Everyday Systems

any one have any tips on keeping motivated? there are days where i think frig it i'm just ment to be this weight. but then i look at the way i feel (tired, out of shape) and think i'm not happy this way i can't quit. i would appreciate all tips

Focus on habits, not results (results will come when the habits are in place - but it takes time.)

Set goals you can reach. Celebrate your accomplishments.

Be gentle with yourself. Changing habits is hard work. Acknowledge that.

Remember that everyone has failures. The trick is to keep them small, and to recover. The best way to do that is to "catch slip-ups fast," while they're small, forgive yourself, and get back on track.

Find things other than food that you enjoy, and indulge in them. Scented candles or lotions, flowers, good books or movies, a class in a craft that intrigues you... make your own list.

And know that you are not alone. There are people rooting for you. Take strength for yourself and offer it to others - everyone needs support sometimes.

Best wishes.

laura99---I have those thoughts running through my head all the time every day. But every time I tell myself that I'm just fat and I stop trying, I always gain more weight, and i get even fatter. I'm sick of buying the next size up! It's so very tempting every day to just chuck it and be fat, but that doesn't make us happy, and it never will. It never works. Learn from the past, Don't give up, Don't give in. It's time to realize that food doesn't make you happy. And too much food makes you miserable. Being fat makes you miserable! Be your own hero. Accomplish this! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Laura,

KCCC is very right. Don't worry about how much you weigh, etc. Just worry about your habits. Get your habits in shape and that's a good in itself -- plus results will follow. Your goals should be moderate behaviors -- moderate eating, moderate exercise. No outside force can prevent you from attaining those goals. Very quickly you'll feel in control. You'll be happier. You'll no longer have an antagonistic relationship with food. And then, as a bonus, you'll be thinner and healthier.

I find the habitcal a very useful tool for keeping the focus on habit. You can also use a physical calendar if you find the online version overkill.

Reinhard

I've been down that path as well, and I've found that simple meditation helps a lot. I'm not talking about some mystical Shaolin monk type of thing, but taking time to sit in a quiet place, and listening to what my mind is telling me. Some deep breaths, then I focus my thoughts on what positive things I've done to improve myself that day. A few minutes every day helps me tremendously.


-dave

Ah yes, the M word! That is my BIGGEST problem by far. I only need to lose about 20 pounds and that sounds like nothing compared to some but when you are so close to your ideal weight, every pounds clings on for dear life. My dream of dreams is to wake up one day and be able to love food, eat food, but in a way that is healthy and keeps me at a nice weight. And I think this is the way to do it. It will not be fast but if it takes, it could be the last "plan" we ever need. This is how my husband eats all the time, it's just his way and he has never had a weight problem. It is just a habit for him. We will have to put in the time that it takes for this to become a habit for us. Once the habit is in place, the weight loss can begin. I really hope and I do believe that if we put in the time we will finally be free. Imagine that! So just focus on the habit! Just got to get it out of heads, that we need to lose X amount of weight by X date. I already feel like if I stick to this plan it's like putting my problem into some elses hands, all I have to do is to follow the plan and someone else will work on the actual weight loss - but then again I am new and still at that bright eyed and eager stage. I hope you can find something useful from my ramblings.