4 WEEKS

amandagyeoman

Every day this week, I've been waking up and telling myself I've got to get to that 4 week mark of counting my calories and sticking to healthier choices. I've read and read about how important those strict 4 weeks are to make the lifestyle change. 4 weeks. 4 weeks is what it takes to get over that hump. The dreaded outings to restaurants watching other people eat what you want. 4 weeks of doing the workouts whether you want to or not. No excuses. 4 weeks.

I know it's possible.

I know I need to do it.

I'm afraid of losing my motivation.

What keeps you motivated?

kf4vkp

My good friends on here who check in if I miss.

My need to feel better when I look into the mirror. To look like I feel inside...

You can do it!

Feel free to add me for encouragement.

How many weeks are you at now?

rreiki

What keeps me motivated? Well since starting I have lost 19lbs. I have done this by making small but significant changes in my diet. Seeing some of the weight come off is a great motivator. I worked with a dietician who told me that it takes 30 days to make a consistant change become a habit but she also told me that the people who take it slow and make small changes to start are the ones to move on to success. To you I would say: I admire your determination but I would also say take it easy on yourself. Allow your self a treat once in awhile. I used to be very tough on myself when it came to losing weight and when I "fell off the wagon" I was so hard on myself and it made me try even harder (which is good on one hand but can be somewhat destructive on the other.
I think the harder you are on yourself, the harder the diet restrictions become. Sorry if this sounded lecturey didn't mean for it too.

Ashshell

I am coming to the end of my 4th week. This is the longest that I have stayed on track since my pregnancy in 2010. My son is two and it has taken me this long to get it together and focus on my body and health. I feel better, I look better and I enjoy watching the number on the scale decrease. Seeing results is my biggest motivator. I set a weekly goal for myself and I avoid screwing up because I want to see that number I have in my head on the scale. I can't wait to wear cute clothes again instead of wanting to wear the same long, black cardigan to work every day. I want to feel sexy. I want to be able to enjoy being active with my energetic little boy instead of wanting to be lazy on the couch. I allow myself to have the foods that I want. I just make sacrifices in order to be able to do so. Want pizza? Have it, just choose low calorie toppings, skip the crust and stick to two/three pieces. I focus on the fact that I know I will not feel fulfilled after a major splurge. I will just feel guilty and regretful. Food is good while you're eating it, but to me, it's not worth the way I feel after. Same with the gym... I have to go before work (6:30am) and some mornings I'd rather turn my alarm clock off and go back to sleep for an hour, but I know I'd wake up and feel guilty. The hour of sleep would not make me feel as positive as an hour long work out.

amandagyeoman

My good friends on here who check in if I miss.

My need to feel better when I look into the mirror. To look like I feel inside...

You can do it!

Feel free to add me for encouragement.

How many weeks are you at now?

Thank you KF4VKP. I will definately add you! I've been struggling with being obedient to MFP for over a year now. As of Monday 3/18/2013 I've taken a stricter approach to what I'm eating. And logging! I'd started prior to that but with various stresses in my life it was a binge weekend.

amandagyeoman

What keeps me motivated? Well since starting I have lost 19lbs. I have done this by making small but significant changes in my diet. Seeing some of the weight come off is a great motivator. I worked with a dietician who told me that it takes 30 days to make a consistant change become a habit but she also told me that the people who take it slow and make small changes to start are the ones to move on to success. To you I would say: I admire your determination but I would also say take it easy on yourself. Allow your self a treat once in awhile. I used to be very tough on myself when it came to losing weight and when I "fell off the wagon" I was so hard on myself and it made me try even harder (which is good on one hand but can be somewhat destructive on the other.
I think the harder you are on yourself, the harder the diet restrictions become. Sorry if this sounded lecturey didn't mean for it too.

