for my current stats is 1,911. I'm eating ~2000 calories per day and losing over 1 - 1.5 lbs per week. How am I able to do that ? I'm not sedentary. Want a bigger budget, move more.
Yes, a few years back at Thanksgiving a guest marveled at my skinny 81 year old mother's "metabolism" when she saw how much she was eating. Her size has nothing to do with her metabolism - she is super active, sometimes skips meals, and eats a lot of foods that are low calorie dense / high volume.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition 6 -
I'm notorious for gorging at family parties. Our parties are usually at least 6 hours long and I'm around food almost that whole time. I always get "how can you eat that much and still not have a fat belly?" I'll usually put away 4,000 to 5,000 cals that day. No matter how many times I repeat the answer, my family seems to think I eat that way all the time.kshama2001 wrote: »FitAgainBy55 wrote: »That 1200 or 1500 calorie number is not absolute -- you can change it.
While you can't control your BMR (driven by your age, height, weight -- for today), you are completely in control of your TDEE each day (based on how much you move.)
I'm short for a guy and older (54). Maintenance for my current stats is 1,911. I'm eating ~2000 calories per day and losing over 1 - 1.5 lbs per week. How am I able to do that ? I'm not sedentary. Want a bigger budget, move more.
Yes, a few years back at Thanksgiving a guest marveled at my skinny 81 year old mother's "metabolism" when she saw how much she was eating. Her size has nothing to do with her metabolism - she is super active, sometimes skips meals, and eats a lot of foods that are low calorie dense / high volume.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
And this brings me back to my original comment that it's a marathon, not a sprint...1 -
Yep. Takes time and diligence to complete but nowadays the instant gratification holds strong in just about everything we do. People lose their minds getting put on hold on the telephone. Heck even at restaurants I've seen so many times where people will pull up, go pull on the door and see the restaurant doesn't open for another 10 minutes and they leave. The impatience factor is so prevalent in today's society of "I want it now".
I'm notorious for gorging at family parties. Our parties are usually at least 6 hours long and I'm around food almost that whole time. I always get "how can you eat that much and still not have a fat belly?" I'll usually put away 4,000 to 5,000 cals that day. No matter how many times I repeat the answer, my family seems to think I eat that way all the time.kshama2001 wrote: »FitAgainBy55 wrote: »That 1200 or 1500 calorie number is not absolute -- you can change it.
While you can't control your BMR (driven by your age, height, weight -- for today), you are completely in control of your TDEE each day (based on how much you move.)
I'm short for a guy and older (54). Maintenance for my current stats is 1,911. I'm eating ~2000 calories per day and losing over 1 - 1.5 lbs per week. How am I able to do that ? I'm not sedentary. Want a bigger budget, move more.
Yes, a few years back at Thanksgiving a guest marveled at my skinny 81 year old mother's "metabolism" when she saw how much she was eating. Her size has nothing to do with her metabolism - she is super active, sometimes skips meals, and eats a lot of foods that are low calorie dense / high volume.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
And this brings me back to my original comment that it's a marathon, not a sprint...
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Personally, I like the "Slim slow" plan myself. And it's free.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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So the opposite would demotivate you? Like when you go off plan and then gain a couple of pounds, get demotivated and continue to gain weight?paperpudding wrote: »sunnysidefarmsus wrote: »Pixie, do what works for you. You are taking steps that you feel will help with your current state. I wish people would be more supportive and helpful rather than so opinionated and bashing. It sounds like you know yourself well and don’t have the energy to get started so I agree with you 100%. I believe this can give you a few days of less food, curving your appetite and Lose a few pounds of bloat and water weight. This will make you feel better and encourage you to keep going with a healthy and active lifestyle. Wishing you success and joy in all areas of your life.
My bold.
But what is the point of doing this??
losing water weight and bloat for a few days does nothing to help you lose fat in the long run
Just for mental motivation. You think "hey I can do this" rather than "I'm never gonna lose so whats the point".
That's how it is for me anyway. Seeing the scale go down a couple of pounds motivates me and reminds me that making better choices will work in the long run, helps me stick to plan, and then the "real weight" loss comes off.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
For me personally seeing my weight go down regularly on morning weigh ins motivates me to eat better that day. It is easier to commit to continue that trend and not put it back on. So yes - "kick starting" that would be helpful to me.
During times when my weight is increasing I might sometimes get discouraged and adopt the "*kitten* it I'll start tomorrow" mentality. And then tomorrow, and tomorrow, etc and it can become difficult to snap the cycle. Thus my large weight gain during the pandemic stress, and months long illness I just went through. I knew that I shouldn't be eating what I was but I couldn't find the mental motivation to shift my habits.
The mental aspect is big for me. I think it is pretty clear that we all technically know how to lose weight. The mental motivation may be more difficult for some of us, and the tools to work through that might not be the same for everyone.
This exactly what it is for me as well. I have to conquer the mind before I can make a move to do the rest. It seems near impossible when my mindset simply isn't there; it almost feels like a switch in the brain I can't quite reach to flip. It doesn't help when a person is an emotional eater, eating due to worry, stress, depression, what have you. Those emotions have been running rampart for a year, in some of us. So yes, sometimes it is a quick start that needs to happen so we can feel the encouragement that something is working. Then when we feel comfortable, we can fine tune our eating habits with substitutions that are more sustainable, hopefully creating habits that will stick with us.
About 5 weeks ago I said 'this is it.' I weighed myself on a Monday a.m. and realized I had regained 30# over the past year. I committed myself to weighing each Monday a.m. Thankfully every week I've logged in a loss but I know me; I know if the scale wasn't budging I'd be discouraged and fall back into that wth mindset. Might be ridiculous to some but it is who I am. So no judging please or telling me it doesn't work or whatever thoughts are going through because I already understand those things. I'm trying as hard as I'm able, with what I've got(physically and mentally)and where I am in life ATM.
Just wishing everyone good health and great luck in their quest for a healthier life!!8 -
End of week 1. Lost 3lbs. Managed a couple of yoga and cardio workouts as well as a 50min walk most lunchtimes. Weather is improving and evenings are getting lighter so hoping to get out for longer walks after work soon. Spring is on it's way :-)10
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PixieKazza wrote: »End of week 1. Lost 3lbs. Managed a couple of yoga and cardio workouts as well as a 50min walk most lunchtimes. Weather is improving and evenings are getting lighter so hoping to get out for longer walks after work soon. Spring is on it's way :-)
Yay...I think nearly everyone's ready for spring this year...time for some green and warm weather! I'm ready to get out and ride my bicycle!
Congrats on your week 1 loss, OP.3 -
dragon_girl26 wrote: »
Yay...I think nearly everyone's ready for spring this year...time for some green and warm weather! I'm ready to get out and ride my bicycle!
Congrats on your week 1 loss, OP.
Thank you, it's a good start :-) hope you manage to get out on your bike soon!
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