Need a kick up the *kitten*

jenconv
jenconv Posts: 32 Member
Since my birthday in mid September I’ve found it really hard to stay on track and have been going up and down the same few pounds. In the past month I’ve also been on holiday and it was my mums and my hubbys birthdays and I’ve just used them as an excuse. I have a very busy 4 day weekend coming up with a birthday, a gig, a christening and my anniversary so I know I’m going to be off track at some point even if it’s just with the booze.

My fat brain is saying don’t bother this week as you’ll only ruin it at the weekend but my trying to be healthy brain is telling me tomorrow is a new day and I should make everyday count-argh!!

Add into this mix my PT who I’ve worked closely with since the beginning of June is moving back to his home town and today was my last session with him 😩 we’ve talked about him continuing to train me online not sure how that will work though.

Basically I’m rambling and feeling sorry for myself and need a kick to get me back on track.

Replies

  • jenconv
    jenconv Posts: 32 Member
    @NovusDies thanks for replying, I think sometimes I just need to vent and have someone ‘nudge’ me in the way I think I should head 😀
  • Jackie9003
    Jackie9003 Posts: 1,121 Member
    I'm in the same situation jen, I hit my lowest in August then I had birthdays, anniversaries, a bereavement, chuffing menopause, and a stressful time with my son - all of this means I've put myself to the bottom of the priority pile and I have a 3-4lb fluctuation. Very annoying and very "woe is me".

    Let's kick each others *kitten* (not literally, I like kittens :D ) I'm going to promise to stay within my allowance and log meticulously at least 3 days this week, how about you?

  • jenconv
    jenconv Posts: 32 Member


    Let's kick each others *kitten* (not literally, I like kittens :D ) I'm going to promise to stay within my allowance and log meticulously at least 3 days this week, how about you?

    [/quote]

    Ok I’m in, today is logged-I just need to stick with what I’ve planned.
  • Jackie9003
    Jackie9003 Posts: 1,121 Member
    Fab, I've logged everything eaten so far todsy, including the home made biscuits I was tempted to ignore. I've got dinner in mind so should end up on plan. And I walked to work despite the freezing weather this morning.

    Something I was doing is looking through the NSV thread and the Bathroom scales one, it reminds me of what I can achieve and find it really motivates me. I'm going to start doing that again.
  • Jackie9003
    Jackie9003 Posts: 1,121 Member
    @jenconv how are you doing?
    Yesterday I logged everything and had a small deficit, today I logged until dinner then ate loads of rubbish (sweets and biscuits) when I got home from work so skipped dinner to compensate. Tomorrow should be better.
  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,538 Member
    @Jackie9003

    Does that mean you quit logging when you went over your number? Never quit logging. When you’re reaching for the food that’s going to blow up your number maybe you’ll remember that you’re going to have to log it. Respect the process. It’s the path you’ve chosen.
  • Jackie9003
    Jackie9003 Posts: 1,121 Member
    88olds wrote: »
    @Jackie9003

    Does that mean you quit logging when you went over your number? Never quit logging. When you’re reaching for the food that’s going to blow up your number maybe you’ll remember that you’re going to have to log it. Respect the process. It’s the path you’ve chosen.

    I quit because I didn't know how to log, the biscuits were homemade and I didn't bother building the recipe and the sweets weren't in a packet. I will have gone over my allowance but not by too much.
  • michne16
    michne16 Posts: 538 Member
    Must be something in the air. I'm having issues staying on track as well. We can do this! Just remember why you are doing it and what benefits you will get (health, fitness, peace of mind) from sticking with it. I want to lose 6lbs by the end of the year and it is not going to happen if I don't put in the time and effort. Maybe you should consider creating a mini goal that will entice you to make the right choices and get back on track. I'm rooting for you!
  • cheryldumais
    cheryldumais Posts: 1,907 Member
    88olds wrote: »
    @Jackie9003

    Does that mean you quit logging when you went over your number? Never quit logging. When you’re reaching for the food that’s going to blow up your number maybe you’ll remember that you’re going to have to log it. Respect the process. It’s the path you’ve chosen.

    Gotta second this. In the past I've had days where I didn't want to log because I was sure I was ridiculously over but I logged anyway and it was never as bad as I thought it was. In fact sometimes I was still within maintenance which means I just delayed my losses. It was actually encouraging in the end. Always, always log no matter what.
  • amkita
    amkita Posts: 183 Member
    definitely agree on the logging, even when it's over your goal. and if it's something homemade (or from a local bakery!) you can at least select an equivalent item through the search function. I do this and try to over estimate (which probably comes out about even).

    the upside is that even an "over" day might actually end up around maintenance level. which, honestly, isn't a bad thing and if you were feeling an urge to binge it's probably a good idea to try out a maintenance day or two. it gives you a chance to evaluate what you're feeling, and maybe even select items you're craving in a planned way.
  • jenconv
    jenconv Posts: 32 Member
    @Jackie9003 I’ve been on track for the past 3 days since you laid down the gauntlet. I think I just needed to get the rant out of my system and know I’m not alone and that I’m amongst people who understand not judge.
  • Jackie9003
    Jackie9003 Posts: 1,121 Member
    jenconv wrote: »
    @Jackie9003 I’ve been on track for the past 3 days since you laid down the gauntlet. I think I just needed to get the rant out of my system and know I’m not alone and that I’m amongst people who understand not judge.

