What keeps you going during those rocky times?

thelaurameister

I've been a member of MFP since April 2011. From April to July of that year, I managed to lose 26 pounds. From that point, my drive and motivation to keep going just disappeared. I turned 21 on July 13th, 2011. I wanted to go out with friends to bars and clubs, which inevitably led to late night drunchies and just overall poor choices. I maintained my weight through the end of August, but eventually old habits came back full-force because I allowed myself to become way too lax over time. I gained the weight back and then some.

Since then, I've struggled with consistency. I'll have a week where I do great and lose a little weight. I'll continue the next week and only lose a fraction of a pound and it discourages me. I know that it takes dedication and it will take time to lose the weight just like it took time to gain it.

At the start of this year, I was very motivated. I went shopping to avoid fast food. I only bought good, natural foods and picked up various things like Larabars to help with sweet tooth cravings. I weighed, measured, and took "before" pictures in hopes that seeing progress outside of just my weight would boost my motivation for the long-haul. I found a moderate yet challenging workout plan that incorporates weight training and interval training. I set up rewards for every 10lbs lost (i.e. 10lbs lost = nose piercing, 20lbs lost = mani/pedi, 50lbs lost = a new tattoo I've wanted for ages, 100lbs = $100-$200 wardrobe shopping spree, etc. No food-based rewards at all). I set up a completely realistic goal of losing 10lbs a month. I know what it takes, I know that it takes time, but sticking to it just doesn't happen and I'm having a really hard time understanding why. I feel great not only about myself but in general when I stick to it (more energy, better sleep, less water retention). I just give up too easily and I don't know how to change that. I want to feel confident with my body and I have wanted such for as long as I can remember.

I was hoping to get some helpful tips that have worked for people to stay on track and motivated. Thanks for reading my story.

thelaurameister

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Ninkyou

Moderate calorie deficit, no restricted foods and exercise I truly enjoy.

You can still enjoy the foods you love, have nights out, etc, they just take some planning. Work them into your goal and you can still lose weight and have fun nights.

Tashry

I think in some ways it is kind of like trying to quit smoking. Until you are ready to make that change, finding the motivation is hard. That may not be the case for everyone, but that is how it is for me.

Best bit of advice I have is to get some great MFP friends and check in daily. The best work I did was when I was chatty and active on the site. It kept me going. Seeing the "WAY TO GO" comments made me so proud and kept my drive.

My motivation to start back up now (I just had a baby 6 months ago so was not on MFP for a while) is my birthday. I turn 30 in 3 months and want to rock my little black dress. That's it. I want to get back to looking good and feeling great.

Best of luck to you. Feel free to add me as a friend if you want some daily motivation and support!

khkjkk

Treat it like a challenge. I remember what it was like when I was heavier and unhealthier than I was today. I'm not going back there, and I imagine how good it will be to be even more in shape.

Indulge occasionally. Without frozen yogurt, my life would be less enjoyable. All in moderation. Including beer and bar food.

Don't lie to yourself. Don't "I'll do it / start / get back on track tomorrow" yourself for a week. Do what you can today, then do it again tomorrow.

Don't give up. If you have a bad day, or a bad day or two, that's no reason to give up. Just remember how wonderful it feels when you're staying on track.

MsKeelah919

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piercedee

I went with the "set it for half a pound a week weight loss and be excited when I lose more than that" plan. I feel like it sets me up for success rather that "failure" if I don't lose quite as much as my goal said. It is a win if you lose weight (or inches) so I try celebrate that instead of worrying it wasn't enough. Feel free to add me

thatgirlkellib

For me I had to go to an event, Looked through my clothes and nothing I put on looked right!
So after a few tears and feeling bad for myself, just said forget it ! I will lose the weight, so I started an excersize routine monday-thursday , and saturday, I also cut out sugar and anything artificial, also "bad creamy" Like mayo and sour cream Milk and a few others swaped for obvy - yougart and almond milk....made my workouts hard so I would sweat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did this , I work a fulltime job and A new mommy and Wife.... so My schedule is crazy! and I still managed to spend alot of time with my baby because he got his stroller time in. I had to quit making excuses. and I gave up alcohol for a while....that was a culprit for me as well.

I also tracked every bite of food I possibly could!
packed my lunch and breakfast the night before so there would be no hassel in the morning....not a morning person.

ErinMLB

As I write this, I am eating ice-cream lol! The first month I looked at a scale the first day and not until the last day, I knew I would get to hung up over the number instead of how I feel. Now I weight frequently but that is only because I'm a data nerd and find data trends interesting, I wouldn't recommend weighing everyday unless you can detach yourself from the number.

Aside from that, it's a process, you don't need to be completely strict, you have to be realistic with what will work long term. There is zero chance I would succeed if I couldn't have chocolate ,ice cream or nights out with friends.

nancybuss

Lifestyle change. It truly has to be the WANT and desire for the lifestyle change.

Right down WHY you want to do it. To feel better? to be healthy? to look good on the beach? Whatever your WHY reasons have to be there to help you when you just don't feel like it.
Believe me we ALL hit times we Just dont Feel like it! mine hits every morning at 5:15
Its Wanting it Enough to still get out of bed, then to give in and stay in bed.

