What's Different About This Time Around?

alphabetsoup2013
alphabetsoup2013 Posts: 208 Member
in Motivation and Support
In the past, when I've tried to lose weight, I've been motivated by panic or shame or fear. I felt like I had to lose weight instantly in order to make the problem (the excess weight) go away. Of course, that led me to put too much pressure on myself, setting myself up for failure.

This time, I feel calm and peaceful and happy. (Happy while trying to lose weight and become more physically active? Who even knew that this was possible?!!) :smile:

Those of you who are happy with your progress losing weight (or maintaining that weight loss): What has been different about your mindset this time as compared to when you've tried to lose weight in the past?

Replies

  • mygrl4meee
    mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
    Hi. I think I have a much better understanding on what it takes to lose a pound and gain a pound. I feel like I have a much better grasp on my emotional health. There was a time where I ate to comfort myself when I was depressed or angry at the world. I am learning I can eat everything in moderation and before I eat something I ask is it really worth it? Do I really want to consume over 1200 calories at fast food? Or would an ice cream cone make me just as happy? It helps that I have set my loss to one pound per week so I don't feel too deprived. I have the mindset that I didn't gain all this weight overnight so to expect to lose it all fast is unrealistic. It is a challenge but it is working. I have been at it almost a year and haven't had any gains back besides about a pound from pecan pie insisting I eat it and too much of it around Thanksgiving. It helps that I have found a workout that I love doing so it keeps me active. Good luck.
  • zagrath769
    zagrath769 Posts: 44 Member
    Last time I lost weight (many many years ago) I was thinking of it as a "diet". I didn't think about the maintenance part of it. I wasn't thinking of it as a lifestyle change. This time I am and this time I will succeed.
  • alphabetsoup2013
    alphabetsoup2013 Posts: 208 Member
    Thanks for your replies. I think the psychological piece is the big piece I was missing in the past. It is really interesting to compare notes with others.
  • teaspoon43
    teaspoon43 Posts: 238 Member
    I'm honestly not sure, it's like something just clicked. I've started the "Monday diet" at least 3 times a year for the past 10 years and never stuck with it. This time I woke up on January 2nd and just said to myself that today is THE day. I started eating healthy at first, cooking at home and not eating out. Suddenly I realized I loved to cook - absolutely LOVE to cook. Because of that, I love trying new healthy foods and that keeps me on track because it's exciting. Then I threw in working out occasionally and now I feel horrible if I miss more than a day.

    I've also learned not to be deterred by the scale - so what if I don't lose this week? I feel amazing!!! I wouldn't give this feeling up for anything. I'm happier!
  • alphabetsoup2013
    alphabetsoup2013 Posts: 208 Member
    Re: what you said about working out, teaspoon43: I hadn't expected to enjoy working out, but I am. I love the energy boost that accompanies being more active as well as the enhanced sense of wellness.
  • WeightWatcherCindy
    WeightWatcherCindy Posts: 121
    I have lost 100 pounds two times just to gain it back. This time is different because I was diagnosed with pre diabetes . I wil NOT let myself become full blown diabetic . The diagnoses was the kick in the behind I needed .
  • pienthesky32
    pienthesky32 Posts: 142 Member
    1.) I found an activity I love and don't dread doing....Zumba. 2) I've finally learned that one mess up won't ruin all your efforts. 3) I've found patience with the scale, my body does not drop weight every week, sometimes it's every 3 to 4 weeks. So like you, I have found peace in the journey. Best wishes to you!
  • Rockstar_JILL
    Rockstar_JILL Posts: 514 Member
    This time I know I am "in the game"...I have lost 80 pounds....I am doing well and it really helps to have some supporters on here to help me continue my journey....I don't call it a weightloss journey anymore...I call it is a fitness journey....I am SO happy to have so many motivators!!
  • 12skipafew99100
    12skipafew99100 Posts: 1,669 Member
    This time I wrote down all the things I hate about being fat. The list is amazingly long. How bad I feel physically and emotionally is easy to forget after a little weight loss. I do not want to forget how terrible it is, like before. That is whats different this time. :smile:
  • ambascom
    ambascom Posts: 59
    I think the biggest part, at least for me, is admitting that I am finally ready. In high school, I never noticed if I lost weight but a friend came up to me and said, "You're getting skinny on me!" It felt amazing to hear that, but at the same time, that chocolate bar was just as tasty too. Now, I am making that conscious decision to lose weight; I'm tracking food and exercise. So far it's working, I feel my body getting stronger and it craves workouts. I'm trying not to over do it, so sometimes it is hard to say okay, today need to be a rest day. Good luck on your journey!
  • Misseena
    Misseena Posts: 55 Member
    This is the first time in my life where I don't have anything huge coming up.

    In highschool, I wanted to lose weight for prom. I put so much pressure on myself to lose by that timeline, that I failed.

    After college, I wanted to lose weight before our 5-year reunion.

    Then I wanted to lose before a friends wedding.

    Then I wanted to lose before my own wedding.

    Etc.

    There was always some "reason" and timeline for losing weight, and I set myself up for failure each and every time. There was simply too much pressure and too short of a time period each and every time to make any meaningful changes.

    This time, I have NOTHING that I want to lose weight for. I simply want to get healthy (and thin) so I can enjoy the benefits of it for the rest of my life. It's amazing how different it feels when you take away all the pressure and the "I want to lose X pounds by X date." All of a sudden, I no longer panic and get discouraged if the scale doesn't go down enough for a particular week. There's always next week! :)
  • babymaddux
    babymaddux Posts: 209 Member
    this time, it's not a 'diet'. i've never once referred to it as a 'diet'. if i need to give it a name for someone else's benefit, i'm eating primally. but in my head, i just stopped eating sugar, sweeteners, beans and grains. and that wasn't even really for weight loss, though i do need to lose about 60lbs. any losses are a welcome side effect of cleaning up my insides and eating for my health and longevity. i'm fairly certain that at some point i'll add simples grains back, when i start to feel like i'm missing them.

    it's only been a month so far but i haven't craved anything other than one mars/milky way bar, and i didn't give in. that's a huge change too. in the past, when i've been 'on a diet', sweets etc have been on my mind a good chunk of the time til i eventually gave in.
  • ednaemerson
    ednaemerson Posts: 63 Member
    My mindset this time is that finally after all these yrs I have realized that you can eat pretty decent food and lose weight. I always thought you had to hardly eat or almost starve to lose any weight, but that is so not true. I remind myself of that every day, and also there is no race this time, no diet just a better lifestyle. One day at a time and do it for yourself no one else. Thanks for the wonderful post. Edna Emerson

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