Not being fat is hard work! a plea for motivation

lee91356

So please dont jusge me too harshly I am just using MFP for what I feel its indended to be used for - a forum to discuss all issues (emotional and physical) related to weight loss and health... that being said...

Somedays I want to quit and just go back to my old habits, after 14 months I'm tired of (a) not yet hitting goal because it seems to constantly change, (b) watching everything I do - food and exercise and (c) well the plain old commitment...dont get me wrong, I'm not going to stop, Im just going through a crisis LOL, yes I like being healthier, yes I like my new trim look, yes I love (ok LOVE) being able to buy smaller clothes, but Im overwhelmed at the thought that in order to keep all these newly acquired "goodies" I will always have to work hard to ensure that I dont fall back into old habits, like somedays, not because I'm hungry, just be cause I have a craving to binge, I want to just going to the drive thru and order a burger or two, large fries, a chicken sandwich and a dessert rather then only eating when I am hungry and then only choosing the healthiest option on the menu when I am eating out or going home and cooking and weighing my foods like I usually do; I guess what I'm saying is that I miss binge eating - sick and sad I know and that scares me. Like does it get easier as time goes by or is it a reality that I may eventually give into one of these day - something I hope that I dont do, but if I do I hope I can reign in.

So basically what I'm getting at is that having self-control and discipline is hard (obvious I know) and that is overwhelming to me...someone who has been obese their whole life.
Thanks for listening.

Any long-termers out there with some suggestions and advice? Or does anyone else ever feel like that?

mcgeorge5

I feel the same way, I look forward to hearing responses from others.
How long have you been working towards your goal? I just started (again) 17 days ago.

AJinBirmingham

I've been watching my weight since I was 8 years old - I'm now 44 - and no, it NEVER gets easy.

I miss binge eating too, just not badly enough to accept the consequences of doing it all the time.

The good news is - you have a choice - and a lot of support here on MFP. Please don't give up! You'll regret it.

jennifershoo

You sound deprived. Do you want to stop eating burgers and fries forever? Some people are perfectly fine with the idea, but others aren't. If eating a "bad" meal once in a while is what it takes to keep you motivated, then do it. You can eat whatever you want as long as it fits your macros and your calorie goal and you'll still lose weight. Of course, if eating a burger leads to tons of others burgers in the following days, then that's another story. But don't deprive yourself. It's a lifestyle, not a short term diet.

freebirdjones

Hello I can help

I eat tons! and have lost 5 inches in a month with no cardio I am bulking first and then will cut later. I just want to bulk first because muscle uses more power and I want to lose after to start revealing the muscles I've built. I wanted to reply first so I have not looked at your stats or food diary.

But I eat burgers.. I ate pizza hut tonight. as long as it fits in your cals and you get 1 gram of protein per lb of body weight.

I'll give you a thread to keep you motivated, it has a link to before & after photos:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/983158-all-in-one-info-page-halp

& also some members who are happy with their success:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/991105-thank-you-mfp-members

Now for me I had to get some mfp friends who have similar cal goals and body goals. So seeing their eating daily, their posts and their workouts it helps keep me motivated those members are an asset!

Also read a lot. You can to to "search" on the message boards and read posts that you can learn from. Because getting healthy should not be too much of a challenge.

Add me if you want and we can keep talking about how to make this simple & fun! Throw away the scale. Since I started my measurements are no more black circles under eyes, more energy, easier movements. It makes you feel great and that beats any measurement so don't give up!

Slimdownmb

if u have 1 bad day WHO CARES!!!! we all have done it or will do it ect ... if people think im never going to eat choclate chips or nachos again theyve guess again!

just dont let 1 day turn into 2 3 4 5 6 365 ......

good luck and i hope u suceed in your dreams x

bigdonthefatrat

Motivation: For me, it was recognizing that it is a new lifestyle and not a diet. Allow yourself a binge day once in a while; don't beat yourself up if you go over. I quit eating after supper, cut out red meat and soda pop, but still crave the sugars and burgers. I also upped my walking, going around the block a few times on my way to work. Get some friends on MFP to encourage each other and to bellyache to as well. Keep going!

TravelDog14

When I started out on this weight loss journey last June due to some serious medical conditions (to include being pre-diabetic) I told myself any changes I made had to be ones I could maintain long term, and that I was willing to take it slow, not look for quick fixes to a long term issue.

Because of that I haven't jumped into any challenges, I don't do Insanity, or any other "program". Because I knew I couldn't live my life with work and family commitments and keep up with that kind of exercise regimen. So I use my treadmill or take a fast walk on the hills around my house, or lift some light weights--all exercises I can do without much hassle or time.

To be successful at my weight loss I'm honest with myself about what I eat, and what I think has helped immensely is to UNDER estimate my calorie burns. I see some MFP posters with 800-900 (or higher) calorie burns and I just don't see that as realistic based on what they've said they did and for how long. I think these over estimates can sabotage good eating habits that you may be doing, especially if you eat back your exercise calories.

Sometimes I wish I could dive into the bakery tray of soft cookies (that was my biggest weakness/binge food) but I make myself look at the "new" me in the mirror, or think about how good, how healthy I feel, and I just don't let myself go buy them.

I'm not looking at this as a temporary losing weight phase, but a series of long term changes for the rest of my life.

Good luck on your journey, your ticker shows you've lost a lot of weight so you must be doing some things right. Be kind to yourself, it's all a journey, not a race.

brenn24179

I know I know. lost 40 lbs 2 year ago. I wish I didnt have to watch my weight, guess it is like you have to brush your teeth or you will have cavities. Only this is harder. Dont see another way, we have a choice we can be fat. I know it is hard having self control!