I've got to really do it this time. Any suggestions?

[disneyfanforever]

Every year I make the same resolution to lose weight but never do it. I lack the willpower. I always end up eating what I want and say I will get back on the diet tomorrow. However, the diet part never seems to stick, it is always tomorrow or I will have just a little piece of that cake, etc.. Well, all of those caves have added up and now I need to lose 50 pounds. I would really like to join you guys. I hope coming here (I am already living on the DIS boards anyway) will help me achieve my goal. Should I join a challenge? Maybe peer pressure will help me. Any suggestions. My self confidence is completely shot and I just hate the way I look.

 

[donac]

I was in your position last year at this time. The nurse at the school I teach in challenged the staff to join in a weight loss challenge in the month of Feb. I won the first month over the course of the rest of the year I lost 21 lbs. There were months where I didn't lose a lb but I always kept at it. This website gave me encouragement and challenges. I have been involved in many challenges and have been working out consistantly since Feb. I may not have lost as much as I wanted to this past year but I lost something and that was encouraging. Join a challenge and start exercising today. Do at least 1 thing for yourself everyday. Always set aside some time for exercise. It has made me feel wonderful this year. Good luck. If I can do it (and I celebrated my 50th birthday this year) you can do it.

 

[blue_eyes5212]

I am in the same boat that you are. I always say "I'll start tomorrow" and now I'm starting another year overweight! Your post sounds just like what I would have posted about myself. We are going to Disney in November and I want to be thinner. I have about 80 lbs to lose altogether, but I would be happy to have 50 of those off before my trip. As many of you know, all that walking at Disney is hard on someone who is packing around extra pounds. And I want to have "skinny pics" from the trip. I am trying to keep that in mind to keep me on track this year. I think about getting to buy new clothes when I start to lose the weight and I think about the sense of accomplishment I will feel for finally sticking to it. I don't know about you, but I have always felt guilty for not being able to take control of my weight and I'm tired of feeling that way. Good luck everyone who reads this!

 

[ZerasPride]

I'd like to offer a suggestion or two if I may. I have tried to lose weight my entire adult life and nothing worked. I tried every plan out there but they were just too difficult for me to follow for one reason or another. Then 2 years ago I discovered low carb. I never thought I'd be able to stick to it but after reading the South Beach book, something clicked. I knew this was the program for me. You definitely have to find a program that you can believe in and that is doable for you for life. I used to believe you could do some plan, lose the weight and go back to the old way you used to eat. For most of us it's not possible.

So my suggestion is find a diet program that speaks to your inner self. One that you can beleive in and that is doable for life. I don't think I could do a strict Atkins plan where I can't have whole wheat products and lots of fruits and veggies but the South Beach plan is much kinder and gentler in what it allows you to eat and I will eat this way for the rest of my life. I've done it so far for 2 years, 1 month and counting. I've followed the program through ups and downs and stresses of my life. I've found myself in hospital emergency rooms buying nuts from the vending machine because I refused to eat the stuff I know isn't good for me. I have literally done whatever it takes to stay on plan because I truly believe in this way of eating for me for life.

I believe once you find the program that gives you that type of conviction, you will be able to stick with it and you won't need will power or self control. Believe me when I say I don't have either but I am enjoying the results of losing and keeping off over 100 pounds thanks to finding the right eating and exercise program for me.

 

[blue_eyes5212]

I agree that you have to find a plan that works for you. I have done Weight Watchers in the past and it has worked. The reason I have not stuck with it is because I haven't had the "click" in my mind that says "enough is enough". Until recently that is! I have stuck to my points for 2 days and even though that is not a long time I am convinced that this will be the time for me to make a change. I like Weight Watchers because I can have anything that I want to eat, but I just have to decide if it is worth the number of points. I am so excited that the DIS board has a weight loss section and I hope to make a lot of friends here!

 

[disneyfanforever]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. It is nice to come somewhere where there are others in similar situations as myself. I have joined a couple of challenges and really hope that I can lose this weight. I am going to Disney in May and hope to be a thinner me.

 

[debm]

I've got the same problem. I do quite well on Atkins though---I like to see quick results. I lost 12 pounds before our cruise in August in only 2 weeks. And didn't really gain anything back on our 3 week vacation. However, when I got home I kept saying I was going to continue Atkins so that I could lose the rest of what I wanted to. But each day I kept saying, "I'll just eat this cookie because tomorrow I'll have to start the diet." This went on for about 4 months!!! Now I weigh more than I've ever weighed (except when I was 9 months pregnant). I am back on Atkins--my 2nd day. I'm all excited until tonight and I'm looking at my son's PBJ sandwich. uuuuugh. I can't even do this for 2 days. No, I didn't break the diet. I really don't want to but then again I wish I could eat what I wanted to. Those people are lucky! When I am really exercising I can eat more but I have to really be running and working out strenously 6 days a week. So I hope we can help each other out and stick to it. I keep trying to picture myself in even 6 weeks. I will look and feel so much better. So why do I constantly want to cheat on my diet or talk myself out of it??