It's never too late...

I was very on track a while back and had some personal things come up that caused me to temporarily lose my focus and gain the weight back that I had started losing.  In my mind I kept thinking "Oh well, it's back so just don't worry about it and keep eating what you want."  For a long time I listened to myself until I woke up about two weeks ago and realized that a set back is not the end of world.

Too many times we let ourselves get talked into giving up because we had a little set back.  Well the truth of the matter is that even if you have to start over there is no better time than now.  It's never too late to continue striving for success and a healthier life.  I know that no matter what I will get myself to where I need to be, it will be tough but worth it and there is nothing that can stop me.

"I was very on track a while back and had some personal things come up that caused me to temporarily lose my focus and gain the weight back that I had started losing.  In my mind I kept thinking "Oh well, it's back so just don't worry about it and keep eating what you want."  For a long time I listened to myself until I woke up about two weeks ago and realized that a set back is not the end of world."

I can relate....I've not been on here since June/July of last year...and now I'm back, with 50 pounds to lose... :)  I'm excited to lose again, and excited to be part of the CC team again!

Yep, June/July is about when I fell off.  Glad to know that others have gone through the same thing that I have.  But I know that CC was a huge part of the success that I had last year and will be again.

You are so right.  I'm beginning again too.

Original Post by chrissyseymour:

You are so right.  I'm beginning again too.

Well, congratz, I think that is very awesome that there are others coming back to CC to start again.  I just have to keep telling myself, I'm not doing some random diet thing, this is a life change and I am going to be healthier.  I'm glad you are back at it and wish you the best.

On a thread I frequent we say it's a lifestyle not a life sentence. That helps me a lot mentally not to go too far astray for too long. I can endulge for a meal or even a weekend and just slip back in step. No, "oh well, I've blown it so might as well..." you know!

Original Post by chris1208:

On a thread I frequent we say it's a lifestyle not a life sentence. That helps me a lot mentally not to go too far astray for too long. I can endulge for a meal or even a weekend and just slip back in step. No, "oh well, I've blown it so might as well..." you know!

Awesome, I have to agree with that 100%, thanks for the confirmation that this is a lifestyle change, that really helps.

I'm started up again after almost a year of backtracking.  Last March (2007) I was in great shape - I was using calorie-count.com to keep track of everything I ate, I was running 4+ miles a day and weightlifting.  Then I hurt my knee and couldn't run anymore, I stopped weightlifting, and eventually got back into my old eating habits.  I undid all of my progress, but now it's time to start up again. 

Original Post by bandoman:

I'm started up again after almost a year of backtracking.  Last March (2007) I was in great shape - I was using calorie-count.com to keep track of everything I ate, I was running 4+ miles a day and weightlifting.  Then I hurt my knee and couldn't run anymore, I stopped weightlifting, and eventually got back into my old eating habits.  I undid all of my progress, but now it's time to start up again. 

Awesome, glad you are starting back up again.  It's definitely a good thing and glad you are back at CC.

Aaron- your attitude rocks!  That kind of positive outlook will bring you success in all aspects of your life IMO.  I too agree that it is never too late.  Where there is life, there is hope :).

After many years of an "all or nothing" (aka- yoyo) mentality with "dieting," I decided last December to just approach my weight with a cool management style.  I started walking regularly and trying to eat more sensibly.  No more portions big enough for 3!  No fried chicken 4 times a week!  Christmas holidays really derailed me a bit, but I was soon back on track in mid-January.  I've lost 11 lbs so far and although, I'm not at my goal weight yet, I know that with perseverence, I WILL get there!  Keep on rocking.

That's a wonderful attitude and such a positive outlook.

Good for you!

Me too! I lost 30 lbs, and then gained it all back little by little over the last 2 years (along with a few extra pounds...). Well, here I am again trying to get back down where I was. It has taken me awhile to get back on track, but I've been good (more or less) for the last few weeks. I've gotta admit though, it is a LOT harder the second time! 

@raychelc thanks I try ;-)

@polythelenepam yeah I definitely agree it may be a little harder the second time but I know that I've gotta do it.  I think maybe this time I won't have an evil woman breaking my spirit half way through hahahaha jk.

Hello,

 thank you so much for writing such an inspirational entry; it's exactly the sort of thing i need to hear as i've sidetracked a bit lately too and feel very out of shape!

Thanks for posting this, Aaron! I think we all (self included) need this reminder, once in a while.

I just recently fell into some pitfalls and it took me a little while to realize why I wasn't losing, anymore. Now that I realize where I fell off track, (And now that I'm not in denial about BEING off track) I can *hopefully* avoid the nonsense for a time and get back to where I was (mentally) a month or so ago.

It's such a relief to meet people on CC who know they're in this *for life* and to learn that if you have a bad (day/week/month/or several) that it's no longer an "excuse" to give up on yourself. We just gotta pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and eat a bit healthier.

Yay for long-term commitments! *lol*

And thanks again for posting.

i'm glad i'm not the only one. i lost 6 lbs and gained back 8 recently and for awhile i felt very horrible about the whole thing but i need to realize that i can do this, it's going to be difficult but i know i can do it:)

Very well said, Aaron!  I had a major setback of my own.  2 years ago, I started at 230, and got down to 175, the same weight I was when I was 16.  Then life threw me a few too many curveballs all at once.  I knew better than to fall off the wagon.  Times of stress are when we need our healthy habits most.  But I got stupid, and had a major re-gain last year.  Went back up to 205.  I finally got my head on straight, and jumped back on the wagon 5 weeks ago.  I'm back down to 192, and still staying strong.  Yes, I have a lot of ground to make up, but it's not a race, and I know I can do it.  I am hoping that I can learn from my past mistakes, and learn to deal with anything the world throws at me while retaining my healthy habits.  The past is in the past.  The only thing we can do with the past is learn from it.  It's what we choose to do today that's important.

Oh, trust me...I lost 60lbs to gain 50 to lose 30...(and then somehow was up five pounds from YESTERDAY this morning.  Ew.)  So, I know all about re-starts.  I've been restarting my whole life...and sometimes I worry that giving up is inevitable--and I will ALWAYS be restarting...

...But somehow it feels different this time...like I'm not gonna let that happen. (And it may have a LOT to do with this website.  Go figure.) 

Thanks for the positive post!

You know, I really wasn't sure how many people were going through the same thing that I was.  It definitely helps to know that we are not alone in the fact that we are starting over.  I want to thank everyone who has posted on this thread, this truly is a reminder and inspiration to know that even though we fall off, it's ok to start over.

Thanks everybody...

I just had to say what a GREAT attitude!  I wish you continued success.  Life is all about picking ourselves back up. :D