Guest guest Posted February 2, 2004 Report Share Posted February 2, 2004 I'm in the same boat as you. Although I've lost a lot of weight in the 6 months I've been on WW, I lost my motivation about 6 weeks ago and can't seem to get it back. Yesterday I decided to start all over again as a new member. I go to meetings so I got a new book with a new starting weight, new 10% target and new materials. I'm hoping it will be the psychological boost I need to get back on track. Laurie 243.6/191.8/150 > >Reply-To: Serious-Weight-Watchers >To: <Serious-Weight-Watchers > >Subject: Motivation >Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2004 06:56:12 -0500 > >Hi, > >I am hoping someone has some advice for me. I have been with WW since >6/03. I have lost only 14.2 lbs since then. I had lost 19 on my own prior >to that. > >I think my problem has been just to stay motivated. I do well one day and >fall apart the next. It is almost as though I don't have any >willpower/Staying power. > >I am frustrated with myself that I have only lost 14 lbs in that amount of >time. I see other people that have lost that in 3 months!! I hate meal >plans, but maybe that is what I need to do. > >I was just hoping someone who has been doing this a while can give me a >helping hand. I want this weight off (35 lbs) by Sept for my 40th birthday. > >TIA >Jill > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2004 Report Share Posted February 2, 2004 I actually posted this to another list to a person with a similar question, but it applies here too. First of all, you can't compare yourself to others. But as for losing slowly: 1. Do you stay within points no matter what? Always measure everything. Count even the bites and licks? 2. Do you exercise at some point every day? 3. Do you pre-plan activities and make sure to bring healthy choices if you are concerned there won't be stuff there for you? 4. Do you look up restaurant foods online before you go eat so you can make an informed decision and then get there and ask for sauces, dressings, etc. on the side if you want to save points? Or 1. Do you count points most of the time, but aren't really very strict about. 2. Exercise at least a few times a week, working towards getting more exercise in as you move forward. 3. Do you go to special events and try to make positive choices based on what is there? 4. Do you eat out and journal what you ate when you get home, even if you went over points? Or 1. Do you start your week out really good, but sort of fizzle out by Friday. Or are weekends very difficult to stay on program? 2. Do you not exercise, or only do it every once in awhile? 3. Do you go to special events and figure it's only once a year, and just enjoy yourself and not stress about food? 4. Do you eat out and figure it's only once in awhile and order what you want to eat, trying to make better choices but not really worrying about it. These are three " general " ways that people work the program (from what I've seen over the last two years). One is not necessarily " better " than the other, although the first way will obviously get you to your goal faster. I believe that number one is the way to go, personally, but that's mainly because I'm one of those " It's a control freak thing, I wouldn't let you understand " types of people and that's how *I* do things. However, other people prefer to take a much less regimented approach and my belief is that if you choose to do the second or third, that's okay as long as you understand the impact of your choices. If you are the first type and are losing at a slow rate, you probably are truly a slow loser with a slow metabolism. That's going to mean you'll have to just understand that this is going to be a lifelong journey that is slow and steady. (It's a lifelong journey no matter what, even if you lose fast.) If you are the second type and you want to lose faster, maybe moving up into category one will speed things up for you. Even just adding exercise every day. No one says you have to spend three hours in the gym each day, but new studies are showing that for OPTIMAL health one hour a day is ideal. Now I know that some people would about pass out at the very thought, but you start from where you're at, add small increase goals, and do the best you can within your personal lifestyle. If you're in the third category, you're going to lose slowly because you're not really " working " the program. For some people that's okay. They prefer to take it in a more " laid back " manner. But if you choose to do that you simply HAVE to not get down on yourself for not doing better. It's like not studying for a test, completing only half the homework, then getting mad that you got a C- on the test and thinking it isn't fair that the student next to you, who did all the homework and did study, got an A. You have to not compare yourself to others, in this case. But again, if you want to lose faster you might try moving a few things into the second category. Maybe make it a goal to journal every single day, even if you don't like what you see. Then once you're there, work on adding a definite, intentional exercise program two days a week, moving up to three, etc. As someone who was in the first category, here's how I did: I started at 222 with 92 pounds to lose to get to my goal. I didn't set a goal at first because that just seemed insurmountable, so I set small goals. I learned the program as well as I could and the first month didn't even bother with exercise. My goal was to get journaling down 100%. I took one day off the first two months, my birthday. Then I started working a plan to NOT have to take any days off by banking points (the program at the time) and saving them for " special " days. I hit my 10% on March 1. I started WWers on February 2, so it took me one month