Losing Ground
dej923
Posts: 26 Member
Here I am nearly 1 year out & finding myself demotivated. I started so strongly, boxing & running, working out 5-6 days weekly. I've lost 70+ lbs. Then I hit a wall.
I let myself eat terribly, bad choices & too much (though I've not made myself sick). I lack motivation to move. Every day I tell myself I'll make better choices, measure my food, exercise, but I still find myself succumbing to temptation, allowing myself ice cream or Halloween candy.
I know I shouldn't be too hard for allowing small indulgences but I haven't lost 1lb in the past month. I find excuses: I work 50+ hours weekly, I take online classes with the community college. I guess my biggest challenge is making time to workout. I am not a morning person but yesterday I got out of bed to ride 2.5 miles on my bike. I miss my boxing classes but I don't have the time to go.
So, what motivates you to keep going? How do you kick yourself out of the funk & avoid complacency after losing a lot (but not yet to goal)?
I let myself eat terribly, bad choices & too much (though I've not made myself sick). I lack motivation to move. Every day I tell myself I'll make better choices, measure my food, exercise, but I still find myself succumbing to temptation, allowing myself ice cream or Halloween candy.
I know I shouldn't be too hard for allowing small indulgences but I haven't lost 1lb in the past month. I find excuses: I work 50+ hours weekly, I take online classes with the community college. I guess my biggest challenge is making time to workout. I am not a morning person but yesterday I got out of bed to ride 2.5 miles on my bike. I miss my boxing classes but I don't have the time to go.
So, what motivates you to keep going? How do you kick yourself out of the funk & avoid complacency after losing a lot (but not yet to goal)?
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Replies
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With less than a year since being sleeved (Jan 2014) I have not yet hit the "funk" you describe so IDK how to "kick myself" out of it. Re: complacency.... hmmm. Occasionally I do find myself saying "Well, I can wear 'normal' sized clothes now, and I have lost a lot, so I do not have to work as hard now...".
For me, it is about commitment. What am I committed to? We make time for what is most important to us. If I am committed to being healthy, I make time to plan my meals for the next day and to pack a lunch instead of grabbing on the go all of the time. If I am committed to exercising "X" number of times each week, I write my exercise time into my weekly schedule (make "appointments" with myself) instead of expecting the time to just "be there" somehow. If I am committed to maintaining the habit of feeling my feelings instead of eating them, I "check in" with myself before eating to make sure I am truly hungry and not sad, or tired, or needing to unwind.
For me, it is VERY VERY VERY important NOT to beat myself up about food choices, failing to lose weight, skipping workouts, etc. I need to affirm myself, love myself, and be my own best friend. "Whipping myself into shape" has NEVER worked--- and often only resulted in me giving up and eating even more. Gentleness, compassion, and self love are the ways I will reach my goals.
Best of luck to you.
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"Whipping myself into shape" has NEVER worked--- and often only resulted in me giving up and eating even more. Gentleness, compassion, and self love are the ways I will reach my goals.
^^^^ I totally agree with Thaeda, you have to want to make time for yourself. If you don't take care of yourself and make your health a priority no one else will. You need to be healthy and strong to take care of the other important things in your life, like family and career.
This is your life, and your decision!
P.S. I was sleeved in Feb. 2011 lost and regained. I have now lost my regain and surpassed that point. I have 35lbs to go to hit "MY" goal. So it can be do, you just have to want to do it. No one said it was going to be easy. Nothing in life worth having is.
All the best.
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I work out in the morning because it's the only time I can keep the habit. They say your will power is stronger first thing as well. I start work at 7am, so that means a 430am alarm. I do 45 min to an hour on the stationary bike, push ups, crunches and a little free weight work. I watch Netflix or a series I'm really into to help motivate. Gotta know what happens next! It's NOT easy getting up, but it's gotten me to goal, a bit beyond actually, and exercise is a gift for the body. I end up feeling like crap when I skip it. I follow the workout with an egg and scoop of whey in my 1 cup of coffee. I find I'm a lot more compliant for the rest of the day when I start it like that!0
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I also prefer to exercise first thing in the morning-- leaves less room for the "I don't have time" excuse later in the day!
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It sounds to me like you are discouraged and in the dumps. Don't get down on yourself. You've come a long way, and you will overcome the challenges that you are facing (even the hard to beat internal ones!!). You can do this.
