Struggling to find my groove in year 2

SisterSueGetsFit · January 2017

About one year ago I finally had enough of being fat. I started out 2016 weighing in at about 205 pounds. One year later I'm down about 50-55 pounds depending on the day. I still have about 20-30 pounds I'd like to lose, but won't know until I get closer to that weight. I also have a lot of toning to do. Last year seemed so easy. I just made up my mind and I did it. No questions, no hesitations; I just did it.

While I know my accomplishment is wonderful, I am struggling to see it most days. I know I look different and I know I feel different, I just can't always SEE it. My mind still sees a fat girl.

With all of that being said, I know what I need to do to get to where I want to be, and this year I seem to have become complacent. I just can't find my groove again. In one way, I feel like I've done "enough," but on the other hand I know I'm not where I want to be. I don't know what makes it different now, but I'm looking for advice on starting again and how any of you have learned to process the changes you've made. Thanks in advance.

VintageFeline · January 2017

I went through the same thing at pretty much the same milestone (50-ish down, 20-30 to go). A combination of a year of poor mental health and just diet fatigue meant my progress slowed way down. However, I trudged on and ended the year with a net 10lb loss. Not spectacular a loss is a loss and I proved I could not only maintain when not feeling it but could still lose little by little.

I took three weeks off over Christmas and gained 5-6lbs (which is where my net 10lbs is, it would have been more!) but have come into this year with renewed commitment and enthusiasm. For the first week in months I have maintained my full target deficit.

So my advice is to just keep going as best you can, letting yourself be more relaxed and hopefully, like me, your enthusiasm will return at some point to push you to goal and maintenance.

murp4069 · January 2017

Congrats on your great loss! I got to that point in about September. I started my weight loss in December 2015, lost almost 40 lbs, and sort of backed off because I lost motivation. I've gained a bit from the holidays but since September I've pretty much maintained because I got complacent. I want to lose more, but it seems a lot harder to keep my motivation. I'm about 10-15 lbs from goal, but honestly I'm well within my healthy weight range, probably adding to the complacency.

It sounds cheesy but I saw a lot of friends on Facebook starting the new year with Whole30 and other diets. Somehow, something clicked for me, and I got my motivation back. I feel better than I've felt in months and I'm slowing losing the holiday weight and am on my way towards my goal. Perhaps you just need that "ah-ha" moment to get your motivation back. At least in the meantime, you've done a great job and keep maintaining, that way when your motivation creeps back in, you'll be starting where you left off.

As for processing the changes, I also still see my "old" self when I look in the mirror, at least if I am not fully clothed. For me it's a lot easier to see the difference when I am fully dressed. I put on a sweater today that I haven't worn in ages, and I was like "damn, I look good!" But when I saw myself when I got out of the shower this morning, I definitely did NOT have that same thought! Perhaps I'll always be that way, I hope not. But if you find out the trick to processing the changes, let me know!

SisterSueGetsFit · January 2017

VintageFeline wrote: »

I went through the same thing at pretty much the same milestone (50-ish down, 20-30 to go). A combination of a year of poor mental health and just diet fatigue meant my progress slowed way down. However, I trudged on and ended the year with a net 10lb loss. Not spectacular a loss is a loss and I proved I could not only maintain when not feeling it but could still lose little by little.

I took three weeks off over Christmas and gained 5-6lbs (which is where my net 10lbs is, it would have been more!) but have come into this year with renewed commitment and enthusiasm. For the first week in months I have maintained my full target deficit.

So my advice is to just keep going as best you can, letting yourself be more relaxed and hopefully, like me, your enthusiasm will return at some point to push you to goal and maintenance.

My "Christmas weight" has me up a few pounds too. Thank you for your kind words, and while I'm sorry you experienced a bit of a rut too, it's nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with it. I wish you continued success in 2017.

murp4069 wrote: »

Congrats on your great loss! I got to that point in about September. I started my weight loss in December 2015, lost almost 40 lbs, and sort of backed off because I lost motivation. I've gained a bit from the holidays but since September I've pretty much maintained because I got complacent. I want to lose more, but it seems a lot harder to keep my motivation. I'm about 10-15 lbs from goal, but honestly I'm well within my healthy weight range, probably adding to the complacency.

It sounds cheesy but I saw a lot of friends on Facebook starting the new year with Whole30 and other diets. Somehow, something clicked for me, and I got my motivation back. I feel better than I've felt in months and I'm slowing losing the holiday weight and am on my way towards my goal. Perhaps you just need that "ah-ha" moment to get your motivation back. At least in the meantime, you've done a great job and keep maintaining, that way when your motivation creeps back in, you'll be starting where you left off.

As for processing the changes, I also still see my "old" self when I look in the mirror, at least if I am not fully clothed. For me it's a lot easier to see the difference when I am fully dressed. I put on a sweater today that I haven't worn in ages, and I was like "damn, I look good!" But when I saw myself when I got out of the shower this morning, I definitely did NOT have that same thought! Perhaps I'll always be that way, I hope not. But if you find out the trick to processing the changes, let me know!

I have a lot of friends doing "whole 30" as well. I'm not sure it's something for me, but it's always worth a shot to jump start the year. I too, am within a normal body weight, but at the high end so I do have some work to do.

And I TOTALLY agree about the naked thing...One day I'll be happy in clothes, but the minute they come off, Ick. : ) Probably a woman thing. I appreciate your kind words and wish you much success!

VintageFeline · January 2017

Concur about the naked vs clothed! It takes time for the brain to catch up, especially when there is still a layer of fat hanging around, it can warp our perception of just how much fat we're looking at.

szkodzt · January 2017

You mentioned that you have a lot of toning to do - what about giving yourself some fitness goals for the year? This may re-energize you for the new year. Also, you don't mention a diet brake - if you have not yet taken one, it may be beneficial to take a two week break.

SisterSueGetsFit · January 2017

szkodzt wrote: »

You mentioned that you have a lot of toning to do - what about giving yourself some fitness goals for the year? This may re-energize you for the new year. Also, you don't mention a diet brake - if you have not yet taken one, it may be beneficial to take a two week break.

Thank you for the solid advice regarding fitness goals. I agree with this and am aiming to start lifting weights (less cardio) in the very near future.

I basically took a break from Thanksgiving until the New Year. For me, it's really about getting back to the basics again. I KNOW what I need to do, I just need to actually DO it. : ) Once I get the "basics" back under control, I will start with a solid, but doable weight lifting routine. Thanks again!

Struggling to find my groove in year 2

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