[dinomama]

I was courious if anyone knows the web address of a site I found months ago and it basically delved into why we tell ourselves-- (Monday- After Christmas ect...) is when we will begin a healthy lifestyle.... I know it isn't Beck's I think it is either RD's or Phd's that have the site/book ... I checked my browser history and still cannot find it and Googling has gotten me nowhere. Watched biggest loser last nite and cried myself to sleep but I need help for the procrastination, fear and repeating my history of quitting. Any help??? Pls! Even if it is help from another book or site.

[Glory87]

I did a quick google and couldn't find it either - sorry!

It is such an interesting question - I was always going to start next week, or Monday. When I decided to change my life in July 2004, one of the reasons that it felt different was my determination to start - RIGHT THAT SECOND. So I did and it has been wonderful.

My advice would be to spend less time wondering why it's so hard to start and just START! Start today!

I can't tell you the number of times I cried because I wanted to be thin, how much mental energy I spent churning, hoping, fantasizing, dreaming. Just spinning around and around in my own head. I dieted for 20 years, lost some weight, regained more weight, went from 140 lbs to 200 lbs - quitting/regaining, a hopeless cycle of self hatred and feeling worthless.

Then, I decided to change. And just...did. Instead of dreaming, I started doing.

I don't know what makes the "click" moment, but maybe you don't have to wait for it, make your own. Losing weight involves eating portions of healthy foods and moving your body - that's it! Buy a food scale, some pretty measuring cups, plan a menu for a week, go to the store, buy what you need for a week and then eat your plan. Don't try to wing it, don't try to get fancy, just follow the plan - for one week!

Pick a nice reward for the end of the week - like a pedicure or a massage, a DVD box set you want, whatever! Bribe yourself shamelessly.

Then, do it again for the next week. Plan your meals, make a shopping list. Buy the planned food. Eat your planned meals - carry snacks with you. Don't get too hungry so you yield to temptation. One of my rules that works really well - no eating at work. There are ALWAYS cookies, brownies, candy (yesterday it was a huge tub of Red Vines in the breakroom). I make it easy on myself "no food at work, that I didn't bring."

Food journaling might be handy - not just what you eat, but why. I did some food journaling and found out that I get snacky/bored every afternoon. So now I have strategies to tackle my daily snack attacks.

You CAN do this!

[Alana in Canada]

I recently read a book about change--and the stages we go through before we start to change.

I don't know *why* we pick certain days and times: perhaps because we like to have a definite marker between one stage and the other.

You can get *stuck* in the contemplation stage--and it sounds like you have. The next step is to prepare. That'sall. Research your plan. Gather your materials--Glory was essentially telling you all that. And she's right--sometimes you just need to stop spinning the wheels and say, "This is it."

One thing I did before I Officially started was take a week (I could have taken longer) just to prepare. I only started on a Monday because that was when I--and all my stuff (my food chart, my food lists, and I'd bought a a kitchen scale and extra measuring cups)--was ready.

You can do this.
Will you?

[JulieJ08]

I know why I do it - it's easier, plain and simple. It defers the pain. Unfortunately, for me, it defers it indefinitely. I know if I'm picking a delayed start date, it means I'm not gonna do it. I'm either starting now, or I'm admitting I haven't decided to do it yet.

[dinomama]

OM Goodness I am so happy with all of the advice. Sorry it has taken so long to get back to 3FC, has some family emergencies w/ the kids...nothing major thank God, anyway I did get the Beck book from the libr. and am devling into that, also I have planned a menu for next week-- You are all correct, I spend too much effort in the prep instead of just jumping in and working a program. I love this site and am inspired by so many of you!!! God Bless

[noelf]

Originally Posted by dinomama

I was courious if anyone knows the web address of a site I found months ago and it basically delved into why we tell ourselves-- (Monday- After Christmas ect...) is when we will begin a healthy lifestyle.... I know it isn't Beck's I think it is either RD's or Phd's that have the site/book ... I checked my browser history and still cannot find it and Googling has gotten me nowhere. Watched biggest loser last nite and cried myself to sleep but I need help for the procrastination, fear and repeating my history of quitting. Any help??? Pls! Even if it is help from another book or site.

Well there is a lot going on in the holiday season. You plan on starting when you think you'll have more time, but then something else comes up and then something else...