surprise! I have trouble finishing things I start

ashleyShades

Hi. I'm 26 years old and have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I've been up and down all without really trying to lose or gain. I have a major problem staying motivated. I'm a procrastinator who finds it easy to abandon goals. I guess I'm a classic type B personality... I'm really hoping to change that. What are some things that keep you motivated? I'm currently 5'6" and fluctuate between 230 and 235. I'm going on a major vacation in October and would like to be considerably lighter than I am now. I am currently going to the gym 5-6 days per week and eating around 1700 calories. I don't eat back all of my exercise calories. Please help.

SW: 240
CW: 230-235
GW: 150

Thank you

Adc7225

Hi AshleyShades,

First don't be so hard on yourself, life happens - that is usually how we got where we are! That does not mean we can't change but we have to more like re-train ourselves, after all, doing what we have done didn't fair well for us.

The gym is great, but the change in your diet will be much better and the two together are fantastic! Try not to concentrate on your October trip because you may not see the changes that you want in the time frame that you expect - there are times when the scale does not move but we can tell we are losing inches.

Think about the fact that each day you do something different from what you did in the past you are moving forward, do not weigh yourself down with doubts of feeling like a procrastinator - I am one as well and I just take one day at time, when I fall I get back up - try to learn what made me eat what I ate, and continue on. Read the forums, post questions or comments and get lots of MFP friends - these really do make a difference!

I won't wish you good luck because if you stay on MFP, it's inevitable that you will succeed

ashleyShades

Hi AshleyShades,

First don't be so hard on yourself, life happens - that is usually how we got where we are! That does not mean we can't change but we have to more like re-train ourselves, after all, doing what we have done didn't fair well for us.

The gym is great, but the change in your diet will be much better and the two together are fantastic! Try not to concentrate on your October trip because you may not see the changes that you want in the time frame that you expect - there are times when the scale does not move but we can tell we are losing inches.

Think about the fact that each day you do something different from what you did in the past you are moving forward, do not weigh yourself down with doubts of feeling like a procrastinator - I am one as well and I just take one day at time, when I fall I get back up - try to learn what made me eat what I ate, and continue on. Read the forums, post questions or comments and get lots of MFP friends - these really do make a difference!

I won't wish you good luck because if you stay on MFP, it's inevitable that you will succeed

Thank you so much!

varga124

Best thing that ever happened to me; The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It (Hardcover and iBook.)
by Kelly McGonigal

I stopped drinking by page 100
Quit smoking after 17 years by page 200

No joke!

ashleyShades

Thank you

ashleyShades

I'm very thankful for the supportive community here

ashleyShades

Bad day eating wise today

Capt_Apollo

signing up for a race helps keep me focused. that way i have a goal, i've invested money into it so i'm less likely to slack off. and it's great, and in my opinion better than any goal clothing. you focus more on how to physically be better. your work outs become less about loosing weight, and more about getting faster and stronger.

sissidevore

don't quit!

i think i am a" type a" personality. i wish i could be more laid back, but i just have to have everything perfect. so be glad your a type b, but don't quit! there is no since in starting something, and not finishing!!! don't let one bad day ruin what your trying o hard to accomplish!

Adc7225

Bad day eating wise today - that is okay never beat yourself up about it. I have those as I am sure everyone else does. One of the great things about MFP is that even when you have a bad day of eating and you are truthful about it and log everthing it gives a point to look back on. If you have lets say 2 or three good weeks and see a loss when you look back at the point and realize (1) you got past it (2) you may have learned something from it! I usually learn that as much as I may have wanted that brownie it was not worth the calories or the after effect, next time I may still want a brownie but I usually make a better choice, maybe have a cookie or even a candy bar (not great but lower in calories).

As time goes by you will get better at making decisions about food - Never give up!

We are all here for you!

ashleyShades

Thank you guys! I needed that!

FattyFatsoMcTubby

You will have other bad eating days, but keep in mind that a bad day now and then is normal. Make sure you log all your calories and exercise every day, good or bad. I keep a spreadsheet so I can look at how I'm doing for the week. That way I can see the bad days averaged in with the other 6 days of the week. No matter how you look at it, a bad day is no reason to quit. Start again the next day. Once you find your groove, you'll be amazed at how easy it becomes to have far more good days than bad and the weight will come off.

I'm rooting for you!

acogg

Try to think in terms of a lifestyle change. Try to make small, daily changes that are livable forever. That way you can't quit, it's for the rest of your life. You can still lose weight and do things that you know are temporary, but try to build new habits.

ashleyShades

I'm not going to quit

mortuseon

I also have trouble fini

mortuseon

Sorry, poor joke. I would say the easiest way is to break big goals down into small goals. Meeting smaller goals is easier and you're less likely to procrastinate. Reward yourself when you meet them and positively reinforce them. Before you know it, they'll be adding up and you'll be forming habits, on the way to your ultimate goal.... too many people immediately tell themselves, RIGHT, I'M DIETING AND 'EATING HEALTHY' and fall off the wagon after trying to approach such an insurmountable task all at once. They get burned out. Take some time to form the habits, one step at a time, and it's much easier. Good luck, hope that helped.

acogg

Confession: A few days ago I read this thread and actually bookmarked the recommended book in this thread. When I saw this thread pop up again I clicked on it and I was surprised that I didn't see a post from myself. I remember typing one, but I must not have finished it. LOL!

ashleyShades

Sorry, poor joke. I would say the easiest way is to break big goals down into small goals. Meeting smaller goals is easier and you're less likely to procrastinate. Reward yourself when you meet them and positively reinforce them. Before you know it, they'll be adding up and you'll be forming habits, on the way to your ultimate goal.... too many people immediately tell themselves, RIGHT, I'M DIETING AND 'EATING HEALTHY' and fall off the wagon after trying to approach such an insurmountable task all at once. They get burned out. Take some time to form the habits, one step at a time, and it's much easier. Good luck, hope that helped.

Thank you for the good advice and I thought your joke was funny