I Totally agree with accountability people!!!! knowing someone is there to help you, to know if you're doing ok, to lift you up when you're not.... it all helps to come together

Lizzy622

Wow just reading all that tired me out. TOO much at once. Breath and try starting a bit easier. Due to hypo active thyroid and medication issues I completely forgot the scale and made my priority to become healthier. I eat less and pay more attention to my nutrition. Logging for a week without making any real changes opened my eyes to my portion sizes (way too big). I tweaked until I became comfortable logging and eating at a deficit. I then incorporated exercise slowly first only walking a mile 3 times a week. You can do it but too much at once can derail you too.

klyn05

I agree with what a lot of the people above said. It has to be a lifestyle change. I don't personally limit myself from any foods I "work" them into my diet or days where I want to be a little more lax. If you mess up one day, that's ok. The only way to keep going is to accept it and just get back on it the next day. We all will have days where we mess up, it's the general consistency that really gets you to where you want to be...

I'm definitely less than perfect when it comes to this losing weight and I'm trying to be a little more strict on myself but I'm more than halfway to my goal, and just knowing I'll get there when I get there is good enough for me! Slow and steady wins the race... Again, I personally am trying to be a little more "strict" on myself to get to my goal faster, but if you generally stick to your calories and exercise... you will see results. The keys are not *what* you do *as much* as PATIENCE & CONSISTENCY! :happy: Good luck, the support here really helps! :flowerforyou:

btsinmd

There are various tips for staying on track that have been said in many places:
- try to keep only healthy food on hand
- try to keep any food that you are likely to overeat out of your house, or out of sight at least if you can't get it out due to other people. Don't keep food where you can just mindlessly grab it. Move yourself or it.
- If you are somewhere and are given a large portion, divide it so that you have a reasonable portion in front of you and get the rest of it out of your sight, like in a to-go box at a restaurant or in the refridgerator at home.
- if you find that you wait to eat until you're ravenous, you are more likely to make bad food choices, so don't let yourself get to that point, eat often enough for you. That might mean every 2 to 3 hours and smaller meals/snacks for some; or larger periods of time with larger meals/snacks for others. Eat when you are truly hungry.
- Don't eat when you just want to put something in your mouth or you just ate and it hasn't gotten to your brain yet. Drink some water. Distract yourself, with a hobby you like, exercise, reading, anything that will stop you thinking about it for 20 minutes or so.
- Try not to drink any sodas if you can, diet or regular, if you want (and can) drink a little then fine, but not a whole lot.
- Try to cut down alcohol to not very much. It too has a lot of calories.
- Record every single bit and taste that you put in your mouth. All the time, even if and when you are going over your calories for the day. Take the time to put it in before you eat any more.

All these things help with staying on track, but not motivation.

Motivation has to come from you. No one else. You have to want to change more than you want to eat.
- Determine for yourself, why do you want to lose weight? Write it down.
- Is that more inportant to you than immediate gratification? If it is, then you'll do it. If it isn't then you won't.
- If you believe it is more important, then put it where you can see it, especially when you will be tempted.
a) If you want to look sexy: put a picture of yourself now right there on your refridgerator and put a picture of someone that you want to look like when you lose the weight.
b) If you want to avoid an illness of disease, do something so that you think of that when you reach for food. I see my Dad, bedridden with a stroke, only able to move his head; and his father, my grandfather the same way.
c) If you want to be able to run and keep up with your friends; think of that and maybe even put up a picture to remind you.

Avoid, as much as possible, the things that will derail you.
- I don't go to fast food restaurants ever, even to get their healthy stuff, because that will start a craving in me for specific fast food that I don't even like that much, but get obsessed with when I see or worse, smell it.
- I don't ever drink any colas, because not only do I find them addicting, but they also can get me wanting to eat more food.
- Friends that try to get you to eat what you shouldn't, even when you have explained to them that you are trying to eat right, are not your friends. Avoid them until they stop.

Seek places, activities, and friends that will help you with your journey.

TheHealthyMeInside

I know it may sound childish, but after I'm done reading my magazines (Shape, Self, Fitness, Prevention) I cut out things that inspire me and add them to my vision board. (Poster board) I keep it up on my wall close to where I weigh in weekly and it helps. Also, one of my main reasons for trying to lose weight is to have a baby, so I bought a cute little baby outfit and it hangs on my bedroom wall so I see it every day and night. It's a reminder as to what I can lose if I don't keep fighting!

thelaurameister

These are great, thank you all!

The most frustrating part of it all is knowing what it takes, but lacking willpower. It's not a matter of being uneducated or not wanting it, life just has this grand way of getting in the way. I will defeat this, thanks for all the support

klyn05

We all know how it is to lack willpower I'm sure.. I know I do! You can do this! :happy: Small steps lead to big changes! You don't have to overwhelm yourself all at once...

These are great, thank you all!

The most frustrating part of it all is knowing what it takes, but lacking willpower. It's not a matter of being uneducated or not wanting it, life just has this grand way of getting in the way. I will defeat this, thanks for all the support

ckish

Personally, setting small rewards undermines my success because it causes me to avoid focusing on my real goal - A healthier, happier, and longer life. I am not on a diet that I need to stick to until I achieve some arbitrary goal. I choose to pay attention to how much better I feel when I eat and exercise. Then the motivation to cook dinner at home instead of going to BurgerKing is that after eating a whopper I will be hungry in a few hours and have less energy than if I have a homemade turkey burger with a wonderful salad followed by apple slices drizzled with carmel for dessert. If you could see into the future and see yourself at deaths door would you regret not doing something as simple as eating well in the past in exchange for a few more days? I refuse to eat substandard frozen, pre-packaged foods and choose to make healthy flavorful foods I enjoy every bit or more than anything offered at a restaurant. The fact that I eat better at a fraction of the price of restaurants or prepared foods allows me the freedom to take vacations and actually enjoy my life by being fit and active. That is the true reward for me. Get busy living or get busy dieing - you get to choose!