When the road ahead is so long, how do you keep on going?

Caz

Repeat Offender
I started off at 19st 13lbs, went down to 18st exactly, lost track completely for a couple of months and went back up to 18st 13lbs. I've been back on track for the past two weeks and have lost 8.75lbs and so now I'm down to 18st 4.25lbs (was 3.25lbs but then went up for some reason so thought I'd go with the higher one). My goal is 13st 7lbs, this puts me a bit above a 'normal' BMI but everything I've looked at (dukan ideal weight, body fat %, speaking to my doctor etc.) indicates that I have quite a big frame and so I'm not sure BMI of 25 or under will ever happen for me, but I'm ok with that. That means I want to lose a grand total of 6 and a half stone (90lbs) and still have 67.25lbs left to go. I'll stop with the rambling now and get to the point! At 2lbs a week (which is the healthy average for women, damn you men!!) that's going to take a massive 34 weeks, or 7/8 months. Now I know I didn't put the weight on overnight so I can't expect to lose it overnight either and I'm ok with that, I know that this is going to take time and effort. But my question is, when the road ahead is so long, how do you keep yourself motivated and on the straight and narrow? I always do well up until 2 or 3 stone and then somehow, I end up losing it. I'm almost at 2 stone off again now and I'm determined not to let that happen again!
 
Men lose weight at one to two pound a month too. I would say slightly under 2 is my average. The only thing that keeps me going is attending slimming world classes. I hold my hands up snd say no, I personally don't have the willpower to do it alone at the moment. Too much life stuff to do and slimming would fall to the wayside.

I know people keep lists of why they want to lose weight, and awful photos. An end goal spurs some people on, and its prbably a good idea to set mini goals along the way (every half stone for me!)

Rewards help some people. New shoes or bag or something like that when you achieve certain goals.

7 to 8 months may seem like a long time at the moment but I'm sure it'll fly by!
 
I was actually thinking about doing something like SW. Do you actually follow the plan? I'm thinking about going along to a meeting, maybe Rosemary Coneley or something as there's an exercise class as part of it but still following calorie counting as it's what works for me.

I count down to each stone, the whole thing is too much to tackle at once!
 
I go to class every week. Consistently lose weight and eat loads. As much fruit, veg, eggs, pasta, rice, fat free yogurt and lean meat as I like. The syn thing sometimes looks daunting but the plan is a doddle. A cockerspaniel could do it! I'm a fan of SW :)
 
The answer is simple to answer for me, and the main being health reasons, being the size I was I was bigger than 95% of people on here maybe more, and with being that big come serious health problems and what drives me on is fear of going back to that old person who I never want to be again.

They say there is nothing to fear but fear it's self. But if that fear keeps driving me on then god bless fear :)
 
I've decided to find a weekly meeting type thing, more accountability. I'm also going to add in goals for every half stone I lose, 14lbs is just quite far away! Bigger reward for every stone, then a book or DVD for every half stone in between. I'm going to have a chat with my doctor too, again, just for accountability. Thankfully, I never had health problems because of my weight. I was (am!) fat but my cholesterol, blood pressure, all those things were actually really good. The doctor was surprised how 'healthy' I was when she did a bit of an MOT a while ago. So I've never had a health scare because of my weight but my Dad is diabetic and so I know that could be something down the line for me if I'm not careful. Thing is I have so many other reasons for doing this and right now they're at the front of my mind and they keep me going but then I hit a point and it's like I forget those reasons, I just don't think about them, or maybe they're not enough at that moment, I don't know. I'm just determined not to landslide back to the beginning again, ever. Maybe I just need to list all my reasons for doing this and stick them on the back of my door so that I see them and read them every single morning, that way I can't forget.
 
Yep it certainly wont do any harm to write down things to carry on, and can always add to it when you think of other things in the future or if you start feeling like a slip might come have a look at the list why you are doing this and why you dont want to fall of the wagon so to speak.
 
Yup I often hit walls where I think 'sod it, no time for slimming, too much piano to get through!'

But then I think 'crap, I am at slimming world in a few days, need to keep going! Want to win slimmer of the week! Wanna win raffle! Wanna get my awards!'

We all have a life outside slimming. Attending groups, for me, is the only thing that stops me quitting.
 
Yep i'm the same. Was at highest 20 st 4, got down to low 18s.. anytime I hit 17 13 I seem to subconsciously sabotage myself. I've spent the most part of the year fighting somewhere between 18 and 17. I know how you feel and I wish I had an answer but if I did I'd be at 12 stone by now :p

I think trying to have a varied diet helps a lot. Like not getting into a routine of having the same old thing every day cause its easy - trying something new and finding out you actually really enjoy it... thats the thing I was craving from food... happiness. And changing my diet up as much as possible really helps to create a bit of that. xx
 
Ok so trying not to sound like a walking cliche :)D) but...I focus on the journey more so than the destination. Don't get me wrong, I am finding it tough and sometimes the days are achingly long (especially when all I'm thinking about is a chocolate bar or somesuch!) but really I just think to myself, ok this is a long road, but what's the alternative? Eating is no way to make myself happy, partly because it's unhealthy but also because it doesn't work. I could scoff everything around me and I don't feel "better" if that makes sense? So really why would I bother with stuffing myself when it serves no purpose?

