Everyone seems to be struggling

ecmcnamee
ecmcnamee Posts: 317 Member
edited October 5 in Health and Weight Loss
It seems over the past couple of weeks that a number of people on my friends list have been struggling, me included. These aren't just people who log in for 10 days and then you don't see them for 2 weeks. These aren't people who only haphazardly keep their diary or work out once a week. These are people who are in it for good. I am one of those people. However, over the past couple of weeks I have found it increasingly difficult to fight the good fight.

I'm wondering why this is ... is it the time change? The fact that an incredibly busy time of the year is here (I don't know about ya'all but my year is always busy .. 3 kids, full time job, etc. etc ... It's hard to find a time of year when things aren't crazy anymore). A domino effect?

I took 3 days off of MFP ... well I didn't log or exercise ... I feel better about it today and I'm hoping that I'm back to kicking *kitten* like usual. I just find it odd that it seems everyone is struggling so much around the same time.
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Replies

  • Kimbers70
    Kimbers70 Posts: 102 Member
    I think it has much to do with the time change, the weather change and perhaps even the looming holiday season.
  • ratherbeskiing
    ratherbeskiing Posts: 847 Member
    I know near me (Maine) the change of season = flu season and a lot of people are sick and so routines are being altered. I know, as much as it did go down on the scale, I am sure I will gain some back when I start working out again. I have been sick for over a week but I am so done with being sick I am going to run today.
  • Meghan0116
    Meghan0116 Posts: 1,268 Member
    The time change is killing me. It is totally zapping my energy. It is up to us and our commitment to ourselves to push through. Some days it seems so tough though.
  • MinnesotaManimal
    MinnesotaManimal Posts: 642 Member
    Logging and tracking does become tedious and it wears on the mind. Its very hard to maintain for months, and then for some people....years already..... Kudos to them for continuing to do it. We all need a kick in the pants from a friend once in awhile to remind us why we are here. I hope in a year I am still here.
  • jmcholden
    jmcholden Posts: 20 Member
    I'm struggling too. It must be the change of seasons.

    My husband brought home pizza the other day.

    All we wanna do is bake cookies and eat them!

    Must be strong!!!!! (feel very weak) MUST be strong!!!
  • melindenmark
    melindenmark Posts: 279 Member
    i live in Denmark, and i am finding really hard at the moment. I think its because it gets dark so early (more dark hours then light) and it is also sooooo cold. Doesn't help that im really busy right now also. They are just a few reasons on why its a little hard for me at the moment.
    My motivation to keep fighting is that i am travelling back home to New Zealand next year, i and want to look good and be nice and fit when i make it home :D!
  • Shakila87
    Shakila87 Posts: 70
    I'm so tired. Single mother with 2 kids football seson just ended and soon basketball will begin. Working fulltime trying to go to the gym after work then go home to cook, clean, get kids ready for the next day it is not easy I'm drained by 9:30pm but I'm just going to remain positive and remember why I'm doing what I'm doing. To be fit, healthy, full of life and energy and most of all SEXY lol!!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,031 Member
    Through our physiology, late fall and winter our bodies will lean to burning less energy. Why? Because it hasn't changed in thousands of years. Like other animals, the body anticipates winter and will regulate differently because way way way back, food was scarce during the winter. It's not uncommon, but you can still lose if you're consistent with your program during this time.








    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
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    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • hart310
    hart310 Posts: 11
    Well said and thank you! I have been struggling the last three days, not sure why, but determined to get back to business of taking care of me. Congratulations on your accomplishments and remember to take it one day at a time.
  • jvan1957
    jvan1957 Posts: 114
    Then on the other hand, I am disabled and stay at home so this time change hasn't realy bothered me. But of my 4 weeks on MFP I lost 5 pounds in the first two weeks and zero pounds these last two.
  • NickyCat101
    NickyCat101 Posts: 69
    The holidays do it to me. The thought of all that holiday food, cookies, and other treats make me want them more. I am trying to find recipes for treats I love that are less fattening/carby. It is very difficult though. Everyone seems to push food in the spirit of things and it is hard to say no.

    My highest weight was this January, when I weighed almost 260. I gained 30 pounds over the holidays!! This season I am avoiding my favorite cookies and trying to limit how much I eat of something. My mother is big on the food at Christmas. She bought my brother these HUGE peanut butter cups.

