Having a hard time on days off

mirrinias
mirrinias Posts: 80 Member
in Motivation and Support
I'm now about halfway to my goal -- 65 ish lbs down and still have about 65-70 to go. The last time I tried losing weight, I gave up when I got to about this weight -- I was miserable and had major depression and some disordered approaches to eating (which I don't feel the need to explain right now...just know I was on my way to an eating disorder. It was Not Good). So what happened was, instead of dealing with this, I just gave up and ate whatever I wanted.

I've done so much better this time, counting it as a success simply if I don't gain, and letting my progress be slow. But now, I'm hovering around the same weight, 177-182, and I've gained at least a pound or two back that is not just water weight.

This is directly because I've been eating at maintenance or above, and I am having a hard time stopping myself. My body is good at losing weight if I stick with it. I'm at the halfway slump, feeling discouraged, and my routine has changed.

I now work 4 11-hour days, and get three off. Before, when I was doing the regular 9-5 five days a week, eating within my goal for five days kind of 'made up' for overeating on the weekends. But now, I can't really afford to have three days where I just eat what I want! I tend to go out and about without having eaten enough for breakfast, and then allow myself to get really hungry, and then I just eat fast food or something from the deli while I'm out. Or, I'm with my close friend, who has a very thin body type and fast metabolism and pretty much eats what she wants (it's impressive, she can eat more than me in one sitting! But she doesn't snack like I do).

Now that I've written you a novel, here's the question: How did you get past the midway discouragement? How do you make yourself 'stick with it' on days off?

Replies

  • SuzyLy
    SuzyLy Posts: 133 Member
    On your days off, make sure you have a breakfast before you leave the house . . . preferably high protein . . . you may be able to hard boil some eggs, just to have them available. Measure portions and prepack things like nuts, or anything else that will fill you up, and leave them where you can grab them on your way out. If you are stopping to eat "on the fly", plan what to pick up prior to walking in, so that you aren't side-tracked. Take a few minutes during the week to look at fast food menus and deli menus and decide what will fit into your daily allowance If you have a few drinks with friends, plan to limit yourself & know what will be allowable so that you're not caught off-guard and make high calorie decisions when you can do with less. After a while of not watching or controlling yourself on days off, you may allow it to creep into your work days and be right back to where you started. 65 lbs is a great loss, and keep in the forefront of your mind the changes you made to get to where you are now & just don't let yourself get sidetracked. Good luck!!
  • Deedle7544
    Deedle7544 Posts: 185 Member
    I'm trying to lose 40 - when I lost weight before, I did what you did, got halfway and kind of stopped, and then let the weight creep back on. This time I have created a spreadsheet with where I want to be each week, and also the dates so I can see my progress to the goal. I beleive this is going to be very effecyive at keeping me focused so I don;t stop at the half way point.

    As for days off, I agree with setting up pre portioned meals and sticking with it. I also tend to get more exercise in on days off, so I have a little bit more flexibilty. Its good to know where your difficulties are, that's the first step in handling them.

    You've done GREAT so far, don't stop now!
  • mirrinias
    mirrinias Posts: 80 Member
    On your days off, make sure you have a breakfast before you leave the house . . . preferably high protein . . . you may be able to hard boil some eggs, just to have them available. Measure portions and prepack things like nuts, or anything else that will fill you up, and leave them where you can grab them on your way out. If you are stopping to eat "on the fly", plan what to pick up prior to walking in, so that you aren't side-tracked. Take a few minutes during the week to look at fast food menus and deli menus and decide what will fit into your daily allowance If you have a few drinks with friends, plan to limit yourself & know what will be allowable so that you're not caught off-guard and make high calorie decisions when you can do with less. After a while of not watching or controlling yourself on days off, you may allow it to creep into your work days and be right back to where you started. 65 lbs is a great loss, and keep in the forefront of your mind the changes you made to get to where you are now & just don't let yourself get sidetracked. Good luck!!

    Does anyone have good ideas for protein besides eggs? (I just won't eat eggs, they make me nauseous most of the time). I like the idea of planning ahead to have fast food or deli items, or to plan to have something while I'm out and about BEFORE I leave the house so I can avoid eating just whatever. Thanks for your support :)

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