I'm trying to learn how to eat like a 'normal' person and this long long road is the only way to do it. I might have an off day every so often where I just can't say no, but these normal folks I hear about do that too ;)
 
I keep going over why I'm doing it in the first place. I've been dieting since feb and still wanting to be at goal. Having an off day and being able to start afresh the next day is key :)
 
Hi, I have A LOT to lose and when I look at it as a whole it is soooo daunting. I have therefore broken mine down into mini goals. I have sat down and worked out a 5% weight loss, then worked out a 5% weightloss from my weight when I have lost 5% (hmmm, sounds confusing!!) Do you know what I mean? A lot of people also break it down into stone goals, dress sizes or even days on plan. You need to work out what would suit you best and do it that way. At least with mini goals they are so much easier to reach. I know I would rather think I have, say, a stone to lose rather than think I have 15 stone to lose.

x
 
That's exactly what I am doing Pinkelle! I am at 19stone 9lb right now and wearing a dress size UK 18 (jeans i need a 20) so, I've set my 1st goal to fit back into size 18 jeans even though my over all goal is to be 11stone 5lb. - When I think about the fact I need to lose 8 1/2 stone it feels daunting to me.
Perhaps you could treat yourself to something for every couple of stone you lose? A day at the spa getting pampered or something you really enjoy :D
 
Hi petal! I totally understand where u are coming from! I have dieted on and off for 10 years!! As a teenager I was 11stone... Got down to 9 and then put on to 13 then lost 2 stone... Put on to 15... Lost 2 stone... Put on to 17... Lost 2 then up again...

Started my most recent journey at 20 stone 5... Got down to 18 stone 5 and lost my way... Messed about for a few months... And then got bk to it... Luckily I didn't gain I just lost a tiny bit then put a bit on etc... Anyways now I'm 17 stone 10 and just this last week I got my mojo bk! It took me reminding myself of my reasons for doing it... And looking at those photos from when I was 9 stone.... And by friend telling me that bridesmaid dress shopping is in march/April!!!!!

So I think u should write 5 reasons for doing it and stick those along with the "fat photo" we all have somewhere! And the reward idea is brilliant!!! Might pinch that :D

Do u have an event to aim for? Or a dress u hope to fit in?

What diet are u doing? I swear by ww pro points! It's wondeful! I started at meetings but just this week decided to do from home with just an online membership ;)

Anyways I've rambled enough! Just rediscovered this section of site do must start my own thread!

I'm Carly btw :) xx
 
That's exactly what I am doing Pinkelle! I am at 19stone 9lb right now and wearing a dress size UK 18 (jeans i need a 20) so, I've set my 1st goal to fit back into size 18 jeans even though my over all goal is to be 11stone 5lb. - When I think about the fact I need to lose 8 1/2 stone it feels daunting to me.
Perhaps you could treat yourself to something for every couple of stone you lose? A day at the spa getting pampered or something you really enjoy :D

Hi Pipaluk, I have been thinking about something like that. A spa day would be lovely but money is a bit sparse at the moment (just me and a little one after ex left me in debt). I have, however, formed an addiction to nail varnish!! My favourite one at the moment is one by Tesco, colour is "wild cherry" and it is flippin' gawjus!!! Only cost 99p as well.

The up side of this is if I am painting my nails or if they are still wet then I am less likely and not able to munch!! Result!!

Anyway, I think, for now, everytime I hit one of my mini goals I will treat myself to a couple of new colours and try not to buy any other than then!!

x
 
The up side of this is if I am painting my nails or if they are still wet then I am less likely and not able to munch!! Result!!

I've been painting my nails as well if I felt a bit peckish. It actually works and I totally forget about been hungry then lol!! :D

That's actually a nice, cheap and cheerful idea buying nail polishes for every goal reached. I love shopping, I can't wait to have reached my goal weight and be able to buy clothes from all the high street stores :D
 
I kno - cant wait to go in topshop and look at something other than jewellery!! Cxx
 
Thanks for all the replies guys, good to hear how you all keep yourself going.

Events at the moment are the birthday of a twat who I want to prove wrong in March! ha Other than that, not really.

I'm just counting calories. I can't be bothered with the propoints and syns and all that, I know it sounds more complicated but for me counting calories is really simple, gives me a little of what I want in moderation and it works for me.
 
LOL! I go "shopping" with my mum or bessie mate and always find myself looking at either the bling or the socks!!! They don't have to go to "fat bird shops" as me and my sister call them!!!
 
Back
Top