Lost motivation

sarah4284 · September 2017

So may be looking for some accountability friends. I started dieting in at the end of august 2016, so just over a year. In that time I've lost 110lbs. I still have 60 more to go but am finding it impossible. It's just an endless binging cycle the last couple months it feels like (started when I got my new job which made the intermittent fasting I had been doing no longer realistic for my schedule). Just looking for someone to help keep me motivated I guess, I know exactly what I need to do to lose weight as shown in the past year, but it feels like I've gotten into a rut I can't get out of.

Dustin6047 · September 2017

Diets don't work. The only thing that works are permanent changes to eating habits. Point is, you shouldn't need constant motivation. If you managed to lose 110 pounds over the course of a year, then you've already accomplished a long-term lifestyle change. But at the same time, changes to routine can be hard to adapt to and lead you back down an unhealthy path. You don't need motivation, what you need is to figure out what, when, and how you're going to eat now that you have a new job that obstructs your old way of doing things. It's a matter of being smart and constructing a new plan that you can make work for you.

soon2beeskinny · September 2017

I'm so with you girl!! And YES you do need motivation. You need it every single day along with willpower and determination. I've been dieting or whatever you want to call it cutting calories for two years now. I'm so sick of it. I just want to eat at maintenance. I'm here for you!!

Fitkam90 · September 2017

Hi! I know how you feel. I'm doing intermittent fasting also. You do have to have the motivation to help yourself, but it is important to have a good support system, and really helpful to have encouragement. I've been in a rut for the past few months, and have been really frustrated. IF is really helping me get out of that rut. IF is something I can and will stick with for the long haul, I really like it! Message me anytime. I appreciate encouragemt too!

JRSINAZ · September 2017

It's the rest of your life. I've been there and gained it all back several times. I had my excuses. I made my choices. Now I again decide to eat right and get my life back. Again.

maggibailey · September 2017

If IF was working for you what about your new schedule makes it impossible?

emailmehere1122 · September 2017

Congratulations on your weight loss...well done.

I think true motivation comes from within us all. If you have them try looking at your before and after pictures. Did you keep any of your old larger clothes...if so put on your favorite old outfit to see how far you've come.

Eating below maintenance for over a year can be taxing...maybe take a month to eat at maintenance again just to give yourself a mini break before taking on that last 60 pounds

Like Dustin6047 said above try coming up with a new plan that will work for you and remember why you started all of this in the first place

sarah4284 · September 2017

maggibailey wrote: »

If IF was working for you what about your new schedule makes it impossible?

Before I worked hours like 8 or 9-4 20 minutes from my house, so it was easy to just not eat until after work, now I'm working 7-5 an hour away so I'm going from 6am-6pm in an outdoor physical job, and still have chores afterwards, so without food throughout the day I tend to feel pretty terrible.

CynthiasChoice · September 2017

Dustin6047 wrote: »

Diets don't work. The only thing that works are permanent changes to eating habits. Point is, you shouldn't need constant motivation. If you managed to lose 110 pounds over the course of a year, then you've already accomplished a long-term lifestyle change. But at the same time, changes to routine can be hard to adapt to and lead you back down an unhealthy path. You don't need motivation, what you need is to figure out what, when, and how you're going to eat now that you have a new job that obstructs your old way of doing things. It's a matter of being smart and constructing a new plan that you can make work for you.

I would like to politely disagree with "you shouldn't need constant motivation." The rest of the advice is brilliant.

I think most of us need a boost in motivation from time to time, no matter how accomplished we've been with lifestyle changes. The bad habits that caused us to gain weight in the first place are deeply ingrained, and while we can quiet down old urges and form new ways of thinking and behaving, we can't rest assured that our good habits are permanent.

Upheavals in our lives, like new jobs, even if they are positive events, can send us back to the comfort of the old thoughts and behaviors. It takes an incredible amount of personal strength, resolve, courage and hope to straighten up again once we've started down a bad path. We can be so easily deceived by the thoughts that float by that say, "Just this once won't matter" or "It will be easier tomorrow."

I'm far from expert at this, but I'm determined to become expert! Think back to the strategies that were important and successful for you in the beginning. For me, it's simple: Lots of veggies and lean meat. If I concentrate on just this for a few days, I feel better mentally and physically, and my thoughts settle down and start cooperating with my goals. It's strange, but once a stop cheating for a few days, the desire to cheat goes away and I feel like my old strong self again.

I hope you find the answers you're looking for. You've come such a long way!

Lost motivation

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