Have you seen my motivation ? It is lost :(

SparkPoints: (114,505)
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Posts: 17,588
5/9/11 10:51 A

Hi Linda ! I think you're being far too hard on yourself. Don't beat on yourself because there may be days you eat more than others. Remember, you're trying to change habits learned over a life time. That's not going to happen overnight, a week, a month or even a year. Change takes time. So, if your birthday is coming up, enjoy yourself !! Spark People isn't about deprivation. It's all about portion control and moderation. I can't imagine living a life where I wasn't allowed to have a slice of cake because I worried that I'd gain weight.

A piece of cake, cookie, candy, pizza, glass of wine can all be a part of a healthy lifestyle. It's all a matter of being mindful of the portion size, that's all.

But here's the thing, learning portion control takes time. So, once again, don't beat on yourself because you aren't perfect. Don't try to be perfect or you will end up frustrated. Make small changes. take small steps. If the only healthy thing you were to do for yourself today was to drink 8 glasses of water, that's a step in the right direction. With time, you'll make more healthy changes. If you were to make one healthy change each week, in one year, that would be 52 changes !

So, no more beatings, you can do this. just take this slowly. make those small changes. let them become habit. If you were to eat right 5 out of 7 days this week, you'd still be doing better than the average American.

Think progress over perfection.

Posts: 2,707
5/9/11 8:36 A

Nancy has some good advice. For me, I am trying to work around what I know will be hard times. Yesterday, for example, I knew I might not eat great. It's too long to explain, but a Mother's Day tradition for our family is to play an at home version of the TV cooking show Chopped, so I knew I wouldn't really be tracking my food for lunch or doing well at measurements. So, I ate a healthy breakfast. I guesstimated (and did track the one Oreo I ate) on what I might have eaten. I'm fairly certain I over estimated because I didn't eat much, but it kept me from really going over for the rest of the day. However, I did not let it "make" me write off the rest of the day. I think that's a big step. Plan in a small piece of birthday cake with ice cream. If you go out to eat, pre-plan where you will go and what you will order. DO NOT look at the menu to get tempted by less healthy options. Only you can find your motivation, but you can owrk around every day life. You can have a trat and stay in your calorie ranges. And, even the 10 minute walk as suggested by Nancy is better than nothing. I also sometimes find myself getting ansty while watching TV, and I'll do some crunches or bridges or squats and such. Working small amounts of movements (on top of any set routine you have) is easy and gets you moving. You can do this. You just have to dig deep inside you and tell youself you can do this.

SparkPoints: (158,833)
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Posts: 46,222
5/9/11 7:59 A

Hi Linda,

Have you ever sat down and wrote up reasons as to why you want to lose weight? How about goals? Steps to meet your goals?

The reason I ask is motivation to do anything in life must come from each of us. It doesn't come from others, but from what you want to accomplish. Read that I never said you have to be perfect. I find that when I strive too hard to be perfect that I end up with an all-or-nothing mentality...in other words, I will start again tomorrow since I already blew it today.

Just know that EVERY meal allows us the opportunity to choose healthier option regardless of what we ate the rest of the time. Same is true for exercise...a brisk 10 minute walk will burn more calories than sitting on the couch.

YOU CAN DO THIS!
Nancy

Posts: 395
5/9/11 7:24 A

Just one week ago I posted on here how I was getting back on track , after regaining some of the weight I had lost. Well, my good intentions lasted for a couple of days and as the week went on things got worse. It started at work on Friday with everyone ordering takeout and instead of ordering a healthy option which they offer , Friday night friends came for supper and brought it with them ( so I thought it would be rude if I didn't eat what they brought) fried chicken and potato salad, Saturday I went to a dinner party where the choices were not real healthy and of course sunday was Mother' day and we had a family gathering so ..... I used that excuse to eat poorly again.
I know these are all just excuses,I could have chosen to eat healthy and I know that I shouldn't dwell on what I have done (can't change that) but I just can't seem to get motivated lately. this week is my birthday and I know that I will indulge once again no matter how good my intentions are, I just seem to be so weak lately when it comes to making healthy choices.
I am going to try, but I just cannot seem to get the all or nothing idea out of my head even though I know it is sooo wrong, I know I will be enjoying my birthday this week so I figure this week is a write off anyway which I know is a terrible way to think. I need to learn that I can have my cake and it too, I just need to learn to do it in moderation.
So if any one sees my motivation , please let me know !