Here I go again

[fatmotherrunner]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 40 something mother of 2 who has been going around in circles for the past 10 years!!! I have in the region of 80 lbs to lose and have just invested in a fitbit charge hr.  I've previously used a fitbit one but got bored & gave up.

I've been doing spin classes for a few months now & have also just started to add some running back into my routine.  I don't really have an issue with keeping active (not usually anway).  My problem is controlling my calorie intake, I've started to use my fitness pal again for tracking but really need help/motivation/kick up the backside to make sure I stay motivated.

[SunsetRunner]

Hey! 

I feel your pain - I had a few years up and down and finally managed to nail a somewhat decent routine in the past year. Activity isn't my issue (I kickbox, run, weight train) but diet totally sucks for me! Would it help to add each other on MFP and Fitbit for some accountability? 

Let me know if I can offer any support to you 🙂 

[2B110Again]

It's really just a matter of CICO. As long as you eat less calories than you burn, you'll lose weight. You just have to keep track of them.

[fatmotherrunner]

Hi thanks for the reply, it sounds like a good idea to add each other though not sure how to find you on mfp?

[WendyB]

Just keep plugging away. You can do it!

[Raviv]

A few things that help me stick to it for the long haul:

1. Don't think of it as dieting.  You are working out, and you are an athlete.  And as such, you are fueling an athlete's body.  That means you eat better quality foods and make sure you eat enough to fuel your workouts, as opposed to eating as little as possible in hopes that you will lose weight.  Take on the identity of "athlete" and make decisions accordingly.

2. Be consistent, but cut yourself some slack when you eat something you shouldn't have.  It happens.  Don't feel bad, just tell yourself it was you being a standard human and move on.  That stops the depression eating as well as eating All Of The Things the rest of the day "because my calories are shot anyway."

3. Fully accept that your weight will go up and down and then up and then down again.  That's a hard one for me.  As long as the overall effect over the course of a month is down, then it's all good.

4.  Really and truly weigh and track all of your food.  Everything.  Because the stupid little bites here and there add up very quickly, and then you're stuck thinking you tried so hard but nothing is happening.

5.  Get some non-weight-related goals.  Run a 5K (and then maybe a 10K and then a half marathon - whatever sounds awesome and just a little out of reach).  Plan an amazing long hike in a gorgeous locale and work your way up to it.  Work toward stunning everyone with your skills at the batting cages.  Learn to be a really good golfer.  Whatever it is that means you have to try just a little harder, but can actually attain that goal at some point.  That helps A LOT with keeping you motivated and into that "I'm an athlete now" attitude.