Anxiety Getting in the Way

Does anyone else's anxiety about the amount of days you'll have to diet to reach your goal weight get in the way of actually dieting? I'm going to have to cut cals for about three months and it's not just defeating my motivation, I eat more because thinking of the mountain of calories I need to cut is overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. It actually sends me into panic mode. Any suggestions for conquering this strange fear of my future success?

You're thinking way to much, just take one day at a time and keep in mind to pay attention to how much you're eating and the weight will take care of itself. I'll probably have to go for longer than that myself but that's life and no amount if stressing or panicking will change it.

I think it's to easy to get to caught up in it and over think things especially if you're prone to anxiety. I find it's easier just to be aware of how much I'm taking in and just get on with my life.

It's all about babysteps and goals. Figure out the goal number of calories each day/how you are going to eat to achieve that goal, and post it somewhere that you will see it. I personally write my goals on my bathroom mirror in dry erase markers cause I know I'll see it every morning/night. Plan for the time you want to cut, then break it in to weeks, than days. Seems meticulous, but the number seem so much smaller then. Good luck! You can do it!

Hi....I find that stopping an anxiety attack can be much easier than you realize.  I used to rely on anti-anxiety medications, now I just use breathing techniques.  I stop what I am doing and take 3 very deep cleansing breaths.

If you want a gentle but effective form of excercize, please try a beginners yoga class.  It focuses on breathing and flow of movement.  It will release your inner beast, and you will feel toned and more calm at the end of the session for days.

I suggest 3 classes a week, and that should help you avoid any panick attacks.

Also tell yourself; "I am beautiful just the way I am, I am a reflection of my loving Father and Mother, Grandfather and Grandmother....I have thier genes, and I love myself and my family where I came from."

I have lost 15 lbs since this picture.....mostly from breathing.  Oxygen promoted wieght loss.

Break it up into smaller chunks of time and focus. Instead of thinking this much weight in this much time .. take it five pounds at a time.. set a reasonable time frame to lose it and don't think too much about "the big picture".

This worked for me when I first started out and had over 80 pounds to lose. I figured it would take me over a year to lose it. Maybe much longer if I allowed for plateaus and times of year when dieting is much more challenging (so I might just aim to maintain during the holidays). No one can keep focused for that long, so setting myself smaller goals really helped. 

I also decided to try a new exercise every 2-3 months just to keep me interested in the process and to help me find an exercise that I could really enjoy and stick with for the rest of my life.. I want this weight gone forever not creeping back on in a year or so.