Refocusing to rebound

banks1850

Lets all face it, we wouldn't be here if we didn't have at least a little bit of a will power problem (most of us anyway, some have medical conditions, but many of us are just plain weak sometimes).

I consider the last 6 months a big sucess for me, but it isn't without it's moments of doubt and failure along the way. I wanted to offer a few things I do to keep on track and recover from the times when I miss a step along the way.

Reflection - I tend to take a step back, find a quiet place, and reflect on what I want to achieve, sometimes I think about the process, sometimes I visualize the end results. It gives me a renewed sense of drive to achieve my goals. 15 or 20 minutes is usually all it takes for me to get back on track.

Redoubling - If I feel a bad day or couple of days starting to happen, I'll sit down and plan out my food and exercise for the week or for the next few days. I make it as detailed as possible, by the end of the planning session, I usually feel better and more focused on my goals.

Asking for help - If you have a spouse, bring them in short term, if not, find someone who is close enough to you to help you on a regular basis. I find that asking someone close to be your crutch over the long haul is a difficult thing to do to someone, unless they are in a similar situation they could be luke warm about it; but asking them, even pleading with them, to help out over then next couple of weeks lifts the burdon of long term commitment from them and usually makes them much more helpful. I usually ask them to just ask me a question every once in a while, it brings you back, something like "How are you doing with your goals this week" If they care they will listen no matter how you are, and usually offer support greater then you expect.

Be realistic - I doubt I'm the only one who puts lofty goals on your weight loss plan. Once I broke down and really researched the right way to loose the weight and get healthier my plans started to work for me. I usually tell people this is analagous to the marathon vs sprint example. If your plan is to "loose that 10 lbs for my trip" all well and good, but that isn't really a lifestyle change, it's a "fix" and like plugging a hole in a tire, the underlying issue is still there, it's just been patched. In reality, we want to live a more healthy life forever, which means developing habits that are comfortable as well as healthy, and that takes time and effort, years of time in most cases. Weekly check ins are fine, but in the big picture, not really as helpful as staying on track.

These things have kept me on track over the last 1/2 year, and I am now in a very comfortable, much healthier lifestyle, I hope this helps some of you out there. Feel free to throw in your own techniques for staying the course.

Best of luck,
-Steve

banks1850

Lets all face it, we wouldn't be here if we didn't have at least a little bit of a will power problem (most of us anyway, some have medical conditions, but many of us are just plain weak sometimes).

I consider the last 6 months a big sucess for me, but it isn't without it's moments of doubt and failure along the way. I wanted to offer a few things I do to keep on track and recover from the times when I miss a step along the way.

Reflection - I tend to take a step back, find a quiet place, and reflect on what I want to achieve, sometimes I think about the process, sometimes I visualize the end results. It gives me a renewed sense of drive to achieve my goals. 15 or 20 minutes is usually all it takes for me to get back on track.

Redoubling - If I feel a bad day or couple of days starting to happen, I'll sit down and plan out my food and exercise for the week or for the next few days. I make it as detailed as possible, by the end of the planning session, I usually feel better and more focused on my goals.

Asking for help - If you have a spouse, bring them in short term, if not, find someone who is close enough to you to help you on a regular basis. I find that asking someone close to be your crutch over the long haul is a difficult thing to do to someone, unless they are in a similar situation they could be luke warm about it; but asking them, even pleading with them, to help out over then next couple of weeks lifts the burdon of long term commitment from them and usually makes them much more helpful. I usually ask them to just ask me a question every once in a while, it brings you back, something like "How are you doing with your goals this week" If they care they will listen no matter how you are, and usually offer support greater then you expect.

Be realistic - I doubt I'm the only one who puts lofty goals on your weight loss plan. Once I broke down and really researched the right way to loose the weight and get healthier my plans started to work for me. I usually tell people this is analagous to the marathon vs sprint example. If your plan is to "loose that 10 lbs for my trip" all well and good, but that isn't really a lifestyle change, it's a "fix" and like plugging a hole in a tire, the underlying issue is still there, it's just been patched. In reality, we want to live a more healthy life forever, which means developing habits that are comfortable as well as healthy, and that takes time and effort, years of time in most cases. Weekly check ins are fine, but in the big picture, not really as helpful as staying on track.

These things have kept me on track over the last 1/2 year, and I am now in a very comfortable, much healthier lifestyle, I hope this helps some of you out there. Feel free to throw in your own techniques for staying the course.

Best of luck,
-Steve

ConnieLynn

Thank you MFP,

I printed this off for my weightloss binder.

It is very helpful.

I also talk to God and ask for help. It feels wonderful to feel that pure support that comes from God's love.

Blessings to you,

Connie Lynn

Nich0le

Thanks Steve,

I do many of the same things as you, I find when I am losing motivation, for whatever reason, it helps me to take some me time and plan meals and exercise for a week or two and keep that information very handy so there's no excuse.

This is a lifestyle change and a promise to make a commitment to me and in the long run I can't take care of those around me as well as I want to if I am not taking care of myself. Besides I have 2 great kids and I am responsible for teaching them, in a healthy way, how to eat and take care of their own bodies for life.

Razboo

I personally just let it go when days or even weeks are less than perfect. Because it IS a lifestyle change, I know I must do things in a manner I will be able to maintain... at least until I have no choice and am still able.

But I don't stop weighing. I don't stop keeping an eye on myself. Even with my debatably slack approach, the changes in me are dramatic enough that it has become self motivating and I don't worry about imperfect results. Everytime I eat, it is in my concious thoughts to choose the healthier food, to take smaller amounts, to settle for just the entree... This is what hanging around MFP has taught me and after a few months, it becomes second nature.

So far it works well. The hardest part for me is staying endlessly motivated for exercise. I deal with that by either taking a few days off, or reducing sets for short but sweet workouts and trying to mix up intensity and duration a lot.

MontanaGirl

Thanks Steve! Those ideas will definately help when the motivation goes south and maybe the fork goes north I appreciate your insight!

banks1850

Thanks Steve! Those ideas will definately help when the motivation goes south and maybe the fork goes north I appreciate your insight!

Your very welcome. :happy: