Getting back into it after falling off the wagon

[staceyreis]

Hi! I'm Stacey. I got my FitBit in the beginning of Jan. I started off really well. Eating healthy, exercising daily, etc...I lost about 10 lbs in the month, and then fell off the wagon for pretty much the whole month of Feb.... Gained those 10 lbs back too. ...

My goal is to lose over 100 lbs in 2015. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice...what helps you stay on track? What keeps you going? My biggest problem is that I have no self control when it comes to food. It always happens this way... I do amazing, and then fall off the wagon. Has this happened to anyone else? Did you finally get past it? I just need some help to get moving again. Thank you in advance!!!

[SunsetRunner]

Hi Stacey. I'm no expert what so ever, and indeed have the same problem. I did find the recent BBC Horizon documentaries helpful, link below where you can read up a bit about it. They identify what sort of person you are regarding diet, there are three catagories, feasters, emotional eaters and constant cravers. Once you identify what sort of eater you are you can move on to tackling the issues and get a diet which you can stick too. I'm not saying it's a wonder cure or anything, but its interesting to read up on and if you can, watch the documentaries. Hope it points you in the right direction and good luck 🙂

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/28kV5mpZvcDtJ2hyDbZ5h1p/what-s-the-right-diet-for-you

[kayfair]

Hi Stacey,

I was personally in amazing shape about 18 months ago, while finishing up my Masters' degree (because all I did was exercise and go to the library!) - but when I started working full time, I lost my lean definition and gained a lot of weight. I'm getting back into it too, so I know how it feels.

To get into shape the first time around, I signed up for a half-marathon. This time, to help me stay motivated, I've signed up for a full marathon. Perhaps it's a cliche suggestion to sign up for an event, but because this race is 1) in another city and 2) my husband has splashed out for us to spend the weekend in a really nice hotel, I feel the added pressure to take this race seriously. It's not so much about the time it takes me to finish, but rather putting in a good effort and giving myself the chance to be the happiest I can be while running. I know if I work hard and stay on track, I'll be more likely to have a good time.

[Maxit]

Welcome back, Stacey!  The first part of getting moving is ... getting moving 🙂  What  helped me was making small goals (5 lbs at a time, to 10% body weight loss, then to 20% body weight loss), tracking all of my food (the good, the bad and the ugly :D), having a reasonable calorie deficit goal,& conscious eating with attention to nutritional content of food.  As the weight began to fall, that provided motivation to stay on.  Also what helped was attention on fueling my body, not depriving my body.   Eating food closer to its "natural" state (i.e., preparing food from scratch, having lots of green leafy and other vegetables) and being sure to eat enough protein and fat helped reduce cravings.   As I dropped pounds, I incorporated more walking (more frequently during the day, gradually increasing distance).

[Lurae]

Stacey,

I have experienced the same issue.  Take time an write down on a 3x5 index card

YOUR WHY?  Why do you want to lose 100 lbs,.

keep it with you everywhere you go.  Tape it to your bathroom mirror, in your car.

80% of weightloss is all DIET, which is great news because we control everything we choose to eat.  All about choices-

Being intentional about what you eat, and asking yourself each time-  Will this help me reach my goal or not.  Then also building into each week a cheat meal.  Where you reward yourself, and allow for the 1 meal that breaks all the rules.

Believe in yourself-  You can do this..

[annotm]

Hi @staceyreis I can relate to you on this post. I get bogged down with trying so hard to lose the weight and become successful for a month or two then I think I can spoil myself but then I end up tasting that "drug" and I want more of it. It's not enough for me to say "that's my treat and to get it again you have to continue with the weightloss" but instead the next day I tell myself I'm just going to give up anyways somewhere down the road so why not today? and then I eat whatever my heart desires!! Its a sad cycle that I am also trying to change. When I went from eating whatever and doing little physical activity to exercising 5 times a week (with a gym partner), eating healthy and I lost 30 lbs in 3 months. I loved the results! But then I stopped losing the weight. I know that I lost so much because I shocked my body into losing so much but I don't think it's a realistic way to consitently lose the weight. We have heard of the plateau's right? well that was hiting mine. Gaining the weight is so easy and it does seem to happen so quickly. Even though losing 100 lbs in a year might seem doable (thats approx. 11 lbs a month at this point), I think it's more realistic to adjust the goal. We will fall off the wagon but it's when we get back up and stay commited is the true test. We should give ourselves a little slack to allow the chance of no weight loss during a few weeks out of the year. Remember when working out you are building muscle and they weigh more than fat. 

What has worked the best for me was having a gym or work out partner who was serious about their weightloss goals like me. It's hard to be the modivator in the relationship all the time, sometimes the other person needs to be that modivator so you can lean on eachother. I've had work out partners that I was always trying to modivate them but all my energy was on them, not even the workouts. 🙂 so if you can get that person I think that would be awesome! If you are in a gym setting or workout class make a friend there that will keep you accountable, share phone numbers so you can remind eachother to go get your work out going. 

Lastly even if you fall off, don't give up!! We can do this!! 🙂

[staceyreis]

Thank you all SOOOOOO much. It seriously helps to have others who are/who have been in the same boat!!! I love all of the ideas!! Definitely way more than I had!! You all are an inspiration. I hope I can give great advice some day as well. Thank you!!

Stacey

[thor0298]

I have had a few ups and downs.. About 10 years ago i lost 70lbs... over 6-7 years gained a bunch back.. I started running and was just about ready to run my first half marathon when I slipped multiple discs in my back.  It took 6-8 months to start feeling normal again.  I started jogging a bit. Then I went on a business trip to China. I reslipped the discs and was literally unable to use my left leg anymore.  Was flown home for emergency surgery.  The 6 months of recovery was going really well then everything started to fall apart. I started having major pain and depression... Most of the weight came back.  I finally had to do something as I am told the extra weight on my back is not good.  I finally got sick of having so much pain everyday.  I got my fitbit 3-4 weeks ago.  lost 16 lbs so far 35-40 more to go. 

my main motivation is to feel better so I can do more with my son.  He is only 3 now but once he gets older I want to be able to do more with him.  My wife is also doing this with me so that helps too.  I bring my breakfast, lunch and snack to work so I am not tempted to buy something to eat that is bad for me.  I started cooking more, which is something I like to do but also gives me much more control on calories. 

[annotm]

WoW! talk about things against you. I give you praise for not giving up!! Good luck on your journey. 🙂

[Sherbear]

Hi Stacey,

I think there is a lot of people who fall off the wagon! I have that's for sure. I have lost a total of 25 pounds this summer and then winter, school work, and holidays hit! Talk about a nightmare. I have only gained a five pounds back but I'm sure struggling to get that eating better and watching my calories thing back. You can do it as you have before. I have a hard time with self discipline plus I love to cook and bake! I wish you luck and everyone else who has commented! Stay strong!!

[MVMOM]

Hi Stacy,

I also had a goal of 100lbs.  I'm down 60 lbs since September and I'm struggling to stay on track also.  What I did was make a pack with a friend who also needed to lose 100lbs that once we hit 75lbs we would do a dream girls trip for 5 days.  We chose Paris, France and made motivation boards and we both call each other everyday and keep each other on the prize.  We started under a Doctors care to help us get started.

We did 800 Calories a day for 4 weeks to clean out the sugar and carbs so our cravings would stop.  I lost 20lbs the first month, after that went up to 1000-1200 a day and added in walking.  Now that I'm down I need to change my food and active to push me forward.  I found for the first month, having to check in with the doctor 3 times a week kept me honest.  Now its all on me.  Hope this helps.