to lose 22 pounds. That was an AWESOME month and really helped keep me motivated, but I had a few things working " for " me. 1. I had not seriously done any diets. I would dabble in something (like Atkins...three days of sheer misery) and then stop because I knew if I couldn't do it forever, it would mess up my metabolism. So I was never a yo yo dieter. After one time when I was 20 years old, losing down to a size 14 and then gaining it ALL back in 6 weeks plus 20 pounds (lost 30 in two months, gained it all back in six weeks, gained another 20 over the next two month) I realized that starvation diets were going to be a lot worse than just staying fat. (I tried eating 800 calories a day. It was stupid, but I was young and didn't, until that happened, understand what that does to your body.) I think because I had not yo yo-ed, my metabolism was pretty " normal " . 2. My husband went on it with me. 3. I am the a-retentive, type-A type. I don't say that with pride, necessarily. It's just how I am and because of that if I did make mistakes, I got so mad at myself and swore I wouldn't make that mistake again. I do not suggest this way of life for anyone because it makes for a high strung personality! (Yes, you can say a prayer for my poor husband.) But there's nothing wrong with getting a little A-R about health. 4. I am the type of person who just goes gung ho with both feet into things and having a really BIG loss (7 pounds) my first week totally pumped me up. Over the last two years I have had to teach myself to be happy with small losses and even (during lifetime/maintenance) small gains at times and be happy with knowing I did everything correctly. I journaled every single day, added exercise after a month and have chosen an average of six times a week for exercise. (I did, however, start at doing only two days a week, moving up VERY slowly into where I am now.) I rarely went over points, and if I did it wasn't intentional. I tried not to get down on myself for mistakes, but instead learn from them, try to " re-write " them (go into the Wayback machine and pretend I had a " do over " on the day and make different choices so that if I ran into that situation again, I'd be prepared). I pre-plan when I go out to eat. For example today I'm going out to lunch and to a play, then coming home to watch the Superbowl. I know I'm going to Todai (all you can eat sushi). I pre-entered a huge meal of sushi, veggies, fruit, and a crepe for dessert so I know what I have to work with for the rest of the day if I do actually eat 12 pieces of sushi. (If I do, I won't have to worry about the rest of the day because I'll be so stuffed I won't be able to eat again until Tuesday, but I prefer to over-estimate if I know I'll be out and then have a pleasant surprise when I get home.) I take things with me to parties to share. If no one likes them, I don't care. This Fall when I was on the picket line I'd bring 2 point zucchini brownies to share with everyone. I knew I could have one or two and still stay within points, and could easily pass up the donuts, cake, cookies, and other garbage. I also often bring snacks in my purse: granola bars, apples, etc. if I know I'm going to be away from home for awhile. I bring snacks with me to work so if I have a " hungry " day I know that I've got something healthy to grab. A bag of apples goes with me at the beginning of the week...6 or so 1 point snacks. A box of granola bars stays in my drawer. If you're someone who might munch on the granola bars if there are too many there, pop just ONE in your purse and put it back when you eat it. I met my goal on Dec. 14 of 2002 which made it 10 months to lose 92 pounds at an average of 2 pounds a week. I met my personal goal a month later, down to 120. I'm down below that now due to time spent underweight after a series of digestive surgeries last spring. (They had nothing to do with my weight loss.) I'm maintaining at about 115-117 for now, which is fine. I don't know if that's what you wanted or what you need or if it even helped. Maybe hearing from someone who is not the control freak type would help as well, since not everyone is as AR as I am. My best suggestion is to seriously...keep on keeping on and embrace EVERY single victory, focusing on your choices, how you feel, little funky things like being able to sit in a theater seat more comfortably, etc. If you're going to be a slow loser it can be SO disheartening if you just focus on the scale. Just remember that every single day on program, eating healthy, moving your body is a HUGE step towards long term health and wellness. And truly, while it is awesome to look and feel good in your clothing, it is TRULY about how you are going to spend the rest of your life. Are you going to struggle with movement, lifestyle related illnesses, sore knees, bad feet, etc. or are you going to bounce through life knowing that your lifestyle related health is in your control? > Motivation > > > Hi, > > I am hoping someone has some advice for me. I have been with > WW since 6/03. I have lost only 14.2 lbs since then. I had > lost 19 on my own prior to that. > > I think my problem has been just to stay motivated. I do well > one day and fall apart the next. It is almost as though I > don't have any willpower/Staying power. > > I am frustrated with myself that I have only lost 14 lbs in > that amount of time. I see other people that have lost that > in 3 months!! I hate meal plans, but maybe that is what I need to do. > > I was just hoping someone who has been doing this a while can > give me a helping hand. I want this weight off (35 lbs) by > Sept for my 40th birthday. > > TIA > Jill > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2004 Report Share Posted February 2, 2004 Tory, just wanted to say thanks for this post. It was