    Hopefully I have self control this year.
  • ramseyrose
    ramseyrose Posts: 421 Member
    I have been struggling since September and have put on 8lbs. I suffer from Seasonal Adjustment Disorder which can cause tiredness, depression and weight gain (due to stodge cravings). I always get like this between September and New Year, but I really want to get the 8lb back off before a masquerade ball on New years Eve. I am hoping today is the start of my renewed efforts; but I could quite easily eat the contents of the biscuit/cookie tin.
  • BigBoneSista
    BigBoneSista Posts: 2,389 Member
    Life happens lol This is a busy time of year for some and like you mentioned you are not alone. However these are the times that makes us stronger. We fight through our struggle to keep focus on us. If we fall, we get back up and celebrate the accomplishment. I went through my short hiatus and luckily I was able to maintain my weight loss during that time never allowing myself to gain more than 10lbs without losing it again. I didn't beat myself up. I just had to readjust and let life know that I was still in control. I know you know at times it won't be easy but when you overcome this hurdle take time to reflect on the brief storm you were able to ride out and give yourself a pat on the back for holding on. Though we may not be able to see it now during our struggles we are constantly in a tug of war and as long as you are in the game....you are still winning.
  • PBJunky
    PBJunky Posts: 737 Member
    Guess seasonal changes as you guys approach winter it will get harder to lose
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Through our physiology, late fall and winter our bodies will lean to burning less energy. Why? Because it hasn't changed in thousands of years. Like other animals, the body anticipates winter and will regulate differently because way way way back, food was scarce during the winter. It's not uncommon, but you can still lose if you're consistent with your program during this time.

    Interesting.

    I like damn near every one of your posts niner, but I'm going to challenge this one =)

    IMO: Winter = lower NEAT (people don't move as much) = lower TDEE.
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    It's only natural to store for the winter.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    I work out in the morning before work, so this time change actually helps me there, but the colder weather and getting dark earlier makes me want warm, "comfort food" for dinners, and its harder to resist the heavier foods.

    There's always going to be some challenge (or excuse to eat) though, and staying on track sometimes can just get boring. With the holidays looming (and all the crap food we'll be faced with), its a great time to work on learning to enforce the good habits and resist the bad!
  • flawedandfabulous
    flawedandfabulous Posts: 41
    I agree that I think it is the time of year. I think it is biologically ingrained in men and women. A woman's body is in a constant state of preparedness for pregnancy which is why it is harder for us to lose then men. Then I am taking a wild guess that as winter approaches way back to the dawn of man and even animals our bodies prepare for the famine of winter. So our bodies may be stockpiling for the lean months. I don't know I am just throwing that thought out there.
  • EmsyB78
    EmsyB78 Posts: 90 Member
    you've echoed my thoughts exactly (hence my blog today and writing on someone else's post about a plateau!)... I feel like I'm in a real slump...yet because I'm totally aware of it and have not been able to exercise the last fortnight I'm actually eager to get going again. I DEFINITELY think it's the time of the year...I bet in a previous life I was an creature of hibernation!! I've decided to increase my exercise and change it a bit so I'm not doing the same and this week we're mostly eating fish for tea (after hubby left the frozen fillets out of the freezer!!) so at least its quite healthy! Hopefully I can get back into a good habit before crimbo!!!
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    I'm actually doing pretty well right now. However, I've been doing this for a couple of years. There are times when the focus is lazer sharp. Times that I'm so-so, and times that I'm not even trying (I was in one of those up until a few weeks ago) It goes in cycles I guess.

    If this is in fact a lifestyle, "focused times" should outweigh the "not so focused times" and you will acheive overall good health.
  • rosied915
    rosied915 Posts: 799 Member
    Wow~how timely is this thread??

    I'm feeling the same thing and believe it's the time of year too.

    I'm also re-thinking the amount of time I spend thinking, reading, and basically obsessing about my efforts to lose weight.

    I was "double-logging" (and double message boarding) by being a member of Weight Watchers Online and MFP. Since I feel I've gotten the most valuable information here on MFP, I cancelled my Weight Watcher's membership yesterday. Saving $17 a month is a bonus.

    I was really just overwhelming myself with double information so no wonder I had to devote so much time to it all!

    So today is Day One of MFP only and hopefully my spirits will lift and I'll hit the ground runnin'!!
  • rosied915
    rosied915 Posts: 799 Member
    I'm actually doing pretty well right now. However, I've been doing this for a couple of years. There are times when the focus is lazer sharp. Times that I'm so-so, and times that I'm not even trying (I was in one of those up until a few weeks ago) It goes in cycles I guess.

    If this is in fact a lifestyle, "focused times" should outweigh the "not so focused times" and you will acheive overall good health.

    Perfect, just perfect!!

