[Fluffypuppy]

Right now I feel like I can't possibly do a whole year of my current plan, never mind a "lifestyle change." I went about 450 cals over on Wed, then 100 cals over Thurs, Fri, Sat then 200 over today. It has been getting steadily more difficult with less inspiration/motivation over the past 3 weeks. I'm going to weigh in tomorrow morning even though it's a day early to hopefully get a "reboot" feeling. Any advice on how not to quit if the scale shows a gain? I just feel lazy or tired or something. And yesterday at both lunch and dinner it just didn't even occur to me to count my calories. I just dove in. Dinner was weird because it was pizza at the theatre between my dress rehearsal and concert (I'm a part time musician) but lunch was my normal fare at home and I somehow forgot to count. It's such a long haul, isn't it?

[BeachBreeze2010]

Hmm...it sounds like you need a new plan. If the way you eat isn't something you can sustain, change it. There are no rules that you have to eat food you don't like or stay hungry to lose weight. Mix things up a bit and try some new foods. Personally, I won't go hungry and I won't eat foods I don't like. Yes, I like pizza and nachos and chicken wings, but thankfully I also like fruit and vegetables and whole grains. Experiment. Maybe eat foods with less caloric density so you won't be hungry and splurge on the blueberries - it's a heck of a lot cheaper than eating junk food out.

If the scale shows a gain, just think about how awesome it's going to be when it goes down. It's temporary! Keep going!!

[shcirerf]

It is a long haul, and it takes practice, patience and perserverance.

Just keep with it. Tweak, re tweak, and tweak again as needed. There is no failure, only feedback.

You don't have to be perfect, just be stubborn and be patient.

[chubbiegurl]

Aw I had a sorta bad week too. We always have junk in the house because my fil buys it. I snuck some chips and cookies and wanted to eat some muffins too. Maybe I need to tweak my diet as beachbreeze said. I am not too good at counting calories. I think I have learned to eyeball my portions and since I pretty much cook everything I eat it's not to hard to stay under my cals. Hope u have better days this week, and hope the scale doesn't keep u from continuing.

[Fluffypuppy]

Since writing this I have officially hit Binge Town. But I am no longer worried that I will quit. In some ways I needed the binge to remember how crappy it feels.

Beachbreeze--I think you're right. But I wasn't saying that pizza was normal for me. I usually eat a lot of veggies quite frequently and that has been working but I was at an 8 hr event where the only thing to eat was pizza. I should have brought something but didn't think of it. And by the time the pizza was on offer I was stressed and starving. But you are right, I need to change things.

Shcirerf--I love what you wrote.

Chubbiegurl--sorry to hear your week wasn't so good. But you have come a long way! I was able to get my hands on crap to binge on tonight cuz I am at my parents' so I understand other people's habits making it tempting.

[JohnP]

What is your plan. We may be able to offer some tips to improve it and/or make it more sustainable.

[Ready2Lose2013]

Hi FluffyPuppy - It is a long haul, and I would recommend you stop thinking about how far you have to go. I do this too, and it is really depressing. I have about 50 Ibs to lose, and you're like "it's going to take forever!" and doubt you can get over the food stuff that got you here to start with.

But you are really just freaking yourself out by zooming too far out - try zooming in closer: maybe it isn't even about losing a pound - maybe it's just about counting calories today. And then tomorrow, set the same goal. and then the next day.

I love the quote some people have in their signatures, which is something like: "I can't lose 50 Ibs, but I can lose 1 Ib 50 times!"

Stay strong!

[Fluffypuppy]

JohnP-- I am a calorie counter and while I don't consider any food off limits, I pretty much stick to low cal foods so I can eat more. I don't eat breakfast so I can have a snack later. My calorie level is 1200-1350/day. Exercise is limited at present to two 20 min walks/day + whatever walking I do to get from bus stop to wherever.

Ready2Lose--such great advice. And you are right. I need to look at the small picture.

So I weighed this morning and I held steady at 159.5. Feeling a little more motivated. Thanks everybody.

[Fluffypuppy]

Just an update, motivation is much better! It's 4:40pm and im at 450 cals. Delaying my eating is what I'm trying to do, at least when visiting my parents (as I am right now) cuz they have big dinners. It will be less important at home but I will try to stop nickel and dime-ing myself with 50cals of this and that early in the day. For example I would really like a piece of chocolate right now and I know I could keep it to one little piece, but 50 cals here, 50 cals there...it all adds up.

[luckymommy]

I"m so glad you're getting your motivation back! Sometimes, there are days when I can't stick to my losing calories so I think on those days, it's good to eat at a maintenance leve. That way, you don't feel like you've blown it, so to speak. It's better than throwing in the towel. I'm trying to remind myself of that when the urge to throw myself into binge town hits.

[forreal]

I use most of my calories later in the day too -- but I do eat a light breakfast and lunch so I don't get too hungry in the evening. And I always have a standby container of cooked veggies that I can heat up quickly if I get hungry in the afternoon. I usually have dinner around 8:00 p.m. -- but I stay up until about 1:00 a.m.

I don't journal every day, but if I start to run into problems I try to keep track of everything for a few days, noting not only what I eat, but what time I eat and what I'm doing and feeling.

Don't beat yourself up - keep plugging along.

[Fluffypuppy]

Luckymommy--thanks! And makes sense. I will try that.

Forreal--I don't normally journal either, I just keep a running tally in my head, but journalling more when struggling is a good idea.

It is now 10:40pm and I am at 1225 cals and plan to stop there. It has been weeks since I've come in under 1350. 1350/day loses me about half a pound a week. I'm gonna go for less this week and hopefully make my February goal of 158lbs.

Reinvigorated! Thanks for all the support!

[JohnP]

Sounds like follow a similar plan to me - though I am not trying to lose weight at the moment. I don't eat breakfast and dinner is always my biggest meal of the day.

One thing to think about is how different foods affect your hunger level. For me personally, salty and or sweet will ignite hunger - unless I've just had a big meal. So I completely avoid them.