What are you doing differently this time?
Fulcherj1
Posts: 35 Member
I know that for myself and for a lot of us this isn't our first time trying this whole weight loss thing. With that in mind, what are you doing differently this time in comparison to the last time(s)?
For me, I think that I have come to accept that what I thought "worked" for me last time did not really work bc I am back where I started. I also have had to realize that my life is a lot different than it was the last time I successfully lost weight and therefore a new approach is warranted.
By far the biggest change I have implemented is a food scale. I had this idea before that I would become some obsessive freak over food if I got a scale and that it would be time consuming and limiting. I've found the opposite to be true! I no longer have to pay as much attention to "getting it right" with measuring cups. I just weigh whatever it is and track it! There is a serious sense of freedom for me that comes from my food scale.
I also have started weighing myself everyday instead of weekly. For me personally, only weighing weekly lead to me falling off the wagon a lot more. If I binged I would just write it off in my mind and tell myself that I could make up for it before I weighed in. It led to a vicious cycle of this. Now that I weigh everyday I find that I'm more accountable with what I'm eating.
So, what are you guys doing differently and perhaps better?
For me, I think that I have come to accept that what I thought "worked" for me last time did not really work bc I am back where I started. I also have had to realize that my life is a lot different than it was the last time I successfully lost weight and therefore a new approach is warranted.
By far the biggest change I have implemented is a food scale. I had this idea before that I would become some obsessive freak over food if I got a scale and that it would be time consuming and limiting. I've found the opposite to be true! I no longer have to pay as much attention to "getting it right" with measuring cups. I just weigh whatever it is and track it! There is a serious sense of freedom for me that comes from my food scale.
I also have started weighing myself everyday instead of weekly. For me personally, only weighing weekly lead to me falling off the wagon a lot more. If I binged I would just write it off in my mind and tell myself that I could make up for it before I weighed in. It led to a vicious cycle of this. Now that I weigh everyday I find that I'm more accountable with what I'm eating.
So, what are you guys doing differently and perhaps better?
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Replies
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First and only time for me, but the food scale was very, very important.0
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Weighing, measuring, and not restricting myself to "healthy" foods that I hate, but eating less of the things I love.0
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My expectations were a lot more realistic this time. I was aware that losing weight wouldn't give me a perfect body or a happy life. I accepted that exercising like I did last time I lost weight, was not something I could keep up with. Early in the process, I started to think and act like a person of a normal weight. I wanted to eat and live in a way that I could and wanted to, for the rest of my life. And I think easing into maintenance has made it easier to stay here.
Initially, this time, I mourned giving up candy, chips, cookies and ice cream forever. But then I realized (partly from the MFP community) that I didn't have to give up anything. Everything can be incorporated. I just have to plan for it. Planning makes it easier to make a decision - is this worth the calories? Counting calories teaches me to make better decisions.
Last time I ate a lot of diet food. I continued that even after I reached goal weight and started on my way to fat again. I lost my appetite for food, wanting only candy. No wonder, the food was sad. Now I can eat whatever I want, but within limits.
I used to be afraid of fat. I tried to avoid it. But I couldn't, so I binged, on less healthy food. Now I go for the full fat versions of most foods, and I feel more satisfied. Food tastes amazing and I prefer food over candy 99% of the times. I don't feel limited by "conventions" this time, and I experiment with different foods and combinations and get to know my appetite and hunger/satiety patterns, and develop my taste buds.
I have tried to have treats on specific days, and even considered set weekly menus, but that doesn't work for me. If I want chocolate, I'll have chocolate, if it fits (or if I can't resist), no matter if it's Monday or Saturday. I go by taste more, and the whole eating business has become quite effortless.
I'm still lazy, but less lazy. I know that just a little bit of exercise is better than nothing, so it's easier to get moving.0 -
I keep having babies. LOL. That's why I keep having to diet! (Actually, with my second, I was in good shape, so I could up the exercise and not diet at all. Bedrest with #3 made that not work so well.)
Anyway, I'm more sedentary, so I'm measuring food and exercise because of that.0 -
I got an eating disorder last time, so this time I know how to NOT get back into that mindset. This time I'm giving myself more cheat/treat days and really trying to educate myself about food and change my relationship with it.0
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MamaBirdBoss wrote: »I keep having babies. LOL. That's why I keep having to diet! (Actually, with my second, I was in good shape, so I could up the exercise and not diet at all. Bedrest with #3 made that not work so well.)
Anyway, I'm more sedentary, so I'm measuring food and exercise because of that.
Haha me too. I've had three, and I'm not having any more now!
I think I have a more relaxed approach now. Before I was too restrictive, whereas now I'll allow myself treats so long as I'm within calories. I've also given myself a higher calorie limit, rather than 1200 calories. I'm very active, plus I workout s lot, so I know I need to eat a decent amount.
