How to keep going after the first week?!

either you stay fat or do something about it

I once read that it takes 23 times to make something a habit. When I started my journey I had up a calendar and when I wanted something bad I marked what I wanted and where my habit kick in day should be. So day 23 hit and I had been busting my *kitten* working out and eating good and I looked at all the things I had wanted and none of them appealed to me after I had hit that mark. I have even given up pasta for good. You have the ability and you can do it. If you can do it for a week pretend week two is week one and just stick to it. Remember the end result is worth it! I am about a year into my journey and I have my bad days I am addicted to sugar but all in all hard work and you can do it!

First drink some water...that is what i do when i have a craving...Second I work out...That normally kicks me back to reality....

Don't have crappy food around to eat.

Find decent substitutes for what you're craving. Yogurt in place of ice cream (ideally greek, but that can be a big change, so work up to it), for example. Bars from the nutrition part of the grocery store rather than flat out candy bars. Check out some of the potato chip alternatives if you're a salty-craver.

Most importantly, don't give up when you backslide. Try not to let it happen, of course, but if it does, it doesn't have to ruin the rest of your life! (or even the next month, week or day) We're human, sometimes we do things we regret... but next time you're faced with it, you can stop for a moment and think about the LAST time you made that choice, and how it made you feel, and whether it was 'worth' it. Maybe you won't make that decision again.

Also, eat babyfeets! Nom them right up! They are so adorable, and believe me, they get big and ugly and smelly real fast, lol

Whenever I feel hungry between meals (I eat on a schedule so I know what/how much I'm eating for the day) I drink boat loads of water.

If there is something I really want, I have it, occasionally and in logical portions (Ghiradelli squares, pizza purchased by the slice, single serving bag of kettle chips, Magnum mini icecream). If you (or I) are going to do this for the rest of our lives, there needs to be some leeway. However, I rarely go over my calories, and if I do, not by much. If I have to work out to make that happen I do. Once you start seeing some success, you will be unstoppable.

What has been working for me is to make sure I log EVERYTHING I eat...even if I succumb to temptation and have something "bad". I log it so that I have a visual that night when I complete my diary of just how much eating like that can affect me 5 weeks from now. I take a screen shot every night of that screen that says "If everyday were like today, you'd weigh XXX in 5 weeks." Then I make sure to watch those screen shots as they add up to determine if the number showing is a number that makes me feel good or makes me feel not so good. I've learned that I am able to stay on track more often than not when I can keep that number decreasing time and time again.

You can get through this! Just remember it is not a temporary diet but a permanent change to your lifestyle and it will take some time to adjust.

Feel free to add me if you want some extra motivation/support! :flowerforyou:

The first couple weeks are the hardest obstacle to get over, in my opinion! I read someplace that sometimes when you feel hungry it isnt that you are hungry at all, but thirsty. I notice that this is true with myself. The more water I drink, the less Hungry I get. So, if you get like that, try drinking some water.

GOOD LUCK getting over this "hump." I find that my weekends throw me off so, it makes it rough to get going again. AND, just remember, if you fall off the wagon once, with 1 food, doesnt mean you have to stay off...Hop back on and keep moving!!! It is ok to slip up sometimes!!

Some people may disagree with me, but this has kept me on track! I have a Cheat/Spike day once a week. Usually 3000-3200 calories

It is great because I am good for 6 days knowing that on Friday, I can have some chips, or a sandwich on white bread (you can tell I have little kids) I do not go crazy, but I enjoy it. Ad then Saturday, I am back on track, no guilt and no "I just destroyed my whole diet"

So, maybe be great for 6 days and on that 7th day, have half a pint of ice cream (I love to have Sonic Blasts) And anytime that ice cream is calling your name...just say "NO...not until Friday!!"

Remember to monitor what you eat so you do not mess up your milk supply tho...that is the most important thing right now!!! (I breastfed all 6 of my kids)

You still lost weight?? I'm scared to have a cheat day... even though my roommates keep pushing me to have one so they can make a bunch of fried chicken and Southern food for everyone..

either you stay fat or do something about it

wow..... great advice.. good that you can offer some constructive and helpful tips!

My mom loves Snickers bars. However, she's got a method of eating them that controls how much she eats AND extends one candy bar over weeks or even months. She'd slice one up into 1/2" pieces, then freeze them. Once a week or so, or whenever she needed a little indulgence, she'd grab a piece from the freezer. It is a lot harder to eat a frozen candy bar than it is to eat a room temp one--so she'd have the extra work that made the piece seem larger.

I allow myself to satisfy my cravings, but only up to a point. If I know that I have a creamy coffee popsicle waiting for me at the end of the day, I will plan on eating it from the time I wake up. I reserve those calories in advance because I KNOW I want my coffee pop. Every decision about eating involves a reminder that I want my coffee pop. And then at the end of the day, what do you know? I have the room in my diet for a coffee pop!! Guilt-free snacking and I am having exactly what I want, no substitutions, and as a bonus, it's a reward for my good behavior.