    Brilliant! Definitely no judgement here.

    Thanks for your all encouragement guys, due to recent events I've just hit a wall, I know I *should* be logging but my motivation is rock bottom (for most things not just this). I'm quite good at keeping a mental note though so I have a fairly good idea about my intake.

    Today was a good day, I feel a bit more with it and back on top of things, everything has been logged and the scales were respectable this morning too lol
  • maiomaio71
    maiomaio71 Posts: 231 Member
    @Jackie9003 one thing I found helped if I ever went over was to log 100 calories for a few days.. that way even though I may have gone over by,say, 300 calories, by spreading it over 3 days, it was negligible. And it also meant I was still logging it so I was owning it. I didn't then feel I was depriving myself on those other days because 100 calories less for 3 days is easily do-able. It was like banking calories after I'd spent them 😁
  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,538 Member
    Jackie9003 wrote: »
    88olds wrote: »
    @Jackie9003

    Does that mean you quit logging when you went over your number? Never quit logging. When you’re reaching for the food that’s going to blow up your number maybe you’ll remember that you’re going to have to log it. Respect the process. It’s the path you’ve chosen.

    I quit because I didn't know how to log, the biscuits were homemade and I didn't bother building the recipe and the sweets weren't in a packet. I will have gone over my allowance but not by too much.

    There are always going to be calorie counting gray areas. Sometimes the best we can do is a good faith estimate. Sometimes it’s just a guess. But try to put a number on everything.

    If you have to estimate a lot in a particular week and are still losing, then you know you’re guesses are ok. If you gain, then not so good. Trial and error can be a slow process but sometimes it’s the only way.
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    88olds wrote: »
    Jackie9003 wrote: »
    88olds wrote: »
    @Jackie9003

    Does that mean you quit logging when you went over your number? Never quit logging. When you’re reaching for the food that’s going to blow up your number maybe you’ll remember that you’re going to have to log it. Respect the process. It’s the path you’ve chosen.

    I quit because I didn't know how to log, the biscuits were homemade and I didn't bother building the recipe and the sweets weren't in a packet. I will have gone over my allowance but not by too much.

    There are always going to be calorie counting gray areas. Sometimes the best we can do is a good faith estimate. Sometimes it’s just a guess. But try to put a number on everything.

    If you have to estimate a lot in a particular week and are still losing, then you know you’re guesses are ok. If you gain, then not so good. Trial and error can be a slow process but sometimes it’s the only way.

    This.

    Perfection should not get in the way of good enough. There have been some occasions when I logged a total guess. So much of a guess that I did a quick add. Let's say what I ate if weighed and logged accurately was 1450 calories. If I log 1200 calories then I am off by 250 which translates to .07 pounds. If I log 0 then I am off by 1450 calories which translates to .41 pounds. Being off 250 does not significantly throw off my results where logging 0 does.

    Everyone has to log or not log the way they see fit. Some people do get exhausted by the process and need some time away from logging altogether. Some people want to feel that freedom again in short bursts. As such this is not a judgment in action it is just a different way of looking at it in case it makes a difference in certain situations.

    I am liking my new little saying.. I don't judge. I nudge.
  • lauriekallis
    lauriekallis Posts: 4,789 Member
    NovusDies wrote: »
    88olds wrote: »

    There are always going to be calorie counting gray areas. Sometimes the best we can do is a good faith estimate. Sometimes it’s just a guess. But try to put a number on everything.

    If you have to estimate a lot in a particular week and are still losing, then you know you’re guesses are ok. If you gain, then not so good. Trial and error can be a slow process but sometimes it’s the only way.

    This.

    Perfection should not get in the way of good enough. There have been some occasions when I logged a total guess. So much of a guess that I did a quick add. Let's say what I ate if weighed and logged accurately was 1450 calories. If I log 1200 calories then I am off by 250 which translates to .07 pounds. If I log 0 then I am off by 1450 calories which translates to .41 pounds. Being off 250 does not significantly throw off my results where logging 0 does.

    Everyone has to log or not log the way they see fit. Some people do get exhausted by the process and need some time away from logging altogether. Some people want to feel that freedom again in short bursts. As such this is not a judgment in action it is just a different way of looking at it in case it makes a difference in certain situations.

    I am liking my new little saying.. I don't judge. I nudge.

