Anyone else waiting til the New Year to do a restart?

ReenieHJ

I know it's not a favorite thing to do, to put it off. But I've decided that's exactly what I'm going to do. My mind isn't where it needs to be at the moment and the holidays coming won't help that fact. So, New Year, New Start!!

chris89topher

I feel like there's no better time to start than TODAY, as putting things off for another time can be a slippery slope. But that's me and we're all different. You should do what's best for you and whatever works to get what you want to achieve. 👍

wunderkindking

I think taking pressure off your start is a good idea.

Maybe leave the deadline flexible though. Do it when you can get your mind if the game. If that's not 1-1-2022 it's okay. Whether it's earlier or later than that.

Speakeasy76

I think being in the right headspace is very important for successful weight loss and maintenance. I know when I was still losing, I would never attempt to start around the holidays and would instead vow to start after. What I learned, though, was that it was less about an arbitrary date on the calendar and more about my own timeline, mental health and what else was going on in my life.

What I am already planning on doing after the new year is going back to my phase 1 and 2 foods (and maybe a few phase 3) from an elimination diet I did this past spring/summer. I'm already feeling more symptoms like joint pains and digestive issues, but also know I want to enjoy some of the goodies that aren't available all year.

scarlett_k

Not really. I flounder a bit when autumn sets in but I get back on track before having a bit of indulgence over Christmas.

Walkywalkerson

The way that I see it is that life is going to happen anyway - so instead of doing a 'restart' which basically in my mind gives me permission to binge out over Christmas and go all gung ho in the new year ultimately leading to failure.
It's best to just try and make sensible choices each day starting now.
If you don't- then log it and move on - but small changes add up - consistency is key.

goal06082021

That was my approach for the longest time. Last year though, right before Thanksgiving/The Holidays started in earnest, I decided I was tired of feeling so crappy all the time and thought, I bet I could do something about that over the next six weeks, so why wait?

I also knew that I usually ran out of steam at around the 10-week mark (which, if one starts January 1, falls around St. Patrick's Day). I thought maybe if I started in earnest a little earlier to build new healthier habits, I could get over that hump easier (spoiler: it worked).

I didn't get back into a commercial gym until this past summer because of COVID, but if you currently feel safe doing that in your area, better to get started now so you can get settled into a routine. Come January, the place will be crawling with resolutioners, but if you start today, by that point you'll be a regular. It also gives you time to figure out your programming, in terms of both how to do whatever it is you're planning to do in the gym, as well as how to modify that program if need be.

rosebarnalice

I know from past experience that's a dangerous strategy for me. It's better for me to keep on track with a few blip days here and there through the holiday season

kenziestabes

I find if I take a "break" from a habit or activity for more than a week, I tend to drop it. Makes picking it back up again hard work, which means that I'll more likely not start again. However, a 2-4 day break is usually enough to make me feel rejuvenated and well rested, so long as by break, I don't mean "stop cold turkey." It's more things like, "I won't go on a run, but I might take the dog on a second walk for the same amount of time as my run" or "I won't track calories but I'll try to eat as close to how I normally do on days I do track calories" or "I'm tracking calories but won't sweat it too much if I go 200-300 over."

The workout one is my current, "I'll just reset" that I'm fighting to pick back up. It wasn't the easiest habit to form, and I'm finding myself trying to work new routines.

Just food for thought.

bethann551

I felt like a living cliche when I did just that last January, BUT I also used December to prepare. I got all set up on MFP and played with the settings so they were where I wanted them to be on January 1. I practiced tracking, but did not set any expectations for myself. I stepped up my exercise a little so I would be really ready (physically and mentally) to act on my fitness goals. I know that lunch at work is tricky for me, so I gifted myself a frozen meal subscription service to get me through the first few months (I don't use it anymore). I also knew that for me weighing in those first few weeks was risky psychologically, so I just committed to accurate tracking and around mid-January when I had some good weeks behind me and felt maybe a little difference physically, I finally weighed in. I also devoured the wisdom and insight of people on these boards. I am 4 pounds from my goal right now, and though I may not quite get there by December 31, I am very happy with my progress. Having offered all that, if I have learned anything this year, it is that this journey is paradoxically universal and unique to each person. Wishing you the best as you start down your own path--whenever that is!

Mama530

It took me a while to actually start. What I did do, was honestly start logging what I ate. It was pretty eye opening to me.

I’d wobble with choosing to quit logging after lunch, but the more honest I was with myself, the greater impact it had on me.

I slowly started making healthier choices, then I set a calorie goal that was about 200 calories less than what my average had been. I mean, it wasn’t enough for me to lose weight, but it was enough to inspire me to make small, conscious choices, like counting out a serving of chips instead of eating from the bag.

Eventually, I lowered my calorie a little more and increased my step goal. Then I incorporated a stretching goal.