very thoughtful and thought provoking and I'm sure it will help a lot of people (including me). Laurie 243.6/191.8/150 > >Reply-To: Serious-Weight-Watchers >To: <Serious-Weight-Watchers > >Subject: RE: Motivation >Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2004 07:15:47 -0800 > >I actually posted this to another list to a person with a similar >question, but it applies here too. First of all, you can't compare >yourself to others. But as for losing slowly: > >1. Do you stay within points no matter what? Always measure everything. >Count even the bites and licks? >2. Do you exercise at some point every day? >3. Do you pre-plan activities and make sure to bring healthy choices if >you are concerned there won't be stuff there for you? >4. Do you look up restaurant foods online before you go eat so you can >make an informed decision and then get there and ask for sauces, >dressings, etc. on the side if you want to save points? > >Or > >1. Do you count points most of the time, but aren't really very strict >about. >2. Exercise at least a few times a week, working towards getting more >exercise in as you move forward. >3. Do you go to special events and try to make positive choices based on >what is there? >4. Do you eat out and journal what you ate when you get home, even if >you went over points? > >Or > >1. Do you start your week out really good, but sort of fizzle out by >Friday. Or are weekends very difficult to stay on program? >2. Do you not exercise, or only do it every once in awhile? >3. Do you go to special events and figure it's only once a year, and >just enjoy yourself and not stress about food? >4. Do you eat out and figure it's only once in awhile and order what you >want to eat, trying to make better choices but not really worrying about >it. > >These are three " general " ways that people work the program (from what >I've seen over the last two years). One is not necessarily " better " than >the other, although the first way will obviously get you to your goal >faster. I believe that number one is the way to go, personally, but >that's mainly because I'm one of those " It's a control freak thing, I >wouldn't let you understand " types of people and that's how *I* do >things. However, other people prefer to take a much less regimented >approach and my belief is that if you choose to do the second or third, >that's okay as long as you understand the impact of your choices. > >If you are the first type and are losing at a slow rate, you probably >are truly a slow loser with a slow metabolism. That's going to mean >you'll have to just understand that this is going to be a lifelong >journey that is slow and steady. (It's a lifelong journey no matter >what, even if you lose fast.) > >If you are the second type and you want to lose faster, maybe moving up >into category one will speed things up for you. Even just adding >exercise every day. No one says you have to spend three hours in the gym >each day, but new studies are showing that for OPTIMAL health one hour a >day is ideal. Now I know that some people would about pass out at the >very thought, but you start from where you're at, add small increase >goals, and do the best you can within your personal lifestyle. > >If you're in the third category, you're going to lose slowly because >you're not really " working " the program. For some people that's okay. >They prefer to take it in a more " laid back " manner. But if you choose >to do that you simply HAVE to not get down on yourself for not doing >better. It's like not studying for a test, completing only half the >homework, then getting mad that you got a C- on the test and thinking it >isn't fair that the student next to you, who did all the homework and >did study, got an A. You have to not compare yourself to others, in this >case. > >But again, if you want to lose faster you might try moving a few things >into the second category. Maybe make it a goal to journal every single >day, even if you don't like what you see. Then once you're there, work >on adding a definite, intentional exercise program two days a week, >moving up to three, etc. > >As someone who was in the first category, here's how I did: > >I started at 222 with 92 pounds to lose to get to my goal. I didn't set >a goal at first because that just seemed insurmountable, so I set small >goals. > >I learned the program as well as I could and the first month didn't even >bother with exercise. My goal was to get journaling down 100%. I took >one day off the first two months, my birthday. Then I started working a >plan to NOT have to take any days off by banking points (the program at >the time) and saving them for " special " days. > >I hit my 10% on March 1. I started WWers on February 2, so it took me >one month to lose 22 pounds. That was an AWESOME month and really helped >keep me motivated, but I had a few things working " for " me. > >1. I had not seriously done any diets. I would dabble in something (like >Atkins...three days of sheer misery) and then stop because I knew if I >couldn't do it forever, it would mess up my metabolism. So I was never a >yo yo dieter. After one time when I was 20 years old, losing down to a >size 14 and then gaining it ALL back in 6 weeks plus 20 pounds (lost 30 >in two months, gained it all back in six weeks, gained another 20 over >the next two month) I realized that starvation diets were going to be a >lot worse than just staying fat. (I tried eating 800 calories a day. It >was stupid, but I was young and didn't, until that happened, understand >what that does to your body.) I think because I had not yo yo-ed, my >metabolism was pretty " normal " . > >2. My husband went on it with me. > >3. I am the a-retentive, type-A type. I don't say that with pride, >necessarily. It's just how I am and because of that if I