I also focus on fitness goals more, rather than seeing exercise as just another means to lose weight. I do more intense workouts too.0 -
I don't think of eating within a reasonable limit for my height and age and exercising regularly as a diet anymore. This is just the way I live. I still use my food scale and log in, but it's just a good habit. I've let go of the drama that is a diet.0
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In my 20's, I only every had to lose 5 or 10lbs and cutting fats and sweets, along with exercising at least an hour a day did the job.
In my 30's I had more to lose after having 3 kids. I first did WW which really helped me learn portion size but I found calorie counting hard to maintain and I would go off it after a few months. It worked while I was on it but since I did not stay on it the weight crept back.
In my late 30's I did "clean eating" of no processed foods or added sugars. I was also doing P90X and I got myself down to highschool weight. I felt awesome, and then I had a muffin and then another and It slipped away with a back injury and a couple of autoimmune problems.
Now in my 40's, I have a couple of health issues and arthritis wich makes consitent exercise difficult. I KNOW I can not handles sugars so I am eating LCHF and keeping myself in ketosis. It feels quite good so far even thoughI still adapting. The all or nothing of this diet appeals to me since I don't handle grey areas well. I can see it being hard to maintain in the future but I'll handle that a it comes.0 -
This time around I have a solid goal in mind. It is not weight or food related. I have a personal goal I want to achieve doing something I love!
I researched and hired a personal trainer. He has been amazing. He has delved not only into the physical training, but the mental and spiritual as well! It is and has been life changing.
I used to weigh and measure. I don't anymore. I used to restrict myself too much and at the same time ate too much of what I enjoyed. I don't anymore. I now eat sensibly, cut out trigger foods and removed all added and processed sugars.Changed the breads I eat, dropped the boxed cereals. Stopped drinking fizzy soda (sprite). I listen and am aware of my body and know when Iam satisfied. I can say no to a kit kat and all other sweets and move on without giving it another thought.
It is no longer a chore to go to the gym. I look forward to it. even when it's 27 degrees C in the building. MOVE MORE two words that has changed a lot for me!
I do not use my asthma as an excuse or reason to limit myself. I do not use sore knees as a reason to not do something, I modify it instead.
Trainer has challenged me to look into myself and discover WHO I AM. while I am still in this process and have a long way to go. I have learned a lot, some good, some not so great. Learning to be at peace inside and out.
That is what is different this time around
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Counting calories, logging everything every day. Prelogging my whole day the night before or in the morning.
Not being too intense or restrictive. Eating like a normal person just in appropriate portion sizes for my goal. Not cutting any foods from my diet. Exercising moderately 6 days a week. Viewing exercise like brushing my teeth.
Different attitude. Being in this for the long haul. It may take another year to get to my goal weight and that is fine. Every day I am better off than I was when I started. Losing weight and getting fitter more for health rather than appearance. Not hating myself.
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Not trying for a quick fix. Not cutting food groups because it worked 10 years ago. Realising I can eat whatever I want providing I have the calories available. Measuring food because what I think is 30g and what 30g actually is are two very different things.0
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Eating less, moving more.0
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I'm eating at a smaller deficit this time, I eat what I want and took the idea of "goal" out of my mind. After I reach the weight where I'm comfortable, the only thing I'll change is upping my calories but keep on tracking and exercising. I also am not burning myself out with exercise I don't like, I found pilates and I'm sticking to that and the occasional walk. Making this my new normal instead of a diet or something depending on my motivation for the day.0
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What I'm doing differently is actually doing the right thing and what is necessary. All that fad diet stuff out there just leads people to failure. Accurately counting calories is the only way, IMO, to lose weight. It doesn't matter what else you do or whatever "diet" you follow , as long as your calories are in check, you will lose weight.0
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I am not having a weekly free day this time around. Im only having free days on special occasions0
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I have just two things I changed.
1. I dropped the all or nothing mentality. One bad choice or meal no longer derails me.
2. I am not on a restrictive "diet". I eat what I want within my calorie limit. Sometimes that means healthy foods but it regularly means chocolate, and frozen yogurt too.0 -
I am keeping things simple. No weird diet rules, no restrictions, no crazy plan to follow.0
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Being patient. Expecting less dramatic losses each week. Committing myself for the long-haul. Eating moderately and educating myself on portion sizes as I go along.0
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I changed my attitude from all or nothing to being accountable and enjoying life as well. I know I can't be "good" 100% of the time so I've accepted eating "bad" once in a while is fine limited. For example, if the family ordered pizza one night, I used to binge on it and give up my diet because I was disappointed 9in Myself. Now I eat a slice and enjoy it while staying on track. I've realized I'm just as satisfied with one slice as I was with three.0
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