I'm somewhat new here, I guess that is part of why I'm posting. I write introductory posts too often.
I think I've come to realize that patience is the number one thing missing from all my attempts to lose weight. Someone posted a poll about sabotaged new years resolutions, well, I've sabotaged every single weight loss effort I've ever attempted in less than a day or two. I've never even given myself a chance to yo-yo!
I think what it comes down to is my lack of patience. For me, weight loss will take a lot of focus, I have bad habits, and I like to eat! I feel like I have truck loads of focus, but the main problem is that weight loss is not something I can give my every waking thought to until it's compete. What I mean is, it's not like a project for work, where I can just sit down and give my all 100% until I'm done and everything's perfect. I want to lose this weight slowly and healthfully. Over a year, at least. Obviously there are other things that need to get done, and I want to continue enjoying my life!
When I start a plan to lose weight I research, draw up a nutritional plan, exercise plan, begin to count calories, read articles online, feel inspired, read read read! Then I begin and I count calories meticulously, exercise, drink water, feel enthusiastic, optimistic, read more, comment, log, journal, read, etc. Until I can't make it the number one priority (usually much sooner than later) and without that extreme focus and constant inspiration/motivation of my own actions and involvement I totally abandon everything. Right now I'm at that point again where I'm super determined and focused, but part of me knows myself too well and I feel like I'm just waiting to fail. I'm trying to get at what's behind this on/off switch.
I know a lot of people talk about all or nothing, and maybe that's it, but right now I'm feeling like it has a lot more to do with patience, or impatience, anyway. I know what I have to do, how to do it, I understand healthy time frames, and I don't want a quick fix by any means! I feel like I could write a book on how to lose weight and keep it off, truly. But how does one learn to find the patience to commit to weight loss while living a normal life, is I guess what I'm asking.
Sorry this was so long winded, and thank you in advance for your time and wisdom! Clearly I'm missing the crux of this whole process.