Lecture or not! I appreciate the words, they are sorely needed. About a year ago I spent a solid month working on me and lost 10 lbs. But it was just before Halloween (binge) then the Holidays (binge BINGE). I'm trying to slowly make changes. I'm a smoker. But I've cut back significantly. Hopefully I'll be able to quit entirely soon. I quit pop years ago but started drinking my beloved Diet Coke again a year or so ago... I haven't had any pop since Sunday and am closely monitoring my sodium intake. My problem with treats is allowing one often leads to allowing multiple! I know I should allow myself at least one cheat meal a week to stay on track. What was the hardest thing for you to give up?

amandagyeoman

I am coming to the end of my 4th week. This is the longest that I have stayed on track since my pregnancy in 2010. My son is two and it has taken me this long to get it together and focus on my body and health. I feel better, I look better and I enjoy watching the number on the scale decrease. Seeing results is my biggest motivator. I set a weekly goal for myself and I avoid screwing up because I want to see that number I have in my head on the scale. I can't wait to wear cute clothes again instead of wanting to wear the same long, black cardigan to work every day. I want to feel sexy. I want to be able to enjoy being active with my energetic little boy instead of wanting to be lazy on the couch. I allow myself to have the foods that I want. I just make sacrifices in order to be able to do so. Want pizza? Have it, just choose low calorie toppings, skip the crust and stick to two/three pieces. I focus on the fact that I know I will not feel fulfilled after a major splurge. I will just feel guilty and regretful. Food is good while you're eating it, but to me, it's not worth the way I feel after. Same with the gym... I have to go before work (6:30am) and some mornings I'd rather turn my alarm clock off and go back to sleep for an hour, but I know I'd wake up and feel guilty. The hour of sleep would not make me feel as positive as an hour long work out.

Congrats! You're sticking to it!!! Sounds like you are living the Biggest Loser rather than just watching it! I'm hoping when I go to weight myself in on Monday that I don't lose my motivation. That I see a smaller number (any smaller number) when I look at the scale. But I've got to survive the weekend prior to that! I hear you on the cute clothes. I went shopping with my (much skinnier) girlfriends Saturday and watched them from a distance in the cute women's section, while I was segregated to the big girls section. It eats away at your self esteem to feel like an outcast even shopping. I've actually made the cauliflower crust pizza! I prefer it! I highly recommend you give it a try The town I work in doesn't have a gym, and I live in the country. I'd have to make an hour drive out of my way just to go to a decent gym. So I'm relying on my at home exercise aids. I've been waking up earlier. I've got to admit it's a nice addition to my day. Waking up and doing a workout for myself. Me time.

minionofevil

I give myself goal dates Like, I am 3.4lbs away from my pre-baby weight, and my son will be 1 next month. My goal is to be pre-baby weight before his first birthday From there, I plan to lose at least 10 more by my birthday, which is 2mo later. I set goals, and long ones so that I can achieve them and be proud of reaching them early!

kiekie

I've been struggling with the on/off thing for a while now, especially with eating and logging. I had great motivation to get fit after my baby was born in Jan 11 as I had such a horrible uncomfortable pregnancy. I made great progress and lost about 28lbs within 7 months but have since had several months on and then several off with baby sleep issues, the horrendous first winter of sickness etc. etc. I'm just an all or nothing person and every time I skipped a workout or ate badly, I wouldn't log it and fell off the wagon.

I was at the end of my patience with myself just before Lent began and, although I'm not religious, decided to give up my vice of all sugary snacks - cake, biscuit, preserves, chocolate etc. I needed to get off it cold turkey style and it really felt like the last straw.

I'm now nearing the end of week 5 and it is a LOT easier for me to make the better decision and avoid these foods. It just feels like I've gained control over the addiction and have the power to engage my brain and consider the food and its consequences rather than just impulsively throwing it down my throat - progress!

I just hope that I can continue the good work and have a little dark chocolate here and there when Lent is over. And then it's time to tackle the hot buttered toast 'issue'!

I'm really serious about re-committing to this and not flinging myself off the wagon in a hissy fit if things aren't perfect. I intend to log my food every day (although probably easing in from tomorrow as I'm currently getting over a terrible sickness bug and am not eating very much and certainly not working out) and hell, might even make my diary open again as a motivator.

Let's do this!