frustration beyond all else

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I think of food/calories as a budget. Generally on a daily basis but sometimes 'big picture'. I also realized that I lived a sedentary lifestyle (desk job, spending my nights sitting in front of a computer or on a couch) and that is NOT a good way to live.

So now I choose to be active. To find things to do, rather than just sit back and watch others do stuff. And again, I think of food as a budget. I make an effort to get a variety of fruits/veggies and protein each day. And fill in the rest as I see fit. (Grains, healthy fats are important also but these tend to happen without me 'making' them a priority.) I will generally pre-plan the day, or at least fill in tentative meal & snack plans by midday. Then adjust as needed. This helps me see if I need to cut back on one thing or aim for more of another.

Stats I'm now 40 years old, 123.5 pounds, 5' 5.5". 12-25-13 I weighed 178.5. I reached my goal weight (being under 130) on 10-11-14 and have been maintaining since, finding balance. For most of the time I was losing I ate between 1400-1600, weighing all my food. As I got closer to my goal I increased to 1600-1800. Now 1800-2000 to maintain. I can fit practically anything, though some things are not 'worth it'.

I'm working on my running - and will compete in a 1/2 marathon on Sunday where I expect to combine running & walking. I enjoy running though I'm not the best at it! I will do a 5k in March where I plan to run the whole thing and a 10k in July. Again, my goal is to run the entire distance. Having physical goals/events to work on helps me stay focuses.

I combine activities when I can. I'm a full time grad student, work a full time job & a part time job. I have 3 kids & a husband. I combine hobbies like reading or watching TV with working on the treadmill. I find things to do outside on Saturday. As the weather improves I expect to do things with the family like trail hikes.

Okay, this is going to sound odd, but practice, practice, practice. Willpower and self control are a lot like a muscle. They can be trained. Every time you practice saying no your willpower is getting a little stronger. Sometimes we overuse it and it fails at the end of the day, but that's okay too. Give yourself a little rest and the willpower will come back.

For me, I had to come up with strategies beyond locking myself in the house with nothing but healthy foods and no temptations ever. That's just not sustainable! :drinker: I dieted through what I call the year of weddings. Seriously, in a six month period I attended four weddings, plus all of the showers, dress fittings, craft parties, and bachelorette parties that came along with them. There were definitely days that I failed and ate too much.

But there were also days that I learned to step back from the snacks. Days that I stopped at just one cupcake, despite the platter literally being shoved at me for more. Days when I just said no to another drink. And I got there by practicing my willpower. Sometimes literally deciding how I would say no in this situation or that situation by practicing it in the car on the way there.

"No thank you, I've had enough," seems like such a simple phrase. But every time I said it I felt bad for my own personal reasons that probably don't make sense to anyone. But I had to get around them and learn to say no. And I did it by practicing.

OP deactivated... 9 minutes... is that a new record?

Here's tips I picked up from my therapy sessions this past year.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/jgnatca/view/halting-a-binge-session-715131

Commit to a healthy lifestyle. Rid your home of junk food. You don't have to say "no" to everything all the time. Short-term goals will help! Say no to sugar for a week and then after that, eat all you want (if you want to). Say no to fast food for a week. Say no to alcohol for one weekend. You can do it!! Eventually you will build healthy habits into your life and the weight will follow.

I thought she vanished an Dianne gave very good advice there. I always think its a bit depressing when people cant see the conection between what they are doing and how that relates to the results.

Maybe she will come back?

First, feel free to add me as a friend on here! I'm always looking for motivating people

Next! Try switching up your workout routine! Try hot yoga or lifting weights. Sometimes your body can get in a rut and needs to be switched up

Secondly, (broken record here) commit to a healthy lifestyle! Try to make GOOD/POSITIVE changes for 28 days and see what happens!

Journal Journal Journal! Write down not only what you're eating, but also what you're feeling and thinking. I find that a healthy and happy mindset is also key in feeling better about yourself and it has a trickle down effect to every other facet of your life.

You can do this!

all good advice given

SergeantSausage wrote: »

Learn to say no.

Logging does no good, folks, unless you can say "no" to going over your quota, right?

Its a first step and an important tool in helping a person understand what they are consuming. They cna start to tighten down later, but understanding whats happening and the consequences of not saying no is a good start.

You have to just jump in and do it!

I'd pick one problem to deal with at a time. Like the self control one. I posted a link with ideas. Change will happen when you decide to tackle an old pattern. It sounds like you are frustrated enough.

It sounds like you have some insight that the hardcore approach is difficult to sustain. This is knowledge; this is power.

Oh, and I also work 7-5, plus overtime. I also elementary-aged son and a disabled husband. Everyone is busy. You still have to make time for yourself because nobody else will. It takes a few minutes at each meal to log your food. If you want to exercise, walk on your lunch hour. Really, taking care of yourself does not take a huge time commitment.

I don't mean to sound critical of you. I just want to make it clear that everyone is busy and it's just a matter of making yourself a priority.