Half Assing my Weight Loss Lately.

amandarawr06
amandarawr06 Posts: 251 Member
in Motivation and Support
For the last few months I have been having some major struggles staying on track. Since last May, I have lost 49lbs, 2 pant sizes and a shirt size. I have been going through the motions... working out 3+ times a week. I tend to have 2-3 really good eating days a week but then somewhere along the way I screw up and overeat (WAY overeat) 2-3 days a week.

I feel like I am having a huge mental struggle to get back into it. I am just looking for ways to get motivated. Does anybody have any suggestions?
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Replies

  • _Terrapin_
    _Terrapin_ Posts: 4,301 Member
    OPTION #1: Reduce the overeating days for the next month to 2, then to 1.....well you get the idea.

    OPTION #2: Reassess why you wanted to change.

    OPTION #3: Take a look at a whole *kitten*<
    see my profile pic; no actually it was a dog I was carrying. But I digress; ugh. So OPTION 3, change your workouts up; try fitness blender, a swim, a strenuous hike. . . .anything.

    OPTION #4: Ask MFP friends for a few polite kicks in the backside on your wall.

    OPTION #5: Just don't ask, if you need to ask it may be to late. Peace.
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    Keep moving forward. Keep the habit of working out. Make your life the way you want it to be. Some friends and I were just discussing this today. We don't always see big losses consistently on the scale- but here's the truth:

    We keep eating healthy.
    We keep lifting.
    We keep enjoying our life today.

    Motivation is fleeting. The habits and incorporating them into your idea of happy is what works over time.
  • DeeBerning
    DeeBerning Posts: 131 Member
    Try shaking things up a bit... maybe a new fitness routine or a new workout buddy. You can do this. Look at the amazing things you have already accomplished!!!!!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    stand in front of a full length mirror in your underwear... happy? no? put down the cake and go work out!
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    When this happened to me, I took a break from logging and working out for a week. By the end of that week I was ready to get back to the gym. The eating took longer to get under control, but it eventually happened.

    Sometimes you need to stop and reevaluate what you're doing.
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  • _Terrapin_
    _Terrapin_ Posts: 4,301 Member
    stand in front of a full length mirror in your underwear... happy? no? put down the cake and go work out!

    Honestly, should you ever stand in front of a mirror in underwear holding cake? Eat cake first, then stand. Ugh. :flowerforyou:
  • shellya30
    shellya30 Posts: 21
    OPTION #1: Reduce the overeating days for the next month to 2, then to 1.....well you get the idea.

    OPTION #2: Reassess why you wanted to change.

    OPTION #3: Take a look at a whole *kitten*<
    see my profile pic; no actually it was a dog I was carrying. But I digress; ugh. So OPTION 3, change your workouts up; try fitness blender, a swim, a strenuous hike. . . .anything.

    OPTION #4: Ask MFP friends for a few polite kicks in the backside on your wall.

    OPTION #5: Just don't ask, if you need to ask it may be to late. Peace.

    This is an AWESOME response. Thank you _Terrapin_! You gave me some motivation I need :)
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    stand in front of a full length mirror in your underwear... happy? no? put down the cake and go work out!

    Honestly, should you ever stand in front of a mirror in underwear holding cake? Eat cake first, then stand. Ugh. :flowerforyou:

    dont know what you mean, all my progress pictures include cake!!! :wink:
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  • ChristinWrites
    ChristinWrites Posts: 119 Member
    When I need a shot in the arm, I go back through my old diaries/logs and look at how far I've come and what I can do now. For example in January, I could barely run up one flight of steps without gasping and two days ago I ran 5k straight. I fought with my little five pound dumbells, now I use a barbell and lift actual weight ;) - When I look at this, it is the result of daily efforts over the course of several months. I ask myself - do I want to go back to being out of breath, exhausted and weak? Or do I want to stay strong and energetic and keep improving like I am now?

    I am more motivated by keeping track of my "wins" - I struggle with stress eating and part of that is getting to the heart of what causes those fears/anxieties to trigger eating. Instead of eating, I have replaced this with exercise, reading, anything that is beneficial to me that takes me out of my head a bit - but doesn't lend itself to mindlessly eating stuff.

