Can't get 'restarted'...help!

liz41a
liz41a Posts: 3 Member
edited November 20 in Health and Weight Loss
hi, I have struggled with weight all my adult life (now in my 50a...arrrgh!). Last year I lost 19lbs - this year I have put 9 back on. All I hear at the moment is stories of one person after another around my age getting something wrong with them. I'm acutely aware that my biggest threat is weight (194lbs 5'3"). Every morning I wake up saying today's the day but, in a matter of hours my eating goes out of control...it's like I'm purposely trying to damage myself! Please, if anyone out there had some words of wisdom to kick start my mojo again, I need to hear them!,

Replies

  • rdkstar
    rdkstar Posts: 260 Member
    Been there many times myself. Wish I could offer better advise but you just got to get thru the first week or two then things get easier. Keep strong you can do this.
  • megomerrett
    megomerrett Posts: 442 Member
    Plan ahead, decide your meals and snacks and stick to it. You working? Take a packed lunch. Log it all. Exercise in a way you enjoy and that fits your life. You've got to do it for you.
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    Actually, the biggest problem most people have is lack of exercise, but losing weight helps too. I find that it is easier to get focused on losing weight when I am exercising regularly. Of course, there is the unfortunate thing tht exercise make you want to eat more, but when you focus on losing weight, your focus is on food. That makes it even more difficult, but when you can focus on fitness, you don't have to think about food as much.
  • daintypink
    daintypink Posts: 2 Member
    I find making small changes works better than trying to change your whole diet at once. It might take longer to get to your goal but small changes can mean learning new behaviors that will stick with you in the future. Picking something that you would like to work on, for example eating more fruit each day. Trade in one snack for say a fruit cup or a piece of fruit and continue to do that for a week. The next week choose a new goal to add to the one that you had the week before. It could be more fruit or drinking more water. As you choose new habits you will be taking place of the old ones. Soon there will be no room for the old habits anymore.
    I hope that you find your trigger and wish you the best of luck on your journey.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    you either want it or you don't and until you want it bad enough it won't happen...
  • liz41a
    liz41a Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks everyone for your replies. Although they're all different, it boils down to the same thing...there's no magic formula, I just need to get on with it if I really want it (which I do) and stop moaning! I'll post again this day week and see how I do. Thanks again.

  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    For people who have difficulty starting, then your mindset is probably not strong enough to just do it.

    Ready your mind and expectations for a long slow journey.
    Start with small steps, such as learning to log for a day then a week (no calorie restriction, then a limit and bring it down to maintenance and finally a deficit.)
    Going fo a 5/10/20 minute walk every other day to ever day.

    Ease yourself in and take it one day at a time. Be patient, calm and persistent. Be a tortoise.
  • loconnor466
    loconnor466 Posts: 215 Member
    999tigger wrote: »
    For people who have difficulty starting, then your mindset is probably not strong enough to just do it.

    Ready your mind and expectations for a long slow journey.
    Start with small steps, such as learning to log for a day then a week (no calorie restriction, then a limit and bring it down to maintenance and finally a deficit.)
    Going fo a 5/10/20 minute walk every other day to ever day.

    Ease yourself in and take it one day at a time. Be patient, calm and persistent. Be a tortoise.

    ^ I really like this. Slow and steady wins the race! Be kind to yourself. Going for walks and making it a regular thing can also help reduce stress and that reduces your cortisol. Usually walking doesn't increase hunger. One of the first things that helped me was getting a scale and weighing and measuring my food. Not only was it originally an eye opener to portion sizes, it helped me make mindful decisions about my food. Made me slow down a little during meal prep and think about my food choices. Everyone has a different journey, and baby steps usually lead to bigger ones. Good Luck!
  • Suzmp88
    Suzmp88 Posts: 48 Member
    liz41a - I know how you feel. It's hard to take the negative connotations out of diet and exercise and just get it done; it can seem like a long grueling journey.

    I think the key is finding fun and excitement in it. Try new healthy recipes that you love to make and eat. Try fitness or dance classes, youtube workouts in front of the TV, or a scenic walking route, invite a buddy or put some good music on. I've started bragging about my exercising to close friends and their positive reinforcement helps me go back the next day. Eventually, you will find something that you love and you can't wait to do. Use rewards that bring the focus back to your health if you want: a massage, fitness equipment, new clothes.

    Today, you're going to make a healthy choice for yourself, and you can turn that into a second healthy choice, and a third. You got this liz41a!
  • liz41a
    liz41a Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I'm psyching myself up for a 'proper' start tomorrow!
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