Anytime you're trying to make healthful changes there are times when you feel like it's two steps forward, one step back. No one's perfect. But keeping positive is key because beating yourself up over little slip-ups usually only makes things worse. (Plus, it doesn't feel very good.)
Do you tend to beat yourself up when you haven't lived up to your expectations? How have you (or can you) stop doing this?
I definitely beat myself up over bad food choices! I am sometimes in disbelief at how quickly I can "fall off the wagon" and impulsively gobble down some yummy food. The difference is that I've learned to stop much earlier than I would've a year or 2 ago. So, I may go over my calorie target, but I can still recover. I think this is in part due to the very slow pace of my weight loss. It's been so gradual as I've been subtly changing my diet and calorie intake for over a year. At this point in my weight loss journey, I need to beat myself up at least a little. Otherwise I'll end up gaining weight back and having to start over. I think if you balance it with a positive attitude and celebrate your successes you can find a formula that works!
I guess i don't beat myself up anymore because I'm good more than I'm not, and that is all I demand of myself! If we expect ourselves to be "perfect" we'll always be beating ourselves up.
I am always beating myself up for not getting to where I wanted to be at this point in the weigth loss challenge. I thought for sure I would lose 20 lbs with no problem but it has been a very slow and gradual process this time around. I had an episode on my journal in week 9 that I was beating myself up in the comment box that I am so frustrated and fed up that I can't lose weight faster. I then took a step back and realized that this is not a "diet" this is actually a life style, something that I must do everyday!!! Therefore, if I only lose a pound a week, it is healthy and it's better than I would have been doing had I not been conscious of what I put in my mouth for these past 11 weeks. I have also really focused on moving more and getting more exercise. They say muscle weighs more than fat so if I am toning myself up, it may not say so on the scale but my clothes are telling me I am doing a good job!
I'm new. I just found this website. You are all in the midst of a weight loss - lifestyle challenge right now it appears. That's great.
I have plenty of weight to lose. I'm glad to see that you changed it from 'diet' to 'lifestyle.' That's what caught my eye as far as this 'eatingwell' website goes. I found out about it in a National Body Challenge email. The email said that diet implies a finite period. With weight loss, with healthy eating - it's a change in lifestyle. That's what I need. I come from a family with a history of diabetes and heart problems. Here I sit very much overweight and just diagnosed with arthritis in both knees. I need to get up off these cushy buns and start moving and living a healthier lifestyle. I want to stick around to see my grandkids graduate from high school and then college.
Beb, So glad you found us! We are indeed in the midst of a Diet (Lifestyle Change Challenge). In January, we're going to launch online the same week-by-week 12-week "curriculum" that our Diet Challenge participants helped us to create (and that helped them to lose weight). It will be free to anyone who wants to participate. In the meantime, we will be adding new "EatingWell Diet" features to our website. Check http://www.eatingwell.com/diet/ for helpful tips and ideas.
Thanks for the welcome and the information, Nicci. I'll check that out and I'd like to join the challenge in January. I think it would be motivational - and at a great time to start right in.