I still have a ways to go. I have a list of goals and habits I hope to incorporate into my life. But, I’m letting myself slowly master tiny healthy habits. Baby steps.

lulalacroix

Definitely not. I could easily gain 10 more pounds in December if I'm not careful.

That being said, I'll still enjoy some treats and drinks.

onyxgirl17

Last year I was in your position. I decided to wait and not track during the holidays and started tracking right around the new year. I’m 5-10 pounds away from my stretch goal and at the upper part of where I like my weight to be now (bmi currently 23). This next year I’m going to see about taking off those last 5-10 pounds and tone up but for the holidays this year I’ll be scaling back on dieting and letting loose a little, still tracking but I started incorporating a bit more “junk” food just for the holidays. I suggest not depriving yourself during the holiday season (it’s a mental thing) but consider tracking calories or at least practicing mindful eating / not binging to maintain your weight.

rebeccabyrnes11

I think a good way to go about the holidays is on the regular days try to eat as healthy as I can but if I go to a party I’m not gonna restrict, I think that’s the healthiest way to go about it because if you put it off to another time you’ll never do it. Hope this helps

lemurcat2

I'm not, I'm actually restarting now after a bad month overall, as I used Thanksgiving weekend to meal plan and prep and also restart my exercise and other stuff journal and some healthy routines I want to get back to. But that doesn't mean it's a bad choice for you. I agree that mindset matters (I've been struggling with that myself), so maybe spending some time now working on what's going on with the mindset rather than stressing about being offplan or the like, would be a good approach. The one thing I would warn about is if you have a tendency to feeling like you are either on (very strict) or off (all things go, eat everything in any quantity), since you don't want "I'm not starting until 1/1" to be an excuse or trigger to binge vs just partaking in normal holiday stuff plus some of the extra treats around without feeling guilty. (And I would say that feeling guilty is generally counterproductive. Better to say "I am choosing to eat this because I will enjoy it" but also try not to fall into eating mindlessly just because food is around.)

cmriverside

I don't know, honestly. I'm 14 years post weight loss now and the past two years have been so challenging.

Every year I have trouble with food from about November 1 through the first of January. I don't do a lot of entertaining nor do I go to many holiday parties, but I just get hungrier when it's cold and I'm not out as much doing stuff.

I'm up about three pounds right now. Pounds that are sticking. I dun wanna cut back on food. I know I have to. I'll get my head around it. I'm not waiting till January though. I could do some serious damage to my weight in four weeks.

mjglantz

When I started it was mid October 2011 and I figured no time like the present. Personally with the holidays if I had been going off track, this would be the time to start making those small sustainable healthy changes.

Courtscan2

For me, there's no time like the present - in fact I just got back at it this week after months of letting it go. Luckily I've only gained about 1kg in that time, but my fitness has definitely suffered, so time to get back to work on those muscles. There is nothing magical about the new year, and I figure if I don't have the fortitude to just start, it's unlikely I'll be in a better/happier place in 4 weeks after a lethargy/overeating splurge. I 100% intend to enjoy myself over the holidays, and won't track or worry about days like Christmas day, or all of the many parties and celebrations between now and Jan 1 -life is for living after all, but no reason not to be committed and mindful for 80 plus meals that are not celebratory between now and then, and no reason not to workout as best I can between now and then as well.

kshama2001

I was considering this, as I lost around 5 pounds during my move and had actually stopped logging for about a month. But after thinking about this thread, and getting my Fitbit report which said my steps and floors were down from the previous week (which was down from the week before that) I realized it is just my Addictive Voice talking.

So I started logging again yesterday.

sgt1372

Everyone's different but if you don't have the resolve to '"restart" your wt loss efforts now b4 one of the most taxing periods for avoiding overeating is over, what makes you think that you can maintain the effort later?

I've been in maintenance for over 6 yrs after an initial 40# wt loss and I've only been able to maintain that wt loss by means of constant determination and vigilance to keep the wt off by logging everything that I eat/drink and weighing myself daily.

Don't see how you can restart your efforts by making an excuse 4 while you need to start later.

If not now, when?

cwolfman13

I guess...kinda sorta. I generally get a little lax with things October through December and put on 8-10 Lbs every year. This year I've managed to maintain where I'm at, but where I'm at includes 20 Lbs of COVID weight I need to lose. It's been a really mild fall/winter so far here, so I've been more active than I usually am this time of year, which is why I think I've been able to maintain when I usually gain.

I don't really try to lose weight this time of the year because there's just too much going on. January is usually when I start to get back to things after a nice little break.

JBanx256

I wouldn't call it a "restart" but I went into maintenance on 11/20 and plan to stay there for the holidays. I'd been in a deficit for awhile so was due for a diet break regardless. Other than one big meal with the fam for Christmas, there won't be any crazy overeating; I'm staying on track with my lifting and keeping my step count high but just maintaining gives me a bit of wiggle room diet-wise. I'll go back into a deficit on 1/3.

nossmf

IMHO, the #1 reason most New Year's resolutions fail is because the person tries to completely overhaul all at once. It's too much to keep up forever without some serious planning, mental fortitude, and help from friends/family.

