So I've broken up my weight loss goal into 4 phases, 30lbs in each phase roughly and I'm currently in phase 2. I've been very consistent and pushing myself pretty hardcore to 199lbs. I will re-evaulate what my new goal should be after that. But when/how do you make the transition in your life and mind from your old habits and way of thinking to what you're doing to lose the weight is supposed to last a lifetime? I know a lot of people here use the mantra "it's a lifestyle not a diet", and I think that's so awesome. But how do you mentally get to that place in which you've officially made a transition in your thoughts?
I am very much in weight loss mode, but I want to get myself comfortable with the fact that this is lifelong and long-term. I've never done weight loss like this before, so I have no idea what to expect. I was the one who would try something out for a week and then quit because I didn't seen any major results. Now I'm committed and consistent and know that my goal is well within my reach and I will get there. The question now becomes how do I stay there?
"It's a lifestyle not a diet", what a great mantra! I think I will stick that on my fridge and pantry door.
You asked an awesome question Lola. I have been struggling for so many years to understand how to have a normal life with food. I used to want to diet, get skinny, so I can eat. We can see by my ticker how that hasn't really worked out for me.
I really like how you have broken up your weight loss into chunks. I think I will try to do that as well. All I can see at the moment is that I have 100 lbs to lose and it's freaking me out!
I've been thinking about how I would answer the question of HOW I knew this was a lifestyle. I think I knew even before I started that that's the way it needed to be. But for the longest time I either didn't want to do it or didn't think I could be successful.
I'm wondering if there's a 'subtext' to your question. Are you wondering, for instance, when this becomes automatic and you don't have to think about it any more? Or when the old habits go away?
From my own experience... I need to think about this every single day. To be successful, I have to plan every single day. Now it is certainly easier to think about it and plan it out than it used to be, but I can't just let myself go on automatic pilot, really.
As for the old habits... underneath it all, I still have a lot of the same issues. I still want to eat when stressed. And if you leave the breadbasket on the table, I will still want to eat every piece of it. And if I had my druthers, I would not exercise. On top of these old habits are NEW habits, but if I want to stay successful, I personally have to recognize that the old habits are just being held at bay. They could come back very easily if I let them. I just can't let them.
So, I set calorie goals and exercise goals and know that I need to work to meet those goals, consistently.
Does it get tiring? Yes, sometimes. But if I'm going to be successful, I can't let myself get lazy and give in to these old habits too often, or the weight will come back.
I don't know if any of these are answers you're looking for. Or, maybe I made new questions??
What a great question Lola, I hope you get the answer you're looking for -- unfortunately it won't be from ME
Your splitting it up into chunks is a terrific idea!!!! I'm also freaking out about the journey ahead of me (OMG I was reading a magazine and as IF i'm 40 pounds heavier than Michael MOORE!!!) and tossing in the towel because it's too hard...BUT...maybe 4 chunks of 25 lbs. might be a bit less stressful !!! yay!!!
ummm... of course, after 100lbs I'll still be "regular fat" just not "morbidly fat" D'oh!!! heehhehe one connundrum at a time!!!
I too am hoping that eventually all of this will become second nature, but maybe not. Maybe it won't ever be like brushing your teeth -- just something that has to be done -- maybe it will always take our hyper-vigilence, constant thought and planning, who knows??? Let's see when we get there
As for the old habits... underneath it all, I still have a lot of the same issues. I still want to eat when stressed. And if you leave the breadbasket on the table, I will still want to eat every piece of it. And if I had my druthers, I would not exercise. On top of these old habits are NEW habits, but if I want to stay successful, I personally have to recognize that the old habits are just being held at bay. They could come back very easily if I let them. I just can't let them.
This really spoke to me... This is what I forgot (or had never learned) when I gained back 120+ pounds that I had worked so hard to lose. Part of the problem was my reaction to stresses in my life, but a big part of it was that I thought that when I was thin I "could be normal" like all of my thin friends. My body will never be like theirs. They have never been this fat. Their metabolisms haven't been through what I put mine through my whole life. They don't have anywhere close to the number of fat cells I have just waiting for a chance to be called out of retirement. They can eat fried foods and know that it won't trigger a binge for them. I'm different and if I want to live a different life than I have now, I have to accept that and not be lulled into complacency by mimicking their actions. I'm different and that's got to be okay if I'm going to be successful this time.
[B]All I can see at the moment is that I have 100 lbs to lose and it's freaking me out!
Don't freak out! I have that much, plus a little more to lose myself. Its overwelming yes, but if you break it down into "mini goals" it doesn't seem too bad. I'm using the 10% meathod... The first 2 digits of your weight is 10%, I lose that, and then get a new 10% (Example: 231lbs = 23 for 10%, after that I'll be 208lbs, my new 10% goal is 20 pounds, afte rthat I'll be 188, then my goal is 18pounds...etc...) Thats a real easy one to do because 23 pounds doesn't seem like a whole lot to lose, but if you keep doing it, it adds up really fast, and next thing you know you're at goal!!!
