Motivation

[tryingtolooseit]

How do you all stay motivated, I diet for about 2 weeks, and then stop. Any advise would be helpful. Thank you

[TheTabbyCat Administrator 10 kg]

Hello tryingtolooseit and welcome to the weight loss forum. You don't mention how much weight you would like to lose or how you are trying to do it. The word "Diet" comes from a Greek word for life style so my advice is that you think more along the lines of long term changes.

Please have a good read of the Pinned Post “Welcome Newbies”. healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

This is a very large community with lots going on. May I suggest you use the webpage as opposed to the app at least until you know your way around. Take your time and follow every thread so that you know exactly what’s going on.

Here’s the link for a “Tour” of the forum ,if you haven’t already taken it.

healthunlocked.com/?tour=true

If you are following the NHS plan please check your BMI on the NHS site and obtain the correct amount of calories for you.

healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

The Daily Diary and the Weekly Weigh ins are very good places to begin. You will find the DD and WI in the Pinned Posts.

I find the Daily Diary a very good place to share my plans and get inspiration from other members, too. Once the day’s food is written down I’m far more likely to stay on track.

The key to success is participation, we are all on the same journey.

If you can’t find something just shout, there’s usually someone around.

I hope to “see” you around, Good Luck.🍀😉

[tryingtolooseit in reply to TheTabbyCat]

Hi TheTabbyCat, thank you for your reply, I really appriciate it, I currently weigh 18 stone, my BMI says I am over weight.

Since about 7 years ago I've always been 17 stone and above, my heaviest I was 19 stone 7lbs.

I wouldn't say I feel unhealthy in the sense that I can still run, and exercise well when I have the motivation to do so.

But I think this is where I fall short, I've always got to a point (like now) where I tell myself, I need to lose weight, because I used to play football up until my early 20s, I know I can loose around 2 stone in about 8 to 12 weeks.

But following on from your message it is clear where I am going wrong, I am doing a diet, and not changing my lifestyle.

I think to myself, no once I hit my goal, I feel better and I can come off the diet, and I'll get back on it a week later, but that week turns in to 2, then turns in to months and the pounds pile back on

Thank you for the links and information, I will definitely have a good look at them.

Hope you are well during these times

[TheTabbyCat Administrator 10 kg in reply to tryingtolooseit]

You're very welcome.

[blondaussie]

Totally agree with TheTabbyCat, don’t think of this as being a diet. You will never stick to it or even if you do when you reached where you want to be you can’t go back to old habits as the pounds back on. It’s a lifestyle change, grab it with both horns, rethink why you want to lose lbs. open up your cupboards and fill them with good healthy foods.

I also set small targets, it’s never a race. Good luck

[tryingtolooseit in reply to blondaussie]

Hi Blondaussie,

Thank you for getting back to my post, i really appriciate it.

What you are saying also makes so much sense, I set short term goals, as I loose weight fairly quickly when I diet and exercise.

But the key word here seems to be diet, I do a diet but then revert back to my original diet, I'm 29 years old and 6 ft 4, I've always had a huge appetite, I used to play lots of sport and workout most evenings, since about 2010, I stopped the sports due to a new job which had more demanding hours, traveled 100s miles around the country and because I'm an engineer on petrol station forecourts. There's a lot of convenience foods on offer, I also have 2 young children who are awesome, and when I get home get that comfortable feeling, I am not judged when I get home, they are all happy to see me.

According to family members more towards my father he says I don't look obese, but I could be leaner.

But I am stuck in a loop is my issue, and from your very simple phrase, its a lifestyle. Has really opened up my eyes on what I really need to do.

Set long term, achievable goals

Thanks you so much

Hope you have a nice week end

[slipstick Maintainer 2st 7lbs]

There's a saying often (wrongly) attributed to Einstein "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." That applies just as much to going back to the behaviour that originally piled the weight on as it does to anything else.

