Harder than it seems

mbutkevich824

Getting started and continually maintaining and still living a life isn’t easy. I’m grateful to be down 5.4, but still I wonder what else I could be doing differently. My step count needs to be higher I read about fasting but I worry about being hypoglycemia, because I’m not used to fasting. I want to do well, be strong and maintain I’m so happy to be down 5 because my scrubs fit better snd I feel a little better but I want more. I don’t want to get lazy or give up because it’s easier to give in and give up. I have so many goals, I’m trying to better myself for my future and be healthier to live a longer healthier life for myself and for my husband who is my best friend, who is my biggest supporter and motivator. Balancing school and working full time is a lot sometimes and can be overwhelming. If anyone has any guidance I’d love to hear it! Thanks for the read! And for the few friends on this site help keep me checking in and tracking! I appreciate it and am grateful for it!

AnnPT77

My advice would be: Keep it simple.

All you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit. Beyond that, a reasonably well balanced diet is a good thing to work toward, but it can be done gradually.

Exercise is a good thing for health, too, but again, you can work on that gradually. It doesn't need to be some crazy-intense, difficult, punitive-feeling thing. Anything that helps you enjoyably move more is a good thing. Something that gets your heart beating a bit more is good, as is something that gives your strength a little challenge. Keep it enjoyable, with a time budget that leaves you with enough time (and energy) for your job, school, home chores, reasonable social interaction, and anything else essential to your well being. Good life balance is important.

If you don't have health conditions that require you to limit carbs, or protein, or whatever, or require you to eat on some specific prescribed schedule (intermittent fasting, etc.), then any eating schedule that's practical and enjoyable for you will work fine.

Some of the special diets (keto, low carb, paleo, whole foods, plant based, whatever) or eating schedules (intermittent fasting, 6 meals a day, not eating after 6, whatever) help particular people stick to their calorie goal, or get good nutrition, but if you can hit your calorie goal while not struggling terribly with hunger/cravings, those are optional for weight loss. For nutrition, the key things are getting a reasonable minimum of protein, healthy fats, and plenty of varied, colorful veggies and fruits. You can work toward that gradually, and it'll be fine.

Keep it simple. Don't fall for faddish hyped nonsense. Work on the basics. Keep them practical. That'll work. 🙂

Thoin

mbutkevich824 wrote: »

Getting started and continually maintaining and still living a life isn’t easy. I’m grateful to be down 5.4, but still I wonder what else I could be doing differently. My step count needs to be higher I read about fasting but I worry about being hypoglycemia, because I’m not used to fasting. I want to do well, be strong and maintain I’m so happy to be down 5 because my scrubs fit better snd I feel a little better but I want more. I don’t want to get lazy or give up because it’s easier to give in and give up. I have so many goals, I’m trying to better myself for my future and be healthier to live a longer healthier life for myself and for my husband who is my best friend, who is my biggest supporter and motivator. Balancing school and working full time is a lot sometimes and can be overwhelming. If anyone has any guidance I’d love to hear it! Thanks for the read! And for the few friends on this site help keep me checking in and tracking! I appreciate it and am grateful for it!

Remember it's a marathon not a sprint. It sounds like you are doing really well. Don't burn out is my best advice.

4legsRbetterthan2

AnnPT77 wrote: »

My advice would be: Keep it simple.

Thoin wrote: »

Remember it's a marathon not a sprint. It sounds like you are doing really well. Don't burn out is my best advice.

Great advice already above!

I agree that you might just be overthinking it and feel you should be doing something extreme, but honestly not being extreme usually works out better in the long run. You will get the most results if you follow a plan that doesnt make you miserable and you can stick to for a long time. It sounds like you are already off to a good start, so there is no reason to force yourself into something you dont want to do.

Since it sounds like you have a very full plate already (great job getting back to school BTW!) just focus on incorperating low key exercise you enjoy when you are able to. You are already losing weight, so there is no need to try to force big calorie burns or anything. For your situation it might be wiser to focus your exercise efforts on things you enjoy that help you reduce stress and relax, and keep it to a level that will not require strict adherence to a training plan since you already have alot going on. Do some yoga when you have the time, go for a walk with your husband, or whatever else you enjoy

callsitlikeiseeit

most people give up because they overcomplicate it, have unrealistic expectations, or set too severe of a calorie deficit and can't maintain it. I say I have a quiet life, but I really don't. We have a farm, a teenager, constant animal issues (pet or livestock), normal housework, normal cooking, errands, and really, am much busier than I tend to THINK I am. We eat out, I go to the gym in spurts... life is busy (for all of us). It is ALL about eating in a deficit and learning to log your foods as accurately as possible. I eat the same things I always did, I am just much more mindful of how much. You are welcome to send a friend request, I am more active on my feed than in the forums. Ive lost 130 pounds and log daily (and if for some reason i dont log, I usually make a status update as to why I'm not logging that day). its rare though, that i dont.