Losing It

treesaaaaap
treesaaaaap Posts: 32 Member
in Motivation and Support
So for the past two years I've successfully been able to lose over 60lbs through consistent dieting and exercise. Losing weight honestly felt like it was incredibly easy. I didn't find myself struggling at any point or even thinking about it that much. It just kind of happened. I always felt great though, mentally and physically. I was motivated and felt like my life was moving in a better direction.

A few weeks ago, I went on vacation and after returning home my motivation was gone. The vacation turned out to be terrible, and I think I got some of that "back to work" depression too. I started having this feeling of disappointment in myself, not feeling like I've accomplished enough at my age and still single. I'm still in school for something I'm not even sure I care about anymore and rarely think I'm capable of doing. My dad recently had a heart attack, and almost died twice from failed operations. At 27 years old, I managed to start smoking (from having a cigarette here or there with a few beers) to almost a pack a day. What an idiot, especially after seeing my dad go through that, right? Just a few months ago I was getting down a nice running routine and feeling the greatest I've ever felt. Now I eat fast food way too much, way too many calories and I haven't exercised in weeks.

Meh. I don't know. I don't know exactly why I'm posting, just putting it out there. I just wish I could get back on track and back in control of myself. I try to start again every morning but I keep failing. Hopefully one of these days. I hate the way I feel.

Replies

  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    If it were me my priorities would be

    See that your dad is ok and recovers/ supprt that. Its probably stressing you out.
    Focus on getting a good degree.
    Start logging again without a calorie limit. Start imposing a limit till you get to maintenance and wok on down from there.
    baby steps with the exercise as well, start walking an building up.


    You seem to be stressed as well as beating yourself up which isnt a great combination for you to be able to get on with stuff.

    If its only a few months then it will be much easier to recover. Small easy targets again and leave the past behind, but focus on getting to new targets again.
  • TossaBeanBag
    TossaBeanBag Posts: 458 Member
    Sometimes, when the doldrums come, you have to get through the storm just getting one foot in front of the other. Maybe things were not as good as they once were - nothing stays the same. The point is to cherish the moments. Discontentment really does come from staring too long into the past and the future. Maybe try reading up on mindful mediation. It has been useful in the military for combating depression and PTSD. Just thinking.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    I taught as an adjunct for a little while and I'm always impressed by older students who take the initiative to take a step forward and further their education. They usually do better. Right now you are just in a funk. It happens. Sounds like someone disappointed you on the vacation but I'm just guessing. Don't make rash decisions. Take it one step at a time and work your way back on to the right path for you.
  • treesaaaaap
    treesaaaaap Posts: 32 Member
    999tigger wrote: »
    If it were me my priorities would be

    See that your dad is ok and recovers/ supprt that. Its probably stressing you out.
    Focus on getting a good degree.

    Yeah, it has definitely been hard to keep focus lately. I had my folks move into my house just to help out while he recovers, there's been a lot going on. I'm going to try and get back to logging ASAP.
    jbach2 wrote: »
    Sometimes, when the doldrums come, you have to get through the storm just getting one foot in front of the other. Maybe things were not as good as they once were - nothing stays the same. The point is to cherish the moments. Discontentment really does come from staring too long into the past and the future. Maybe try reading up on mindful mediation. It has been useful in the military for combating depression and PTSD. Just thinking.

    Meditation is something I've thought about a lot lately. It definitely interests me but I need to do the research and really look into it more. Would you happen to have any resources you'd suggest?
    20yearsyounger wrote: »
    Sounds like someone disappointed you on the vacation but I'm just guessing. Don't make rash decisions. Take it one step at a time and work your way back on to the right path for you.

    Yeah. It was disappointing all the way around, but I guess you live and you learn. Tomorrow I'm going to try getting back into rhythm again. Even if I could start doing something positive in a small way, maybe I'd start feeling a little better and I could get this ball rolling again.

    Thanks for the input!
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    eh just keep going and your motivation will catch up after you do a couple workouts without it.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,747 Member
    Really good advice given so far. OP, don't wait for that "magic" feeling to come back exactly the way it was before. As someone else mentioned, things change. You have to work with that and adapt.

    Don't overwhelm yourself. Start cutting back on the fast food and the smoking. Don't expect to quit both cold-turkey and never go back. That's unrealistic. Gradually start running again. Don't expect to get the same results the first time you get back out there as the level you were at before. Just stick with it. It won't take long to get back to where you were as this is just a minor set back.

    Most importantly, learn from this. When you do get back on track this time, something else will try to derail you, but now you know how to overcome it. Find your strength and use it! Good luck! And, I hope your dad is ok.

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