I know what to do, I just don't always do it

[msteacher34]

So I know exactly what I need to do to lose weight:  eat reasonably, increase my fruits and veggies, decrease my sugary no-nutritional-value snacks, and exercise as much as I can.  I know it works, because it's worked in the past.  The trick is to actually stick to it.  So far my fitbit seems to be keeping me motivated.  (It's only been a week since I got it.)  What else keeps you all motivated?

[debor91]

I'm with you. I've done it before but couldn't get motivated.  The fitbit has been the most effective thing I've used.  before it was hard to estimate what I was doing to work off the pounds and calories.  It does it automatically and it's been great.

I was in the process of looking at gastric surgery.  It's amazing how motivated you can be when you're thinking about half your stomach removed. I started working with a dietician and went to complete nutrition, so far in the last month I'm down 8 lbs in 5 weeks and my BMI is down 2 pts.

I also downloaded a weight loss hypnotic app.

Try different things, don't be afraid if you think it's ridiculous...(hypnotic app) if it works for you it's not ridiculous.

[Bear35]

Hi!! I know how you feel about everything......I feel like that with my nutrition side of the whole weight loss journey sometimes too. When I started in 2011 on my weight loss, my Mom and Dad jump started me with the phrase: "the only thing that you can control is your weight". Wow, what a statement right? Well, I knew I needed to do SOMETHING and the moment that my legs gave out underneath me while going down the stairs......it could have been the way I stepped down, but I think my weight had something to do with it too.....scared me to death. I said to myself "okay, if I am going to do this, I am going to go into it with my eyes wide open". I started looking at the past when I had tried to lose weight, gone on strong for a while, and then tank it. I pin pointed what was wrong with each instance........mainly, it was that I couldn't remember how good it felt once I was done with exercising, I'd just remember how out of breath I'd be and how much I hated it. So, it was really hard for me to go and not tank it if it got too late. So, I wrote everything that I did on the mornings that I would go to work out. What I did, how great I felt after it, and even my accomplishments too.......each time I felt unmotivated to go, I would read it all over again and by the time I was done, I wanted to feel that greatness again. Now, I can't imagine my life without a workout each day.......actually two in fact to be honest (once in the morning and another in the afternoon). On my days off I swear I am climbing the walls cause I want to do something, but I can't cause everyone needs a day off.

As far as food is concerned, try concerning yourself with just one thing at a time. Once you got that down pat, try topping it with another challenge and do it until youve got both of them down pat and so on and so forth. And what is truly helpful is taking pictures of what you want to eat before you eat them. Then, ask yourself what it is about that particular thing (say for example its a piece of cake) that you want SO much. If its because you want something sweet, try fruit! Or if its because you just want chocolate, problem solved right there.......have a chocolate whey protein shake! Main thing Ive learned through everything though is to not beat yourself up over it if you fall and if you fall once during the day, don't tank it for the rest of the day. I know a lot of people who think "oh well I just screwed up, might as well tank it for today and try again tomorrow". That's not how it should work.......you need to tell yourself "hey, I screwed up, it happens. Next time I try to put something in my mouth, I will make sure its a good choice". 

Hope this has helped! Good luck!! 🙂

[Jabrat]

For me, it has been my buddy system !  Make yourself accountable - there are many groups on the site too that you can make yourself accountable to - get to really know the "real" people with their Fitbits - works - lost 50 pounds - could not have done it without my buddy system.

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@msteacher34 wrote:

So I know exactly what I need to do to lose weight:  eat reasonably, increase my fruits and veggies, decrease my sugary no-nutritional-value snacks, and exercise as much as I can.  I know it works, because it's worked in the past.  The trick is to actually stick to it.  So far my fitbit seems to be keeping me motivated.  (It's only been a week since I got it.)  What else keeps you all motivated?

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[GameGirl]

I have the same problem! I set a goal to be completed by May 1, but I only followed the "rules" 80% of time and therefore, failed to succeed.  After being in a car accident and being laid up for a month, I am giving myself a second chance. I have set a new goal and am just getting back to gym this week.  I know I must committ 100% in order to reach my goal, and that is exactly what I am going to do.

