Hello, I'm Lisa, and I'm new to 3FC. It's not 3FC that I'm nervous about -- from what I've seen, it's a great community. I'm nervous about starting to diet again. I gave up on dieting about six years ago, and in the last two years, without a whole lot of deliberate effort, I lost about 25 pounds. (From 288 to 262.) I'm here because I decided that I should really put some deliberate effort into it, and see what kind of good things I can achieve.
The reason I'm so nervous is that I stopped dieting because it made me completely obsessive about my weight and every bite I ate and what I looked like. And not only that, it wasn't even working! But I felt guilty all the time, and it was awful. After stopping dieting, I was able to make some peace with myself about my food intake and my appearance, and I'm really nervous that this is going to start unravelling as I start dieting.
I'd love to hear from some others what they've done to avoid this trap, especially if they've been there before. I believe I can lose this weight and have it be a positive experience, but I'm just not sure how to do that!
I wouldn't think of it as starting to "Diet". After all, you can go on a diet and off a diet. You can obsess over whether you're on or off your diet. But controlling your food intake a little more closely doesn't have to be a "diet". It can just be keeping a more watchful eye.
I lost all my weight without ever being on a "diet". I made some lifestyle changes. Sometimes I didn't make the choices I would have preferred, but more days than not, I chose well. I changed the way I move and eat. I started with smaller changes and moved up to bigger ones, but I never dieted. Making a deliberate effort does NOT have to be a diet!
That being said, knowing you tend toward obsession in this area, can you make some rules for youself? Like weekly weigh-ins, maybe, rather than daily ones?
Instead of thinking of it as a diet, think of it as a lifestyle change.
Don't think of it as losing weight or changing your appearance... think of it as getting HEALTHY- putting more good things in your mouth, decreasing the amount of bad, and getting moving more! Even a 30 minute walk around the block every day helps!!!
Think of it not as a beauty change but as a way to live long into our old age, healthy and happy and smiling.
I have been through the dieting yo-yo so many times. I used to be able to diet for a small time but after a few months the weight would creep back on. I was able to stay within twenty pounds of where I wanted to be until I was diagnosed with PCOS. Now, getting a few pounds off is a major effort. I hate dieting. I do not feel well when I diet. Mentally, I figure why bother, the weight is not going to come off anyway. I need lots of motivation. I was hoping this site could help. Hang in there!
Whatever you do, know that you are making a good decision for yourself. Be healthy and relaxed. If you mess up, it's not the end of the world and diet is not enough... exercise! (that's what I obsess about)
If you aren't seeing the results you want, you might want to meet with a doctor or nutritionist to see what you can do. I'm sure with will power, exercise you'll do great this time around!
Yup, yup... call it a diet and you're bound to set yourself up for failure... but call it a lifestyle change and you will succeed beautifully. Like mandalinn, I was never on a "diet" - I just learned some good, healthy habits that have stuck with me now that I've lost weight. I realize that if I want to maintain my weight, I will have to maintain these healthy habits even though I get to eat quite a bit more while maintaining (which I LOVE! I am a total foodie.)
If it is any consolation, my "lifestyle change" has become engrained in me to the point of where it is almost easy. Sure, I eat junk sometimes. Sure, I don't always stay 100% on plan. Sure, I "mess up" in every way possible... BUT it is easy for me to get right back on it. I subconsciously make healthy choices at restaurants. I rarely have the desire to eat past the point of satiety. I would rather eat a grilled chicken breast with vegetables than I would a bacon cheeseburger with fries. If I go a few days without really eating healthy food, I will start to feel disgusting all around and I will MISS healthy eating.
Don't be nervous... you're not going on a diet. You're about to change your life forever and make yourself much healthier and much more energetic.
Hi Lisa! Everyone is on some sort of "diet", it just depends if it's a good one or a bad one! Remember---don't punish yourself! Love yourself--cause you're worth it! We all are!
Another failed "dieter" here. Well, actually, I have successfully dieted off several hundred pounds. And then, I went off the diet and successfully gained back those same pounds (and occasionally a few more).
The most wonderful thing about 3FC for me is all the terrific advice I got from successful members about changing my lifestyle - forever. This way, once I found changes that worked for me, I started losing weight that will stay off for the rest of my life.
What a wonderful feeling that is! To know that 50 pounds will never come back. Do I miss the foods that I no longer eat - not even a little bit. I replaced them with wonderful, healthy, delicious foods. Do I miss being a couch potato? Not one bit! I feel so good when I finish exercising that I can't imagine going back to my old ways.
You can do this! It isn't hard. Little changes can add up to big results. And - you have a wonderful group of people here at 3FC to help you along the way
Last edited by CountingDown; 01-04-2008 at 06:47 PM.
Thank you all for the warm welcome, and the encouragement to change my thinking as much as I change my actions. Those are very good points, and I will try to start internalizing them.
I HATE HATE HATE the "D" word. I refuse to go on one. If I keep telling myself that I'm dieting, I"m miserable and tend to want everything I "cant" have even more. Start small, make adjustments with groups of things at a time... baby steps for long term results, right? Dont torture yourself over it... it only makes it worse. I think we've all been there, though. Best of luck!
New and nervous
Diet Yo-yo
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