Lola: I don't know how to answer your question either, all I can say is that once you've reached goal, you'll probably not want to return to old habits out of fear of re-gaining your weight. Thats what some of my friend's who've lost lots of weight have said. And also, it only takes 6 weeks to make or break a habit, meaning that the new habits you learn along your journey will be second nature once you do them for a while, and all your old habits you probably won't even think about half the time.
Thanks everyone for responding. I guess it's just going to be a constant work in progress and that's the part all the diet books and programs never tell you. Everyday you have to be committed to being healthy and living an active life.
Wyllen, what you said really makes a lot of sense to me. I still get cravings and there's still days when I don't feel like exercising, but I can now garner up enough strength to push through it.
Lalique, I hear what you're saying about being fearful of gaining the weight back. But at the same time I don't want to have to live in fear, but that may just be a reality for me if I want to maintain at a healthy weight.
I'm starting to think losing weight is the easy part.
I'm starting to think losing weight is the easy part.
Ding ding ding ding ding! That's exactly right! Give that girl a cookie! NO! Not a cookie!
The nice thing about losing is that there ARE benchmarks to note progress. And for most people, even those with more than 100 pounds to lose, you can make a lot of progress over a reasonable period of time. For me, I lost the first 100 pounds in 55 weeks. I kept very good control and consistency over that time, even on holidays! Not that I didn't indulge, but during that year it was only a little.
But maintenance! You will probably have more calories to play with than when you were losing, but you do have to keep with it. There's room for error, but everyone tends to get stressed or lazy or something at some point, and the weight starts creeping back, and you have to put on the brakes! Tough!
I really recommend everyone go and check out the maintainers' forum. It's not JUST for maintainers, but for everyone who WANTS to maintain, and there's lots of great info there. And inspiration!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lalique
And also, it only takes 6 weeks to make or break a habit, meaning that the new habits you learn along your journey will be second nature once you do them for a while, and all your old habits you probably won't even think about half the time.
I can't speak for anyone else, but this has really not become the case for me, even after 2 years. Even though I (often) like to exercise once I start, getting there is NOT something I don't think about. I still have to actively make myself go. And while planning my food for the day/week IS more 2nd nature, resisting tempting food that comes my way isn't. It's a very active process to say "no".
It IS true that other things have become more automatic. I don't find myself walking like a zombie to the vending machine at work to get a snack (but only because I bring my own). I don't mindlessly pick up cookies at the grocery store (because I'm not often in that aisle).
But all in all, I find my "old" habits are really still there, waiting to burst back into my life, being held at bay sometimes by force of will.
as far as your question....well...I am no expert (not YET anyway...) but this is how I am doing it...
I am eating lowfat healthy foods THAT I LOVE....and lowfat healthy VERSIONS of the other foods that I love...it has become quite a challenge to make yummy food that is low in fat and calories...but it is going well....
what I am learning is that over time I miss the other stuff less and less....and as far as my binge eating...well..that's hard, but I think over time my habits are changing....
instaed of forcing myself to exercise, I do stuff that I like to do....
I am not too worried about getting to goal, because I have learned to love all different foods....I am not "fighting" to stay on a diet or a plan...I am making it pleasurable...the food I eat tastes good....so when I am at goal I won't have to "fight" not to regain....
I guess the trick may be to work the weight loss from the inside out, instead of the outside in....change the "inner self" and the rest will follow...
a strange concept...but it seems to work....
I DO like the idea of mini- goals...I think I will use that.
regular fat instead of morbidly fat! how funny is that? when my husband asked me my first goal I said 172 and he said well, honey, that's overweight. Well, I said, guess being overweight is my goal! I hate that obese word, so overweight sounds pretty darn good to me! regular fat. hee hee hee
I do find that my "new" way of eating is becoming more instinct or habit instead of a daily fight with myself. I automatically eat a healthy breakfast. I don't want anything for lunch except the whole grain sandwich or salad that I eat about every day. My taste buds have changed, too. Hostess cupcakes taste like crap to me now - never thought that would happen. Very small portions of rich food are all I can handle. My DD had a garlic cream sauce pasta last night for supper and it was TO DIE FOR, but two bites was all I wanted. That stuff will tear me up if I eat it and I like feeling good. I did splurge and have a grilled filet for supper - but I cut it in half before I took a bite and didn't even finish the half I was going to eat. Seems I'm learning to listen to my stomach. Full is full. Choose well, stop now.
It's More Than Weight Loss
