Needing Motivational Help!

sarahf3092

Needing some help here. I have slowly seen my motivation slip for the last 2 weeks and no longer feel in "the zone" for dieting and eating healthy. I've tried cutting all junk food out of my flat, but then I'll have a bad day and go buy some crisps and chocolate. What's worse is I have now injured my ankle and havent been able to exercise in 6 days as walking is painful - which then puts me in a bad mood and reach for the crisps again.

Help me with some motivation & ideas to try and stick to targets please!

jcramer1227

The biggest thing I would say is this: Don't worry so much about cutting out sweets and treats completely. Concentrate on moderation. I have been horribly sick for almost a week and haven't worked out in about 2 weeks. Through all this, I continued to monitor my calorie intake. I still show a loss after all that inactivity. Since your ankle is injured, maybe talk to your doc about some super light exercising you can do or research it online (but I'd really talk to a doctor, too). You CAN do this Have your crisps and your chocolate, but eat them in moderation! As a side note, I switched to dark chocolate...fewer calories.

wllwsmmr

Always remember that this is not a diet which you're doing then quitting, it is acquiring better eating habits for life! No need to go cold turkey as long as you're not binging terribly, moderation is always best! Try to focus on staying within your caloric goals and don't focus too much on what you can't do (ie exercise!) and focus on what you can (ie eating well!)
It is especially crucial to watch your eating if you can't get your exercise, and you could always do exercises/strength training that do not involve the ankles!!

If you give up now, you will have wasted your previous efforts! And the next time you try, it will be a tougher journey since you will have more to lose and it is daunting! Try to stay positive and don't kill yourself over not eating 'clean'! It is definitely ok to have your treats whenever you want them as long as you practice moderation and work it into your caloric goals!!

also, EVERYONE has bad days!! People on diets or not, there are times when they just wanna eat crap, and it'd be good to try to identify your trigger (are you eating too little? depriving yourself too much of your comfort foods? depressed? lonely? bored?)
Whatever it is, don't beat yourself up if you don't do well today, tomorrow can only get better!! Staying positive helps me. And don't look at the past two weeks of 'bad eating', it is already OVER!! Things can only can better!!! As long as you put your heart to it, make a conscious effort to stay within your caloric goals, don't beat yourself up if you go over by a little, just focus on improving every day!!

It helps to always eat in front of others if it helps you because for me I binge in secrecy so yeah.. Also, force yourself to not buy those sweets! Think about the money and calories you save!!! Go cold turkey for a few days if you must, to make yourself feel better if need be! Then slowly add in your treats in moderation again, i'm sure you can do it!!! Remember, don't focus on your regrets and just focus on getting better everyday

sarahf3092

Thanks guys, both seems like really good advice. Suppose I just need to look more positively at the situation. Think I just feel awful after eating bad as always feel too full and slugish for days after eating unhealthy, and most of the time I probably am not even hungry when I eat the rubbish, seems to make me get stuck in a circle.

Think the main thing I need to take from this is moderation (something I have not quite mastered) if I want a crisp doesnt mean it needs to be the whole bag! Dark chocolate is also a good point thanks, forgot how it had a lower calorie value....

Cold turkey for a few days might help it out of my system as the first few days of eating really healthy and cutting down on rubbish will probably be the worst for me. Like yourself I am one of those that binge when I am by myself.....part of the problem if I am not going to usual gym classes etc. A swim after work tomorrow might be the way to go though, or even walking pace on the treadmill if I could manage just so not being totally inactive.

I'm sure I can do it, just helps to have that extra wee "motivational chat" from others who are focusing towards same goals so thanks!