A question for long term losers?

Froody2

Hello! First ever topic. Here goes.


I've been doing this for about 15-16 months so far and am half way to my goal (had a false start back in 2011, got serious again last year). For the past six weeks or so I've been feeling just ....blah ...sick of being on here every day, sick of losing and regaining the same weight, sick of the time it's taking, basically. I eat food I love, in good (probably too much) amounts, do exercise I enjoy and get enough rest. I do have the occasional blow out, but eh well, such is life.


And yet ... part of me just wants to be at goal, to be able to run faster because I don't have to lug around thirty extra kilos, wear clothes in normal sizes, be able to sit on my knees at yoga without crushing my ankles (owie!) and be able to lift my weight when I do chin ups ...

I've come a long way but still have so much further to go. How do YOU keep going when the goal is a long way off and the path becomes intangible?




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beattie1

I guess we all feel like this after a while.
I try not to stress about it, not to charge at the weight-loss thing like a bull at a gate.
I try to keep the changes that "hurt" least going and focus on eating healthily, then distract myself by focusing on other things as well as weight loss so I have other subjects to think about it.
I believe slim people are interested in things other than food - I try to find other distractions just like they do.
You're going to eat SOMETHING, might as well make it something healthy!

The most important thing - accept it's going to take a long time, the rest of your life, if you're going to stay slim.

Froody2

So true, and thank you. I suppose I just need to be reminded that yes, this is for (hopefully a long) life and to not be impatient.


:flowerforyou:

HollisGrant

I've been at this for about 8 months (actually, 6 weeks earlier, but wasn't weighing, just exercising, so I'm not sure where I started). That's not exactly long term, but I understand what you're saying. This summer I found myself slacking off, eating more junk food at work, plus exercising less when I started college classes again in September in addition to my job.

I've discovered that I can't just do the same things over and over. Eventually I get tired of them. I have to add a few new simple goals, try some different spices, a different recipe, walk and hike a different route (walking/hiking is my thing), read some new inspiration. Little things, like buying myself a new water bottle or new jeans, really help my mood.

By the way, congrats! You've lost 75 pounds, which is fantastic!

This short video always lifts my spirits. It's a true story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

MimiLovesHorror

Hey Froody2, I feel your pain! I have 34 kg or 74 lbs to lose and its taking forever! March 3 2014 will make it THREE years for me since i started losing weight. So far I have lost 21.6 kg/47 lbs. I've done so much yoyo-ing - losing and gaining the same 5 pounds over and over again.
It takes a lot of patience and tenacity to continue on and work hard every single day and not feel demotivated that i am losing so slow and the change is so graduate that nobody even notices anymore.
When i feel low i just reach for my fat clothes and i good around with/in them! Or i calculate my BMI and feel proud how much it has improved. I try to remember how it felt while i was heavier and compare to how i feel now. This gives me the motivation i need to continue fighting the slow fight!
Good luck

paprikas

Froods, just look at the weight you have lost, and how far you have come! Take it day by day and keep up the great work... It's basically a lifetime commitment and it is fine to acknowledge that that is a huge adjustment in every way.

sunsetzen

I try not to think about whats happened until now. I just focus on today and my goal. One day is easy for me to focus on.

Quieau

I ask myself, "What's the alternative?" ... and the decision to keep going just makes itself!

Kgholli

I was feeling exactly the same as you mid year. My motivation was waning and it was becoming monotonous, so i took a break.

It was the best decision I ever made. I went on a holiday to america celebrated my 45th birthday and maintained to within a couple of kilos.

All up I had a break of about 3 months. Still exercised when I could probably about 3 times a week instead of 6. I ate what I wanted within reason and put all the skills that I had learnt about nutrition to work.

I have now been back at it for 3 weeks with renewed energy and motivation. For me I proved to myself that I can do this long term.

Sometimes we just need a break. Live life and enjoy yourself.

jeansuza

I think we all feel like this at times. Eating healthy and/or within calories is difficult to learn. If it were easy, I would have never been obese! Neither would so many people in this modern world. One day at a time, even one meal at a time is the key when the future looks dark... Imagine you are climbing the Himalaya if you want. Almost at the peak, it is dark, cold, lonely, dangerous, you can fall. You don't want to look either behind (seems vertiginous) or ahead (seems unreachable). What you do is just put one foot after the other and try to keep your balance. Let's meet a the top! Good luck!

Froody2

Thanks for all your considered replies, everyone. I'm glad I posted this, it's given me some perspective on things. It's so easy to just beaver away doing the same things day in, day out that you lose sight of what's really important. Might just take some time out to smell the roses ...


Thanks again, lovely people :flowerforyou: