How do you stick with it?

I buy "target clothes"- clothes that are amazing that I can't wait to fit in, in a size smaller than my current size. Then every time I want to go off track I think of myself looking into the mirror trying to squeeze into some clothes.

The fear keeps me on track!!

In the last 6 weeks I have had ice cream, chocolate cake, a lolypop, and dessert out at dinner three times. Because this is a lifestyle change, I don't do it every day - but I count it. If I want cake, then I get my butt on the bike :-) or if I go out to dinner, I have a lighter lunch.

There is no way that I can just avoid all the 'bad' things, although somewhere there is a switch that flipped that makes me thing "oh, I could have one chip, or like a cup of broccoli - and a cup of broccoli is more food, so lets just stick with that!" :-)

Cheers, Christy

Usually, as long as I've eaten already, self-discipline works, but on occasion, I find that I need to pop in a stick of gum so that I have something in my mouth.

Try bringing your own healthy snacks to work with you. Whenever you want to go for the sweets table, you'll have better choices at arms reach. Best of Luck!

I kind of use reverse psychology on myself....I tell myself I can have whatever I want. If the craving gets too bad then I have a small portion just to get rid of that craving. The more I "allow" myself to believe that I can have something the more I have found that I don't really want it. It is only when I say no you can not have that...that I run into problems. I used the same techniques to stop smoking too!

However, I was seriously addicted to soda and those I weened off of and when I stress and I want them like crazy I have to deny myself completely so I don't binge!

Hiya
I have been Bootcamping for the last 5 weeks. It is staggering the progress I have made make sure you record measurements as it doesn't often reflect in scales for weeks!!!!!
Anyway I decided to tackle one area each week, I am in for the long hall:

Week 1 revising my menu and snack planning habits setting up a new plan attended a nutrition seminar
Week 2 holistic started burning oils, taking baths reading and going to bed early
Week 3 identified my vices and pressure points where I fall over in my eating plans
Week 4 established my in between Bootcamp programme I swim Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and walk Sunday
Week 5 went n a supermarket tour with a nutritionist good wake up call and only $50

So that is me so far, friend me if you like I am in NZ
Cheers Jen

Wow that was pretty straight up! Good luck!

I agree with chewing gum when I get a craving for something. Sometimes its just having something in my mout to occupy me and I'm good.

Other times, if it's something really good/special, I will just have a very small portion. Thinking you will never eat something again is too strict. And then be sure to get back on track. Slow and steady wins the race.

Good luck!

You're doing great by not buying tempting treats! I am famous for putting away gallons of ice cream in hours if we have it-even flavors i'm not fond of. As far as the office goes, i'm a homemaker and can't help with that, all i know is my mom keeps fruit/yogurt/healthy options in the office fridge and at her desk and avoids treat jars in other people's areas.

As far as crashing, i hit walls myself; usually after not eating well or having too intense of a workout without enough rest.

And as horrible as it sounds, i watch weight loss shows and look at people's before pics-and i think to myself "I am doing this so i never look back and say, "how did i let myself get like this?" " I also have a board in my room with pics of women whose muscle tone and shape is similar to what i'm looking for in myself.

The last thing i do is find (or buy-if you have money to do so) pants/skirts/shirts that i used to/want to wear and put them on regularly. If they are snug, i know i'm not quite where i need to be. If they fit-i just got another pair of pants and i have to maintain my results to keep them comfy! I don't advise buying pants that are four sizes too small, that can be a slow goal and can get upsetting if you can't get into them as fast as you want. Mine range from my "anorexic pants" (which i have accepted i will likely never wear again. my healthy size does not fit in a zero and even some 3's, and i am okay with that) that don't go past my buttcheeks, to "almost buttons" to "these would be awesome if i didn't have a muffin top in them" sizes. I find my favorite pair, measure how far before they button or how much overhang i have and i say "this WILL be gone by __________this date."

It takes some trying to find what personally works for you. I know poeple who just say, "i will never eat junk again" and they never do. I also know people who will binge unless they look at the image of a morbidly obese person ramming a burger down their gullet that they keep in their wallet/purse. Whatever works for you!

Good luck honey

one more thing i forgot to mention, your treats and cheats can be made healthy, i found a recipe years ago for cheescake that calls for tofu, not cream cheese. it tastes and feels the same, but is too healthy to be a cheat. If you cook, drop me a line and ill pass on some of my no cheat cheats! It should never be all or nothing, just because we want ice cream or brownies doesnt mean it has to be bland health food or way too decadent to spend calories on!