Mid Goal Slump - what do I do?

stevenleagle
stevenleagle Posts: 293 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all. I have been on this weight loss journey for almost six months now, the vast majority of it through mfp.

I have learned a lot, the most important lessons being: thinking of this as a healthier lifestyle not a diet: eating healthier, doing regular exercise (cardio and strength) and ... (drumroll) having a lot of patience!

And patient I have been.

I have done pretty well, losing around 15kg overall (13kg through mfp). I know heaps of people have lost a lot more in 6 months but I am proud of this.

But I have another 15kg to go.

And here's the thing. With Christmas/New Year holidays around the corner, plenty of Christmas parties and other end of year functions to go to, a much busier work schedule, a recent chest infection, some recent wet weather (cannot walk/exercise outside), I have found myself eating more, feeling less energetic and exercising less. A lot less (particularly cardio)!

Based on mfp, I am meant to be eating only 1520 calories (to continue with a 1.5 pound per week loss) and I am constantly getting hungry.

By body has rebelled against me and I have resorted to a lot more snacking: initially the healthier variety but I see myself constantly craving the sugary stuff I left long ago. Thankfully I am not craving the overly fatty/fried foods of my old diet at least... yet!)

I have been averaging just under 2000 cals a day this week and have not lost any weight this week. I think I may have gained a little (though the scale mercifully shows no real change)

I know that motivation has to come from within, but I am seriously waning lately. And I can see myself coming up with 101 excuses not to continue with eating healthy and exercising.

Worst still, I am starting to lose patience (which up till now has been my golden rule).

So fellow mfpers (particularly the ones that have stuck to this system for a while), what did you do to overcome the mid goal slump? Should I relax and let the holiday season coast by (and not worry about weight loss over the next two or so months) or should I clamp down and get re-focussed? Or something else?

All comments will be appreciated, this is a great community!

Replies

  • gazz777
    gazz777 Posts: 722
    you have been here for me ... I will be here for you.

    I have to head out, but send me a PM with a link (I'll email myself too).

    Catch up soon mate.

    Gary
  • dwallior3326
    dwallior3326 Posts: 98
    You can take a 2-3 month break if you KNOW you wont gain any weight back. But if it were me I'd buckle back down and keep going. Everyone says that people put on their "winter coats" because of the weather...we need to do the opposite in preparation for spring and summer! Then when spring rolls around we will be ready and everyone else will start wanting to lose their winter coat. That's the way I look at it. But 30 pounds is a great accomplishment! Keep up the good work.
  • sherrillg
    sherrillg Posts: 317 Member
    I would suggest cutting your deficit to only lose 1/2lb wk. This will increase your calories but you still shouldn't gain. I would kick back up you exercise as much as possible to your regular exercise routine (even if you have to EASE back into it). I'm just coming off a three week vacation and that is what I did and it worked pretty well for me.

    Good luck! Remember this is a life change...you've got to be able to live with your choices. You don't have to LOSE all of the time but you don't want to gain and daily exercise should be a part of your new life...even over the holidays! :-)
  • inge88
    inge88 Posts: 184 Member
    First of all: very well done on your 15kilos! I would definitely recommend not gaining weight back on because that is the biggest de-motivator there is (at least it is for me).

    There is 2 things I have learned along this journey that might help you.

    Number 1: although you don't feel like exercise and the weather outside is horrible: GO ANYWAY. Put on a jumper and reward yourself with a nice hot shower when you come back. A run/walk makes you feel sooo much better. You will feel more energised. You know you will - it's just hard to make the start again.

    Number 2 (I got this from Michelle Bridges, one of the trainers on Australia's biggest loser): Losing weight and getting fit is not about motivation. It is about persistance. If it would be about motivation it won't last. Especially through winter it is much easier to have a sleep in instead of getting out in the cold. But think about what you want to achieve. Go out and do the cardio exercises. And then you don't have to feel guilty for heaving a good, nice X-mas dinner.

    Hopefully this will help you. Good luck!
  • Josedavid
    Josedavid Posts: 695 Member
    Hey Dude!

