Those of you like me with a lot to lose...

I focus on increments of 10 pounds at a time...more manageable that way.

Hey there!

I know it can seem impossible when you have a lot to lose. I still feel that way sometimes now but I am really trying to make myself over mentally and physically. I have wanted to lose weight for such a long time and I tried every quick fix or fad diet out there and obviously they didn't work. I was so focused on weight loss and not health that if the pounds didn't fly off I quit. I have been working really hard to retrain my brain and get rid of those old thoughts and habits that were keeping me down.

A few things~

As I said above, try try try try to look at it from a health stand point rather than a weight one. There are days I feel so tired and ick or pmsing and I want to flop on the couch and shut the blinds. There are days I weigh myself and nothing or it goes up a 1lb or 2 and I feel defeated. Regardless of that I workout. I tell myself that even if I don't feel like it or even if I don't see the scale move I will still strengthen my heart/lungs/muscles..........There will be days when you'll see a great loss and that gives you a kick to keep going but on the days that you need motivation just remember that EVERY LITTLE BIT WILL ADD UP!!!!!!! Usually after a good workout you'll feel better anyway.

Rethink your goals. When I started I said to myself I want to lose X amount of weight. That was such a huge and general goal. I felt like it would never happen. I decided to change my goals around. First, lose 10. Next lose 15 more. Ok did that now lets shoot for 20. Keep it small keep it realistic and once you hit it make a new goal. EVERY LITTLE BIT WILL ADD UP!

Get rid of all or none thinking! This is REALLY hard for me sometimes! You mess up one day, start over! You have a not so great meal, TAKE A WALK! You do NOT have to be perfect. Make small change YOU CAN LIVE WITH. Slowly and surely you will start to automatically makes better choices.

CELEBRATE! Drop 20 and buy yourself something pretty! Try new things! Push yourself just a little harder. Every pound you lose is a pound your body doesn't have to worry about EACH pound is important!

Realize that just cause you think weight loss is a certain way doesn't mean its true. So you want to lose 2lbs a week! That's great! If it happens just like that that would be amazing. What I mean by this is that some weeks you may lose 5lbs and some weeks you may not drop a bit! Weight loss is odd. It's not linear and if you expect it to be you might set yourself up for disappointment. That's why I say the times that you see no loss JUST KEEP GOING! It will come off!

Try things for yourself. There are a ton of tips on here but don't chalk it up to the written word. Some stuff works for me some stuff doesn't. Same for everyone!

Understand it takes time!

You will have to teach yourself a new way of doing things. I don't particularly avoid any type of food but I do watch my portions! I had no idea what a portion was before. Now I measure everything. Yes it takes me time but again I'm having to teach myself what enough really is. If you know you're going to be running all day set yourself up food wise so you're not at the mercy of fast food. Apple slices and peanut butter or a Cliff bar so you're not starving. Start to cook if you don't (I don't care for cooking but I'm quickly getting better at it! )

And lastly, never ever give up. You are worth good health! You are worth the time and effort this will take. In a year you'll be amazed!

So that's a lot of crap I know but those are the things that have helped me. If you have any questions or just want to chat feel free to message me!!!! All the best to you! :flowerforyou:

I find focusing on small goals at first better....5 or 10lbs. (In my past successes) I like to reward myself sometimes as well...like if I get to 10 hmmm maybe I'll buy that new gym bag or purse I've wanted. Then when you get discouraged look at what you've done so far on MFP and you won't want to throw away all the hard work

I have a chart on my fridge numbering every pound i have to lose from 230 to 130. When I lose a pound, I get a euphoric high just from being able to cross that pound off with my red marker. It symbolizes a death to that pound lol. This method motivates me to work harder to lose that next pound. I've lost 34 pounds this way so far and I won't stop now. Fat beware! lmao

I never treated myself with food, but I also never denied myself anything. I took the attitude that this is how I am going to eat for the rest of my life, and for the rest of my life I am not giving up Pizza, or Cupcakes, etc.... I just am super mindful of my portions, and I weigh and log EVERYTHING I EAT! I also incorporated exercise... I try and do something, even if it's just a walk around my neighborhood, everyday.

This mental state of mind got me through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. I enjoyed some really amazing food, including mashed potatoes, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Chocolate Mousse, Champagne, delicious gourmet Cheeses, etc., etc., and I really didn't gain. I didn't lose, but that's okay.

^^Exactly what she said! I've lost almost 60 lbs since March and I don't deprive myself. I don't go overboard like I used to though. If I am at an event I will have a small bit of yummy things instead of eating a lot and make healthier choices to fill up on. If I want pizza I work it into my day's calories! If I indulge, so be it. I don't beat myself up anymore. I started at 387 lbs and am at 333 lbs. I still have about 100 to go. I do it in 10 lb. increments, look forward to getting under the next mark. Good luck! Feel free to add me as a friend if you need encouragement :-D
~Belinda

I have a good 120 pounds to lose. I have been very on/off the wagon lately, but I'm getting more serious about all this now. 120 is a huge number to look at as losing weight, so I chose to think 10 pound increments. I haven't made exact rewards for certain weights yet, but down the line I for sure have iFly on my list. I don't think I'll use food or meals as a reward because I'm not restricting myself. Because this is a life style change, I really want to still be able to eat the things I do now in the future. "Everything in Moderation" is how I have been rolling lately. And as long as you record, everything should go well.

Feel free to add me if you need anothe friend for support! =D

I don't ever look at how much I have to loose. I look at what I've lost. You have to make small goals and turn things into a positive light. If I told myself I had to lose 85 pounds when I started, I don't think I would have made it this far.