This is my first day and I am terrified to fail.

Posts: 42
6/13/13 8:08 P

sparkpeople is definitely a life long commitment for me! I don't think there is any failure But learn from your daily mistakes and do better the next day!
3 Big lessons I have learned are
1. I must exercise or I don't lose weight. I HATE every second of it! But if I don't, no matter how strict my diet is I don't lose weight!
2. Allow yourself a cheat meal. Not a whole day But 1 meal. this has helped me to stay focused on nutrition and calories all week long but, come Saturday night I know I can splurge and eat that Chesseburger sub.
3. Measure before you eat. You can eat anything you want IF you know how much you are eating and hold yourself accountable. It is a pain to do But it is easy to really distort portion sizes especially when you are hungry!
Best wishes! If you stick with Sparkpeople you will definitely see results.

Pounds lost: 27.0

0 15.75 31.5 47.25

63

SparkPoints: (598)
Fitness Minutes: (30)
Posts: 2
6/5/13 6:02 A

Fail? Just another BAD 4 letter word!

If loosing weight and keeping it off were easy then none of us would be here on SP or have tried any of the other plans multiple times. Or looked at plans and never joined or WATCHED an exercise video while eating ice cream.

Figure out what support you need then see how SP & members can help. I need the accountability of weighing in and entering 1x a week even if it's up ( what goes up will go done).

You have been here a month already and I bet you have succeeded by losing at least 1 pound.

current weight: 174.0

190 183.75 177.5 171.25

165

SparkPoints: (2,167)
Fitness Minutes: (696)
Posts: 59
5/31/13 11:29 A

I try to look at the situation as more of an educational experience. If it weren't for me deciding to take control of my weight, health, and life, I would never have tried out pilates, yoga, or Jillian Michael's workouts. I would never have started jogging or participated in a 5k race. I've even experimented with self hypnosis! I have tried some of the more "exotic" vegetables in the produce aisle. Some of the things I've liked, some not so much. SparkPeople is full of resources with lots of things to try out. I feel like I am a LOT more knowledgeable than I was before starting this, and I've only been on board for like 2 weeks (and about 2lb)...not to mention I'm a nurse practitioner. I'm not bored or miserable. I'm learning how to be healthy...and that's pretty cool!

current weight: 139.8

145 141 137 133

129

SparkPoints: (428)
Fitness Minutes: (155)
Posts: 14
5/21/13 11:24 A

That is so awesome, 66 pounds! Kudos to you. Sometimes, we get motivated from the simplest things. I ordered a bellydancing CD and a neighbor and I are planning or at least hoping to do this 3 times per week. My metabolism is like a snake and whatever I can do to rev it up, gives me some sense of control.

Total SparkPoints: 428

	250 312 374 436	499
SparkPoints Level 3

SparkPoints: (428)
Fitness Minutes: (155)
Posts: 14
5/21/13 11:21 A

I know exactly how you feel. I am trying to lose weight again after years of dieting and losing the same 20 pounds. I try my best to not let fear rule me. I am at a point in my life that I accept that I make mistakes and the world will not stop spinning if I do. For example, yesterday, I had 5 flatbreads extra over my alotted food requirement. I didn't get to bed till 12:30 so sure I am hungry after eating at 6:30 pm. Try writing in a journal and keep a food diary. Also, reaching out here is a plus. I am not the greatest correspondent but I will try to help anyone that I can. Losing weight is hard, keeping it off, harder. I wish you continued success and even failures, because from failure you learn.

Total SparkPoints: 428

	250 312 374 436	499
SparkPoints Level 3

SparkPoints: (1,642)
Fitness Minutes: (320)
Posts: 23
5/5/13 12:17 P

Aint that the truth

SparkPoints: (2,865)
Fitness Minutes: (2,382)
Posts: 180
5/5/13 10:23 A

Think of it this way - you are in the middle of practice and practicing allows you to make mistakes and start again. That's how you learn anything at all from tennis to piano! That's how I am learning to live in this imperfect body. If I think of my body as my best friend, I will take care of it even though sometimes it wants to go in a direction that isn't in its best interests. I've been practicing maintaining a healthy weight all my life (I'm 60 plu) and today I'm pretty happy with where I am. Wouldn't be here but for the journey. You can do this!!

current weight: 1.0  over

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

SparkPoints: (7)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 1
5/5/13 9:50 A

It is my first day too and I have also been down this road before. Trying to take one day at a time. You are not alone.

