Staying Disciplined When You Start to See Results

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  • Boogage
    Boogage Posts: 739 Member
    I understand how you feel. I was doing really well but life got extremely stressful and I've kinda fallen off the wagon a bit. My eating's gone from one extreme to the other, either too little or too much and I haven't felt like exercising even when I've had the time.

    The way I am dealing with this is to keep logging everything I eat so that I stay accountable and hopefully manage to ride this bad time out without piling on the pounds again. I have noticed that I can't feel my tummy muscles so much now which encourages me to get back to getting fit as soon as I have the energy mentally.

    I also nose around these post a lot and it reminds me that I'm not the only one struggling to keep going. Support is key to success and so is (as others have said) setting yourself a new goal that will challenge you.
  • ShellyBell999
    ShellyBell999 Posts: 1,482 Member
    I think most of us go through this phase especially when getting closer to goals. Reminders on why I set such goals and reviewing old photos helps me. I never want to go back to being overweight and unhealthy but it happens so it's something I have to keep in check.

    When I get to this phase I know it's time to re-assess my goals and set new ones if necessary.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    I am currently experiencing this problem. I like the idea of before pictures and non-food treats. Thank you guys so much!
  • amye004
    amye004 Posts: 32
    You have to retrain yourself to think differently at those results because you are slipping into old habits by using the new ones to justify them. Treat yourself to something not food related, or if you are going to have a food treat make sure to log everything and portion those treats/fit them into your day so you can keep yourself accountable.

    I try and think about the food treats before I eat them (do you NEED to eat it, will it fit into your day,etc are some of the questions that guage whether or not I eat it), and if I eat first, think later then I make sure that I do not go over my intake for the day to compinsate. This lead to me a couple of weeks ago, walking the dog in the pouring rain for half an hour to make sure I balanced (the dog loved the rain, me...not so much). Punishment? Absolutely, but it taught me a lesson and made me realize how important it was to myself not to go over the points for things like treats (I went over the day before and didn't want to do it twice). Have I mindlessly grabbed a treat since? Nope. It keep me accountable for the old habits that I am now trying to break. (Side note, if I think about the treat and decide that I want it, I will eat it.)

    I know I have a way to go which helps keep me on track. I like to visualize the bathing suit I am going to wear when I get to my goal as motivation to keep going! Find something to motivate you to keep working and good luck!
  • kdcshesback
    kdcshesback Posts: 47 Member
    bump
  • CanuckLove
    CanuckLove Posts: 673 Member
    I am notorious for this. I lose and gain the same weight over and over and over. Decided to sign up for a 10K race so I will continue to train. After that is done, I'm going to find something else. As others have said.. Make a new plan, set a new goal. Get excited about what you will do next. Also love the idea of writing down things that got you where you are. Also one thing I read from somewhere: Write down how you feel after a workout. Now write down how you feel when you've skipped a workout. Compare the two.
  • RandiLandCHANGED
    RandiLandCHANGED Posts: 630 Member
    I have such a hard time with this. As soon as my abs pop out I am so excited and then I end up eating non stop. I already eat my max calories 2100+ so there is no room for this kind of behaviour!
  • BOLO4Hagatha
    BOLO4Hagatha Posts: 94 Member
    I look at my "before" pictures and that quickly discourages me from slacking off. I also treat my self with clothes, or mani/pedi, etc rather than food. This next part might sound mean but it helps keep my on track: I'm/[you are] not a dog, so I/[you] don't need food as a treat for doing a good job.
  • aaronlawrenc
    aaronlawrenc Posts: 666 Member
    I look at my "before" pictures and that quickly discourages me from slacking off. I also treat my self with clothes, or mani/pedi, etc rather than food. This next part might sound mean but it helps keep my on track: I'm/[you are] not a dog, so I/[you] don't need food as a treat for doing a good job.

    you should always treat yourself for doing a good job....just try not to continuously treat yourself over and over and over...and over...
  • SweetlyVague
    SweetlyVague Posts: 172 Member
    I actually find seeing results makes me push myself harder!
  • aaronlawrenc
    aaronlawrenc Posts: 666 Member
    I actually find seeing results makes me push myself harder!

    ^agree
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    For me, what made this stick this time (maintaining almost 2 years), was that it was about health and fitness, not just looking better or wearing smaller clothes.

    As such, losing weight was a nice side effect, but it was really about being able to go from couch potato to runner, from eating hamburger helper just about every night to cooking full, nutritious meals, from wimp to lifter.

