Start. Fail. Start again

bohlingn
bohlingn Posts: 1 Member
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
I've lost count of how many times I have attempted to lose weight. I start with a lot of motivation and enthusiasm but it slowly fades away.

Most recently, I started right before Thanksgiving last fall. I was going strong (lost 35 lbs) until about a month ago and fell off the wagon. I began eating crap again and completely stopped working out. I was so proud of myself for dropping some weight that I rewarded myself.... a lot.

This morning, I realized I am getting married in 32 days. My goal is to eat well and work out each and every day. I feel so much better, more energy, focused at work, just alive, when I eat well and get to the gym but still somehow, always end up failing. I want it to stick this time! How do I make it stick?

Replies

  • maureenseel1984
    maureenseel1984 Posts: 395 Member
    I don't like to use the word fail. This is why dieting a lot of times gets so frustrating for so many.
    For me exercise needs to be fun or I won't do it.
    For a while it was ballet...pole (which I can't do anymore since my studio closed down and I have nowhere to put my pole)...now it's Yoga, pilates and when the weather cools off and I get the go-ahead from my doctor, I'll return to running.
  • Panini911
    Panini911 Posts: 2,325 Member
    I think maybe you make weight loss too difficult. work out EVERY day? are you also cutting out all foods you enjoy?

    losing weight doesn't mean dragging yourself to teh gym daily and eating only "diet food" and selecting too aggressive a rate of loss. And giving up when the scale doesn't' show immediate results. this is why most people fall of the rails, this is unsustainable for most. We make things harder than they need to be.

    weight loss is about eating fewer calories than our body burns regularly over time. Working out is beneficial to health but NOT required for weight loss. So don't set a goal of "working out daily" and then pick something difficult and unmotivating to fit into your routine FOR LIFE. Pick movement you enjoy (ex: classes once a week, walks with friends) that you are more likely to keep up.

    Select a reasonable rate of loss. sounds like you don't have that much to lose so 0.5-1lb/week rate of loss.

    eat well for health but keep foods you enjoy in your diet so you don't feel like you are "dieting". i still look forward to my meals and eat chocolate at least once a day.

    Here are some great posts to read to get you started.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10636388/free-customized-personal-weight-loss-eating-plan-not-spam-or-mlm/p1

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1399829/step-by-step-guide-to-losing-weight-with-myfitnesspal


    and get a FOOD SCALE, crucial tool for most of us here
    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10634517/you-dont-use-a-food-scale/p1
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,293 Member
    Build in habits. Build them in slowly. If you truly want this to stick, you need to find ways to create a life you can stick to. Going gung ho for a wedding or some other event is fine, but if it's not a plan you can actually stick to, regardless of how motivated you are (or aren't), what you're craving, how busy you are, tired, what kind of day you're having... then it's not a good plan. Find something you can do to put yourself on a successful path. Then do it because it's "what you do."
  • puffbrat
    puffbrat Posts: 2,806 Member
    girlwithcurls2 wrote: »
    Build in habits. Build them in slowly. If you truly want this to stick, you need to find ways to create a life you can stick to. Going gung ho for a wedding or some other event is fine, but if it's not a plan you can actually stick to, regardless of how motivated you are (or aren't), what you're craving, how busy you are, tired, what kind of day you're having... then it's not a good plan. Find something you can do to put yourself on a successful path. Then do it because it's "what you do."

    This! I have had to teach myself moderation and forgiveness. Instead of going all in for a diet and completely overhauling my eating and exercise routine, I have had to change old habits slowly. Then I had to learn that I will go off plan sometimes and it is still ok, even if that happens for days or weeks or months.
  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    You have to be ready to commit. Having a deadline doesn't necessarily mean that you're ready. I sure hope you are, though. Wouldn't it be great to be that much healthier by your wedding?

    Don't overdo. Start with small manageable steps. The links posted above are really great.

    I haven't started my exercise yet. I've still done well losing 7.5 inches and 10 pounds in the first 30 days. My goal is always the next 5 pounds.

    Good luck to you and best wishes for a happy marriage. ❤
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