SparkPoints: (1,642)
Fitness Minutes: (320)
Posts: 23
5/3/13 8:39 P

That is so true. Thanks for the inspriation

SparkPoints: (7,057)
Fitness Minutes: (7,385)
Posts: 16
4/30/13 1:47 P

We ALL have days when we eat over the suggested number of calories. I stopped looking at them as a failure! I track my food honestly every time. That in itself is success. I also track my exercise. The report that shows the calorie differential for the day really helps me stay motivated. I keep that in mind always and check it regularly. If I eat 100 extra calories in a day, it doesn't seem to make a difference. I too felt like a failure. I don't now, and I'm down 65 pounds!

Pounds lost: 71.3

0 20.75 41.5 62.25

83

Posts: 393
3/21/13 11:34 A

I approach everday as one day at a time. Just keep, keeping on and you will achieve your goals.

Pounds lost: 16.0

0 18 36 54

72

Posts: 1,667
3/21/13 1:08 A

Even if it doesn't work out exactly as you hope, it's not "fail" if you are making positive lifestyle changes. Hang in there.

Pounds lost: 32.0

0 13.75 27.5 41.25

55

SparkPoints: (8,758)
Fitness Minutes: (8,755)
Posts: 240
3/19/13 10:50 A

FINISH STRONG, I see you are on the home stretch! You must have learned SO much along the way.

current weight: 213.0

230 208.75 187.5 166.25

145

SparkPoints: (8,758)
Fitness Minutes: (8,755)
Posts: 240
3/19/13 10:48 A

Baby steps... don't run, walk and make it count. A friend told me don't obsess, but plan for success. I've just begun week 3 and I'm still discovering options and opportunities. Remain faithful and you WILL succeed.

current weight: 213.0

230 208.75 187.5 166.25

145

Posts: 1,328
3/18/13 3:14 P

Don't worry about "failing", this is an imperfect process. Two steps forward and one step back will still get you there eventually.

current weight: 121.2

240 209 178 147

116

SparkPoints: (22,998)
Fitness Minutes: (8,717)
Posts: 800
3/18/13 3:10 P

use the blogging and other tools for support there are lots out here in the same situation, learn and share with them.

current weight: 155.0

181 169 157 145

133

SparkPoints: (604)
Fitness Minutes: (24)
Posts: 6
3/18/13 1:51 P

I hope I can be of help as well. I joined SP because I need support from others and hoped to join up with a team or partner. I have a food plan that works for me, but the SP tracking is the best I've seen and I like that I can work other foods into the plan if I need to.
Best of luck!

current weight: 243.0

243 211 179 147

115

SparkPoints: (10,643)
Fitness Minutes: (6,671)
Posts: 3,491
3/17/13 10:50 P

I hope we can help you. Stay motivated to log your meals. Look at it one day ..at a time..baby steps then see yourself emerge. I try very hard to take comfort in knowing I am not alone here. Look at teams and join some.

current weight: 177.0

189 171.75 154.5 137.25

120

Posts: 83
3/4/13 10:58 A

Yes, there is a menu planner - you can set up your meal plan by going to your nutrition tracker.

I think it's important to think of it as an ongoing process and not succeed or fail. If you mess up now and then, it's not failure. You keep going. It's also good to notice small benefits, like when eating more healthily gives you more energy, or a day that you exercise helps you sleep really well. Noticing these small things will help you focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle rather than working towards a specific goal. You can also see it as an opportunity to try some new things. And as you go along, you'll gather more and more tools - learn things about how to get exercise, how to prepare healthy foods - and so there is no failure, as you're constantly learning and moving forward. Even if you were to get off track for awhile, you won't unlearn these things and they'll help you out in the future.

June Minutes: 287

0 33.75 67.5 101.25

135

SparkPoints: (623)
Fitness Minutes: (1,305)
Posts: 1
3/4/13 10:43 A

Hi Everyone.
This is my first time/day with sparkpeople. I have tried so many other things that all promised success but I failed everytime. I am terrified that I will fail again with the plan. Anyone have any tips or suggestions? Also, can you just have sparkpeople plan your menu and tell you what to eat? L:ooking forward to hearing from you.