Almost feeling like I'm losing control!

suppakana

My life has gotten a little hectic. If it was just work and school, I don't think it'd be a big deal - however, I'm also trying to balance having a social life (I know, crazy right?) and working out/eating right, and being active in my WoW community [yeah.. I play warcraft ].

Lately, the working out and eating right have been failing in favor of socializing and doing homework.

Over the course of summer, I lost almost 15 lbs - a pretty damned incredible achievement for me. Over the past 3-4 weeks, I've regained 5 of those pounds. I haven't been able to work out as much as I should be, and I've been having a hard time making good food choices. I know that means I'm still down 10 lbs, and that's always motivating to think about, but I need to figure out a method to stop this upward trend. Now. Even if I don't start going down again.

I know there are a lot of other people in this situation - actually, I'm pretty sure it's a common place to be. Any advice on how I can.. Well... Stop the backwards slide?

anaisbutterfly7

Hello,

I am not always the best person for motivation because I get pretty down on myself sometimes. That being said, I try to ignore the word "should." 'I want to go to the gym', not 'I should go to the gym.' When I admit to myself that I do or do not want to go to the gym, it is easier to make the decision, and it helps me feel less guilty.

It's nice that you have a social life. Do your new friends like going for walks or playing sports?

thepetiterunner

Our lives are never going to be perfect and we're always going to be adapting to schedule changes or unplanned events. I think the first step in getting a hold on this is acknowledging where you are and being aware, which is what you're already doing.

You may just want to re-evaluate your weight loss goals and expectations. If you're not wanting to work out as much due to other activities you want to do, then you should expect your weight loss will also slow down. Plan for that and don't kill yourself if you don't lose at the same rate you were before.

This is simply a continuation of the journey - you're just on a different part of the road; the part that's a bit bumpier, that's all. Create a new schedule and plan of action and stick to it.

Keep on, keepin' on.

suppakana

Our lives are never going to be perfect and we're always going to be adapting to schedule changes or unplanned events. I think the first step in getting a hold on this is acknowledging where you are and being aware, which is what you're already doing.

You may just want to re-evaluate your weight loss goals and expectations. If you're not wanting to work out as much due to other activities you want to do, then you should expect your weight loss will also slow down. Plan for that and don't kill yourself if you don't lose at the same rate you were before.

This is simply a continuation of the journey - you're just on a different part of the road; the part that's a bit bumpier, that's all. Create a new schedule and plan of action and stick to it.

Keep on, keepin' on.

Thanks, both of you. I think I needed that. >3<

Hopefully I can figure out a routine soon though. I miss getting sweaty.

MinnieInMaine

And now it's time for a little tough love...

If you can't work out then you need to start being more careful about your food choices. Weight loss is mostly about calorie deficit and if you can't create a deficit through exercise, you have to create it with smaller portions. I'm sure that's harder than usual since you're in school but it's the only way you're going to be able to keep your weight in check.

Besides that, you may have to have to put some serious thought behind priorities. Maybe backing down on some of your social commitments and WoW time would be worth it so you can take more time to get a little exercise in? Or if you're not willing to do that then you're gonig to have to live with the fact that your weight/health are going to go on the back burner. Only you can decide what's most important...

torisiegel

Yay, another WoW player!

I have a similar story: I was doing great over the winter, and lost 13 pounds... then I gained 9 of them back and recently started getting serious again. Here are some things that helped me:

1) Pack a lunch, or healthy snacks. You may be on the go a lot -- it happens. Just wake up 10 minutes earlier, pack an insulated lunch bag with some good protein (turkey/tuna/egg), a healthy starch (look for whole grains so you get a lot of fiber -fiber is good for the digestive system and helps keep you full), some of your favorite veggies and fruits, maybe some yogurt if you like dairy, and then a treat, like chips or chocolate, as long as you pack just 1 serving. I love snacking on trail mix -- 1/4 cup and my appetite is calm for another couple hours, plus I get some energy in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon. If I don't pack healthy snacks, I feel STARVING by my next meal break and I binge on something filling but a ton of calories, like pizza.

2) Don't leave fat out of your healthy food choices. Fat is good for your brain and skin, and your body inherently craves it. Deny it too often, and you'll binge on a bunch at once. Make sure you're eating fat with your meals, whether that's cooking vegetables with butter or olive oil (as long as you measure it out), or eating a rib-eye, haha.

3) Have you considered getting a stationary bike at home? I got one off Amazon for $130 and it's been a game-changer for me. I ride a little bit in the morning before work, while reading; and then I ride again in the evening, while watching TV. I usually get an hour of biking a day in, plus I walk during my lunch break at work. Since you play WoW, do you have a mobile device with the Armory app? I've even chatted with guild members while riding so I still feel like I'm getting a little extra social time... and you know, planning ahead for grouping together to take down the Horde.

Good luck to you!

luckydays27

And now it's time for a little tough love...

If you can't work out then you need to start being more careful about your food choices. Weight loss is mostly about calorie deficit and if you can't create a deficit through exercise, you have to create it with smaller portions. I'm sure that's harder than usual since you're in school but it's the only way you're going to be able to keep your weight in check.

Besides that, you may have to have to put some serious thought behind priorities. Maybe backing down on some of your social commitments and WoW time would be worth it so you can take more time to get a little exercise in? Or if you're not willing to do that then you're gonig to have to live with the fact that your weight/health are going to go on the back burner. Only you can decide what's most important...

QFT!

I work 10 hours a day and have a 1-1.5 hour commute to that job. So for at least 12 hours a day, I am out of my house. Taking sleep and personal hygene into consideration, I have 3 hours a day to spend with my husband, take care of household chores, and exercise. At work I dont have access to a microwave or any other way to heat up food so if I want a hot meal, I have to go out to eat. I eat salads and soups at work from the local places. I avoid snacks, pastries, and other foods that are super high calorie.

I work out 4-6 days a week for an hour or so. I have been able to consistantly lose weight, week after week because my priorities are in balance.

You can do this. Just figure out what matters most to you and strive for that.

trogalicious

You don't HAVE to work out to lose weight. You might want to if you're looking to be in better shape, but you don't have to.

If you have time for WoW, then that's your priority. Spend however much time it takes to plan your days, maintain a deficit.. game if you want, and still lose.

I'm not knocking gaming, by any stretch. I've spent hundreds of hours in BF2/COD/BF3 servers, but you can still lose so long as you maintain that deficit.... but you're gonna have to put emphasis on planning out your meals to make sure you stick to it.

chad_phillips1123

Like most people have said it's all about priorities which is up to you to decide. Personally, I can tell you it's easier to keep weight off than get it off (and it's a bit easier to get it off when your younger than older).

As far as ideas to help your situation, I would focus on combining activities and setting yourself up to do well.

1) see if you can "encourage" your friends to socialize around something physical (an intramural sport, going to the them, walking/jogging, one of those zombies chasing apps, whatever). This way you can socialize and get a workout (maybe make a game of it...who can burn the most calories...or lose the most weight in a period of time; make bets of something could help).

2) cooking in batches (maybe with friends as well). On sundays, cook something healthy (lean meat, soup, whatever) and put it in some tupperware to eat through week for meals (at least til wednesday; then cook something else on wednesday). Having some healthy meals already made (along with getting some healthy snacks) will save time and stop mindless snacking (personally I snacked a lot when studying and playing games).

Good luck!

JewelsinBigD

We are what we do... if you want to lose you will cut calories, you will work out. Forget the words, at any given point in a day we are doing what we want to do for whatever reason we want to do it - SO JUST DO IT!