Life after MFP?

StrawberryThief
StrawberryThief Posts: 115
in Motivation and Support
I find MFP really useful in helping me lose weight healthily and keeping track of what I eat.
But I keep waiting for it to become a 'lifestyle' change and it just doesn't happen. I can go 6 weeks eating really well (allowing myself the occasional treat), exercising and making sure it's all attainable rather than totally over the top. But it doesn't get easier, or become part of my 'lifestyle', it's always an effort. And sometimes I think, 'Is constantly saying 'no' really want I want in my life? Maybe I'd be happier being a bit heavier but actually enjoying what I eat more.'
I'm actually pretty good at the exercise bit - I never thought that in my life I would be waking up at 7am and looking forward to running, but here I am! The food, though... that just hasn't changed.

Does anyone else get this? How do you beat it? Do I just need to wait longer for the change to kick in? Thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Replies

  • tlschlp
    tlschlp Posts: 54
    I am no where near my goal but I get what you are saying.

    I enjoy exercising, but I don't like food - therefore, my priorities are always to working out. I have foods that are fast/easy so I will eat, them regularly and can't see not continuing to eat them. However, I still "fall off the wagon" to the "convenient" foods (sweet treats, fast food, etc) because sometimes it's just easier and I don't care about food.

    Good luck. If you find that "magic" cure, please let me know also. It's a daily struggle.
  • Bufta217
    Bufta217 Posts: 17
    Although I'm not at goal or maintaining, I have been in the past, and failed miserably at it (and so I'm back on this waggon). Personally I think I need reprogramming in relation to my thinking about food, and am considering some CBT or counselling or maybe even hypnotherapy?? Anything that would work!
  • BuffyEat2Live
    BuffyEat2Live Posts: 327 Member
    The only thing that I can think of based on what you've said is that perhaps you need to enjoy what you eat WHILE you are losing weight. Maybe "the occasional treat" needs to happen more often. Forcing yourself to eat foods that are "good" that you don't enjoy and forcing yourself to stay away from foods that are "bad" that you do enjoy won't help you in the long run.

    Good luck to you!
  • StrawberryThief
    StrawberryThief Posts: 115
    Thanks, all :)
  • PaytraB
    PaytraB Posts: 2,360 Member
    I think it's still a lifestyle change that is occurring. At the moment, you (all of us) are consuming approx 500 calories per day LESS than what we'd normally be eating in a normal lifestyle. We do that to lose the weight. That's a lot of calories and these calories will be added back into our diet at some point.
    When that happens, we won't deprive ourselves as much, we'll eat more again and this includes our new healthy habits. So, when our weight is lost and we've reached our goals, our new lifestyle will become more apparent.

    I've just gone onto a "maintenance" program this week and it's harder to eat the extra calories than I'd thought. I haven't reached my daily calories once this week, and I've included treats. It's become obvious that a lifestyle change has occurred. I'm still balancing it out.

    You're doing great. Stick with it and you will reach your goal. Then you'll see that you've accomplished a new lifestyle that is maintainable and acceptable. You won't have to say "no" as often (maybe not at all) once you're there.

    Stick with it. It's worth it.
  • jmotorhead
    jmotorhead Posts: 1
    Strawberry I get where your commng from. In my case my issues is with portion size, go figure being an American, and going for "fast food". Try to define what you mean by lifestyle. People who have a particular lifestyle usually work at the style they want. I have stopped dieting, I was a wrestler when I was young and they never work in the long term, and focus in what I eat and not the constraints of a particular diet. I think that you might be beating yourself up for falling off the diet, remember it is ok to have the sweet, just not at every meal. Try and find the trigger as to why your feeling this way, and you might be happier.
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    It never becomes simple, but it does get easier. I still get cravings for bad foods, but instead of getting a bag of combos, bag of skittles, a bag of chex mix, a bag of cheez its and a soda to eat in a single setting, I'll get one small bag of something I have room for in my calories. The longer I do this, the more the thought of eating the way I used to turns my stomach a little. The cravings don't go away, but the amount you crave does seem to decrease. Plus, I've developed a taste for healthier snacks (I have learned to love pistachios in their shells), so that helps too.

Categories