Abs are made and weight is lost... In the MIND.

lbcbeachbum77

I have heard people say that "abs are made in the kitchen and weight is lost in the gym". I understand completely that eating right and exercise are the key.

But... what I am coming to understand for myself is that where it REALLY happens is in my head! Nope, I'm not crazy :huh:

What I mean is... my mental and emotional state- what is going on in my mind, is the single most important factor in whether or not I succeed, if things are not balanced there, when it comes to food and motivation, I am doomed! While it is important to spend time taking care of myself by putting in nutritious food and spending time exercising, it is equally if not more important to take care of my head. So many things can alter our mental and emotional states... work, stress, relationships, money, you name it. I have found that if I am feeling stressed, anxious, upset, angry, etc that is when I am most likely to eat too much, not enough, and generally fail.

Unfortunately, the amount of stress in my life is incredibly high. I am working hard to stay positive and not get into a bad mental place, but I must admit I am struggling, and can see a direct impact to my efforts to lose weight... I find it becomes a vicious cycle. Feel bad, do bad.. feel worse, do worse etc.

So... two questions. What do you do to keep in a good state of mind and stay positive when the day to day challenges of life are overwhelming you? And, how, when you are feeling sad, angry, stressed, etc do you find the mental strength to continue to make good food and exercise choices?

MireyGal76

I have heard people say that "abs are made in the kitchen and weight is lost in the gym". I understand completely that eating right and exercise are the key.

But... what I am coming to understand for myself is that where it REALLY happens is in my head! Nope, I'm not crazy :huh:

What I mean is... my mental and emotional state- what is going on in my mind, is the single most important factor in whether or not I succeed, if things are not balanced there, when it comes to food and motivation, I am doomed! While it is important to spend time taking care of myself by putting in nutritious food and spending time exercising, it is equally if not more important to take care of my head. So many things can alter our mental and emotional states... work, stress, relationships, money, you name it. I have found that if I am feeling stressed, anxious, upset, angry, etc that is when I am most likely to eat too much, not enough, and generally fail.

Unfortunately, the amount of stress in my life is incredibly high. I am working hard to stay positive and not get into a bad mental place, but I must admit I am struggling, and can see a direct impact to my efforts to lose weight... I find it becomes a vicious cycle. Feel bad, do bad.. feel worse, do worse etc.

So... two questions. What do you do to keep in a good state of mind and stay positive when the day to day challenges of life are overwhelming you? And, how, when you are feeling sad, angry, stressed, etc do you find the mental strength to continue to make good food and exercise choices?

I started boxing. I beat *kitten* up in a safe and socially acceptable way. I run. I push my body as hard as it can go, sometimes to the point of me breaking down and weeping.

I too am in a very high stress phase of my life (divorce with small kids, moving, striking on my own, work issues). I have found that I handle the bs in my life better when my body hurts more than my heart does.

Perhaps that's not the healthiest way to go about it, but it has been helping me get through the worst. And really, the boxing has helped me find a strength within myself that I never knew I had. The running taught me how to persevere. And the divorce... well it taught me to find me again.

I wish you well on this journey - I do believe that it is largely a mental game... more than any other game out there.

cheers!

Rayman79

I think a big problem a number of people have is their link between emotions and food. When things are going well at home and at work, we all have motivation - exercise and eat well etc. When things get bumpy, we feel sorry for ourselves and let things slip.

I think the big shift for me has been to make exercise my "happy place". That way whether things are going well or are a bit rough, that is the one constant that I can completely control, that I enjoy and separates me from the rest of the world.

If you start to view it that way you will look forward to the exercise and (for me at least) the diet and other stuff follows from that.

ChcolateLady11

I am stressing out right now as well. I burn 1300-1400cals a day working out 2hr a day. And I am NOT eatting as much as I need to be :-(
I am eating healthy, but not enough...according to MFP...

I am trying to get my mind right and chill the hell out..but it's soooooo hard.

I love working out, it makes me feel good, but then I feel bad because I have no appetite....

Emancipated_Tai

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