The curse of the yo-yo!

shortie_sarah
shortie_sarah Posts: 177 Member
in Motivation and Support
How do I break myself of yo-yoing?! It's always the same thing with me. I get really motivated, eat right, exercise, and lose weight. Every time I tell myself, "this is it! I'm never looking back!" Then all of a sudden, I lose all motivation and go back to my old ways. Then, in a few months, I do it all over again. How do I break out of this!? Please help!!

Replies

  • PJPrimrose
    PJPrimrose Posts: 916 Member
    You're going to have to be more specific. How old are you? How tall are you? How much do you want to weigh? Do you binge/starve? Do you just blow off portion control? Do you work out or have a sport you enjoy for exercise? Most folks lose motivation because what they are doing is a. flat out not good for them (starving/fad diets), b.they aren't keeping track of calories in/calories burned off or they have eating disorder/food issues that have them trapped into unhealthy habits. A small but scary percentage of people on here, usually young women, are actually looking for anorexia diet tips.
  • shortie_sarah
    shortie_sarah Posts: 177 Member
    Sorry I left out more specifics...

    I'm 25, I weigh 170, my goal 120-125. I'm 5ft even. I'm not looking for anorexia diet tips. I know how to properly do it, I just get lazy with it. I believe my issue is I just eat too much of the unhealthy foods...that and I don't do much for exercise. I'm a stay at home mom and I homeschool my 3 kids. I just always fall off the wagon..and I need help to stay on it.
  • PJPrimrose
    PJPrimrose Posts: 916 Member
    Staying at home will not ruin diet efforts :smile: In fact, staying home gives you more of an opportunity to cook from scratch. Cooking is an excellent way to teach/encourage math skills at any age. A person that homeschools 3 kids isn't lazy but many do have trouble maintaining a schedule. Remember you're not just teaching the 3 R's and your faith but healthy habits too! Get an idea of how much you are eating with a food scale and chart EVERYTHING, EVERYDAY. No getting upset, berating yourself or any mental drama. Just the facts and numbers. What and how much. If you do not exercise find something to do. Are your children involved in sports for socialization? Join em! If you don't like what they are doing you can walk instead while you wait for them.

    I am down to homeschooling one special needs child. My oldest graduated a couple of years ago. I kept up with kick boxing and diet in that time. It's not easy but it can be done!

    I'm a 44 yr old 5' 9" 145lb competitive kick boxer that has started to lift weights to get in better shape for kick boxing. Both of my boys have been in Martial Arts also. You can do this!

    I also work weekends and Mondays! It gets a bit crazy!
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Think of your kids. You want to show them the proper way to live and eat and exercise. Don't look at it as a short term diet but as I am changing this forever. Your methods will change because this is what you will be doing for the rest of your life not just until you lose x number of pounds. I have found that by not having a finish line reinforces the lifestyle choice. When you reach your goal weight, you can tone more or sign up for a 5K or triathlon. There is no end to improving yourself and reaching outside the comfort zone we tend to get trapped in.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Looking back on my yo-yo dieting days, my biggest issue was that I thought I had to cut out everything yummy and try to survive on salads and diet food. Thankfully I figured out this just wasn't so. As long as you stay within your calorie goal for the day, you can eat pretty much whatever you like. I say "pretty much" because obviously you won't feel too great eating all junky foods but a good balance of healthy stuff and even a daily treat is totally doable. I've made some healthier swaps along the way but for the most part it's been about portion size.

    As the other poster said, just start tracking to get an idea of your normal intake and then start making small doable changes.

    For activity/exercise, just do the best you can. Even if you can only manage 10 minutes a day, that's better than nothing.

    Good luck!
  • Ashaleet
    Ashaleet Posts: 59
    Yeah I actually tend to eat less when I am at home for some reason.
    I know what you mean though, last time I was on MFP I lost 39 lbs then one day just stopped and 8 months later I had to start from the beginning.
    Here's my best advice:
    If you need a day off, hell, a week off--take it. But NEVER stop weighing in. There's something about not getting on the scale that makes you blissfully oblivious to the fact that you're slowly undoing all the hardwork you've done. Getting on the scale after a week and seeing you've gained a little will give you the kick in the pants you need.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    If you are truly ready then I suggest you invest some time in reading and following this link:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • jlynnm70
    jlynnm70 Posts: 460 Member
    Make an exercise routine that you can do with the kids as a part of the homeschooling - schools still have PE and recess to some extent - incorporate it into your day too - Go for a walk, go to a park or gym and play basketball, tennis, volleyball - something. You'll teach them as well as get a work out in.
  • jlolson6740TK2
    jlolson6740TK2 Posts: 28 Member
    HI!!
    Feel free to add me! I am in the SAME boat! I lost 50 pounds about 2 years ago and have gained it ALL back!!!!
    I also have an accountability/motivational page on Facebook if you would like to join! Better2getherfitness.

    Its so nice to have people to do this with that understand and have gone through the same things.
    The best this I follow is.....

    One day at at time ~ One meal at at time ~ One workout at a time.
    I plan my meals and workouts and do my best to stick with them!!!

    We've got this!!!
    Jaime
  • missdibs1
    missdibs1 Posts: 1,092 Member
    I too am guilty of this The answer is make the decision to love yourself and make good choices Think before you act and if you let loose the reigns, pick them right back up!!!
  • shortie_sarah
    shortie_sarah Posts: 177 Member
    Thank you all for the support and good advice! I can totally relate to what Ashaleet wrote about how not getting on the scale makes you oblivious to the damage you're doing. That is exactly how I've been feeling lately. I figured if I don't realize, then it won't hurt... yeah right! I knew I was gaining some weight, but I didn't realize just how much until yesterday. A family member took some pictures of me from an Easter egg hunt and put them on Facebook. I finally realized how hidden from the truth I was... I got depressed about it and myself last night and that's why I'm here today. I'm just worried that I'll do the same thing I always do; which is yo-yo...back and forth... never sticking to it. I like the advice that jlolson6740TK gave, which is one day at time, one meal at a time. Thanks for that! :)
  • conniemaxwell5
    conniemaxwell5 Posts: 943 Member
    It's a daily, sometimes hourly, sometimes even minute to minute decision to just do it. The bottom line is it's your body, your life and your choice. You can get support, information, encouragement, even a good lecture when you need it from people on this site but the decision is still yours. I'm preaching to myself here too, so don't think I'm being harsh or judgmental. Most of us have fallen off the wagon and yo-yo'd but in the end we have to take ownership and responsibility for our actions.

    That said, you need to find inspiration and motivation to stay connected with your plan. Do you get bored with the routine of 'diet and exercise?' If so, find out what your tolerance is and make sure to change things up before you get bored. Or, do you crave things while you're 'being good' to the point that you completely fall off the wagon? if this is the problem, then allow yourself daily or weekly treats but stay within your calorie goals. There are ways you can modify your plan to fit your personality and lifestyle and still lose weight, you just have to be creative.

    Most importantly, you have to forgive yourself. You are not a failure because you've failed to meet or stick with a goal. You are human and will fall short sometimes. When you do, get back up as quickly as possible, dust yourself off, and start up again. Always try to be less steps backward than forward (2 steps forward and 1 step back is still progress!!).

    Good luck!

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