Did the Mental Game Again

pk79

Committed to primal/ paleo for a week, then gained a pound, then switched back to the Weight Watchers account... then gained 2.5 pounds. This is the 3rd or 4th time I've done this exact thing.

Obviously I have a problem. What do you do to keep yourself committed?

lindsey1979

First off, I'd recommend you set more realistic expectations. One week will not show you much of anything as water retention can mask so much. So, I'd commit to choosing a course of action and sticking with it for at least 6 weeks to see if there is a difference. Find a good calorie threshold for yourself, track/weigh food diligently and note your progress. Adjust from there. But jumping from program to program every week or two is just going to drive you insane.

pk79

Thanks Lindsey. It's true on the realistic expectations. I've had unrealistic expectations for several months now. Just this desperate desire to get this weight off. But it's already driven me insane, so it's time for a new strategy.

_KitKat_

I would stop with the gimmicks and commit to a life style change. Figure out your TDEE or maintenance number and depending on how much you need to lose, create a reasonable deficient. Log accurately (weigh and log everything), if you use MFP's method eat only a percentage (50%) of your exercise calories or if you use TDEE you only log 1 calorie if you log it. If you do this (eating within calories whatever you want) and stick to it, wait at least 4-6 weeks before making adjustments...it WILL work and the weight will come off in a healthy way. This will prevent lean body mass loss to a degree, help with lose skin and give a much better chance of the weight staying gone.

wilsoje74

Start by committing to something you can maintain long term. Obviously that isn't paleo. Whether it's MFP or ww, stick to it.

agent99oz

weigh and measure everything you are eating for a week be really strict
Change the fitness you are doing for the week - i.e if you have been running, do something different
Drink more water
7 weeks without a weight loss here...7 weeks but I will not give up

pk79

Thanks for the tips. I think I have such high expectations because I had dropped so much weight before and then put this back on and it got incredibly frustrating. So maybe I need to relax a bit. But I don't think i can do the NO grains that Paleo enthusiasts preach for the long term, and I hate how ww hates fat.

lindsey1979

Thanks for the tips. I think I have such high expectations because I had dropped so much weight before and then put this back on and it got incredibly frustrating. So maybe I need to relax a bit. But I don't think i can do the NO grains that Paleo enthusiasts preach for the long term, and I hate how ww hates fat.

As for the grains/paleo thing, I used to feel the same way. I just tried it to get my fiance to shut up. But, I found that I felt much, much better without them in my diet -- I was literally shocked. So, now, it's an easy choice since I feel so much better without them (likely the gluten was a trigger for Hashi's). The fiance didn't have such dramatic difference, but now he never gets heartburn and the bloating with grains, so he avoids them too.

If you notice a big difference in how you feel, it may be a much easier choice -- it was for me.

MinnieInMaine

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Look, I get it. I used to do crazy things like that all the time too and finally realized the reason diets never worked for me is becuase I was always giving up the foods I loved and that NEVER works long term. This girl cannot survive on salads with fat free dressing - I need real food!

You can do this, just take the time to learn, forgive yourself the minor mistakes and be patient. One week on a plan isn't long enough to know if it works or not - you need more like 4-6 weeks.

Check out this thread - all the info you need:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

SCV34

Committed to primal/ paleo for a week, then gained a pound, then switched back to the Weight Watchers account... then gained 2.5 pounds. This is the 3rd or 4th time I've done this exact thing.

Obviously I have a problem. What do you do to keep yourself committed?

My stubborness and determination is what keeps me committed to staying healthy and on track!

I keep things simple with my eating habits and exercise.

PikaKnight

Maybe stop trying to follow restrictive methods and work on moderation?

Some links with great info, tips and such that may help you

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1214490-the-wisdom-of-trogalicious?page=1#posts-19000763

http://body-improvements.com/2013/05/24/undiet-your-diet/

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1122891-9-reasons-fat-loss-is-always-slower-than-you-d-like

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ihad/view/the-myth-of-good-and-bad-foods-by-eric-helms-588801

pk79

Wow guys. Thanks for the links. I have to say, MFP's community seems much more active than WW's. Which is based on a community. So that's kind of strange.

SHANELLEN

Literally everything you're saying is ME. I am a diet switcher and I go back and forth all the time. The biggest thing is to try something for a minimum of two weeks and see how you feel. I did paleo for a month and I lost like 7 pounds but I was exhausted by the end of it. I couldn't help my craving for very healthy grains like oats or even Rye bread. Just listen to your body! And DONT think that because paleo or one particular diet is not working is because you aren't trying hard enough! Paleo might not be great for eveyone! Stick to something for two weeks and if you don't love it, or feel like it could be a long term thing then adjust! I would call myself a raw/vegan/occasional meat eater and even though I'm just getting back into it (often cheezie and cupcake eater crept it's way in) it's what makes me feel good! Anyways, just wanted to say I feel your pain!