Loosing my motivation

Do you give yourself non-food related rewards when you hit your goals? Do you give yourself adequate praise for what you have already accomplished? That has really helped me. I don't even have to lose and I'll give myself a little treat for simply making it through the week, logging in every day and exercising all I need to in that week. Rewards I like to give myself are: mani pedi day, going to a movie alone, art gallery trip, new art supplies etc. but that's just me. I am sure that there are little things you could do for yourself when you stay on track. Doing that has made all the difference for me.

Sounds like you've made amazing progress, htat's really admirable!

However, having too restrictive a diet can definitely backfire - perhaps try introducing a cheat day? For example, designate Saturdays as 'eat whatever you want' days. So, when you get really demotivated on a Wednesday and all you want is a donut and a packet of crisps, tell yourself "Come Saturday, I can eat whatever I want, but I'll stick to my goals for now."

I often find that even on my cheat days I don't exceed my calorie goal that much - but it does help to know that I can, if I want to.

When I have days like that, I brush them off for a month or 2 because I feel I should be able to use some will power and get on with my weight loss. Eventually, those brushed off days build up and I get a funk going. I end up just eating a whole lot of something (right now it is oatmeal chocolate chunk cookie dough mix; 1 serving is 30g and I will eat 300g in one shot), but with the caveat that I log it. I spent 5 months hiding food and being pissy at myself for not losing like I should simply because I didn't log it honestly.

I suggest taking a meal or part of meal (dessert for me) and eat what you want without worrying about the calorie count.

I just got out of that little funk where I didnt want to count anything or regulate my life in that way. You just went through something substantial and the thing about people is that even when we lose weight we can put it on really fast again. Fight through that resistance Obviously its not something you cant do.

I've been struggling with this too. I have lost and gained and lost many times and have tried to make a permanent change. So I am concentrating on a few things differently this time. I often feel like I'm the only one who has to be so strict, count, log, weigh. The truth is I'm not- Many people are genetically lucky in the weight area and I struggle but I am genetically gifted in other areas. I'm healthy, not afraid to speak in public, whatever. I try to just realize that everyone has struggles and that doesn't mean that I can't overcome it. When you feel like you are fighting it is exhausting so I'm trying not to fight but to just do the right thing.. if that makes sense? Also, I'm starting to see that I can have a cheat day and not gain but I also start to have strong cravings after so "for me" cheat days are tricky. I've been in this same funk you speak of for a while but I am trying to examine what I want. Do I really WANT the cake ect? How do I feel after. Instead of focusing on the guilt part of how I feel I have realized that my body actually feels worse after a weekend of sugar, alcohol ect. I feel bloated and tired. It puts the spotlight on the overall feeling of health instead of just if it's good or bad food. I was just telling someone last month. " I want, I'm not sure what- It's not the actual sugar but I find myself wanting something and not my prepared meals but then I don't know what so I end up eating things I shouldn't and there is no satisfaction, just regret so that didn't solve anything and now I feel guilty" WHAT THE HECK IS THAT? I've found I just do better if I eat every 3-4 hours to keep my blood sugar steady and it helps with the cravings and eating things I don't want to track. I've been reading on reducing sugar cravings and self sabotage lately. I don't want to do that yet again. Knowing what you are doing and reaching out for help is key.. I also listened to some youtube videos of Scott Able which were helpful about the Empowered Woman and your relationship with body, diet, food. This is kind of rambling I guess but I don't think any one answer works for everyone. I've been trying to recognize every good thing and think on it lately so I can draw from it on a weak day. I went to a football game and wasn't winded when we walked up stairs forever, I fit into a low number jean I never thought I would, I sat in the stadium seats scrunched up and didn't have that uncomfortable feeling of being squished. I don't feel that fat roll over my jeans. Just keep being grateful and practicing recognizing what you are grateful for in your accomplishments. Good Luck.

One more thing. Have you heard of Darren Hardy? I LOVE his small easy to read book "The compound effect" Also, you can subscribe online to his free Darren Daily text of 2-3 minute motivational video/ audio. Every day is so good and it helps to start me off in a positive mind for the day. I subscribe to my cell so I can hear it on the run. http://www.darrendaily.com/

Maybe you should look into varying your diet? You said you eat similar foods for the most part.

I know I can go a long stretch with eating certain foods that I've planned out and think are really great for me. But then I hit a point where I am SICK of them and I sometimes gag having to eat them. It sucks because I know the foods are beneficial and I actually like them, but if I force myself to eat them I end up throwing them away and having to turn to something else. I usually eat too much and feel bad about it.

So when I get tired of eating boiled eggs, or greek yoghurt, or oatmeal, or salmon, or Oreos (which I all love very much) - I just don't anymore, and find something else. Now I'm on loads of avocado - I love it, I fit it in and make it work. Next week I probably will spit at the sight of an avocado. I'll find something else I want and eat that. It makes everything a lot easier for me to stay on track.

How big is your deficit? I know that if you don't have much left to lose, having too large of a deficit can be mentally and physically unsustainable, depending on your goal. You could try to set your diary to lose 1/2lb per week, and see if that is more sustainable to you? Or if you're REALLY burnt out on it, set your diary to maintain for a while. It sounds like the habit you need to get back into is logging, so you stay accountable.

Sometimes I envy the people who 'accidentally' maintain a healthy weight by having a good internal idea about their eating vs. their needs, but I am not one of them, so I know that logging works best for me in the long run.

I completely understand. About a year ago, I was at my lowest weight in a long time. Then I hit a stall and never got back to it. I was just so tired of it all. But about three weeks ago I weighed myself... It wasn't pretty... I had gained about 15 back and was so so sad because it was so hard to lose in the first place. I think that is what is helping me now. Knowing that if I stop I will be losing those 15 pounds again... and I would rather be losing a new 15 pounds.