Mental Block
Replies
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I don't find weighing and measuring necessary. If I am eating healthy, and logging, then I eat sooooo much healthier than my usual diet. If weighing and measuring does not feel like a sustainable habit to you, then try it without. If you are satisfied with your progress, then keep doing what works.1
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I don't find weighing and measuring necessary. If I am eating healthy, and logging, then I eat sooooo much healthier than my usual diet. If weighing and measuring does not feel like a sustainable habit to you, then try it without. If you are satisfied with your progress, then keep doing what works.
Thank you for your feedback 🙏🏻0 -
I finally started weighing my food regularly when A) I couldn't lose weight without doing it, and
I put my scale somewhere extremely convenient and obvious so I didn't have to take it out and put it away every time I weighed my stuff.
Once in a while when I'm super tired and usually after I've worked out harder than I meant to, I go crazy and eat (usually pistachios or pumpkin seeds for some reason) without weighing them. Other than that I weigh every time.
Once it's a routine, it becomes a lot easier.2 -
I don't find weighing and measuring necessary. If I am eating healthy, and logging, then I eat sooooo much healthier than my usual diet. If weighing and measuring does not feel like a sustainable habit to you, then try it without. If you are satisfied with your progress, then keep doing what works.
Hubby is also like that and can eat without logging and lose weight, but his 'calories out' are much higher than mine. We both eat healthy foods 95% of the time; just the occasional cookie or beer from time to time. But if I don't weigh everything, then I simply eat too much of the healthy stuff. I can easily eat double the amounts I'm supposed to, so for me there simply is no other way than weighing everything unfortunately. And I guess that a lot of people - certainly around goal weight - are the same.2 -
When I started i weighed and measured everything. Now in maintenance I don't often, usually when I'm making burgers or something to get the size even. I do weigh myself every day and if I see a trend up will go back to weighing and being more careful with portions, usually just being more mindful does the job. I do log meals in advance for the week so have a relaxed idea of what my calories are.3
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14 week update from original post:
5/13: No weigh-in
Symptoms: Totally shut down
5/25: 138.6 lbs (highest)
Symptoms: headaches, tired, bloated, brain fog, unmotivated, depressed, hungry, insomnia
8/18: 126.0 lbs
Symptoms: less frequent headaches, more energy, active, interested in playing sports and learning new hobbies, inspired to get dressed for the day, better sleep, positive
Weight loss: -12.6 lbs (or .9 lbs per week)
Changes I made:
- I started using a food scale and gradually improved my logging until it became a habit. It took several weeks to get in the swing of it. I was mentally prepared that I wouldn’t be perfect but I wasn’t going to give up. Once I got in the zone I noticed I started getting control of my hunger again.
- I switched my IF window to OMAD because it works better for me during the summer.
- Completely cut out snacking.
- Drinking a lot of water! Keeping jugs of ice water available at all times surprisingly made me feel more awake/aware/alert
-Spending time outside. Getting fresh air and some vitamin D improved my mood.
Foods I avoided: Nothing off limits
Cravings before: high fat, high salt, snack foods, I wanted to eat out a lot, alcohol
Cravings now: I want to eat at home, craving vibrant salads, fish, rice, pasta, bruschetta, all types of veggies, an occasional Fresca for sweetness, watermelon, grapes, pineapple, steak and chicken veggie bowls, light, bright, and refreshing flavors instead of the dense heavy food before.
Biggest take away: Logging and deciding that no matter how long it takes I wasn’t going to give up until I created the habit. Once that felt comfortable I started adding more activity and other changes one by one. AND, weighing myself consistently (almost every day) at the same time to watch my weight trend. This helped me learn what to expect and what normal fluctuations look like.11 -
I should have been more clear, apologies. No I’m not getting results and it’s because I’m eyeballing too much. My advice for others would be, might wanna weigh for a bit to get a handle on it. BUT, I’m not taking that same advice because of some mental block. I don’t know why it’s there or what to do. So, I came here hoping there was some strategies or explanations others have found for the same problem.
I'm guessing the mental block is because you are worried about what the weighing will show you and then you'll either have to buckle down or decide to NOT buckle down, or if it IS correct then there's another factor that you'll have to figure out. Either way, you'll be confronted with information that will force a decision on your part and you are avoiding that.
Sorry if that was blunt. I've been there.1 -
I should have been more clear, apologies. No I’m not getting results and it’s because I’m eyeballing too much. My advice for others would be, might wanna weigh for a bit to get a handle on it. BUT, I’m not taking that same advice because of some mental block. I don’t know why it’s there or what to do. So, I came here hoping there was some strategies or explanations others have found for the same problem.
