Tips on Getting Motivated to Diet? Help!

[nichanda]

I've been struggling for the last month and a half to try and get back on track. I'm failing. My motivation lasts 2-3 days, then I "fall off the wagon". Time is getting closer, as I now only have 2.5 months until vacation time. I NEED to get back at it. I've gained 15 pounds back since the summer, and I really want it gone. Most of it is the muffin top or "tire" around the middle. I had worked so hard to get rid of it. Ugh.

I've done WW in the past, but had greater success on South Beach. WW worked, and I stuck to it, however the weight just barely came off each week. I did WW for 1 year to lose just over 25 pounds. Some weeks it was a struggle to lose 0.2 of a pound. Very frustraing.

Last November I started South Beach, and lost 28 pounds in four months, when my goal was 34 pounds (I was SO close! ). I was able to maintain for a few months, then again, fell off the wagon.

Low carb just seems to work better for me. I found it very easy once I got on to it. Getting through the first week was the hardest, and that seems to be where I am having the problem now.

I think alot of it has to do with the fact I've made myself tired of South Beach food. Phase 1 of South Beach is so restrictive, and I've tried to do it so much, that the food has lost all appeal. Hence why I'll give up and make a sandwhich which then spirals into something else full of carbs.

I'm completely open to new plans, if anyone has any they found easier than others. These are the only two I've tried.

I used to exercise 4-5 times a week, and now only exercise 1-2 times a week. I find the thought of exercising much easier than the thought of dieting. I know I have to increase this.

Anyone out there have any tips on regaining motivation? I hate the thought of going on vacation feeling gross.

 

[Riverhill]

Here is something I posted on another weight loss thread a few months ago. I have lost 30 lbs and still have 20 to go. I have loss some motivation and came to the DIS tonight to find some. Hope this helps you. It helped me to read my own words again.


Part of my job involves me constantly going to training to become a better manager. The other day I took a class on time management and to me it had alot to do with weight loss too. Here is what I learned:



There is no such thing as procastination: you either choose to do something now or never. When it is important enough to you you will do what needs to be done.

When you say " I don't have enough time" what you are really saying is " I don't care enough" ( this one was painfully truthful too me)... Look at what you spend your time doing, those are the things that you value and place importance on.

There is no such thing as feeling stressed or pressure by all you have to do on your list. You are the one placing that pressure and stress on yourself not the things that are on your list. Once again, when something becomes important enough you will do it.


You will never have enough time to do all you need or have to do. So stop waiting for the "time" it will never be there.

 

[ohMom]

have you considered joining in any of the weight loss threads here? i find motivation in accountability to others

i really really dislike journaling, but i just found a 'new to me' app ...myfitnesspal...and the new-ness makes it fun

beyond that - just sayin -- you can do this!! you did it before!

 

[lisah0711]

There is no such thing as procastination: you either choose to do something now or never. When it is important enough to you you will do what needs to be done.

When you say " I don't have enough time" what you are really saying is " I don't care enough" ( this one was painfully truthful too me)... Look at what you spend your time doing, those are the things that you value and place importance on.

There is no such thing as feeling stressed or pressure by all you have to do on your list. You are the one placing that pressure and stress on yourself not the things that are on your list. Once again, when something becomes important enough you will do it.


You will never have enough time to do all you need or have to do. So stop waiting for the "time" it will never be there.

Wow! I love this quote! I'm going to print it out and put in on my computer at work. Thank you! And congrats on your weight loss so far and your new healthy lifestyle.

Last November I started South Beach, and lost 28 pounds in four months, when my goal was 34 pounds (I was SO close! ). I was able to maintain for a few months, then again, fell off the wagon.

Low carb just seems to work better for me. I found it very easy once I got on to it. Getting through the first week was the hardest, and that seems to be where I am having the problem now.

I think alot of it has to do with the fact I've made myself tired of South Beach food. Phase 1 of South Beach is so restrictive, and I've tried to do it so much, that the food has lost all appeal. Hence why I'll give up and make a sandwhich which then spirals into something else full of carbs.

I'm completely open to new plans, if anyone has any they found easier than others. These are the only two I've tried.

I used to exercise 4-5 times a week, and now only exercise 1-2 times a week. I find the thought of exercising much easier than the thought of dieting. I know I have to increase this.

Anyone out there have any tips on regaining motivation? I hate the thought of going on vacation feeling gross.

I'm no expert but I do think it is very important to set yourself up for success. Can you start South Beach again but at Phase 2 and increase your exercise to 3 times a week? That would give you a good start and maybe once you start losing again that would give you the motivation that you need to continue without burning out and giving up. I've lost 29 pounds since the fall Biggest Loser challenge started by faithfully tracking all my food in myfitnesspal and getting some activity 5 days a week.

You are both welcome to come join us on the holiday Biggest Loser thread that starts tomorrow. There are no weigh ins just some chatting and support for the holidays.

Good luck! You can do this!

 

[FireDancer]

I think you might be approaching it wrong. Instead of trying to start a new diet (whether it is a "named" diet or not) start a new lifestyle. Instead of going low carb or fat free or South Beach or whatever do a complete and permanent overhaul of your lifestyle which includes nutrition and exercise.

Concentrate on learning what types of foods are healthy and promote weight-loss as oppose to buying only foods that fit something like the South Beach or Atkins diet. Aim for real foods instead of processed. Cook meals instead of warm them up out of a box. Try to eat foods as close to their natural form as possible. If you can't look at an item and identify it perhaps it has been processed a bit too much.

I know this is a less "structured" approach but I really do believe it is the best way to make a real lasting change. Spend time educating yourself on how you body works and the evolutionary responses to food. In reality our bodies aren't all that different from our caveman ancestors which is why high calorie deficits and skipping meals tells our bodies to store food for the famine as opposed to shed pounds.

I am not sure really how to motivate you and in reality the only person that can motivate you is you but I think a real change like this becomes a new lifestyle and it doesn't really take motivation. At least that is what I found. Choosing the healthier option at a restaurant and not having a bunch of junk food in the house is just what is normal for me now. No motivation needed.

I would also add that only making dietary changes won't really get most people the results they want. When I say lifestyle I man making changes to other aspects of you life. Adding in daily exercise, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, filling your free time with activities like hiking or going out on a bike ride instead of more sedentary activities.

Good luck and I know the approach I promote sounds more complicated than starting on the South Beach diet or joining WW but I do think it is the better approach. As always your mileage may vary. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[BabyTigger99]

I know what helped for me was finding a friend to do it with. Yes, there is a lot of support here, but having my friend do WW with me really helped me a lot. Plus, once I decided to go for it, I jumped in wholeheartedly. I really took the time to get to know the program and work the program. I found my biggest food issue was portions. So, I took to weighing and measuring EVERYTHING so I was only eating one serving of it.

 

[NC State]

There is no such thing as procastination: you either choose to do something now or never. When it is important enough to you you will do what needs to be done.

When you say " I don't have enough time" what you are really saying is " I don't care enough" ( this one was painfully truthful too me)... Look at what you spend your time doing, those are the things that you value and place importance on.

There is no such thing as feeling stressed or pressure by all you have to do on your list. You are the one placing that pressure and stress on yourself not the things that are on your list. Once again, when something becomes important enough you will do it.


You will never have enough time to do all you need or have to do. So stop waiting for the "time" it will never be there.

Thank you for this, I have printed this out and posted on my wall in my office. When I'm on the phone now I look over to it and read it many times during the day. Thank you so much!