Not a particularly comforting thought but it keeps me motivated.

[Nikon1972]

Hello Tryingtoloseit! It's not easy is it? The first burst of motivation can feel great, and then the moment we see results it's easy to lose the drive to go on, and be satisfied for the time being with just a small loss. I have often got half way to target (I don't have a huge amount to lose), then let go of effort and caution, feeling more comfortable where I was, remaining there for quite a long time, but then slowly letting the weight creep on again over the months. This time I'm determined to stick to it to target and then take action to stay there.

What I feel has worked for me in the past, and I'm trying my best to apply now, is to make sure that, while there is a goal to focus on in the future, I must also enjoy the journey. Which is why I think it's important, as others have said, to not see it just as a 'diet' in the traditional, slightly punitive sense. I see the losing weight as a journey towards a sustainable lifestyle once I reach target. I make sure I eat things I enjoy, and take the time to enjoy my meals, and try to achieve a good balance over a week, rather than be over fixated on a day by day basis (though I do try that - but if I know there's a special event where I will go over my calorie allowance, I just make sure I'm extra cautious with what I choose to consume on the other days of the week). For instance I want a couple of glasses of bubbly or wine with my partner for our valentine's day meal tomorrow, so today I won't drink a couple of pints of lager while watching the rugby with him (those little habits - they really add up!!). I am not a huge fan of exercise for the sake of it, but we love walking and bird watching (we're of a certain age, sorry :-P) so we go on long walks a couple of times a week, and when we don't go out I go on the exercise bike while watching a crime series on tv, as that means I'm not bored while doing it. Making things enjoyable, looking forward to meals I enjoy, making times for hobbies, it all helps making the journey nice, and therefore, I hope, sustainable, rather than a temporary restrictive, negative, punitive routine.

Having young children can make things a bit harder, my downfall with my four is that I got so busy looking after the kids all the time that there was no time at all left for myself, and what is the one thing you CAN do while also helping with homework, reading books, cooking supper and doing all this kid-related evening routine? To me it was have a glass or two of wine (or more), as I could sip on that as a treat while also doing everything I had to do with them. Again, it all adds up and becomes a habit that brings comfort and is harder to break. My kids are older now so this is easier for me now. On the plus side, playing with kids is a great enjoyable way to enjoy the lifestyle change journey too! Duplos and legos were always a favourite time to spend some hours with them. I miss reading to them too!

Good luck with your journey. From what I see this is a lovely group to come and get support from!

Take care

🙂

[tryingtolooseit in reply to Nikon1972]

Hi nikon,

Thank you,

Everything you have said above I totally understand and I can relate too, I think I like quick results, instead of thinking if I take 12 months to loose weight instead of doing it as fast as possible, it will come down slowly but surely and managing my food in take to a moderate amount is definitely the way that I have to go, and turning it in to a journey is a great description, instead of calling it a diet.

Thank you for your support and insight, different people's views are helping me build a big picture which I hope I can put all together to help my journey 😁

I hope you and your partner have a great valentines day 🙂

Thank you

[AnnieW55 Visitor]

The forecourt snacks can be a nightmare - they are so moreish! As you rethink some of your strategy for the new lifestyle (even if only whilst at work) how about keeping some healthy snacks with you and taking your lunch with you? If you keep the snacks in the glove compartment or somewhere equally accessible but out of sight you might find you don’t bother with snacking so much, some of them, the longer you go without them may even lose their appeal. New strategies for a new lifestyle.

[tryingtolooseit in reply to AnnieW55]

Hi AnnieW55

The snacks in the glove box is a really good idea. As I love a good snack 🙂

Planning meals are a real plus I think, like you say left overs will be healthy for the next days lunch.

I will adopt this going forward.

Thank. You 🙂

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

You've had some great tips and I can see you're taking it on board and thinking through what will work for you. You're young and that's a huge asset compared to many of us who have had decades of letting the pounds creep up and up.