    I am one of your most fanatic fans here in MFP. You are doing it great and you will keep doing it great. I have the best solution for you about Christmas... come and live here in Jeddah... no Christmas at all!!! hehe... but maybe this is the hardest way to do so (im joking)

    If you are craving about sugars.. go and take them! 1500cals are tough but.... I think you are looking at that only from the craving perspective.

    If you do a little more sports and keep focused in the healthy food intake everything will go ok. If you want to eat a chocolate? DO IT! but remember that after that or before you should do exercise and burn it!

    This is more about internal committment rather than mathematics formulas... Whatever you want...take it, in small portions or in a day that you had some cals left.... if you are not sure... just do some sport. A 30min jogging allows you for a chocolate, right? And 30 min jogging is nothing for you!

    I will be here supporting you!!!

    Jose D.
  • lucyhoneychurch
    lucyhoneychurch Posts: 576 Member
    This time of year is going to be the toughest time, for me as well. The temptations of food, holiday parties, cozy warm blankets and cold weather are all ready to jump on me and force me to back down. Thanksgiving already came and I ate things I hadn't eaten in months.

    But so what? That's not an excuse to give up on your goals. Do you want to gain back everything you have lost already? Do you want to be miserable and regretful when springtime rolls around?

    NO, you don't. But you will if you decide to "take a break" for the next 2-3 months. Don't do it.

    Others already gave great suggestions. If your body is hungry all the time, it's telling you that you need more fuel. And I'm not talking about more sugary sweets or high carbs. Raise your net calories/lower your weight goal to a 1 pound or .5 pound loss, and then EARN your right to eat more by EXERCISING. The worst thing you could do is to give up on exercise completely. You will not maintain your current weight if you give up exercise, especially if you don't have the willpower to stop extra snacking. You should enjoy the holidays, enjoy the food, but exercise before you go out to a party. Don't eat something unless you already earned it. Work out before you eat, so you don't have to dread a workout after you've already indulged. You might want to eat less at a party so you don't ruin the terrific calorie burn you accomplished earlier in the day.

    I applaud you on your weight loss to date. Going strong for six months shows great commitment. Don't throw it all away just because of the holidays, because of the temptations of higher calorie food, because of laziness. NO ONE IS GOING TO LOSE YOUR WEIGHT BUT YOU. It might take you a little longer to do it, but it's better than giving up entirely to hibernate. Stay strong! I always tell myself that I can have that [fill in the blank with a coveted food] AFTER I've reached my goal weight. Do the work now for the big payoffs at the end. I guarantee that you will not regret putting in all the hard work during the winter to look terrific in the spring/summer. You WILL regret putting off all the hard work if you stop what you're doing.

    Don't give up!!!!!
  • gladcat
    gladcat Posts: 1
    Two words: portion control. Enjoy the holidays and your favorite foods. But...keep a 1/2 cup measuring cup handy. That is a serving size for most foods. Don't take any more than that of each food.

    What helped me lose 10 lbs through the holidays was not eating unless I was hungry. If my stomach isn't growling, I am not hungry, and that means I am eating for some other reason: boredom, depression, escapism...

    Good luck.
  • stephanie8625
    stephanie8625 Posts: 119 Member
    your post helped me :frown: ....... I am at the same position that you are, only I have lost 11 pounds in 3 months and I have been at the same weight for the past 3 weeks, and last week, I gained 3 pounds, NOT because of thanksgiving, but because I was sick and then hubby had surgery and he needed 24 hour care from me...... It is so frustrating.........Lost the 11 pounds and have been at a stand still for 4 weeks !!!:sad:

    The past 3 days, I have made myself go back to the gym, and I feel so much better, for the past week, when I was not going, I felt so sluggish and tired....so I encourage you to keep exercising......makes you feel better !!:happy:

    So, I will continue on my MFP journey, because when I am not, I feel like crap !!:sick:

    You will make the best decision for yourself, but we are all here for you !! :flowerforyou:

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  • stevenleagle
    stevenleagle Posts: 293 Member
    Thanks all, I'm refocussing!
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