    Love the name of this thread - because wow this is what I need. And NovusDies post here really hit home.
  • conniewilkins56
    conniewilkins56 Posts: 3,391 Member
    I, too need a kick in the *kitten*….the part about logging hit home….after 2 1/2 years I think I needed a total break from all of it…well, I took the break and now I have to pay the piper….15 lbs worth of it…..omg I hate this….hate it, hate it….my entire life I have battled being over weight….I am sorry I haven’t been present but I am back!
  • lauriekallis
    lauriekallis Posts: 4,789 Member
    So glad to see your name here, Connie.
    I hate hate hate it too - the constant battle/worrying/the extra weight. As of yesterday I'm 21 pounds up. It is making me feel so terrible. I hate that the most.
  • conniewilkins56
    conniewilkins56 Posts: 3,391 Member
    So glad to see your name here, Connie.
    I hate hate hate it too - the constant battle/worrying/the extra weight. As of yesterday I'm 21 pounds up. It is making me feel so terrible. I hate that the most.

    I am up 22 lbs from my lowest weight in June….you gave me the courage to actually write this down!…I feel bad but I certainly knew I was going to gain this past week…I didn’t think I would be up 15 lbs but it is what it is….and now I am in the position where I have to keep a handle on this during the most difficult time of the year….
  • Bella_Figura
    Bella_Figura Posts: 4,330 Member
    So glad to see your name here, Connie.
    I hate hate hate it too - the constant battle/worrying/the extra weight. As of yesterday I'm 21 pounds up. It is making me feel so terrible. I hate that the most.

    I am up 22 lbs from my lowest weight in June….you gave me the courage to actually write this down!…I feel bad but I certainly knew I was going to gain this past week…I didn’t think I would be up 15 lbs but it is what it is….and now I am in the position where I have to keep a handle on this during the most difficult time of the year….

    @conniewilkins56 @lauriekallis
    But at least you're both here and posting - we can support and help you if you're here, but when you hide yourselves away there's nothing we can do to reach out and try to help you back onto firmer ground. We've all been in your situation so we know all about the shame/guilt/regret/rage......so there is no judgement! Just people who care and want to help...

  • Yoolypr
    Yoolypr Posts: 3,338 Member
    Do not give up. You can do this but we all need you to be here. I find that the support is really crucial to my mental resolve. Gain or lose we’re all in this together.
  • conniewilkins56
    conniewilkins56 Posts: 3,391 Member
    Yoolypr wrote: »
    Do not give up. You can do this but we all need you to be here. I find that the support is really crucial to my mental resolve. Gain or lose we’re all in this together.

    No, I won’t give up….I swore 110 lbs ago that this would be my last attempt to lose weight and keep it off…..I lost most of my weight the first year and a half….since last Jan. I have played around with the same 20 pounds up and down…..2022 will be THE year to finish this journey and begin the rest of my life maintaining….
  • lauriekallis
    lauriekallis Posts: 4,789 Member
    2022 - sounds like the year! I'm starting to think for me that maintenance might always be trying to achieve my newest goal. lol. and that is okay, I can live with that, if I can find a way not to be too demanding and mean to myself on the "bad" days.

    Maybe after a few years of that, it will feel "normal" (I think this is sort of what your experience was PAV? or is this just my interpretation?)
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,303 Member
    We'll have to explore this together Laurie!

    Not sure what you mean/think I mean

    Hunger cue / physically driven desire to eat is one thing, and after sufficient time at maintenance I believe this settles down after being quite unsettled at the tail end of weight loss. This is a major/primary cause for regain. Even when expected. Hormonal driven, sub-conscious, and hard to counter without multiple defenses. And even then. But eventually it settles and disappears as an additional push to regain.

    Amongst our group of 75+, however, I think that as we each explore more deeply and get in tune with our actions, it is unlikely that we will conclude that physical hunger was our sole cause of weight gain.

    These other causes don't disappear with weight loss or maintenance. And I would say we have to continue to deal with them and be vigilant
  • Yoolypr
    Yoolypr Posts: 3,338 Member
    Had access to decent food most of my life and rarely got physically hungry. So mainly the excessive weight came from emotions, boredom and stress eating. Somehow eating to the point of physical discomfort was soothing. Go figure! 🤔
    Anxiety is still a big trigger for me. And it doesn’t have to be some life threatening thing. Just being unable to control a minor situation is enough to make me uneasy. Struggling to recognize that and manage it is a full time job.
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,303 Member
    Externalized agitation. Wouldn't believe it if you had told me years ago. I was SURE that I wasn't an emotional eater. Seriously? Me? Eating ice cream for any reason other than the fact I liked it? Well... maybe not the ice cream. But the rest of it? Getting up hungry from not having eaten for too many hours and then over-over-eating? Being cold from inactivity or tired and eating in response? Feeling "revved up" and eating in response? You bet ya. And not particularly willing to stop it either when it is happening. Not so bad if consuming low cal filling items. Doesn't work as great if eating cookies for half an hour!
  • Yoolypr
    Yoolypr Posts: 3,338 Member
    Never overdosed on lettuce! Soothing foods were/are fatty, sweet, cheesy, starchy. And the quantities. 🙀
    I’m most comfortable with routine and no surprises. And some degree of control. Recognizing this in myself has been a revelation.