Let’s face it – in the beginning a weight loss journey can be a little bit fun. You get to make a plan, buy some new food, get rid of some old food, and at least think about what kind of exercise program you might like. It’s a little exciting.
I should know because I started a new weight loss journey at least 12 times a year during the ten years that I struggled with my weight. That’s at least 120 times of “starting afresh” and “beginning again.” It’s also 119 times of quitting before I was anywhere near my goal. 119 times – at least.
But every time the bloom faded from the rose. Within days or occasionally weeks the fun was gone and this whole journey we call weight loss was torturous and annoying and frustrating. So I’d quit because I just couldn’t seem to keep up my enthusiasm and my commitment to my newest weight loss attempt.
Apparently I’m not alone, as I know very few people who actually lost weight and kept if off during their very first weight loss attempt. Rather they, like me, continued to restart themselves over and over again.
It’s so easy to do. After all, after the initial excitement of actually doing something about your weight fades the journey can seem mundane and boring. Measuring food, planning healthy meals, exercising over and over again isn’t the most excitement I’ve ever had in my life. And some, if not all of those things, are necessary to achieve long lasting weight loss success. But they aren’t always exciting and fresh.
What made my 120th attempt different? It was all about attitude and a long-term vision.
My attitude towards the journey shifted from the desire to have it be exciting, fun, and new to realizing that my weight loss journey was in fact a journey into life beyond obesity. And that that life would hopefully be decades and decades long. So I tried to think of the weight loss part as just the stepping off point to the rest of my life. And as such, I tried to think of the stepping off point as a positive move in the right direction, realizing that it would take a long time to lose at least 100 pounds, and if I quit after the fun faded I’d never get there – because the fun would surely fade long before the scale moved 100 pounds.
Were there times when I wanted to quit? Yes. But it wasn’t after the fun initially faded. It was further into my journey. I tried to not think about weight loss as a chore that had to be done, but tried to continue to find other ways to make the journey fun and interesting after the initial excitement was done. And it worked. And here I am all these years later.
What about you? Have you or someone you know ever quit their plan because the fun disappeared or died down? Any recommendations for avoiding this potential pitfall? Diane
I can relate to the fun part, because I’m still there! I’m moving in the right direction, things are feeling easy and effortless. I’m worried about what happens when the fun runs out, so I think I need to reflect a bit on what you’ve written here!
Maren´s last fabulous musings ..10 things about me!
http://www.fittothefinish.com/blog/2009/10/candy-candy-everywhere/
I have the above link on a collection of Halloween posts I have running today. The link is not working. I am not sure of an easy way to find it. Did you take down old posts? Can you rerun this one for me?
Vickie´s last fabulous musings ..Sugar and Halloween – a linky fest
I fixed it Vickie and emailed you!
I am at a point with over 80 lbs. lost and am struggling. I want to find that kind of motivation I had when I first started, where it’s fun again! I know I’m not giving up, but it certainly gets harder and I get frustrated with myself. Good post!
Alissa´s last fabulous musings ..A Productive Day
I can relate. It took me three years to lose 80 pounds. I had to be creative in coming up with new things to keep it exciting and fun. New recipes helped. I would also come up with little challenges for myself. Some revolved around eating and some around fitness. I had to set lots of mini goals with rewards. The one thing that I never did was give up! I have a few more pounds to go and I am sensing that maintenance is going to be similar where I will have to find ways to keep things fresh and new.
Baby steps is what worked for me. At the beginning of my journey in 1997 when I lost my original 40 pounds for the LAST time I started a exercise program only did not work on the diet part at first.Then I incorporated a “diet” using the food pyramid plus weighing and measuring portions. My advice would be not to try to change or fix your whole life at one time. Pick one aspect of losing weight and master it first then move on to the next and get support either in person or online. I’ve belonged to a weight loss online group since 2000 and there support really helps.
I always got frustrated as well. (Still do sometimes). I am very near my goal weight and have been for 2 years. This time the long term vision is what was different. Every change had to be something I was willing to live with FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. I must at least walk 20 mins 6 days a week. I must eat lots of veggies, I must eat lots of fruit. I must do my best to avoid chemicals. I have been able to do that for 4 years now. I don’t make it a must unless I forsee doing it forever.
Great message, Diane!
I’ve certainly known more people who quit than don’t
They live with the regret, however. Staying on track will get you there!
I have an “all-or-nothing” friend who goes gung-ho into her weight loss, but if things slip a little from her plan of attack she falls completely off track and then quits. She saw a great weight loss and even maintained for a while, but when life got hectic and she couldn’t give 110% to her new lifestlye she started gaining back.
