Now that the scale numbers are starting to go down, I just do not want to mess it up and put any back on. I am doing good, I am just so afraid of giving in like I have done so many times in the past
Just stay positive and be patient!! That is the hardest thing I've had to learn. If you gain a pound or two one week, don't panic. It could be water weight/retention. That's my best bit of advice.
I wish I could offer some personal insight, but since I am just starting out, and am in the same boat as you, I will tell you what gives me hope for myself. My mother and father, both on the verge of 400 pounds for 20+ years, dieted most of my life. Small successes here, large gains there. Until my mother had enough, and started walking. First, she could only walk to the corner. Then, she walked to the railroad, about a half mile away. Then, on until she was walking and then running five miles every day. My parents went on to lose a ton more-my mother now weighs right around 180, and for a 6 foot woman, that is not large. My father now weights just over 200, and is a little taller than my mom. My father has mastered using the kettlebell deemed by Pavil Tsatsouline as the beast, and is going up. My mother can use a 53 pounder with ease. They just finished a half marathon, and are training for a triathalon. They rock climb, hike, and live life by the rules they set. I have problems with my weight. Even though I just started my diet this week, it has been a struggle for even this time. I always think that if they can do that, I can surely lose my 100 pounds.
Stay in the present, don't worry about the past or the future. DO what you can do TODAY, make your wise choices and get on with the day. Try not to think in terms of good/bad or on/off plan. Stay in the grey area, ever watchful of the way you are thinking, the ways you can improve, the ways you can work through the moment to moment decisions that you make.
Just be prepared, the will be ups but as long as there is more downs it will end in the desired result. TOM, stress, too much salt, a new exercise, all these things can cause the scale to misbehave, not just "cheating" or going off plan.
It took me 4 years to lose all my weight, including my pregnancy, but looking back it seems like a blur. You'll get there don't you worry.
You know, wamama, I can relate to exactly what you are saying. I was really worried when I first started out. Thinking "well, I've lost weight before and gained it all back. What on EARTH makes me think this is going to work for me long term, what makes THIS time different", just really nervous that I would screw it up and go back to my old ways.
I can tell you that even with those thoughts nagging at me pretty often in the beginning, I just put one foot in front of the other each day. Now I've never lost this much weight before, and my plan is very sustainable and something I really believe I can stick with forever. Those thoughts have quieted down a bit, thank goodness! But now when I start to think "you never know when something will happen, how do you know you aren't going to be totally derailed and go back to your old ways", I try to tell myself "BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME THAT MAKES THIS IMPOSSIBLE. WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE DONE, I CAN DO. I AM STRONG AND CAPABLE OF ACHEIVING, AND THIS IS WHAT I WANT. I AM WILLING TO WORK FOR IT, AND IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN!"
Give me the strength