    Focus on what you "do" want - not the frustrations you feel. Those frustrations are valid, but they aren't the whole reality. Look at what you can do now you couldn't before. Maybe make a list - I have a running list where I can see all my measurements drop right in front of me - from a 37 inch waist in March to a 33 inch now - and still progressing :) it's motivating for sure! Good luck.
  • amandarawr06
    amandarawr06 Posts: 251 Member
    Sign up for something challenging. Something you'd need to train for. A race, preferrably of the mud variety.

    I did an 8k mud race two weekends ago! It gave me a mega boost but now I am just falling back out of it!
  • amandarawr06
    amandarawr06 Posts: 251 Member
    stand in front of a full length mirror in your underwear... happy? no? put down the cake and go work out!

    Honestly, should you ever stand in front of a mirror in underwear holding cake? Eat cake first, then stand. Ugh. :flowerforyou:

    Haha, always eat the cake first.
  • amandarawr06
    amandarawr06 Posts: 251 Member
    Some really great ideas guys! Thanks!!!
  • amandarawr06
    amandarawr06 Posts: 251 Member
    When I need a shot in the arm, I go back through my old diaries/logs and look at how far I've come and what I can do now. For example in January, I could barely run up one flight of steps without gasping and two days ago I ran 5k straight. I fought with my little five pound dumbells, now I use a barbell and lift actual weight ;) - When I look at this, it is the result of daily efforts over the course of several months. I ask myself - do I want to go back to being out of breath, exhausted and weak? Or do I want to stay strong and energetic and keep improving like I am now?

    I am more motivated by keeping track of my "wins" - I struggle with stress eating and part of that is getting to the heart of what causes those fears/anxieties to trigger eating. Instead of eating, I have replaced this with exercise, reading, anything that is beneficial to me that takes me out of my head a bit - but doesn't lend itself to mindlessly eating stuff.

    Focus on what you "do" want - not the frustrations you feel. Those frustrations are valid, but they aren't the whole reality. Look at what you can do now you couldn't before. Maybe make a list - I have a running list where I can see all my measurements drop right in front of me - from a 37 inch waist in March to a 33 inch now - and still progressing :) it's motivating for sure! Good luck.

    Amazing idea. Thank you so much.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    For me, primary motivation is a stubborn refusal to go back to where I was. I do still backslide though - just recovering from one now. Went on vacation about 1.5 months ago, let myself indulge with the intention of getting right back on track when I got back home...but that didn't work out so well. While I didn't completely lose control and continued to exercise, I stopped logging and my indulgence days were becoming more and more frequent. Then this Wednesday came and one of my favorite pairs of jeans was a lot tighter than I remember them being. As I said, I refuse to let myself go again so that was just the wake up call I needed.

    There's nothing wrong with going back to square one. Now that you're close to your goal weight, make sure you've updated your weekly weight loss goal so your daily calories are reasonable (see table below). Maybe make some new goals like wanting to run a 5k or compete in a bike race or kayak race. Or try some new exercise classes/programs. Join or start a group of like minded people to help give you support. Etc etc...
    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.

    Good luck!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,948 Member
    Honestly you just have to decide to to it. Doing it half assed will get half assed results. You know that and would probably expect that.
    Recommit. You either do or don't. There's really no gray area.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Glossysweets
    Glossysweets Posts: 69
    Hmmmm...I would have to say honor yourself.

    Make it fun. Do activities you like. Eat a little bit of what you what each day (if you are denying yourself - because then it will feel like a chore).

    Are you happy where you are? Don't let anyone else tell you where you should be or should be going, if you are happy with where you are then it would be time to maintain .

    If you still have a goal in mind and you have not reached it yet then perhaps you are hitting a place where you are not sure if you will reach it? Just remember what your goal is and honor that. Being truthful with yourself and honoring your own desires can help make a huge mental shift. But don't beat yourself up about where you aren't yet or the mistakes you have made...everyday is a new day.