Here's a definition for mental block I found on the internet: "A mental block is a psychological obstacle or limiting mindset that prevents you from completing important tasks and achieving success. Mental blocks are invisible barriers standing in the way of your productivity." This came from an article that I am going to read as soon as I finish this comment. https://www.wrike.com/blog/how-overcome-mental-blocks/#:~:text=A mental block is a,the way of your productivity.
I have this issue with SO many things in my life. And the hard news is that I tend to be lazy and don't like to work too hard on boring things. (Sometimes, self knowledge is not very pretty.) For example, I know that if I deal with the dishes right away, after every meal, they will not pile up in the sink and spill over onto the countertops. But I don't wanna. So, at the end of the week, every dish I own is dirty, and I pay the price for not doing what I know to do. Too bad I can't eyeball my dishes, right? But I know that if I make the task easy, I am more inclined to do it.
I am pretty good about weighing my food because I've made it easy. (I've learned from watching far too many cooking shows, that weighing food/ingredients is much more accurate than using measuring spoons and cups.) KEY: I keep my scale on the counter where I plate my food. It is a visual reminder to weigh the damn food. If it's tucked away in a drawer or cupboard, I won't see it and I won't weight the damn food. Your mileage may vary.
Sometimes, I just need to sit myself down and give myself a good, stern talking to. I usually know exactly why I'm not doing what I know I need to be doing. (See above about not liking to work hard.) Sometimes I need to reassess my goals and priorities. Sometimes I need to give myself rewards for doing what I know needs to be done. Sometimes I just need to make it easier to do the thing. Best wishes.
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14 week update from original post:
5/13: No weigh-in
Symptoms: Totally shut down
5/25: 138.6 lbs (highest)
Symptoms: headaches, tired, bloated, brain fog, unmotivated, depressed, hungry, insomnia
8/18: 126.0 lbs
Symptoms: less frequent headaches, more energy, active, interested in playing sports and learning new hobbies, inspired to get dressed for the day, better sleep, positive
Weight loss: -12.6 lbs (or .9 lbs per week)
Changes I made:
- I started using a food scale and gradually improved my logging until it became a habit. It took several weeks to get in the swing of it. I was mentally prepared that I wouldn’t be perfect but I wasn’t going to give up. Once I got in the zone I noticed I started getting control of my hunger again.
- I switched my IF window to OMAD because it works better for me during the summer.
- Completely cut out snacking.
- Drinking a lot of water! Keeping jugs of ice water available at all times surprisingly made me feel more awake/aware/alert
-Spending time outside. Getting fresh air and some vitamin D improved my mood.
Foods I avoided: Nothing off limits
Cravings before: high fat, high salt, snack foods, I wanted to eat out a lot, alcohol
Cravings now: I want to eat at home, craving vibrant salads, fish, rice, pasta, bruschetta, all types of veggies, an occasional Fresca for sweetness, watermelon, grapes, pineapple, steak and chicken veggie bowls, light, bright, and refreshing flavors instead of the dense heavy food before.
Biggest take away: Logging and deciding that no matter how long it takes I wasn’t going to give up until I created the habit. Once that felt comfortable I started adding more activity and other changes one by one. AND, weighing myself consistently (almost every day) at the same time to watch my weight trend. This helped me learn what to expect and what normal fluctuations look like.
Wonderful update!
The personal mental commitment is a really big deal, IMO & IME . . . and I think the only option is to find it inside ourselves. Other people can offer ideas, but they can't do it for us.
Congratulations on flipping that switch in your own life. It sounds like you're already reaping the rewards. You're a great example for others: Good show! :flowerforyou:1 -
I should have been more clear, apologies. No I’m not getting results and it’s because I’m eyeballing too much. My advice for others would be, might wanna weigh for a bit to get a handle on it. BUT, I’m not taking that same advice because of some mental block. I don’t know why it’s there or what to do. So, I came here hoping there was some strategies or explanations others have found for the same problem.
I'm guessing the mental block is because you are worried about what the weighing will show you and then you'll either have to buckle down or decide to NOT buckle down, or if it IS correct then there's another factor that you'll have to figure out. Either way, you'll be confronted with information that will force a decision on your part and you are avoiding that.
Sorry if that was blunt. I've been there.
Don’t be sorry, I appreciate your response. Facing reality is a big part of it. When I posted this I gained weight at first, I was really defiant to change. There was a lot of great advice and support here and I used that to remind myself why I needed to change. Little by little I did, and it’s easier now. In my case, I needed to get my mental and emotional self on board, and allow mistakes, as long as I was consistent with logging food and weighing myself.
