I don't know what's different this time...

kealey1318

Typically I start up a "diet" all guns blazing and enthusiastic. Then the reality sets in, I start becoming frustrated with my "limitations" while watching others eat things I'd rather be eating, getting bored and then POOF motivation is gone and I'm back to my old habits.

I'm 12 days in this time. I'm down 7 pounds, I've logged every morsel of food (and any drink calories) and somehow it's easier this time. I'm excited about the weight loss, don't get me wrong, but what is really baffling me is that it feels ok this time. I don't feel like I'm being left out or craving things constantly. I don't know what's different but I LOVE it!

I'm eating a mostly healthy meal plan but I absolutely am factoring in some treats. I'm eating 6 times a day typically. I've almost entirely cut out bread - by accident - not on purpose. I don't seem to crave it like I usually do. I quit all soda pop 4 months ago. I only drank Diet but I knew that it was not a healthy option for me as I would literally drink ONLY soda pop, to the exclusion of water.

I just feel good. It's a quiet good... I've had several obstacles/hurdles in this 12 days that would've sunk me before. I'm happy and I pray every day that this continues because I like how I feel these days. I don't feel stuffed/exhausted/highs and lows.

I know this is just a bunch of rambling but I appreciate anyone who took the time to read it! Have a fantastic weekend!

Domane1963

Yes!!! ^ This ^ This ^ This!!! I know EXACTLY how you feel!

I have spent years yo-yo dieting but back in May I made some major changes in the foods that I eat and took up running and lost my weight SO easily.... staying determined and focussed. As the weight came off and I got closer to target, I got more and more excited and now I'm in maintenance and SO determined to stay here. Never EVER felt like this before.....

seltzermint555

I am happy for you, but I also am a little concerned about 7 lb in 12 days. NOT like you aren't doing this right or anything like that because you are probably seeing that initial drop and maybe some water weight. But don't lose motivation if it slows down to 1, 2, or even less each week! It still really adds up! Some weeks I lose 0.2 lb and other times 4 lb. But I'm set to lose 1.5 per week and if I average out my 7 months using the site, yep 1.6 lb is my weekly avg loss. It really works, for me anyway!!

That said...yep, I feel similarly about MFP. In the past, I would resolve to eat healthier and I would succeed to some extent. But I would have nagging guilt and almost panic if I "fell into old habits" and ate a Snickers bar or went out to my favorite Indian restaurant. I felt like I'd failed, and it made me not even want to keep working at it. Like many people I drastically underestimated and overestimated my calories and other nutritional information and I think that was the main reason I didn't lose weight, or lost extremely slowly. For example, this week I went out to lunch at IHOP with my dad and a few years ago I would have had a chicken wrap or a salad. I never would have ordered 2 pumpkin pancakes & sugar free syrup...I'd have thought that would ruin my "diet" and actually it's 360 cal and most of the wraps and salads there are around 700-1200!

MFP helps me feel in control. I'm a numbers person and it is incredibly reassuring to me being able to see the numbers even when I overindulge. I feel so much more in control with this tool, and I am. My best advice to you is be consistent with the logging, even down to the smallest bite. Sometimes I'll grab a strawberry from the fridge and think "I don't need to log that, it's barely anything" but I still log it.

Good luck!

kealey1318

I'm certain that there's some water weight in the 7 pounds... BUT, my goal is set to lose 1 pound per week. I set it low on purpose because MFP automatically puts me at a 1,200 calorie diet if I put any more. I decided if I were to limit myself like that, it would not be sustainable. I figure it took a whole lotta years to put it on, it's going to take some time to come off. No need to be concerned about the rapid initial loss! (I also keep my food diary open so feel free to peek to see I'm certainly eating plenty!)

Thank you both for your words!!!

aphrodite0727

Something must have clicked this time. You are doing awesome! Keep up the good work! We WILL succeed!!

rlinz123

This is awesome - I totally know how you feel. I'm in the same boat, and it's wonderful! Lets hope our good feeling and success lasts for the long run!

seltzermint555

I'm certain that there's some water weight in the 7 pounds... BUT, my goal is set to lose 1 pound per week. I set it low on purpose because MFP automatically puts me at a 1,200 calorie diet if I put any more. I decided if I were to limit myself like that, it would not be sustainable. I figure it took a whole lotta years to put it on, it's going to take some time to come off. No need to be concerned about the rapid initial loss! (I also keep my food diary open so feel free to peek to see I'm certainly eating plenty!)

Thank you both for your words!!!

Yay!

Also, I just want to clarify...I wasn't concerned about you health wise with the initial drop :-) More mentally...because I know some people who think whatever they are doing "isn't working anymore" if they don't see several lb loss every week, especially after an initial drop like that.

Lizzy622

Great job. Sometimes it just clicks. It is not as difficult as some of the diet books would have you think.