What got you going and KEPT you going?

[IlliniMouse]

Here I am...AGAIN. I get on the wagon, fall off the wagon, eat everything on the wagon ...you get the idea. I am not sure how to get my head in the game and keep it there. I know it's in me, it just keeps getting lost. I quit smoking going on two years ago. Something I never thought I'd be able to do. It was easier than I thought it would be. So why is food my nemesis?

What are some things that got you going and kept you on track? Maybe something that worked for you will be the thing that could work for me (or someone else!). I've done food diaries, done the exercise challenges, etc., but it seems like something always comes up and everything I've lost finds it way back.

 

[FireDancer]

I am kind of a jump in with both feet person so when I decided to get healthy it was an all or nothing prospect. I decided one day in early 2004 that I was going to start exercising regularly and eating right and it started the day and never ended.

The issue for me wasn't will power but education. Many of the things I thought were healthy just weren't until I started to really learn about food. I subscribed to Men's Health and started going online to help me figure out what is healthy and what is not.

Eveyone is different and people's will power is different. That is why some people can quit smoking cold turkey while others try and try for years unsuccessfully. If I were you I would look at what it was they got you to quite smoking for good. I am of the opinion that they only way quiting smoking or changing a life style will work is if you do it for you. You have to want to do it for the right reasons. If it is for someone else no matter how genuine you want to it often ends in failure.

The biggest thing that I have found is calling anything a diet makes it short term, make a lifestyle change. Diets can be ignored for one day, which leads to one week, which leads to I'm starting the diet again tomorrow. Changing your lifestyle is a much more permanent thing and much harder (at least psychologically) to ignore.

I would make an effort to eat in and bring your lunch to work. The best way to know what you are consuming is to make it yourself. This also gives you the advantage of not purchasing anything you know is hard for you to resist. If you know ice cream is your weakness just don't buy it. If it isn't sitting there in the fridge you can't be tempted by it. I make sure never to grocery shop hungry and never have anything like cookies or candy in the house. If I want a snack my only choice is what I buy so buying healthy makes me make good snack choices.

Good luck, your success is up to you.

 

[LAinSEA]

I'm on a plan (HCG) that not only has resulted in rapid weighloss, but it has completely taken away my cravings for those foods that seem to pack pounds on me.

When I've tried plans before, I was lucky to lose 2 lbs a week and that with careful eating and walking 60 minutes a day 5-6 days a week. In 34 days with HCG, I've lost 29 lbs. Yes, the diet is restrictive--approx. 500 calories a day and I'm still walking 45-60 minutes a day, but the more I lose, the more I actually want to stay on plan. I'm honestly not hungry until it is time to eat a meal and I'm quite full afterwards.

The really cool thing is that my body is totally reshaping itself and I look like I've lost more than 29 lbs thus far. There is no saggy skin where I've lost and my arms, especially, are looking very toned like I've been working out with weights.

If you really need a jump start to get you motivated, I really recommend this plan.

Laurie

 

[Creativebeth]

I don't usually reply to threads here.....basically a lurker. But, I sense alot of myself in your post.

When given the instruction to adopt a healthy lifestyle, I was at a loss. What exactly does that mean? I think it means different things to different people. I found it takes trial and error to figure out what works for us....not everyone else. My plan is probably not your plan (if you get what I mean).

The previous poster has found success in a very low calorie restricted diet, and I think she is lucky to have found something that works for her! I am glad for her success!! But, on the flip side of that, it wouldn't be the plan for me! I initially found success in a physician controlled low carb diet (with that plan I discovered carbs cause me alot of issues! Never knew that before!). The low carb diet was successful for me until I started running/racing, then I had to work things out to increase my carbs to sustain my exercise! So, it was a work in progress to come up with a plan that continues to work.

I have found that sticking to my weight loss involves alot of forgiving myself for eating things I shouldn't eat. I stop, forgive, and get back on my plan right away. Don't let it go on for the day, or week or month.....don't have an "all or nothing" attitude. We are never going to be perfect....as long as 85% of the time I am on plan.

Exercise is key factor for me. A diet is temporary, and easily forsaken. When I started on my low carb diet, I also started to walk 30 min every day before work. EVERY day! I didn't miss a day. I didn't realize this at the time, but it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. After 6 months, excerise became a habit.....like brushing my teeth. I had to get it done, or I felt bad. I would never leave the house without brushing my teeth.....exercise became the same thing. After 6 months of walking, I got to a plateau and started to run a little. A little became more, and the next year I started doing 1/2 marathons! (I do have my dsis to thank for the first one.....I needed alot of prodding). I have just completed my 15th 1/2 marathon and have done 1 marathon.

My initial weight loss started in 2005. I lost 70 pounds in about 1 year, but marathon training I gained some back. The beginning of this year, I buckled down and got back to it. I have exercised every day of this year, and now down 33 pounds. Total weight loss is now 75 pounds from a high of 231 pounds. I am 5 pounds away from my initial goal of 150. ( I never got there last time).

Every day is a new day. I have the same goals every day, and I just have to make the time and effort to get it done. Make yourself the priority. Make sure you eat right. Make sure to exercise for 30 min EVERYDAY with no excuses. Do that long enough......and you will continue to do it for a life time. (((((((and LOVE it!))))))

Beth