Okay, so i seem to have some really really bad views on excersising. I start on a diet, get it going for a couple days, work out alot, then when i dont see results like i eventually want. Basically i work out and i expect to be skinny. I get unbelieveably dicouraged and just stop all together. Does anyone know of anything i can do to get my unrealistic hopes of over night healthieness?
Reason: 7/28/08 stickied for a week; 8/5/08 unstickied.
There is no easy way to solve this problem other then to tell yourself over and over again that rapid weight loss and healthy are NOT the same thing. To be healthy and fit, you need to lose weight slowly and consistently and then maintain a healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life. If you want to get healthy, you have to change your whole life, but none of that can start until you change your attitude.
Instead of getting frustrated that you haven't lost 10 pounds this week, set realistic goals that you can actually reach. This will give you motivation to keep going and reach the next goal. I also built rewards into my plan (started at 230, now 150). I would buy pants that were a size too small and try them on once a week until they fit and I got to wear them. Finally fitting into those pants was always a wonderful feeling!
In terms of weight goals, set something really manageable like 1-2 pounds per week. Easy goals equals more feelings of success. More feelings of success equals more motivation.
Congradulations on your weight loss!
I've been journaling and trying very hard to try what you've said for the last 2 or 3 weeks. Joining this site is defiently helping with encouragement.
And i think your idea of the pants is defiently resonable. Maybe I'll try it. =]
seconding what both damsell & ratinhat say I'll add my own little tweak.
I was fairly similar to you, although I think I'd manage to be on a diet / exercise kick for anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months before I'd throw it in for being too much work and not enough results.
I came to the conclusion (23 weeks ago now) that if I was going to succeed at this then I need to build consistency. I knew I was not going to be happy with a reasonable weight loss rate at first, so I hid the scale in the closet.
Hiding the scale has forced me to focus on how I feel and what I can do and how my clothes fit as opposed to the numbers.
I also set small achievable goals for myself. I noticed that I usually got tired of eating at 1500 calories over a long period of time so I'd give up, or just get tired of logging. This time, I started by just logging calories to figure out how many calories I ate on an average day when I wasn't trying to control my calories.... turned out to be 3000! For the last 23 weeks, every week I try to reduce those calories by 100.... obviously I haven't been successful every week, but I am now eating at 1600 calories and am one week away from meeting my goal of reaching a weight loss range of 1500 calories.
Setting reasonable goals that I can accomplish gives me a sense of success and motivation to continue. As I achieve these small goals across a period of time I did finally start to notice results. And, while I still don't know how much weight I've lost (I told myself I need to eat 1500 cal/day for 12 weeks while exercising 4 days/week, and the weeks must be consecutive before I can look at the scale), I do know that I've lost 2 clothing sizes and that's better than any number on the scale.
One thing to focus on is how good you FEEL after excersizing/eating healther, even after only a couple of days. Even if you weigh the same but feel/look better from excersize (nicer looking skin, more engergy, positive feeling of being in control), wouldn't you want to keep doing it? Nobody wants to go back to feeling bad. But it is frustrating not seeing the scale go down- Good idea about hiding it! I lost my first 25 pounds and now the scale has been stuck for what seems like forever, and I'm nowhere near my goal weight. Even though my clothes are loose and a lot of people have noticed my loss, I want to see that number go down. I am desperate to weigh less than (or at least the same as) my fiance! LOL
"because ultimately our body is a vehicle to get us through this life--not just an ornament to be looked at."
That is a great attitude ratinhat. I love it.
You are not alone! This happens to me all the time! When I was in high school 9 years ago I worked out before school, in school, and after school. I was in gymnastics, swimming and track. I was so active I get exhausted just thinking about how it use to be. Now with two kids, a husband and about 100lbs more than I use to weigh in high school I am trying to find my way too. My friend who is a great motivator which is hard because I rarely see her says that one way to keeping yourself from being discouraged is that: Anything you do is better than nothing, it is better think positive than to always get down on yourself (which I know is easier said than done) but she suggested that when ever those negative thoughts creep up on you stop whatever you are doing and say 5 things that are positive about yourself.
Believe me this wasn't easy for me. The first time I did it took me about 15 minutes to find 5 things but it has keep me on track and when i fall off of my work out routine and I want to get beat myself up I do this and it helps me a little. Good luck and I wish you the best on your jouney.