    My hero.......
  • kmbrooks15
    kmbrooks15 Posts: 941 Member
    It's only been a week since the time change, and the weather is doing crazy things. I'm in SC, and one day I'm bundled up to my nose, and the next day I can wear sandals to work. The holidays are fast approaching, and all of the accompanying stress of shopping and not-so-healthy food choices. I just keep reminding myself to continue doing what I'm doing because it's working. I've also not felt well due to some gallbladder issues; I've had pretty consistent pain in my right upper quadrant. Seeing the doctor on Thursday for an endoscopy and hopefully after that getting this blasted thing out. I'm tired of it hurting.

    I think if you're really struggling, make a list of the successes you've had so far. It might be worth it to up your caloric intake by a couple hundred or something (not drastic, but enough to shake things up and allow you a few extra treats along the way). You can always drop it back after the holidays.

    I'm four pounds from my first mini-goal, so I keep reminding myself to hang in there so I can go get my mani/pedi! :happy:
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    I think it has much to do with the time change, the weather change and perhaps even the looming holiday season.

    Yep.

    Winter is a season where there's not much food available in nature. So our bodies naturally want to store up so we don't freeze and starve to death over the winter. Unfortunately, our bodies never got the memo that grocery stores provide food all year long.
  • keiraev
    keiraev Posts: 695 Member
    I have definitely been struggling with eating less recently, having been on here for 6 months.

    I know I am only a couple of lbs a way from goal but I have changed to maintenance for a while as I was fed up of feeling guilty all the time- I also need to know what it feels like to eat "normally" and train myself before Xmas etc so I don't go completely overboard over the holiday season.
  • kmbrooks15
    kmbrooks15 Posts: 941 Member
    Wow~how timely is this thread??

    I'm feeling the same thing and believe it's the time of year too.

    I'm also re-thinking the amount of time I spend thinking, reading, and basically obsessing about my efforts to lose weight.

    I was "double-logging" (and double message boarding) by being a member of Weight Watchers Online and MFP. Since I feel I've gotten the most valuable information here on MFP, I cancelled my Weight Watcher's membership yesterday. Saving $17 a month is a bonus.

    I was really just overwhelming myself with double information so no wonder I had to devote so much time to it all!

    So today is Day One of MFP only and hopefully my spirits will lift and I'll hit the ground runnin'!!

    I haven't been double logging, but even using MFP only you can begin to get a little obsessed. That's why I'm not logging on Thanksgiving day or Christmas day (every other day in Nov/Dec, yes, but not those two days). I need a day to just spend with my kids and not worry about every bite that goes in my mouth. I will eat sensibly and not make a pig of myself, but I'm not going to log my diary those days. I think it's good to do that every once in a while to restore your sanity and balance (I knew I was in trouble the other night when I was looking up how many calories were in my KIDS' dinners!).

    You should take the $17 a month and put it in the bank and use it to treat yourself when you hit goals! :smile:
  • GemmaRowlands
    GemmaRowlands Posts: 360 Member
    I suffer from SAD during the winter, and it really means that I don't want to work out as much as I did during the summer. I am doing my best, and have burned 148 calories today, but there's just no way that I am able to motivate myself to do the huge burns like I would have done in the summer.

    My Wii is an absolute lifesaver though, as I'm totally unmotivated to go outside and run, the Wii is the only things that I can do inside.
  • EmmieBaby
    EmmieBaby Posts: 1,235 Member
    same here, I've actualy been gaining weight...too much stress in my life and business with the new job....but im not giving up!
  • niclan724
    niclan724 Posts: 49 Member
    I'm glad I'm not the only one. I'm struggling big time with the weather being so crazy, and life just being so busy. I am trying to pick myself back up and get back to my routine but it is sooo hard. I am a teacher and it is so easy to eat right and work out during the summer for me. Once school starts I feel like I work around the clock. Tack on 3 kids to that. I know, I'm preaching to the choir, but I guess I just need to get it out and see it written for me to put things in motion again....

    There is comfort in knowing I'm not alone though...

    Stay strong everyone, and let's push through so the holidays don't hit us too hard!!
  • kbanzhaf
    kbanzhaf Posts: 601 Member
    I am struggling as well......partly due to the change in weather/time/daylight hours (although it has been nice enough to continue walking outside several days), but mostly due to stress with some things going on in my life. When I am stressed, I tend to eat, and not make good choices about what foods I eat. Add to that the fact that I had to take treats to school for a hospitality room last week, and there were leftovers at home.....just not good.
    I tend to do fine during the week when I am not at home to graze......but the weekends do me in. I can lose two-three pounds over the course of the week, but then gain those back over the weekend.
    Glad to know I'm not the only one......
    Kaye
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