Was doing great but find myself slipping

lizchristine
lizchristine Posts: 42 Member
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
Hi MFP friends! So here is my story... I was doing really well for about a month or so and I was getting close to my goal. However, for the past week or so, I've been slipping -- not eating as nutriously and indulging in too many glasses of wine. It seems like this weekend I just wanted to not worry about balancing my calories so strictly. This is definitely a pattern for me when it comes to weight loss. I don't want to throw in the towel this time especially as I am getting close to my goal. Has anyone had this happen? Any tips on staying motivated?

I also wonder if I should set my daily calorie net goal from 1200 to 1300 so it is not as hard to stay within my calorie budget. (I'm a shorty and I don't have much to lose so my net calorie goal is low). Thoughts?

Replies

  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    I think bumping up your net calories a bit makes sense. I personally like the idea of easing into maintenance. And yes, it should make it easier to stay within your calorie allowance.

    I don't have any magic motivation to share but I do understand and have been there. When you've been successful at losing weight but still have a ways to go, the routine can get tiresome AND chances are the weight loss has slowed considerably, which is also demotivating. For me, I focused on "eyes on the prize". It still is largely calories in vs calories out so what you eat and how you exercise still matters very much. I knew that if I kept at it I'd soon get "here": to maintenance and I did. Because I've fundamentally changed my eating habits, I won't be regaining the weight that I lost.

    Don't listen to people who say maintenance is as hard as losing weight. It isn't! Of course, maintenance isn't as easy as gaining weight (LOL) but for me, an extra 500 calories a day makes all the difference.

    Good luck to you! You are so close to achieving your goal! You can do this!
  • lizchristine
    lizchristine Posts: 42 Member
    Thanks so much! Awesome advice.
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    Try to keep your focus on your nutrition and not so much on the weight loss.
    In the past, I've always focused on weight loss as my goal. This time I am focusing on feeding myself appropriately, and I feel so much different. There's not a goal somewhere "out there" that I'm impatient to reach and discouraged about how long it is taking. I reach my goal each and every meal, and it feels good.

    (of course I want and need weight loss, but I'm telling myself that will be the side effect of meeting my nutrition goals)
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    Determine your BMR if you haven't. It may be hard to stay motivated, because you are not eating enough. My BMR is around 550 cals, but I am 5'9. Yours is probably 13-1400. calculate it here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,407 Member
    I just had this happen the other week. I was like "why can I not stop eating?" and anything I ate did not even seem to get me to a "Satisfied" feeling. I figure my motivation was down the tubes. I decided to make more time to come on this forum, I went shopping for produce/food to restock my fridge, I searched for meal plans online, and I went shopping to buy clothes I loved, but would only fit into them if i lost 10, 20, or even 30 lbs.

    So I have fresh meal ideas, a good stock of healthy food, and a closet full of clothes that are too small for me!

    I have done this about 3 times during this journey, and i got my motivation back every time.
  • katevarner
    katevarner Posts: 884 Member
    Yes, your goal is too low, but when is your brother's wedding? Have you thought about adding in some extra workouts to shed the last 2 lbs.? Normally, I'd advocate going slower and adding calories in, but looks like from your profile that you are on a schedule. If you are, try upping protein and lowering carbs--you'll get rid of some water weight.

    If you want to stick with this for the long haul, then focus on nutrition and up your calories by about 100 per day for a week or two and see how it goes.

    How short? I'm 5'3" and was able to lose about 1/2 to 1 lb per week at 1650, but I was working out 5-6 days a week plus daily walks with the dog.
  • lizchristine
    lizchristine Posts: 42 Member
    Thanks so much for the advice everyone... my bro's wedding is in two weeks. I'm going to ditch the alcohol until then, up my daily calorie goal from 1200 to 1390 (which will make me feel much more satisfied), and add in some extra workouts. I think with two weeks of eating clean and working out, I'll feel great.

    I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's advice. In the past, I would have just gotten down, told myself it was impossible, and regained the weight. This time around, I have a plan! You all are awesome.
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