Thought this might be a fun thread, especially with today being Friday and the beginning of the weekend. And, honestly, my husband leaves for deer camp on Monday for a week! In years past, this was my free for all week ... totally ate anything at all, but I want this year to be better and actually use it as a chance to make changes. So, what is you one (or two,hehe) best piece of advice for motivation, diet, control, etc.?

Mine is a little silly, but I've started to realize how effective just saying no really is. My biggest problem is lack of self control. I'm learning how to tell myself no. For anyone with the same problem, I can't express how important that is.

I agree with saying no! And I have to tell myself -daily- to KEEP GOING. Keep going and it WILL happen.

The best piece of advice is to write down all the reasons you want to lose the weight and to read it multiple times a day. Sometimes it's so easy to lose focus, but this habit forces us to remember.

Most of us know this, but I find keeping a food diary is a big deal. It so helpful to see my whole day written (or typed) down. It keeps me accountable and I make better choices.

My DH is gone for business often. I find I actually do better when he's gone. I don't bake for myself and I don't buy the higher cal stuff when he's gone. He's my partner in crime when it comes to eating. Which can be bad for both of us. Thankfully, he's trying to lose now too. My advice would be to keep the higher cal foods out of the house while he's gone and to stay busy.

I'm a big believer in letting yourself have that thing you really want...so long as you log the calories and don't go over. Example: my sister made fresh baked bread recently, and I knew that a large chunk of it smeared with butter would be umpteenamillion calories. But I ate it anyway, because I love it, and skipped dinner. Healthy? Not really, but if I thought I could never have beloved item *fill in the blank* again I would lose my motivation, which is a bigger risk in my opinion.

Hi,

I really like this idea. I have a had time staying focused on all the great reasons to lose weight and start focusing on how hard it is, how I feel deprived, etc. Reading my list a couple times of day should help me keep focused and motivated.

This is a great thread!

I put my weight on the fridge. I just take it down when people come over

I agree with this. My problem is impulse control. So often in the past, I would just give in. Now, if I can just resist whatever it is I want to eat, the urge usually passes within ten minutes.

My #1 piece of advice is that perfection isn't required but consistency is. I think many of us who have struggled with weight issues over the years have an "all-or-nothing" mentality. I know I used to have this mentality. If I could not be near perfect in my eating and/or exercise, I would just throw in the towel completely. I've gotten so much better this time around, though. Now, I realize that even if I go over my calories or if I skip a day or two of exercise, it's really no big deal unless I make doing so a habit. That has made it easier for me to last this time. I've gone from a size 14 to a size 8, and it has felt so much easier than it ever has before. I was thin about 6 years ago before starting a new job, and then gained about 40 lbs. because of new-job stress (and other issues at the time). I gave up on myself for years. I somehow found the motivation in June to start taking care of myself again. I just focused on behaviors and decided I would be consistent rather than perfect. As I sit here so much thinner than I was in June, I am still amazed that I'm not fat anymore. I never thought I would be thin again, and I credit so much of my success to ditching that all-or-nothing thinking.

I agree with ditching the all-or-nothing thinking. It's so easy for me to use that as an excuse to revert to my former self-indulgent behaviors. And just saying no is also a good strategy. I've been eyeing the donuts/bagels/treats in the office kitchen and finally told myself to stop it, for ****'s sake!

I've also found that using some of my calorie allowance on the occasional cookie (or three) keeps me from feeling sorry for myself, so it's easier to stick with the plan.

Don't use inconvienence as a reason to get off plan. Last night my sister was baking for 2 hours when I needed the oven (at a way higher temperature) for dinner so instead of doing what I used to do "ah, it's too late, these cookies look awfully yummy..." I stuck to my guns, cooked even though I was annoyed, and was proud..

Be prepared. Have a plan.

Planning out my meals for the week has been super helpful, because I already know what my main meals for the day will be and how many snack calories I have left. Also when I go grocery shopping I only buy food for my planned meals so there isn't extra junk in the house to tempt me later.

#1 - consisting and planning.

I agree with the perfectionism isn't the solution to being overweight. It's consistently making the best choices you can, but plan for it -- don't wait until you're ravenous and your choice is between McDonald's or having to cook for an hour for a meal. McD's is always going to win!!!


The thing is, I would add there is another critical component to this which is that we have to change our habits that got us overweight to healthy habits that will help us lose or keep the weight off.

Finding some other things to explore in his absence might also help divert you from food. What are things he doesn't like or things only you do? When my husband travels, which he does a lot, I will do musical movie marathons, take extra workout classes, read... just an addition to the other awesome advice.