If you’re an obese dieter, you know the scenario … you’ve gained 15lbs and you CAN’T stop eating!
This generally comes after some truly heinous event … like you went out with friends, or your doctor reminded you at your recent check up that you really needed to be aware of your weight problem (what?!?!?), or you looked at your “start” photo, and realized you don’t look all that different now (after all the diet and exercise of the past six months).
Are any of those things the wake-up call required? Some days my weight loss goal really does seem out of reach. And I’ve been there a few times. The inability to stick with weight loss can spiral out of control pretty quickly. You feel a little hopeless … then you give up … and you’re back to staying home, using electric carts, and avoiding social situations.
Getting out of a slump takes all the tools I’ve gone over before … and then some – a combination of logging my meals, making healthy choices, setting realistic goals, taking care of my body, and upping my workout routine. I always have more energy and feel better when I’m losing, which is empowering … but slow going.
So here I am … 151 days until we travel … and I’m struggling. Finding myself plopped in the middle of diet struggle is just truly aggravating- at the process, at myself, at the fat. The good news – there’s only one way but up, or rather, down …
Starting Now, Starting Small
You gain weight … it’s a drag, but you can’t dwell on it. Time to move forward. A re-start is closer to the finish line than doing nothing. Instead of focusing on the 80 pounds I want to lose, I’m putting my energy towards the five pounds I can lose this month.
Out with the Guilt
It’s easy to feel ashamed and embarrassed when you lose and regain weight. Weight gain happens, so I’m shifting my focus from the past to the concrete actions I can take to move forward. No more berating myself … just back to attainable goals (and celebrating when I’ve hit them). I’m just going strive for progress, not perfection.
Looking to the Pros
I’m not talking about a personal trainer or nutritionist (although I’m sure those are most valuable), but I did have a really long talk with my doctor recently. Since I was so successful in the beginning but failing recently, it’s good to have someone else who also holds you accountable. First, checking my system, the usual blood tests, and making sure all meds are right; then, confirming that my plan is still best for my overall health. Given my injury, it’s always important to review what exercises are off limits for the moment and which I’d have to modify or avoid long term – I won’t be running any marathons or doing squats anytime soon!
The Meal Plan
My doctor reminded me that the plan helps to prevent me from falling back into old bad habits. Personally, I love most of the plan because it incorporate many veggies into every meal (okay, not breakfast). Scheduling time to review the menus and getting groceries in advance is conducive to better success. I’m not quite ready for food delivery service – but it does sound appealing.
Reaching Out
Well, the experts say: tell your family and friends you are working on your weight-loss goals. I’ve done that rather loudly right here with my blog., inviting friends and family to glimpse my successes and my struggles. And my home “family” (AKA my roommate) has helped maintain a food environment that’s hospitable to my goals and joins in my dinners. Sometimes it also just helps to have someone to vent to.
Weight gain happens and weight loss is hard work …not giving up or feeling completely defeated … just struggling a little.