Here's something that particularly helps me: I listen to "Getting Unstuck" by Pema Chodron. It is a 3 hour audio recording about getting out of the rut you are in. It is funny, uplifting, and absolutely profound. I've never been a "new age" type, but I get a lot out of it. I've even bought it for family and friends who are going through tough times, and they respond positively, as in "Wow. I've never thought of it that way. That was really helpful". It is about $6 to download from Amazon audible, $10 to buy used from Amazon, and you may even be able to get it free from your local library. Love it. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Unstuck-Pema-Chödrön/dp/159179238X
Feel better!0 -
I hate to exercise! I really have to push myself to exercise and can come up with so many excuses to not. For instance, my lunch hour starts in 10 minutes and I have no reason to not walk, but both my walking buddies are out today and I don't want to walk alone. But I need to walk and I know I won't have time tonight, so I am going to walk on my lunch.
Anyway, I totally get what you are saying/feeling. For me, it's fear of faliure that keeps me going, keeps me working towards goal despite being 3 years out and still not to goal. I lost one pound in September while on vacation, but nothing since. In fact, today I'm up a couple of pounds. Stalls are nothing new to me, but I just can't give up. I can not fail! I didn't go through the surgery, lose everything I've lost so far, just to fail and gain it back.
That's what motivates me, the fear of failing. Well got to go walk. Hang in there. You can do this. If I can, so can you.
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I also prefer to exercise first thing in the morning-- leaves less room for the "I don't have time" excuse later in the day!
This! I used to exercise after work but sometimes it was a struggle after a long day.
As far as what keeps me motivated - I don't want to be where I was before. It's that simple. I can't imagine going backwards and being 382 lbs, struggling through my day, not having a life, and living in fear of my health declining. I am happy and healthy now and I have my quality of life and control of my life back. I wouldn't trade any of that for the world. I feel so grateful every single day that I wake up healthy.
My weight loss has slowed a LOT lately. My doctor warned me it could happen, because my starting BMI was so high that my body could resist losing much more. I am trying to lose another 25, but even if I didn't lose one more pound, I would be happy with what I have lost. I made the choice to have surgery, and I am fully committed to the lifestyle changes that go along with it. Only good has come of this for me, and, like I said, going back is not an option.
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pawoodhull wrote: »
That's what motivates me, the fear of failing. Well got to go walk. Hang in there. You can do this. If I can, so can you.
Pat
I so admire your willingness to stick to it and keep doing the next right thing, Pat. 0 -
Thank you ALL for the encouragement. I am absolutely pleased & proud of how far I've come, I just tend to let myself get in my own way! You know the drill: eat badly, feel badly, repeat.
Actually posting this was freeing & yesterday I completed my diary under my calorie goal. I resisted the temptation of birthday cake in the office & cookies at home. I didn't even think about the Halloween candy! (I think covering the bowl with my iPad helped)
Today I'm off to another good start & I even walked during my break. I wasn't able to get my butt out of bed to work out this morning but I am determined to get moving tonight. And I'll be walking another 3/4 mi this afternoon before I leave work.
I set my sights on a cruise in March so I'm using that as motivation to stay on track. That gives me 18 weeks to lose as much as possible. I'd like to see another 20 lbs go but I'd be thrilled with 10-15 & just adding some tone/definition.
Your tips/stories/advice are much appreciated. Thank you!0 -
P.S. Kate, I downloaded that book!0
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pawoodhull wrote: »
That's what motivates me, the fear of failing. Well got to go walk. Hang in there. You can do this. If I can, so can you.
Pat
I so admire your willingness to stick to it and keep doing the next right thing, Pat.
Thanks Thaeda!
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Thank you ALL for the encouragement. I am absolutely pleased & proud of how far I've come, I just tend to let myself get in my own way! You know the drill: eat badly, feel badly, repeat.
Actually posting this was freeing & yesterday I completed my diary under my calorie goal. I resisted the temptation of birthday cake in the office & cookies at home. I didn't even think about the Halloween candy! (I think covering the bowl with my iPad helped)
Today I'm off to another good start & I even walked during my break. I wasn't able to get my butt out of bed to work out this morning but I am determined to get moving tonight. And I'll be walking another 3/4 mi this afternoon before I leave work.
I set my sights on a cruise in March so I'm using that as motivation to stay on track. That gives me 18 weeks to lose as much as possible. I'd like to see another 20 lbs go but I'd be thrilled with 10-15 & just adding some tone/definition.
Your tips/stories/advice are much appreciated. Thank you!
WOW!! Sounds like you are doing great!! YAY!!0 -
I find that I only start thinking about inappropriate food and abnormal portions when I am inadequately dealing with my life. I am seeking to medicate my boredom, sadness, fear, frustration, guilt, etc...with food pleasure distraction. Instead of running to God for support and guidance as I deal with my life. The more I deal, the happier I am, the less I even think about food.0
