I'm a teacher and currently in a master's program in education. In my classes we often talk about how we can set our students up for success--make it that much more sure that they will succeed based on what we do to prepare them. I'm wondering how you apply this theory to your weight loss journey. What kinds of things do you do to make sure that you'll succeed? Let's post them here and learn from each other's great suggestions!
For me, I do the following:
I've let everyone close to me know that I'm doing SBD. The closer they are and the more time I spend with them, the more they know about what is and isn't allowed. That helps me stay on track.
I got all the junk out of my home. The only things that are still around are a bag of flour and a bag of sugar. Some of the recipes I might make in the future use small amounts of these and they don't go bad, so they're here. Neither has ever tempted me.
I insist that if my family wants to eat something off plan that they do it away from me, preferably outside out home. I also ask that they don't keep their food in our house.
I make my progress public: I post my goals here, change my ticker to reflect changes in my weight, and just started posting to the exercise thread.
I pick interesting recipes to make during the week that don't feel like 'diet food' to me.
I pay extra for really good fruit and veggies that taste good to me.
My hubby really helps me and encourages me to keep going. I have a friend at work that is behind me 100%. My kids are too little to understand but they do know that we should eat fruits and vegetables and drink our milk so that our bodies are healthy. My older daughter even changed from bringing a juice box to bringing bottled water in her lunch and leaving the chips or cookies home and bringing a yogurt.
Friends and family are definitely our support system.
1) Pretty much cleaned the house of any foods that I can't have (left things that my DBF likes only if I don't like it so I wouldn't be tempted). I have pretty much gotten him to also not bring things into the house that I can't have. If he has to have ice cream then I make sure that he also gets me some SF Fudgesicles or a good low-carb/low-sugar ice cream with good fiber(I've even taught him what to look for on the labels).
2) I keep thinking about how I would like to have kids one day in the next few years and that I DON'T want to possibly complicate my pregnancy by being very overweight to start with.
3) Everytime my clothes get a little loose on me, I go "window-shopping" to try on clothes the next smaller size. I only recommend this for people who can control their spending though... luckily I can, otherwise I would be in a lot of debt buying new clothes!!
4) I don't want to end up a diabetic - which I very could well do if I don't make major lifestyle changes now.
That's pretty much my main motivating factors, but there are small things each and every day that make all of the hard work well worth it!
I keep a list of my "rules" (drink two liters of water a day, only one diet soda (non-caffeine) a day, etc) tacked above my desk (I'm a student and a novelist, I spend a ton of time on my computer), I read a lot of recipes, and write my own because I know that without variety, I'd be bored, I also keep a list of reasons why I need to lose weight and I focus on those a lot.
I think my biggest tip would be to not get caught up on weighing in and the whole "scale horror" thing. I began this with a "lose quick" mentality and now realize that I love this WOE and that it will last a lifetime. I think my mind is finally wrapped around my health and that that comes first, not losing weight at light speed!
Now I am happy when I lose a pound a week or even if I gain a pound. When I gain I know why and when I lose the same applies!
1: EAT not being hunry helps me avoid a downward spiral.
2: TREATS I make sure to have a treat available at all times, again avoid the downward spiral.
3: Scale acceptance, I attempt to use the scale as a tool, not a form of self punishement and acknowledge its measurement and move on.
4: Treats not cheats, helps keep a small treat in perspective, not lead to a major lapse or collapse.
The most important tip thing is to avoid the downward spiral. It's much more difficult to get back up than it is to fall down.
I don't tell people at work. Most of my co-workers are overweight. We always have "stuff" around. It's easier for me to just say "I'll have some later".
I loved this, Reg! "Scale acceptance, I attempt to use the scale as a tool, not a form of self punishement and acknowledge its measurement and move on. "
Amen!!!
I love being a "scale ho", as it helps me toe the line and be aware of the effects of what I do. I also realize it's not the only way to know where I am, so I take measurements, measure my fat percentage at the health center, and watch how my clothes fit.
I agree with Sunny...this is more about being healthy than losing weight at lightening speed.
How do you set yourself up for success?