    You have had such good success and it seems your workout routines have become habit which is awesome! So keep it up and change it up if you need to. Friends on MFP are always here to help support too. Good Luck.
  • Siannah
    Siannah Posts: 456 Member
    Did anyone mention cake?
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  • amandarawr06
    amandarawr06 Posts: 251 Member
    Sign up for something challenging. Something you'd need to train for. A race, preferrably of the mud variety.

    I did an 8k mud race two weekends ago! It gave me a mega boost but now I am just falling back out of it!

    That's fantastic!!


    Now find a harder one.

    I JUST signed up for another one in September! So I am going to keep that in mind everyday!
  • soldiergrl_101
    soldiergrl_101 Posts: 2,205 Member
    For the last few months I have been having some major struggles staying on track. Since last May, I have lost 49lbs, 2 pant sizes and a shirt size. I have been going through the motions... working out 3+ times a week. I tend to have 2-3 really good eating days a week but then somewhere along the way I screw up and overeat (WAY overeat) 2-3 days a week.

    I feel like I am having a huge mental struggle to get back into it. I am just looking for ways to get motivated. Does anybody have any suggestions?

    I know how you feel. I lost 40lbs in 6 months and then i just got complacent and went to the gym twice a week but my eatting has just been crappy ill try to eat healthy and then i wash it down with a cheeseburger lol. What I did today to try to get myself back on track was set new goals and a reward for achieving them and then a plan of attack for the gym and my diet. Im doing short term though like 1 month so I dont get frustrated
  • wiggleyum
    wiggleyum Posts: 8 Member
    Amanda - just want to let you know you are not alone. The description of your situation is exactly mine (even down to the pounds lost.) I keep plugging away, even though I'm stalled at the moment and irritated with myself. Just wanted you to know there are more of us out here, and I thank you for your post!
  • sunflowerhippi
    sunflowerhippi Posts: 1,099 Member
    just another post to say you're not the only one. I went through about 6 months last fall that I gained back about 10 pounds. However I thankfully kept up my heavy lifting program so I didn't backslide as bad since it was basically a bulk but it wasn't the best thing when I am trying to lose weight as well. I think a lot of us go through it about midway or as we get closer to our goals where things don't happen and we start to lose the motivation and start to have more bad days been good.. I didn't get my motivation back until summer came around and I realized last summers clothes were loose so even if the scale hadn't moved inches had.
  • Fsunami
    Fsunami Posts: 241 Member
    Close out all of the outside distractions & go to your quiet place. Grab a blank pad of paper and a pen. Draw a line down the middle of the paper. Write out the positives and negatives of the lifestyle change choice you've made.

    Its a way to empty the mind, clear your head and remind you of the things you've accomplished & the many benefits of the choices you've made.

    Keep plugging away.

    We are here for you as needed :)
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    i know that if i have a race a few months down the line, i tend to eat better and exercise with more purpose.

    sign up for a race, and see if that motivates you.
  • ajmurray1234
    ajmurray1234 Posts: 163 Member
    First, congrats on the weight loss!! Now, start with asking yourself, why you fall off the wagon occasionally. Something must be happening between the good and bad days. I think once you know these triggers, you can work on ways to prevent them.
  • ccburn5
    ccburn5 Posts: 473 Member
    I couldn't feel more like that at all right now!! I myself have been going through major personal issues that have absolutely sidetracked my fitness, eating, drinking, sleeping, etc. I keep telling myself, "I'll get back on track tomorrow, or Monday, etc" and then I get to that day and find it hard to or an excuse as to why not to.
    Keep your head up and try and get refocused. It didn't take over night to lose all this weight (as you know) and it certainly won't come back on overnight either.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    This is exactly where I'm at too. I don't know what else to add except just to say it's kind of good to know I'm not the only one! I've lost 50 and have 35 to go and feel like I've been spinning my wheels for weeks! Thanks for all the advice here!
  • chele1028
    chele1028 Posts: 248 Member
    Know this, you will only get out if it what you put into it. That has helped me. Think of why you are wanting to lose the weight and keep those thoughts in your mind. Let your progress motivate you. Don't give up. If you gain, it happens, turn it around, just want it bad enough and do what you need to do to get there.

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