Brand New (Again) Advice/Books/Encouragement Appreciated!!!

lindsayann135
lindsayann135 Posts: 11 Member
edited April 2019 in Getting Started
I’m new to thinking about health as a whole, instead of just losing weight (which is shoved down our throats). If you have any tips for changing your mindset, anything that has helped you along the way? Books that were helpful? Trying to get to the root of why we make unhealthy food and drink choices, overeat etc. Also looking beyond HOW to lose the weight, interested in keeping it off and staying healthy once that happens. Thanks!

Replies

  • jan110144
    jan110144 Posts: 1,281 Member
    Very good questions! I reached my goal weight in Jan (50 pounds down in 6 mo) and am still asking myself some of these questions.

    On the food side, the biggest mindset change for me was to stop thinking "diet" and start thinking "lifestyle change". That meant I focused my changes on things that I felt I could do forever. No more eliminating food groups or doing anything extreme. No more thinking that I would get to a certain weight and then I would be done dieting.

    On the exercise front. I did pretty much the same thing. I started with things i really enjoy and then added other things over the several months. Always selected things that I could see myself continuing indefinitely. Also, focused on a balance of different activities to incorporate strength, cardio, and flexibility.

    Throughout the weight loss and maintenance. I have run into days of going massively off plan (binges). I am still working to figure out what underlies these episodes. The good news is that I am pretty quickly able to get back to sensible eating. Tracking is helpful. Also, after any binge I journal about the experience. Am starting to work with mindfulness with an app that looks promising to get to the bottom of this one remaining issue. BUT. I don't obsess over it, or over-react, so those episodes don't take over and lead to long periods of unhealthy choices.

    No real advice, just be clear about what you are wanting and why, track and take the time to process the slips to try to understand what you need to do to either prevent or better manage the next incident.
  • JohnBarth
    JohnBarth Posts: 672 Member
    "Mindless Eating," by Dr. Brian Wansink has always been an interesting book for me.
  • lindsayann135
    lindsayann135 Posts: 11 Member
    @jan110144 what app? I’ve been interested in ‘mindfulness’ in general. Thanks for your feedback!
    @JohnBarth thanks I’ll have to look into that book👍👀
  • cheryldumais
    cheryldumais Posts: 1,907 Member
    The Beck Diet Solution by Judith Beck was a huge help to me. She uses cognitive behavior therapy. http://diet.beckinstitute.org/
    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+beck+diet+solution+book&crid=150XNHC7DG6SO&sprefix=the+beck+die,aps,179&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_12

    Another interesting read is Thin For Life, it is about people who have lost weight and kept it off and how they did it. https://www.amazon.com/Thin-Life-Success-People-Weight-ebook/dp/B00CR6N00W/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=thin+for+life&qid=1554214632&s=gateway&sr=8-2
  • jan110144
    jan110144 Posts: 1,281 Member
    lindsayann135 wrote: »
    @jan110144 what app? I’ve been interested in ‘mindfulness’ in general. Thanks for your feedback!
    @JohnBarth thanks I’ll have to look into that book👍👀

    App is called "In the Moment" I have just gotten it, so.i can't really say much about it. Just exploring.
  • jessicaalfaro2427
    jessicaalfaro2427 Posts: 24 Member
    What ive realized is this... Baby steps will eventually lead to big change. Ditch all or nothing and stop trying to eat and train as if we are pro's. Start out small because the small choices you make do count. Listen to minimal information but repetitively until its truly in you (youtube, books, podcasts) than move on to another. To much of different opinions on diets ect will lead you to info overload and you will dabble vs master the one small habit at a time. Be patient you got this!

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