Keep your mind on the goal! It feels really bad to fail - take it from me! But it feels great when you do the right thing! After going to the gym you feel more energetic and your body is happy. After saying "no" to a sweet treat, you feel empowered and strong. You know what to do, give it 100% 🙂 commit to fitness

[josephz2va]

Adjusting my habits to get there and reach my goal. The most hardest thing to do. Staying on nutritional goals is the hardest throughout the day to avoid extra cravings.

The other is getting my calorie burn in everyday. I have to hit the gym in the morning and evening to meet my 90 minutes of cardio and daily strength training sessions.

[vickilind61]

I agree, the consistency is the hardest part.  I have lost and gained hundreds of pounds during my life, but I lost about 40-50 pounds 5 years ago and I've kept most of it off.  I am about 15-20 pounds from my goal weight.  
This time it seem different.  I am not working right now and that affords me time to workout hard on an almost daily basis.  The Fitbit is such a great motivator.  

The food part is harder: I like sweets and chippy kind of things.  I'm trying to have sliced carrots in the fridge for crunch and hummus for "chips" and dip.  I'm exploring different veg: fresh made beets, kale, homemade artichokes (I love, love, love) and lots of salads.  

Sorry this went on and on, but I am so motivated right now, it makes me excited to see others wanting to get in shape. 

[dipgal]

Yes -MsTeacher, our waning motivation is almost inevitable.. and that is why over 90% of hard core diets and dieters fail in the long run. I know that what I just said will cause some very negative responses, but that is what the statistics show.  I have been trying to get to and maintain a healthy weight and fit body for 45+ years. I’ve spend hundreds – no, make that thousands – of dollars on books, pills, Weight Watchers memberships/dues, videos, etc., etc., Sure, several times I lost a lot of weight and hundreds of times I lost a little weight.. but I always gained it back. Unfortunately, I am the norm when it comes to weight loss.

I have come to realize that trying to be 100% perfect on any given diet or exercise plan over the years is the cause of my multiple failures and totally messed up thinking. I call it my “headtrash”. You see, life gets in the way and it is nearly impossible to be 100% “on plan” 100% of the time. With this thinking there is inevitable failing, which leads to a deep-rooted belief that if we slip up a bit – WE ARE failures. I know from experience that this can and does spill into other areas of our life.

So, once we eat a cookie or two (or chips, or glass of wine) on Thursday - which puts us over our points, or calories or net carbs for the day, then along comes the black/white, all or nothing “why bother?” thought process. “UGH I am such a screw up – I have no discipline! I may as well order a pizza for dinner and wash it down with a six-pack of beer.” And then Friday something else comes up and we know we totally blew it yesterday, so we may as well stuff ourselves silly and “start again” on Monday.

The scenario I describe above is used by many chronic and long time dieters like me. Not so much for that person who just put on a few pounds and is trying to get healthy for the first time.

This is my new philosophy because I must stop the madness once and for all:  

1)      Move more doing things I enjoy - as my older arthritic body allows. J

2)      Strength train because as I age this is more important than cardio.

3)      Make better food choices and include more veggies. – but, no specific rules about eating. If there are no rules then I can have whatever I want whenever I want and I won’t feel compelled to go crazy and “start over tomorrow or on Monday”.

4)      Forgive myself if I take a step backward. i.e. – a week ago my exercise motivation waned. Thankfully, it came back – and I owe that to the fact that I didn’t get down on myself for another failure and throw in the towel completely. I just tried to do a little bit each day and came here for motivation. I also downloaded some great workout music that pumps me! Today I am back and raring to go!

I got a fitbit zip at the beginning of April and it has been a great help! I challenge myself, but try not to compare myself to others. My friends here are very helpful. I have given up on the notion that I will ever be in the correct weight range for my height.. but that’s okay. I just want to be the best “me” I can be physically and mentally. OUT with the headtrash!

Thanks for reading my life story!  Sorry for hijacking your thread MsTeacher!! I just kinda used this as my journaling for the day.