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@AbsolutelyAnnie It sounds like you know yourself well! I love the tone of your message just as much as the message itself. It’s practical and there’s self love in there too, with a sense of humor. We would all be better off approaching obstacles in the same way.
You made me realize something… I’m not the same person I used to be, so what worked for me before won’t work now. In fact I’m entirely different, even my palate. When I turned 40 I completely altered the course of my life. I’m turning 42 in October and I’m just now realizing that I need to get to know Me.2 better in terms of needs and wants. That way I can live my life a whole lot easier, happier, and with a sense of humor 😊2 -
@AnnPT77 You're exactly right, I can get the best advice and support in the world but it doesn’t mean anything if I don’t do something with it. This process was certainly not linear but it was completely worth it. And funny enough in the last 14 weeks it was less of a weight loss journey than it was a self discovery journey. It’s both surprising and inspiring that the benefits far exceed the weight loss. That’s just the beginning.4
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@AbsolutelyAnnie Just read the article and it’s easy to apply the work scenario to our everyday lives. I especially liked the section on ‘What are common causes of mental blocks?’ And ‘How to remove mental blocks’. I was shaking my head like, Yep!, the entire time I read it. Memory loss stood out to me as well, I definitely experienced that. I highly recommend the article to anyone else experiencing the same thing. Thanks for sharing!0
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Week 18 Update: Moving on to Phase 2
Starting- May 2023: 138.6 (Highest)
Current- September: 122.4 (Lowest)
Weight loss: 16.2 lbs
For those who haven’t followed, I wrote this post to figure out why I was standing in my own way and what I could do to change that. Even after getting excellent advice, mentally I pushed back for a little bit before I turned it around. But, it was the first step I needed to shift my thinking and then my actions.
So, what’s next? Well, completely foreign waters to me now…. Fitness 😳. My deficit made it difficult to go hard in anyway so I decided to do one thing at a time. Now it’s time for me to shift into maintenance and focus on changing my shape, improving strength, and increasing my flexibility.
You can see the weight loss in these progress pics. I believe my highest weight shown in the image is only 133, but I had actually gained over 5lbs between images, but it still shows the changes over time. One thing I’d like to highlight is something many advocates for fitness express- You can lose weight and get smaller, but fitness will change your shape. That’s what I’m going to do now.
Over the next 12 weeks I’m planning on documenting the physical changes but I’ll add measurements this time. The only thing I’m going to be doing is a 20-30 min Pilates video 3 times a week and eat at maintenance. I’m purposely not doing or adding anything extreme. I want to do something that beginners like me can try, and most (if not everybody) can carve out 20 minutes a day.
I’m not sure if anyone’s interested in this at all, but it’s something I may want to look back at and review. I felt like such a hot mess when this whole thing started and I’m kind of shocked to even have a Phase 2 of this process. Thanks for letting me share.
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I just responded to someone else’s thread about weighing and measuring to take the guesswork out of logging. I know this is solid advice, but for many months I haven’t been taking it. Has anyone else had these mental blocks preventing them from doing something they know works? Why does this happen? What did you do to shake it? It genuinely feels like my mind is pushing back and I can’t figure out how to override it. Thanks for any and all advice or personal experiences you may have.
Hey there! 🙋♀️
I totally feel you on those mental blocks - they can be a real pain! 😩 It's like you know what works, but somehow your mind throws a curveball. 🤷♀️ Happens to the best of us!
As for why it happens, well, our brains are funny creatures. Sometimes, it's just resistance to change or getting out of our comfort zones. 🧠 But understanding that it's a common thing can help you tackle it.
To shake it, you can try a few things:
Start Small: Maybe ease into it - like try weighing and logging one meal a day to get back in the groove. 🍽️
Find a Buddy: Sometimes, having an accountability partner can help. 🤝Or jump on the thread I started were I am wanting to help people for free. Helps me practice for my actual clients
Here's the link:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10899294/fun-weight-loss-chain#latest
Positive Affirmations: Tell yourself you got this! 💪 You've done it before, and you can do it again.
And remember, we're all in this together! 🌟 So don't stress too much, you'll break through that mental block. 🧠💥
Cheers!
Cheryl 🎉
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@cheryls1mx3 This is good advice and something I took to heart when I started. It got harder before it got easier but fortunately I’m going strong and steady. On week 18 now and shooting for new goals I couldn’t imagine creating at the time. Thanks for the support.2
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@cheryls1mx3 This is good advice and something I took to heart when I started. It got harder before it got easier but fortunately I’m going strong and steady. On week 18 now and shooting for new goals I couldn’t imagine creating at the time. Thanks for the support.
