Help...Need a serious kick in tha butt..

Patience little grasshopper.

Don't expect perfection. If you mess up, brush yourself off and try again.

I'm losing motivation. Not deliberately, mind you, but I can feel my enthusiasm, courage, and optimism waning. The strange thing is, I don't really want to go back to eating poorly. I can just feel the persistence draining out of me. I'm too scared to weigh myself, for fear that I've gained a few pounds. The past couple of weeks I haven't been 'perfect' with my exercise and diet. Now I feel like a total blob on the road to regaining the weight I've lost.

Where am I going wrong, folks? I know this is a pattern of behavior of mine, but can't locate the switch to turn myself around.

Taking control of your health/diet/weight is no easy task so naturally it will wear you down with time. Like everyone said keep at it and treat each day as a new opportunity to get it right or make a few better choices. Start out small and gradually incorporate more and more changes. For eg, start by eating a healthy breakfast, then add 2L water to your diet, then go for a 30 min walk, etc.

The positive is that you said you dont want to go back to eating poorly so clearly you still have motivation or determination in you, just need to focus on your why. If you have a big enough why, the how will take care of itself. Hope that helps, and keep strong! You CAN do it!!

Are you having any treat days? I don't mean total blow out eat whatever you want days, just days where you're not as strict. I let myself have one of these a week (usually on a weekend when I'm having a drink with friends) and that helps - also I know that every extra calorie I burn during the week is another glass of wine, or better yet - dessert!
Give yourself small manageable goals that you can achieve quickly and then create the next one, it feels good to succeed to the more small goals you win the better you'll feel
x

I'm losing motivation. Not deliberately, mind you, but I can feel my enthusiasm, courage, and optimism waning. The strange thing is, I don't really want to go back to eating poorly. I can just feel the persistence draining out of me. I'm too scared to weigh myself, for fear that I've gained a few pounds. The past couple of weeks I haven't been 'perfect' with my exercise and diet. Now I feel like a total blob on the road to regaining the weight I've lost.

Where am I going wrong, folks? I know this is a pattern of behavior of mine, but can't locate the switch to turn myself around.

I get like this sometimes - not just weight loss, but all sorts of things in life - money, jobs, everything. I find that when I slide a bit out of control, the more I leave it,the more I worry and the more I slide so the only thing to do is square up to and get hold of it again. And all the worry subsides, I'm in control again, and I can start to turn it around.

So just go and weigh yourself. Then you'll know, you'll be in control again. You might not like what you see, but on the other hand you might be pleasantly surprised! But while you're avoiding it and worrying, you're still sliding. What's the worst case scenario? You've gained a few pounds? So instead of saying "Oh no I've gained a few pounds, it's a disaster! I've failed!" say "Hm. I've gained a few pounds, good job I caught it early and nipped it in the bud! I can work them back off now. I am still in control, and I can do this :bigsmile: "

The good thing is if you check now, and get back on it, you have only gained a few pounds, not slid all the way back to where you started which is what you could do if you try to avoid looking.

Also, do you take photos as you go? Measurements? This is the time to assess the progress you've made so far - the waistbands that are a little looser; the difference in the shape of your face; the fact you can walk further/quicker whatever than before.

ETA I found this really useful - dig out some old photos before the weight loss, dig out the clothes you were wearing, put them on and adopt a similar pose, and photograph yourself now. If you can't see any difference, post the before and after pics here for an objective eye, and everyone will point out the progress you have made. That really does give you a nice kick up the *kitten*

I truly believe that this journey is a mind game. I literally have to talk to myself (quietly of course lol) at times to encourage myself to exercise or choose the healthier option. I have to keep telling myself Yes I Can. You just have to refuse to give into the excuses that you come up with and trust me we all have those excuses. How many times have I woken up at 5am to go to the gym. How many excuses did I give myself to go back to bed instead.......tons BUT I talked myself into going and I went and I felt much better that I did it. I love going to the group classes at my gym and I feel great when I do them but its the getting there that I have to talk myself into. Feel free to add me as a friend.