Whenever I go on a diet I'm always happy when I get the results. Eventually the drive starts to wane and then I'm always surprised that I don't continue to lose weight when I stop doing the grunt work. I'm bitter in fact. Bitter that you can really never back down from working hard for what you want.
That fact was really driven home the last couple days. I've only been tracking my calories..two days maybe? As soon as I make sure that I'm staying within my range (even if it's at the maximum of that range) I lose another pound. On one hand, I should be happy. One whole pound in two days! On the other hand, I'm kind of irritated that the solution to my weight problem is really very simple and yet so difficult. I can't come up with a different approach or a more creative solution. I can't figure out a way to not do the work to get the results. There is one solution to my one problem and it will always be the same. Eat less - track what I eat to make sure that I'm doing it, move more - set goals and find competitive outlets. Period.
This truth may manifest itself differently for different people. Some people are just more naturally able to make sure that they are eating less. Perhaps they are more in tune with their bodies and their relationship to food. Some people exercise because they must. Because there is no other way for them to feel good. But many people, people like me, just can't rely on instincts and desires to manage their health. People like me need to keep daily food logs and constantly set goals. They need to be painfully aware of what they are doing in order to make sure that they aren't straying from a set system.
I think this may be one of the hardest things that overweight people have to realize. The person that does the work gets the results. If we are completely honest with ourselves, we know exactly why we haven't got the results we want. Even if we don't like the truth of the matter.
That fact was really driven home the last couple days. I've only been tracking my calories..two days maybe? As soon as I make sure that I'm staying within my range (even if it's at the maximum of that range) I lose another pound. On one hand, I should be happy. One whole pound in two days! On the other hand, I'm kind of irritated that the solution to my weight problem is really very simple and yet so difficult. I can't come up with a different approach or a more creative solution. I can't figure out a way to not do the work to get the results. There is one solution to my one problem and it will always be the same. Eat less - track what I eat to make sure that I'm doing it, move more - set goals and find competitive outlets. Period.
This truth may manifest itself differently for different people. Some people are just more naturally able to make sure that they are eating less. Perhaps they are more in tune with their bodies and their relationship to food. Some people exercise because they must. Because there is no other way for them to feel good. But many people, people like me, just can't rely on instincts and desires to manage their health. People like me need to keep daily food logs and constantly set goals. They need to be painfully aware of what they are doing in order to make sure that they aren't straying from a set system.
I think this may be one of the hardest things that overweight people have to realize. The person that does the work gets the results. If we are completely honest with ourselves, we know exactly why we haven't got the results we want. Even if we don't like the truth of the matter.
Bethany, I agree with you 100%! I am the exact same way. I lose motivation after a while and start backsliding. I've only been trying to lose weight (this time) for a month now. I've had a few days where I just didn't think about what I ate and overdid it with unhealthy food choices too. I just have to keep telling myself that I am doing this for me and no one else. If I am not happy with my body, then what good will all the bad food do for me? It isn't satisfying my heart, only my tastebuds. For once, I want my heart to soar when I look in the mirror, not shrink back in sadness and frustration. I will get there, and so will you! Keep going girlie!
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