Much better in my mind to make a small change at a time, work it til it becomes a part of your normal, everyday routine, then start something else. Consequently I don't have big New Year's resolutions, but each month I have a New Month's resolution which is simple to execute. (Hmm...maybe a thread idea here...) For example, one month I will resolve to drink an 8oz cup of water every morning when I wake up. Simple to remember, done in seconds, move on with my day. Keep this up for the next month, it'll become normal habit. Now next month I can keep drinking that cup upon waking, and now add a cup before lunch. The next month I can resolve to take the stairs any time the climb is three stories or less. Over time these small habits add up.

gottagethealthy2022

I thought about doing the same thing. It seemed like a bad idea to start trying to lose weight just when highly calorific foods were going to be on offer everywhere. Then I decided to start now anyway. Because while I don't plan to eat NONE of the foods available, I'm going to make more specific decisions and only choose the options that are worth it to me - just the good stuff. That way I'll like I've indulged but not over-indulged.

Also, I'm at a precipice with my weight that I am wholly uncomfortable with, and if I don't track for December (with tracking being the only thing that consistently has worked for me in the past), it is highly likely that I'll go over that precipice, and I'm NOT interested in that!

dontlikepeople

One of the hardest things to do, but most important things to do, is to be kind to yourself. If you're not in the right headspace, you're not in the right headspace.

With that said, remember that once you DO start, you will be that much further out from your goals. The key is lifestyle change, and if you're not in the right headspace to make those changes, you may want to reassess those changes to be more livable for the long term.

ahoy_m8

Walkywalkerson wrote: »

The way that I see it is that life is going to happen anyway - so instead of doing a 'restart' which basically in my mind gives me permission to binge out over Christmas and go all gung ho in the new year ultimately leading to failure.
It's best to just try and make sensible choices each day starting now.
If you don't- then log it and move on - but small changes add up - consistency is key.

I agree with this. Being in the right headspace is important, and kudos to OP for realizing you are not there right now. "Doing a restart" when your head isn't in the game is a recipe for frustration and failure. Setting a firm date might help nudge your thinking in the right direction. On the other hand, it might put added pressure on the "restart date" without doing anything to facilitate movement into the right headspace. You know best which is true for you.

OP did not say this, but if setting a future restart date gives subconscious permission for a free-for-all until that date, then the hill will be just that much harder to climb when the date arrives. An alternative is to meet yourself gently where you are today (and tomorrow, and the next day) and commit to a small thing that you can do today. Maybe it's a walk on a beautiful day. Maybe it is having the delightful iced holiday cookies but stopping after one. Or two. Or whatever level of damage control you feel is in your power today. Enjoy yourself thoroughly, but also make a small efforts here and there. Because ANY effort is better than no effort, especially when it compounds over 30 days. I'm totally on board with the small changes strategy. It's really the ticket to lasting change. Then when you restart, the hill won't be quite so hard to climb.

J72FIT

Walkywalkerson wrote: »

small changes add up - consistency is key.

^^^This...

cbihatt

I am always most productive in my efforts during the fall. I manage ok through the winter. It’s spring and summer that trip me up. But, I also agree that you must be in the right headspace. It took me a few tries before I managed to get myself there.

I actually did my restart on Oct 18. It worked out great because I am only weighing myself monthly and it gives me time to get my holiday indulgences under control before my next weight check.

As with most things, you have to do what works for you. If that is waiting until after the holidays to focus on your goals, then do that. Lots of people do.

Athijade

I am waiting... because my therapist suggested to do so.

The holidays are difficult when it comes to my anxiety, OCD, and depression. "Dieting" is also difficult for those things. To the point where earlier this year I was told by my therapist no more calorie counting at that time because I was having anxiety attacks due to it. It became very unhealthy for me. So while we think it may be okay to start making mindful choices again (but still no calorie counting), the holidays may not be the best time to do so.

So, I am using this month to look at new recipes, stock up, and just prepare for things. Like I said, still no calorie counting (going to see how the new "rules" (lack of a better term cause my brain is tired) work first), but I will be making changes to my diet that will hopefully help with some medical issues along with starting some weight loss.

pafinkssteffes

Being older, I always feel like there’s no time like the present. I just started researching and tracking macros yesterday as a matter of fact. Did poorly but each day I will tweak and adjust. I believe in baby steps. Adding good things little by little will squeeze out the bad habits.

Xellercin

Nope. Every day counts.

That doesn't mean that every day has to be perfect, but there's no magical "pause" button. What I do today matters, and it will matter come Jan 1st.

I may be more lax with my expectations over the holidays, but I'm never going to throw the baby out with the bathwater just because I don't expect perfection for a few weeks.