That's awesome! 🙌 Starting can be tough, but you're crushing it at week 18! 🚀 Keep pushing, and those new goals will be within reach before you know it. I'm here for the support anytime! 💪😊0 -
Maybe it is because you really don't like or want to do it. It isn't like you have to do that to lose weight...but it is a very helpful stratety for someone who takes to it naturally or wants to do it..0
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elisa123gal wrote: »Maybe it is because you really don't like or want to do it. It isn't like you have to do that to lose weight...but it is a very helpful stratety for someone who takes to it naturally or wants to do it..
Mental blocks can be confusing so I see why you would say that. Heck, most people ask for advice and never take it so I get it. I hope you read the rest of the post, I did really want it.
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Just as I have body dysmorphia, I also have serving size dysmorphia. I really can’t tell the difference between nine chocolate chips and 30, Did I eat 4 ounces of chicken or 2 pounds?
We use fences to keep our pets safe. Fences keep them out of danger, zones and places they don’t need to be winging and measuring my food does the same for me it’s a safety fence.1 -
Week 18 Update: Moving on to Phase 2
Starting- May 2023: 138.6 (Highest)
Current- September: 122.4 (Lowest)
Weight loss: 16.2 lbs
For those who haven’t followed, I wrote this post to figure out why I was standing in my own way and what I could do to change that. Even after getting excellent advice, mentally I pushed back for a little bit before I turned it around. But, it was the first step I needed to shift my thinking and then my actions.
So, what’s next? Well, completely foreign waters to me now…. Fitness 😳. My deficit made it difficult to go hard in anyway so I decided to do one thing at a time. Now it’s time for me to shift into maintenance and focus on changing my shape, improving strength, and increasing my flexibility.
You can see the weight loss in these progress pics. I believe my highest weight shown in the image is only 133, but I had actually gained over 5lbs between images, but it still shows the changes over time. One thing I’d like to highlight is something many advocates for fitness express- You can lose weight and get smaller, but fitness will change your shape. That’s what I’m going to do now.
Over the next 12 weeks I’m planning on documenting the physical changes but I’ll add measurements this time. The only thing I’m going to be doing is a 20-30 min Pilates video 3 times a week and eat at maintenance. I’m purposely not doing or adding anything extreme. I want to do something that beginners like me can try, and most (if not everybody) can carve out 20 minutes a day.
I’m not sure if anyone’s interested in this at all, but it’s something I may want to look back at and review. I felt like such a hot mess when this whole thing started and I’m kind of shocked to even have a Phase 2 of this process. Thanks for letting me share.
Well it’s been a year since I reached out about my Mental block. Here’s my update since I started Phase 2. Thanks for all the support I’ve received.
May 2023 138.6 lbs ( Spiraling)
Sept 2023 119.4 (GOAL-RECOMP)
May 2024 125.4 (RECOMP cont…)
Maintenance 120-125 lbs, but more importantly my goal is to continue reducing body fat, increase muscle mass, and feel more energized.
Also, I’m aware these changes aren’t a big deal to most people but it took a long time to get here. Weight loss isn’t over night, learning new habits doesn’t happen instantly, recomp takes time, but it’s worth it. This is a process, and when I leaned into that it made all the difference.
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While *none* of the pictures show *any* kind of *mess*... there is undeniable strength and awesomeness showing through.... even if you're choosing to wear hot pink! 😎 But you know that!👍1
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While *none* of the pictures show *any* kind of *mess*... there is undeniable strength and awesomeness showing through.... even if you're choosing to wear hot pink! 😎 But you know that!👍
Ha! The 👙 is my husband’s fave 😆. Happy to be feeling stronger and improving. Lots more to do here so I’ll be back reading the fitness section for a while for their wisdom. Fitness is such a completely different animal and I don’t want to run in place for too long.
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Oh, man, @ddsb1111: You are a champion, no question.
Every step has been a positive one. You look good in every photo, gotta say . . . but better and better, also. Big changes!
That last step, 119 to 125 . . . so, so good. Nice work!
Thanks so much. Having the side by side images helped me see things I couldn’t see during the process. Now I feel more confident that I can do this and push myself even more.
Shame I don’t have pics from the first 40 lbs I lost but I think as I build muscle and lean out, I’ll be glad to have these.
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Also, I’m aware these changes aren’t a big deal to most people but it took a long time to get here. Weight loss isn’t over night, learning new habits doesn’t happen instantly, recomp takes time, but it’s worth it. This is a process, and when I leaned into that it made all the difference.
Except it is a big deal.
You took a long hard look at something that was a roadblock for you, and then worked through it.
That’s huge.
Congratulations!3 -
Inspiring! Way to stay dedicated!2
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