Hello!
This is my first day trying to lose weight & being on this site -I can understand what everyone on this post is going through-I am 5 foot 8 inches and I've been 115 pounds up to 225 pounds...I just tell myself that I need to love myself no matter what my size-and I also need to tell myself that I didn't gain the weight overnight and I'm certainly not going to lose it overnight...but it is HARD
And remember, just because you can't SEE the difference, doesn't mean there isn't one. It's a very gradual process, but just keep telling yourself that EVERY SINGLE workout, EVERY SINGLE skipped doughnut makes a difference, and your body will eventually find a way to thank you for it.
And don't forget to congratulate yourself on everything you do. So if you weigh in one week and you haven't lost anything, don't get discouraged, just say to yourself - hey, I worked out X times this week! I ROCK!
Seriously, patting myself on the back all the time REALLY helped me stick with it long-term. That's what I never did all those other times I went on a diet. CC forums are great for that, b/c you see how supportive everyone is and how they realize that every little thing counts.
Good luck!
This is my first day also. I totally understand what you mean. I think the best advice I can give you is to try and find a "weight loss buddy" someone who you can lose weight with and support you and you them. Two women I work with did this and they both reached within 10 pounds of their weight goals in about 8 months and to this day they keep each other on the right track.
Good Luck!
I have the same problem. Reading over this thread has really comforted me.
From my doctor's perspective: If you gained 12 lbs in a year, then it is reasonable to assume that you can loose that same 12 lbs in a year. Don't expect anything else. Be thankful if you loose more than a lb a month, afterall an over abundance of weight didn't happen in a year.
And by your facial picture, you don't look like you are that much overweight. So just do self talk, write it down and post it where you can see it. On your bath room mirror and on the refrigerator on the door as you exit your room or home. (if that is practical). And make sure you read it at least 3 times a day for positive reinforcement.
Hope this helps.
Take care and God Bless.
People at my job are not people you want to be friends with-I tried to start a weight loss club with my cube mate, however she is obsessed with food and I cannot even start a conversation with her about weight loss because she talks about food all day-that is why I joined here.....support is what I need..but everyone is right on this thread-I didn't gain my 12-15 pounds overnight and I cannot lose it overnight. Right now I'm focusing on two things-eating better and exercising-this week has been a struggle but I just keep thinking that it will get easier.... ;
I found that changing the way I view this process helped. Instead of focusing on day to day goals for calories and exercise, I began thinking long term. Instead of a "diet" I began identifying the eating habits I want to change, then went about changing them one at a time. It takes about 3 months for a new habit to become ingrained, but once you have it, it's yours for life.
For instance, I used to love big portions of pasta. I began weighing my pasta before cooking it, limiting it to 2 ounces. I'd cook the pasta, measure out the sauce and enjoy. If I was very hungry I'd fill up on salad or steamed vegetables, and I always had a small serving of protein with the meal.
After doing this for several months, I had occasion to attend a family party. Home made pasta was carried in and I decided to heap my plate, just this once. Guess what? I couldn't eat it all. What I ended up eating was about a cupful, which translates to my 2 ounce serving. I had a new, good habit that will stay with me.
You can make a goal of eating less sugar, or using less fat in cooking, or measuring your portions of high calorie foods. You can decide to take a daily walk or run instead of working out to the point of exhaustion. Look for things you can do forever, not just for now.
Look at the long term and where you want to be in 10, 20, 30+ years. You have the opportunity to become healthy and slim for life without time limits. Doesn't that sound better than dieting for the short term fast weight loss?
Original Post by rayvennn:
Okay, so i seem to have some really really bad views on excersising. I start on a diet, get it going for a couple days, work out alot, then when i dont see results like i eventually want. Basically i work out and i expect to be skinny. I get unbelieveably dicouraged and just stop all together. Does anyone know of anything i can do to get my unrealistic hopes of over night healthieness?
My suggestion, wait a month until you weigh yourself. Then you'll see alot of changes, get happy, and continue with the program. Then, only weigh yourself once a week. Everyday weigh-ins can be frustrating, especially during your period.
It takes a long while to gain the pounds, so it stands to reason that it will take about twice as long to get them off.
I feel the same. ): I wish I could go to bed after a day of constant work out and wake up ten pounds lighter. Unfortunately, that cannot happen.
Keep working~ In a few months we'll see results.
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