Origin: Healthy Weights
- emotional state suffered by dieters
- hopelessness, despair, self-doubt
di•et tired: (adjective)
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Today, the quitting side of my brain is winning.
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/05/2009 - 21:57
Below is this weeks featured Insider story. Each Insider story includes my reply as the first comment. ~ Drew
Today I am probably as close to quitting as I have ever been and I honestly can't really pinpoint why.
The last 72 hours I have just assumed a "weight loss - be damned" attitude. Nothing drastic has happened and I can't seem to determine where it is stemming from.
My thinking is that I had to admit to myself that even though I have come a long, long way in changing my thinking and developing new habits, the habits haven't resulted in the changes in my body that I had predicted for myself by the end of 2009. One side of my brain is wanting to walk away as the goal just seems unattainable.
The other side of my brain says that I have already done most of the "hard" work (the internal/habit changes) and that the next leg of my journey will result in the outward/visual changes. Today, the quitting side of my brain is winning.
BUT, in anticipation of a dramatic physical change in me over the next 6-8 months, I booked a photo session for myself (and my horse) for Aug 2010 - something I have wanted to do for many, many years now. I do not want to cancel it. So if I quit on myself now - I will have to cancel it and that is the only thought that is keeping me going today.
I need some additional strategies for staying motivated over the long term.
Insiders are members at the Healthy Weights Clinic. They have chosen to share their journey with you in the hopes that strength and persistance can drawn from each other. I encourage you to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Comments
These are old thought
These are old thought patterns. These are not the new thought patterns that you have developed.
Maybe you are tired, frustrated or coping with other challenges, maybe wecan't put our finger on it.... but we can put our finger on the fact that this is the OLD habitual way of thinking. For instance:
1. Why only two options? Continue or quit? There is a whole host of options.... take a break from tracking for week, change your exercise routine, try something different, do more, do less, take a vacation from any diet behaviors, skip your morning workouts and simply walk later in the day.
2. Why do you need to decide ... today? Sleep on it.
3. Your thoughts are not truths, they are your thoughts. They are prone to preconceived notions and poor judgment.
That is what makes us human! ..and often adorable.
4. You wrote to me. This speaks volumes. You are far from giving up. This is part of the journey and I'm so glad that I can be along for the ride with you.
Oh, I am so with you this
Oh, I am so with you this week. I've been sick, like flat out in bed, and when I'm sick I want comfort, and that means food, like 2 boxes of Stouffer's Mac and Cheese, and 2 cinnamon buns. sigh. I'm feeling better now and hoping to get back on track but I was so despairing earlier in the week. I am afraid to step on the scale tomorrow. Maybe I won't, but I'll still show up to walk for my appointment.
I don't have anything wise to add to Drew's comment, just that you're not alone. The best thing I have taken away so far from Healthy Weights is that it's not all or nothing. A day or two with bad habits is not the end of the world and we shouldn't beat ourselves up about it. Best of luck getting back on track.
When the photoshoot gets
When the photoshoot gets closer you will be so glad that you have a healthy lifestyle that will be second nature by then. Hang in there. Be patient and flexible with yourself. This works for me and I actually enjoy working it all out in an interesting way,it has become a cool part of the challenge.
I have only just started this
I have only just started this week but I know the feeling well from past-inexperience! Keep thinking of all you've done health-wise internally for your body and that it will start showing more on the outside soon. Instead of totally giving up, try the 80/20 rule for awhile: 80% of your diet "good for you" foods and 20% of your diet "not-so-good for you" foods. But keep up that exercise! It helps keep your mood stable.
Drew, once again, a great
Drew, once again, a great post! I am chatting about it Monday on my blog & obviously linking back here.
Me, I always think about how far I have come, how much I have accomplished, how much healthier I feel when I get to points like this. I just don't want to go back where I was & when I felt so badly about myself!
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