Why is it.....

Kate_UK

Why is it that I did the whole callorie counting/exercise thing for months, stuck to it (for 99% of the time) , lost the weight and found that I actualy enjoyed exercising. But once I reached my goal and started maintaining the enthusiasm (and self control) went right out of the window? Before if I went into the red, I'd exercise all night if need be to get back into the green, but now its just a number? And once its red, I don't care how big that number is. I'm over, so why not be really over? Before if I didn't have time to exercise I'd make time or else I'd feel sluggish. Now just getting ready to go a session is hard work. Although of course I enjoy it once I get going.

I decided to lower my goal weight slightly so that my 4lb margin for error while maintaining will always keep me at or below 11st. 0lbs. Thats only 4 lbs away. But do you think I can muster up the hwyl (now there's a good welsh word! - energy, stamminer, get up and go etc) to get moving again? Augh Ths sucks!

Dlibo1013

i hear ya buddy, I am sort of the same. I have lsot a bundle and look pretty good again. Well last night two pieces of chocolate pie. I am scared about it actually. I thought I had this figured out

Bearface115

Yeah i agree. Before i had my slip off the wagon, i was totally gaga for exercise and keeping it in the green. Then i went on Vacation for ONLY 3 days and came back and barely kept up with my exercise. It wasnt until it was 3 months later and i was gaining everything back including new weight gain! but that's becuase i was back to my bad habits incuding worse eating foods that i have discovered. So now i techniquly need to loose 16 pounds to get back to where i used to be, but that's ok, bc i found my love for dieting and exercising once again! and i dont intend on loosing this battle... not again!

kwardklinck

It is a process. I've had some weeks where I've eaten bad and became lazy about my workouts. I just force myself back to the gym. I've found that when I eat bad, I'm more sluggish and can't exercise as hard. I definitely can't run when I've eaten a huge meal the night before. When I got the eating back under control, the exercise came naturally. It's difficult to maintain this lifestyle sometimes but it's so worth it.

lulabellewoowoo

For me, as I reached my goal, I realized I was still "dieting", and literally have to readjust my thinking on a regular basis that I exercise for my sanity, my strength, my children. I eat healthy 80% of the time as a good example for my kids, because I don't like feeling sluggish, because I like my skin being clearer. But like I said, this is something I have to remind myself of on a regular basis. I am not "DIETING". I am making a PERMANENT LIFESTYLE CHANGE. Most of the time it helps. :blushing:

amymeenieminymo

I am not sure what the answer it, but all I can say is that I am with you 100%. I began my journey here three years ago this coming april. It was the first time I stuck with any kind of regular work out plan for more than 6 weeks, and for the most part I stuck to eating healthy. If I ate badly, I pretty much craved healthy food after that and I missed logging my calories after a day or two away from it. I lost 50 pounds, and while I still had 15 to go, I felt great.

Starting last February, I really began to struggle, I lost interest in all of my work out options, hate working out after work, can't get out of bed in the morning. Like you, if I screw up, I figure why not REALLY screw up? Last night I not only had taco bell, but then I had a pop, and then Christmas cookies, ugh. Since February I have gained back 13-20 pounds (still can't get an accurate reading because of water weight, TOM, etc). But it's like I never knew what that motivation was, I feel like I'm starting back at the beginning and I don;t know what I am doing.

The best I can figure is that like all things, some people are better at different things. I don't beat myself up for not being a math whiz, or a computer geek, so why do I feel like I need to be super human and keep every pound off? My friend has always been thin, she eats what she wants but she doesn't over indulge. She had a baby, put on some curves, but now she's pretty much back to what she was pre-baby. Staying thin has just always naturally been easy for her, whereas for me it's just always been hard. But on the flip side, she's always hated school. She's smart, she just doesn't like anything about school and stopped after she got her associates degree. Me on the other hand, I enjoy the challenge, I enjoy academia and I will be finishing my masters this year. Everyone is different.

So anyway, I'll try to take the same advice I just gave, but know that you're not alone, and that people like us will likely always struggle to take and keep weight off, but we've done it before so we can do it again. Instead of sinking down deeper, let's accept that we had a bad day, and move on with a good day. Good luck!

Kate_UK

So anyway, I'll try to take the same advice I just gave, but know that you're not alone, and that people like us will likely always struggle to take and keep weight off, but we've done it before so we can do it again. Instead of sinking down deeper, let's accept that we had a bad day, and move on with a good day. Good luck!

Great advice, thank you. And thanks to everyone who responded, as a community we CAN do this!

ItsCasey

I'm not in maintenance yet, but it's been almost 1 year since I started trying to lose weight. I've lost most of what I wanted to lose, and there are times when I want to stop trying so hard. Thanksgiving was an obstacle for me. I planned for it in advance, made sure my diet was really clean for 2 weeks leading up to the big day. I ate what I wanted at Thanksgiving dinner but did not overeat. And then the next 3 days were dreadful in terms of trying to stay on my diet and continue working out on schedule.

What I have found that really motivates me is trying a new healthy recipe or adding a new challenge to my workout routine. I think continuing to set fitness goals is important even after you've reached your weight-loss goal.

HealthyChanges2010

Time for setting new goals maybe?

That's what I'm finding is working to keep me moving after reaching goal, so far so good:drinker:

Dlibo1013

i joined that 9,000 calories burned this week group, jsut worked out an hour and twenty five minutes :-) hoping that helps me

Bzbear2

i can imagine that it's sort of harder to maintain a "status quo" than it is to make changes and be constantly visibly rewarded, week after week. I agree about setting new goals - I'm not talking about never being satisfied, but what about some new fitness goals? Trying to run a 5k? Complete a swimming plan to achieve a better time? Joining a club/sporting team?

Or even some food goals - try tracking other nutrients? Experimenting with new recipes?

Also, I think you can cut yourself some slack - you have reached your goal (awesomeeee) and maybe you need to celebrate that more often! Pull out your old pictures and remind yourself how far you've come

Congrats