Here's a few thoughts.

Planning: you're not going to find good choices at the forecourts, as you know. Take a good, filling meal with you: could be a substantial soup, or something eggy like frittata or crustless quiche, or, if you're able to heat food up in a microwave, you could take leftovers from the previous evening's meal. Just make sure it's something you will enjoy and which will keep you full for several hours. There are some ideas here healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Don't be afraid of healthy fats. Go for unprocessed stuff and that means avoiding anything labelled low fat or light/lite or diet - all heavily processed to take the goodness out of them. If you like yoghurt, then full fat Greek yoghurt (supermarket own brands are better than the famous branded one, I find) with a few nuts and berries would be good. You're better cutting out 'snacks' and going for filling meals but it might be handy to have some nuts or cubes of cheese or a hard-boiled egg to hand on your travels: they will fill a gap much better than a choc bar or bag of crisps. Here's a blog I like from a GP fatismyfriend.co.uk/

Finally, put your focus on eating well for your health and well-being, and as a model for your children, with weight loss being a happy by-product. Not easy, I know, but changing my mindset along those lines really made a difference for me.

[tryingtolooseit in reply to BridgeGirl]

Hi Bridgegirl

Thank you for this reply, everyone has contributed in different ways which is great.

Your guidance is definitely something I will take on board.

I'll have a browse at the helpful links you have shared also.

Thank you so much 🙂

[Gizmocat Moderator 13kg Maintainer]

Come and join the Saturday superstars weigh in. It's open now. It's great to have support from a group who will cheer you on and support you when things are not so good. Just come and post your start weight. You will get to know people and have a chat.

[tryingtolooseit in reply to Gizmocat]

Hi Gizmocat,

That sounds great, how do I join in?

Thanks.

[Gizmocat Moderator 13kg Maintainer in reply to tryingtolooseit]

The Saturday superstars weigh in post is just below this one. You can also find it in pinned posts. The details are in the introduction at the top of the thread. Just post your start weight and tell us about your self. See you there.

[Radio_Man]

I have found that trying too hard can be counterproductive, and don't be hard on yourself if you slip. Treat yourself once a week. I use YouTube hypnotherapy videos, play them when I go to bed. It took a few goes to find one that I feel helped, sometimes I find myself checking myself when I think about having a snack. Good luck.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Radio_Man]

Hello and welcome to the Weight Loss forum, Radio_Man

You'll find everything you need in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/weight-l... Have a look through all of them so you know what's on offer. A good place to start would be joining a weekly weigh-in, whichever day suits you, and using the Daily Diary, where members share their meal plans.

If you haven't already, you can take a tour of the forum here healthunlocked.com/?tour=true

Active participation will put you on the right track so I hope we'll see you joining in forum activities

[tryingtolooseit in reply to Radio_Man]

Hey radio_man,

Thank you, I will have a look through YouTube and see what I can find.

Thanks for the input I really appriciate it.

Hope you weight loss is going well for you.

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg]

I can only eat what I buy so I plan my meals round special offers on veg , buy my usuals like fruit , porridge , full fat Greek yoghurt , loads of herbs/ spices . Like others posts I do this as a for life programme . I have a glass of wine = a hours Zumba or a walk . I don't see this as a punishment .

[tryingtolooseit in reply to focused1]

Hi focused,

How is your journey going, do you feel/ have consistent losses with your weight would you say.

Thank 🙂

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg in reply to tryingtolooseit]

Hiatus hernia surgery which can be related to weight increase triggered me to address my relationship with food in Jan 2018 . Took me about a year to shed 18kg as I was 80kg which wasn't good at my height - 5ft 1 . I now maintain at around 62-4 kg which maybe be classed as a highish BMI but I feel healthy at this weight and especially my knees no longer cause me pain and mentally it has encouraged me to change jobs , buy clothes I want and generally feel more motivated to exercise and not have the problems that aged 60 , I don't want .