Hey!! How does everyone stay focused on their diet?

RNewton4269

I have noticed a single mindedness lately when I exercise. I see that end goal and I want to get there. Something in my brain switched. Not sure what it was. Maybe all the encouragement I receive on a daily basis from friends and family. Maybe being able to wear a size I haven't been in high school is the motivator for me. Not sure what it is....BUT I LIKE IT..and I am going to keep going because it feels good.

spngebobmyhero

If it seems impossible, then start by making small changes. Cut out or cut back on soda or some other vice. Then cut back on other things that may be high in calories.

Make small substitutions, like seltzer water instead of soda or olive oil instead of butter. Make your own foods that taste yummy but are lower in calories.

Don't set yourself up to fail by cutting everything out of your life and eating chicken breast and steamed veggies (I just can't stand these things more than 1 every two weeks) for every meal. You will quickly hate your diet if you do this and revert back to your old ways.

Riverofbeauty

Agree with everything everyone has said, and also thinking back to how I was and how far I've come. Not just in terms of weight but in my eating habits too and fitness.

Besides I like healthy food, so I suppose that helps.

It's also important to change up your "menu" (don't eat the same thing every single day, you'll lose motivation really quickly if you do!)

kandrews24

I took it in steady steps and set up rewards. It took me 6 months to get with the program (completely).

For example, reward for self for logging for three weeks (regardless of how much I ate).

Then tried to stay within calorie goal (regardless of what I ate).

Then starting playing around with healthier ways to eat and cook (got some great meals that make me feel full and are low cal and high protein).

Walked around the block.

Reward for walking 3-5x weekly for 90 days.

Rewards are never food related.

Starting liking how I felt, started seeing scale drop, increased exercise.

Now my entire grocery cart is full of fruits and veggies.

Now, I swim and am doing Ripped in 30 days video and I can't imagine going back. I FEEL GREAT. I love being FIT!!!! Folks are noticing. I bought some new clothes. My kids are proud. I have a lot more to do, BUT, so far so good.

AND MOST OF ALL, I'M ON MFP ALL THE TIME. It really helps getting ideas, encouragement, and motivation from others. Read success stories when I can.

YOU CAN DO THIS!

inspiration345

I allow myself to have what I want...as long as I'm within my calorie. I look at my calories like they are dollars...do I really want to spend $200 on a donut? Some days I do...some days no way.

This is a very good way of thinking. I like it.

DannyMussels

Semi-related.

I've occasionally posted a pic of me looking my worst, or me looking my best as wallpaper on my computer. Motivates me to stick with my routine and diet. I've heard of some people putting up an unflattering photo of themselves on the refrigerator as well.

Biggest temptations for me is when I'm goin out to eat with friends. Feel so lame ordering salad + chicken. Ahh well.

cantjustcant

Staying focused? The first thing I did was read sucess stories and introductions on here. I started friending people who were in the same boat as me. I have the app on my phone and use it obsessively! Everything gets logged before it goes into my mouth. Cannot even begin to tell you how many calories this has saved me from eating that I didn't really want anyways. I set my original goals in decades. I have 80+ to lose so every ten pounds I get a reward! My brain sees my ticker and says....hey in 8 pounds I get ___________!

There are so many incredible tools available through this site. I am on here more than I am on FB anymore! Use them! They work. Ohhhh and add friends like me or another great one is Kandrews24! She is an absolutely incredible woman who is great at supporting people!

chezmama

I am more addicted to MFP than facebook and MFP makes it so easy for me to stay focused. I am kind of obsessed, but that works for me.

cantjustcant

I am more addicted to MFP than facebook and MFP makes it so easy for me to stay focused. I am kind of obsessed, but that works for me.

OMG I am soooo obsessed over MFP!

tkacomet

try not to let yourself get TOO hungry or you will binge. small snacks through the day helps you stay level headed about the food intake. same with sleep deprivation - tired people eat to keep themselves awake. get more sleep.

dreambodin2011

Vision Boards are good - get some images that create a really strong desire for you to stay on track and remind you of WHY you are doing what you're doing.
Keep the board in a spot where you'll see it everyday.
One of the images on mine (don't laugh) is a fit strong body in workout gear with my face pasted on top - the heading above reads Healthy STrong Lean THAT'S ME! I see it every day - it's surrounded by cut outs of fresh healthy food too - I find it very powerful to constantly be viewing this image.
I know it'll be me very soon.

There are only two times in life - NOW and TOO LATE!

Reach for your dreams, believe you CAN - and go for it.

bbwbeauty

Thank u so much loves!!!!! so much inspiration

lucky1ns

I set my weekly goals at weightchart.com where they have a goal graph as well as an actual graph that are interactive.. You can make notes each day to go back and see where your head was at that is very helpful.

gsager

I stay focused because I have lost 10 lbs. and want to lose the next 10 and not these over again.

maillemaker

For me, this web site is what keeps me focused. By having to track everything I eat, I am constantly conscious of what I am eating. So if by "focus" you mean "awareness", this web site will do it.

If by "focus" you mean "willpower", well that is another thing altogether. For me, hunger is the biggest problem. If I get too hungry, I will binge. For me, the key to not getting hungry is to eat a diet low in carbohydrates. I believe carbs spike your blood sugar, and when it crashes you feel hungry again. By eating a diet low in carbs your blood sugar stays at a more uniform level and you avoid those crashes that make you so devastatingly hungry.

aimeeturner

I agree with many of these posts that it is a lifestyle change. My goal is to look better and feel better than I have ever been when I turn 40 in a little over a year. I want to be proud of my body, more so than ever before. I began my journey in January of this year. This gives me a total of almost two years to reach my goals. So, my advice is to take it one day at a time and set yourself small goals to achieve along the way to your ultimate goal. As you reach your small goals, reward yourself. An example of one of my most recent rewards was buying myself a heart rate monitor. But it doesn't have to be something like that, just whatever you might like.

deanadimples

I started 30DS a few weeks in here...and saw results in my biceps in 10 days. Then I went down a pants size after 10 lbs or so.

RESULTS are what keep me motivated. If I saw biceps in 10 days, what would 60, 90 bring? I'm starting to see some good toning along with my weight losses because I'm doing a lot of strength this time. It has made all the difference for me.

I did Supreme 90 after 30DS and I'm almost done, with great results. Now I'm going to do another 90 day program (TurboFire or ChaLean Extreme). Breaking it up into these 3 month periods with new workouts, help too.

lawannaw

I still eat all of the regular food I ate before. I don't consider my self on a diet I am just cutting back. I track all of my food, and when I feel like I want to eat somethign not so good for me I ask my self do I really want to have to track this and see the number of calories, fats and sugars? No, so I dont eat the not so good item I eat a piece of fruit. I always keep sugar free popsicles in my freezer. They are a quick snack that takes my mind off of the not so good snacks.

The new outfits I'm planning on getting when I reach my goal also help me keep focused too.
Good luck, finding some way to stay focused