Big loss = motivation killer
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Yeah I don't think like this. If I see progress, I want to accelerate it. If I drop lbs, I'm more motivated to drop more. It means I'm doing something right.0
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Find something other than food to serve as a reward. New clothes in smaller sizes motivates me. I've never cared about fashion so this has been a surprise.0
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No, because no food is off limits I don't feel deprived I'm less inclined to sabotage my efforts.
I suffice with a silly victory dance then go happily about my day :happy:0 -
This might sound like a dumb question, but does weighing ever derail your efforts?
When I see a big loss on the scale, I almost feel entitled to a couple days off (I've never had a cheat day but I feel like I "deserve" one). This is a lifestyle change for me, but seeing a big number lost makes me wanna eat at maintenance for awhile. I know that a life time of "cheat days" got me to where I was in the first place and I don't ever want to go back there. But I just think it's ironic that in my mind, instead of a loss motivating me to keep it up, it almost derails me.
Also, when I see a small loss, that makes me wanna keep going instead and wanting to give up. Am I the only one?!
Yes! One reason I 'failed' on my last diet was because I had lost about 25lbs and I was really pleased. I was thinner, no bulges, looking good, feeling good.
So I stopped. I forgot to maintain and the weight crept back up!0 -
I am the opposite!! Days when I see a loss I can't wait to workout and plan my meal because it proves to me that what I am doing is working!! When I see no improvement either on the scale or measurements is when I have to really push myself to stay motivated and on track!!
Since I started MFP, I've only had one instance where the scale didn't show me a loss.. It was a HUGE motivator for me. I was so frustrated, I went straight home, put on my tennies and went for a jog! It's amazing how different people can be. I think that's what makes it really important for everyone to find what works for them. But we can all find our way - we can all do it!
Good luck to everyone!!0 -
That happened to me after I got into the mid 260s, down from a high of 320. I was stalling around the 270s for months. Bumped up my effort, got into the 260s, would feel great about the loss, and then self sabotage. I yo-yoed between the 270s-260s (essentially maintaining) for a year and a half based off this kind of behavior. I never consciously thought of it as rewarding myself, but I do truly believe part of me was resistant to moving beyond that block (for a whole host of reasons).
That was over 50 lbs ago. I got back on point in late spring, have lost an incredible amount of weight since (even more than the ticker). I haven't jumped on a scale though since August. Still losing, but just going by visuals and clothing size for the time being. I take breaks in my eating when I like, sometimes for days, or even longer, at a time. But I'm not self sabotaging like I use to, at least nowhere near to the extent I was when I was "stuck". Now that I'm in the home stretch I really feel renewed in my journey, and each noticeable loss just makes me want to continue on. No more "rewarding" myself at all for weight loss.0 -
I am so guilty of this. I'll Be thinking, "damn, I look so good lately! GIMME THE CHICKEN TENDERS 'COZ I DESERVE IT!"0
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Yes, me too. Weighing messed with my head. If it's a drop, I somehow wanna self sabotage and binge. If the number goes up, I get mad at myself and binge. It's not good.0
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I do the EXACT same thing!! I actually came on to write a post about this because I'm so distraught. For the last two months, Ive made some great achievements towards my goal but every time I stop to realize what I've done - like lose 6% body fat or run for longer than I've ever been able to before - I take a mental break and basically stop everything Im doing. It's like my mind goes on auto-sabotage mode. It happens for like a week or two, and then I get back to my senses and continue. But by that time I've done a lot of damage from eating lots of bad food and being lazy about my work outs. This time, my two week "break" has cost me 5 lbs and I haven't put on workout clothes for more than a week.
I feel so discouraged! I don't know why it keeps happening and I've gotten so fed up with starting over. It's mid way through November and I'll never achieve my November goal with the last two weeks off my game. Ugh!
What should I do? Does anyone know why this happens or how we can stop the behavior? Is it a motivation thing? Is it loss of focus? All of the above?0 -
I actually treat myself when i've hit little personal goals (dropping a stone, for example). i find it makes me treat bad foods as exactly what they are...treats and not something that I should be having regularly. I work on a reward based system, I find that motivates me. if the scales go up for a few days afterwards it doesn't bother me because I know in the long run I will be losing more.0
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I'm going to go ahead and take all of these experiences and make sure that if I feel like this, I let myself go.. But exercise for the calories I need in order TO let myself go. Not sure if it was meant to be or not.. But this has been a helpful read to me.0
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I was like that too but then I tried looking at my naked self in the mirror everytime after weighing, every morning when I wake up, before meals too lol. I look at my disappointing stubborn belly fat from hell, then I get right back on track again feeling as fat as I did before every pound I lost -_____- though I feel sad and depressed for a bit about my fats, I feel more motivated, I curse at my belly when I wanna give up while doing the workouts LOL it makes me push harder
^^^yes this! I also have a sweet vintage cocktail "goal" dress hanging next to my full length mirror, my scale sits right below. Looking as that beautiful dress is all the motivation I need!0 -
Although alot of people are against weighing themselves every day, I do because it prevents me from feeling like after a week and a loss I am entitled to a cheat day or to binge. It really works as each day when the grams or pounds drop off I know exactly how much work has to go into losing that small amount of weight and don't want to see the numbers come back up.0
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I must be the odd one here then cause I don't consider any foods off limits so I pretty much have whatever I want as long as it fits my macro's and caloric needs so when I step on the scale it isn't any incentive to have some pizza, or cookies or whatever cause I am going to be eating that at some point over the course of my intake just like tonight I am making room for a pint of reese's cup chocolate ice cream.. I had to break through the mental part in the beginning but eventually I reintroduced everything back into my diet and am much better off now because I have the self control to grab 6 oreo's out of the package and put the rest away.... Takes time but anyone can get there if they work at it..... Best of Luck
this is what i do as well. i don't deprive myself. if i want something, it has to fit into my day. if it doesn't fit, i make it fit by working out a little longer.0 -
I must be the odd one here then cause I don't consider any foods off limits so I pretty much have whatever I want as long as it fits my macro's and caloric needs so when I step on the scale it isn't any incentive to have some pizza, or cookies or whatever cause I am going to be eating that at some point over the course of my intake just like tonight I am making room for a pint of reese's cup chocolate ice cream.. I had to break through the mental part in the beginning but eventually I reintroduced everything back into my diet and am much better off now because I have the self control to grab 6 oreo's out of the package and put the rest away.... Takes time but anyone can get there if they work at it..... Best of Luck
this is what i do as well. i don't deprive myself. if i want something, it has to fit into my day. if it doesn't fit, i make it fit by working out a little longer.
Me too. A good loss is a motivator for me, and since I don't deprive myself of any foods (I just fit them into my calorie + exercise allowance) I don't need to reward myself with food. I'd much rather reward myself with something new (and a smaller size) to wear.0 -
I know exactly what you mean! Yesterday I weighed myself and saw I'd lost 3lbs over 7 days, and 6.5lbs over three weeks. So I ended up having a burger king for lunch. I think it was partly because I was with my sister who was having one, so I was tempted, but I think if I hadn't lost, or lost only little over the week, I would have resisted. But hey, I'm back on track today!0
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