did make >mistakes, I got so mad at myself and swore I wouldn't make that mistake >again. I do not suggest this way of life for anyone because it makes for >a high strung personality! (Yes, you can say a prayer for my poor >husband.) But there's nothing wrong with getting a little A-R about >health. > >4. I am the type of person who just goes gung ho with both feet into >things and having a really BIG loss (7 pounds) my first week totally >pumped me up. Over the last two years I have had to teach myself to be >happy with small losses and even (during lifetime/maintenance) small >gains at times and be happy with knowing I did everything correctly. > >I journaled every single day, added exercise after a month and have >chosen an average of six times a week for exercise. (I did, however, >start at doing only two days a week, moving up VERY slowly into where I >am now.) I rarely went over points, and if I did it wasn't intentional. >I tried not to get down on myself for mistakes, but instead learn from >them, try to " re-write " them (go into the Wayback machine and pretend I >had a " do over " on the day and make different choices so that if I ran >into that situation again, I'd be prepared). > >I pre-plan when I go out to eat. For example today I'm going out to >lunch and to a play, then coming home to watch the Superbowl. I know I'm >going to Todai (all you can eat sushi). I pre-entered a huge meal of >sushi, veggies, fruit, and a crepe for dessert so I know what I have to >work with for the rest of the day if I do actually eat 12 pieces of >sushi. (If I do, I won't have to worry about the rest of the day because >I'll be so stuffed I won't be able to eat again until Tuesday, but I >prefer to over-estimate if I know I'll be out and then have a pleasant >surprise when I get home.) > >I take things with me to parties to share. If no one likes them, I >don't care. This Fall when I was on the picket line I'd bring 2 point >zucchini brownies to share with everyone. I knew I could have one or two >and still stay within points, and could easily pass up the donuts, cake, >cookies, and other garbage. I also often bring snacks in my purse: >granola bars, apples, etc. if I know I'm going to be away from home for >awhile. > >I bring snacks with me to work so if I have a " hungry " day I know that >I've got something healthy to grab. A bag of apples goes with me at the >beginning of the week...6 or so 1 point snacks. A box of granola bars >stays in my drawer. If you're someone who might munch on the granola >bars if there are too many there, pop just ONE in your purse and put it >back when you eat it. > >I met my goal on Dec. 14 of 2002 which made it 10 months to lose 92 >pounds at an average of 2 pounds a week. I met my personal goal a month >later, down to 120. I'm down below that now due to time spent >underweight after a series of digestive surgeries last spring. (They had >nothing to do with my weight loss.) I'm maintaining at about 115-117 for >now, which is fine. > >I don't know if that's what you wanted or what you need or if it even >helped. Maybe hearing from someone who is not the control freak type >would help as well, since not everyone is as AR as I am. > >My best suggestion is to seriously...keep on keeping on and embrace >EVERY single victory, focusing on your choices, how you feel, little >funky things like being able to sit in a theater seat more comfortably, >etc. If you're going to be a slow loser it can be SO disheartening if >you just focus on the scale. Just remember that every single day on >program, eating healthy, moving your body is a HUGE step towards long >term health and wellness. And truly, while it is awesome to look and >feel good in your clothing, it is TRULY about how you are going to spend >the rest of your life. Are you going to struggle with movement, >lifestyle related illnesses, sore knees, bad feet, etc. or are you going >to bounce through life knowing that your lifestyle related health is in >your control? > > > Motivation > > > > > > Hi, > > > > I am hoping someone has some advice for me. I have been with > > WW since 6/03. I have lost only 14.2 lbs since then. I had > > lost 19 on my own prior to that. > > > > I think my problem has been just to stay motivated. I do well > > one day and fall apart the next. It is almost as though I > > don't have any willpower/Staying power. > > > > I am frustrated with myself that I have only lost 14 lbs in > > that amount of time. I see other people that have lost that > > in 3 months!! I hate meal plans, but maybe that is what I need to do. > > > > I was just hoping someone who has been doing this a while can > > give me a helping hand. I want this weight off (35 lbs) by > > Sept for my 40th birthday. > > > > TIA > > Jill > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2004 Report Share Posted February 2, 2004 Wow Tory.... this is great. I will print this out and post it on the fridge to remind me. Jill Motivation > > > > > > Hi, > > > > I am hoping someone has some advice for me. I have been with > > WW since 6/03. I have lost only 14.2 lbs since then. I had > > lost 19 on my own prior to that. > > > > I think my problem has been just to stay motivated. I do well > > one day and fall apart the next. It is almost as though I > > don't have any willpower/Staying power. > > > > I am frustrated with myself that I have only lost 14 lbs in > > that amount of time. I see other people that have lost that > > in 3 months!! I hate meal plans, but maybe that is what I need to do. > > > > I was just hoping someone who has been doing this a while can > > give me a helping hand. I want this weight off (35 lbs) by > > Sept for my 40th birthday. > > > > TIA > > Jill > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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