Baby Steps VS Giant Leaps

tyedyechick0930

I have been pondering the difference in how people approach weight loss. I know for me in the past when I tried to make huge changes in my diet, I either stuck with it until I lost the weight and then gained it all back, or gave up after a little while. So, I know for me this time for this weight loss to be permanent, I have to make small changes. Anyway, I wrote about this in my blog today, if y'all want to check it out: http://tiredofbeingtubby.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/baby-steps-vs-giant-leaps/

I wonder how you handle it? My husband is the opposite. He has decided to eat a more vegetarian diet and has just given up eating beef this week. He can decide to just quit something "cold turkey" and stick with it. But, I'm not that strong willed I guess. Everytime, I try to do that, I fail. So, I'm taking the baby step route while he just jumps on ahead with his giant leaps in healthier eating. How about you? Are you more comitted with making smaller changes, one step at a time? Or do you just have to say no all together and make a major change in your diet? What works best for you?

Hope everyone has a healthy happy day! ~Charity

bms34b

For me, it's less about small steps and big steps and more about day to day mindset. I've found with small and big goals alike that I WILL mess them up occasionally. However, what's worked for me (so far) is the refusal to give up. On previous attempts to lose weight, I would mess up, and just give up. The hard part that I feel really makes a difference is after I inevitably mess it up, I try to get back on track as soon as possible.
We'll see though, I haven't hit maintenance which I have a feeling is going to be a whole challenge in and of itself!

tyedyechick0930

This is very true! Your mindset is just as important! Congrats to you for being so close to your goal! I have a long way to go. But, if you've had the determination to get this far, I'm sure you'll have the determination to stick with your exercise and healthy eating to maintain your weight loss.

bms34b

Here's to hoping, haha! My boyfriend is really supportive and leads a really healthy life, so spending time with him has definitely helped make this possible. Good luck to you!

techigirl78

I don't consider it a diet. I have made small changes overtime from eating and drinking unhealthy to making more and more healthy decisions. At first I cut out soda pop, then worked on healthy snacking, then started eating breakfest, and now I eat healthy lunch and dinner.

I'm at the point now where I eat a few things in low nutritional value a week, but mostly good things. I don't call anything bad as I don't think anything is that bad. It is about moderation and getting the nutrition my body needs. If I want a treat, then I do and I don't think I'm bad for doing it. I have a small piece and move on. If I am going out to eat for a nice dinner and know I'll eat a lot, I cut my calories for a few days before so that by the time I eat it, I have extra calories for the week. That is ok. Yet, I don't need to do these things everyday. I also pay attention more to the weekly deficits then the daily logs. I usually am under for the day, but when I am not, there is no need to feel bad or give up. I just need to adjust to make sure the week works out well. I probably lose weight slower as a result, but eventually I will reach my goal and by that time I will be use to eating the way I do now. Also, I never feel restricted, so there is no need to fall off my plan. I haven't reached maintenance, but I don't see myself changing anything going forward.

My new eating habits are not temporary. In the past, I did feel changes were temporary. For instance, I'll try that resturant when I am done dieting. I would do a diet to the tee, lose weight, then quickly revert back to my normal habits. Otherwise, I would feel so restricted I would give up on the diet. I started to pay attention to the healthy people I know or work with and that they endulge in things. They just do it in moderation and are picky about the things they eat that are not good for them.