    Eating well and exercising isn't just something I do for a certain time frame to look good in a bikini for summer. It's just what I do. Period. Like brushing my teeth and shaving my legs and paying my bills. It's for life. It's not like you say, "Well, I had a good checkup at the dentists, so I'm not going to brush my teeth as much."
  • mygrl4meee
    mygrl4meee Posts: 943 Member
    Mostly, I eat stuff in moderation so I don't have this issue. But like everyone else, I do cave and eat things that just don't fit into a 1700 calorie diet. Like a blizzard from Dq.
  • Koldnomore
    Koldnomore Posts: 1,613 Member
    You could try putting up your 'before' pictures on your fridge to remind you where you came from. Now this said if this is just a once in a blue moon thing it happens and I wouldn't fret about it too much.
  • IowaJen1979
    IowaJen1979 Posts: 406 Member
    The best thing I ever did was join a 12 week challenge. This way I am accountable to someone other than myself as well as I'm working towards winning a trip and money at the end.

    I recommend looking for a goal to work towards so you have a constant focus and when you feel weak you say "pizza or my prize...what's more important"

    Same for me. It helped to keep me on track when I started to lose weight. I didn't want to let my team down.
  • rpmtnbkr
    rpmtnbkr Posts: 137 Member
    For me I know I'm close when on the days I do slack off either from 'I dont' feel like it' attitude or work related time constraints and I still lose or maintain. When I get to that point I start easing up on some of the exercise, but still try to keep diet close to goal.
  • high5girl
    high5girl Posts: 90 Member
    I did this until I relaxed too much and put all but 14lbs back on again - my biggest size was 311lbs and I got down to 238 and I just relaxed and starting missing workouts and instead of treats being treats they became the norm again - so I am very aware of that.

    I was so nervous when I got to the 238lbs again as it stayed there for ages and I thought it was the knife point of going back up again - but I pushed through it and this morning I am showing as 205lbs, so I know I will keep going.

    I know that last time I never used MFP and my eating was so unhealthy - starving myself, not fueling myself for my exercise and over-exercising ( and it came off much quicker) - and this time it is very different - but that reminder of how it did almost all creep back on is enough to make me vigilant of one too many indulgences or too much slacking off - I get so twitchy now if I go a day or two without exercise and am much happier when I get back to healthier eating but mfp and my uber geeky health and fitness spreadsheet keeps me on track lol

    ^^^this. This is exactly what I don't want to happen! I'm right around that 238 mark and I don't want to gain it all back. Need to find my motivating factors again.
  • sunnyinaz78
    sunnyinaz78 Posts: 39
    I like to keep and shop for a dress or pair of jeans that fits a little tight in my closet, and make it a goal to fit into them! It feels so good when they go on effortlessly. Keeps my eye on the prize, and I do mean a smaller, tighter body! It's a conscious effort everyday to keep yourself in check and on point. And it aint easy for sure! good luck!
  • aaronlawrenc
    aaronlawrenc Posts: 666 Member
    Mostly, I eat stuff in moderation so I don't have this issue. But like everyone else, I do cave and eat things that just don't fit into a 1700 calorie diet. Like a blizzard from Dq.


    DEEE-Que, thats what i like about tex-assss! lol. love DQ
  • danika2point0
    danika2point0 Posts: 197 Member
    HI!

    I know what you mean. I've only been here for a couple of months but I have dropped 10 pounds and I honestly feel like a whole new person. Instead of getting comfortable with where I am at (I'm still not there), I'm using this as motivation - how good I feel. Also thinking how bad you would feel 'going back'. Another thing maybe to do: If you want to be strong enough to lift X or fast enough to run a mile in X minutes or you want to wear that size 4 dress? Make a new goal to reach towards...Do not get comfortable. :-) xx

    P.S. Way to go on your good work!
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    I had to reset my thinking and forget about what I've already accomplished so I can focus on what's left. I reset my ticker to zero so that any weight gained has more of an impact. Rather than dropping from losing 96 to 90 lbs, I see that I have gained 6 lbs, which seems a lot more significant.
  • Toomanytwinkies
    Toomanytwinkies Posts: 42 Member
    My problem too. I reach my mini-goal and its all over...the binge begins
  • GlorianEversea
    GlorianEversea Posts: 22
    Y'know...I have to agree with Jillian Michaels a bit. You have to want that body more than you want anything else that stands in your way.

    I know it sounds crazy, but i still stare at some of the junk food in the store that used to be so comforting.....even though i know I'm going to walk on by! Because, when push comes to shove, I want to run shirtless on the beach this summer with my fam more than I want a cupcake. For me, its just. that. simple.

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