How to keep going?

bigblueeyes1
bigblueeyes1 Posts: 52 Member
edited November 24 in Motivation and Support
Hi all. This is only my second post, but I need some help. I get motivated and I'll do well with my eating and exercise for a few days, but as quickly as it comes on, it leaves :neutral: What are some tips to keep the motivation going? I always feel like such a failure when I mess up and I feel like it (getting healthier and losing weight) is never going to happen for me! I love to read success stories but I feel that I myself will never be one. It's SOOOOO hard to eat "healthy" all the time! HELP!!

Replies

  • mamadon
    mamadon Posts: 1,422 Member
    You don't have to eat "healthy" all the time. You just have to count your calories, to ensure you are at the correct caloric deficit and weigh and measure your food. There are so many of us on here that successfully lost weight while still enjoying food we love in moderation. I lost 123 pounds eating nachos, ice cream, hamburgers and french fries, all in moderation.
    As far as the motivation is concerned, I guess the best answer I can give is that motivation shouldnt really matter. There are going to be times when every single one of us will not be motivated. The trick is you do it anyway, whether you feel like it or not.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    First you do not need to eat healthy ALL the time just about 95% of it. You can have a cookie or a piece of chocolate. I started out slowly first by eliminating my trigger food (chips). I knew if I started I could not stop. When I started logging I didn't try to be perfect as far as what I ate but I tried to be perfect in recording everything I ate. This gave me a good picture of where I was. I then made small changes over time to improve my diet. Building new and better habits is what works.
  • bigblueeyes1
    bigblueeyes1 Posts: 52 Member
    Thanks for the tips. How do you log something that you do not know the calories of? For example: Let's say I order out and get French fries or a sandwich...how do I know how many calories those FF or that sandwhich is since they are coming from a restaurant? Or do I just pick an option and go with it?
  • Terri70
    Terri70 Posts: 186 Member
    You can go to the restaurants website and (usually) find the stats.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    I often pick an option and move on. I choose the higher of the available options. Everything is an estimate so don't get too hung up on it. I use my fist and palm as basic measuring guides and have actually counted my french fries.
  • dubird
    dubird Posts: 1,849 Member
    First, take a good honest look at why you want to lose weight. It doesn't have to be 'to get healthy'. That wasn't mine, and I've noticed a lot of people on here had other reasons as well. You have to find YOUR OWN reason for losing weight. Don't rely on others for motivation, find your personal reason to motivate yourself.

    Second, it might help to start slow. What I did was weigh and log for a week without changing my eating habits to see what my baseline was. That let me identify patterns that I could change and things I could do to eat less. I would change one or two things at a time, give myself time to get used to them, and then change something else. Yes, it's slow. But I'm much more confidant that I will be able to maintain my weight now.

    Third, don't look at it as 'weight loss' but as more of the fact that you're retraining your brain and body to what a proper portion of food is and creating better eating habits. Again, slow. But sustainable in the long term. You need to find a way to adjust your eating that you will be comfortable with for the rest of your life. If you want to do low carb the rest of your life, go for it. Just don't use it as a 'diet' because that's not helping you learn sustainable eating habits. If you completely change what you eat, it'll be harder to maintain because you're missing your favorite foods. Find ways to work them into your daily goal and you'll feel more satisfied with it. My diet really isn't that healthy compared to what a lot of people do, but I get the nutrition I need and still enjoy my meals. I've just learned how to balance them better and have gotten used to smaller sizes.
  • LuanaBean
    LuanaBean Posts: 50 Member
    I agree with accessing your goals for why you want to lose weight and to make small changes. Look at this as a lifestyle change, not a diet. Take time to see what works and what doesn't. Do count your calories ( nutrients (carbs? sugar? protein? if necessary). Do not weigh every day. Listen to your body. I would suggest cutting back on processed foods and learn how to prepare your own food. Not to say you can never go out for fast food or eat rich desserts, etc., but make it a special treat, not a regular practice.
  • Matt200goal
    Matt200goal Posts: 481 Member
    I agree with many above & would also add - set realistic intermediate goals. Granted I'm only about 50 days in, but initially I had a very aggressive loss rate goal. And I was beating it - for about the first 3 1/2 weeks, then I started binging & beating myself up (for an unrealistic, unsustainable goal), and feeling miserable, cranky, grumpy, etc. Have "reset" my goal loss rate - feeling better, feeling better about myself, and succeeding (more times than not - but it's a marathon, not a sprint!).
  • bigblueeyes1
    bigblueeyes1 Posts: 52 Member
    I like the idea of tracking how I normally eat first and then make changes from there! I can't thank you all enough for taking the time to respond to my post.
  • sashayoung72
    sashayoung72 Posts: 441 Member
    bigblueeyes1 wrote: »
    I like the idea of tracking how I normally eat first and then make changes from there! I can't thank you all enough for taking the time to respond to my post.
    Once I saw how horrid the calories were in things I had been eating, I was done with that. It's shocking!
  • Plammi1988
    Plammi1988 Posts: 11 Member
    By some food scales and weigh everything you eat. It is rather strange at the bigging but you soon get used to it and it becomes part of your daily routine. Prepare homemade meals and freeze them. This way you always have something yummy in the freezer. It helped me loads as my life is really busy and it stops me from picking food from the fridge whilst getting dinner ready. All I have to do is come home and microwave my pre made dinner or pop them in the oven. I also recommend getting a cook book which gives you the calories for each portion. Don't deprive yourself of anything. Have a some chocolate or whatever you fancy but plan it into your daily calorie allowance. Also set yourself realistic weekly weight loss goes as you are more likely to stick to it. Maybe a pound a week?? This way you won't feel like you can't enjoy foods you used too. It's a long journey but you can do it. :)
  • sstrack123
    sstrack123 Posts: 171 Member

    Small daily goals help too. If you are looking for friends, feel free to add me
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