I think you are spot on that looking at weight loss with long-term vision makes all the difference. And if we seem to fail, then we have to learn from that failure and keep going.
Leah´s last fabulous musings ..Weigh-In … Hot 100 Update #4
Seeing actual progress on the scale was exciting. Getting positive feedback from people on how good I looked as I lost the weight was very encouraging. That all died off when I reached goal weight and was in maintenance mode.
Maintenance isn’t flashy or exciting. It’s now just my “life.” And I’m okay with that. I never want to go back to the “old me.”
Lisa´s last fabulous musings ..Common Ground
I’m 7 months into my new plan and have lost 55 pounds. I’m still excited but scared to death of what may happen down the road. I’m hoping that by subscribing to your blog and a couple other similar ones I can stay on track. Plus I think that my life-style changes are simple enough to stick with. Here’s hoping! I’m too old to gain this weight back and start again!
I am not overweight and have never had to lose a lot of weight at once, but I am forever in upkeep mode. My motto is definitely slow and steady wins the race. I try to be consistent in good choices and also enjoy a few treats. Dieting would never work for me.
Marie@feedingfive´s last fabulous musings ..Jeannette
I think it is when the weight is harder to lose or those plateaus that people fade out. They want that quicker weight loss they get at the beginning but as we know, there is no quick fix & it takes a long term attitude & consistency.
I think people have to focus on the small steps that get us there & be realistic about that. It ain’t the answer they want but it is the truth.
I remember a conversation where I said that I was somewhat indifferent to weight loss, as long as it’s still happening, I don’t get emotionally involved. I think it might have been a comment I made on a blog post about weight loss euphoria. The person thought that was the biggest bummer, and how would I ever make it, I wasn’t motivated, blah blah. I told him/her that I had a long history of weight loss mania, and this time, I was just going to ignore it, and live how I was going to live. I don’t feel like I have to motivate and cheer myself on, this is now how I live, and if I get emotional, I try to starve and then I binge, and then I regain. So, semi-indifference it is. Fun, this is not. Lifestyle it is.
julie´s last fabulous musings ..Mars and Venus lose weight (or don’t)
I think the tedious, funless part for me is the scale watching since I can’t manage to shake anymore weight off.
I should stop watching the scale, shouldn’t I?
I’m much better at making goals than I am at actually following through on them! If at first you don’t succeed, try try again…119 more times.
You did it though! Good for you!
Stephanie´s last fabulous musings ..I’m Sorry, Justin Timberlake
This is the first time in my life I’ve stuck to keeping my weight off. No its not fun, its easier to eat whatever you want when you want, but you have to ask, is it worth it? Yes, its more worth it now after almost 3 years of keeping it off then when it first happened. My body has repaired so much and I am so much more healthier for it.
Sheri @Motivation Health & Fitness´s last fabulous musings ..Positive Attitude Does It Work?
There is definitely a level of excitement that I initially ride into my weightloss schemes. It tends to fade after a week or two. This time around, however, focusing on the smaller goals and desiring weight loss for reasons other than pure vanity are helping resist the urge to quit again.
I encourage anyone who is struggling to stay on track because of boredom and frustration to simply slow down and think, “Why am I doing this?” Remembering the reason and the goal you’re working towards (and realising whatever you may be about to do could drastically set you back!) will definitely help you stay on track!
Kaitie´s last fabulous musings ..Meanwhile, on Earth…
Yes, I can relate to this Diane, particularly as I’ve picked up a few pounds and it just seems same old, same old to get them off. But I shall plow on and ignore the fact that it’s not exciting anymore.
Liz@LastChanceTraining´s last fabulous musings ..Fast food Friday
I’m with you, Diane…I attempted losing weight SO many times just to fall off the wagon. When I joined Weight Watchers everything finally clicked for me. I’m not sure why it worked but it did. Perhaps being accountable to someone other than myself did the trick. I continue to try to figure it out. But I now try to figure it out with 50 pounds gone and 24 years later and from this side, it looks pretty good to me!
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I can relate! I can’t remember I time when I wasn’t “on a diet”, would love to get off the wagon and stick to you it like you did (and have done!).
Jenna´s last fabulous musings ..Detox Results
I agree totally you have to keep things interesting throughout your whole weight loss or diet experience. It can be hard but with determination it can be done. Keep it fun and relaxing don’t overdue it keep within your boundaries.
Health and Diet Tips
I must say, that I have quit numerous times before and that was due to the fact that I got bored. Bored of it.
This time is different because I have learned how to change my workout every 2 weeks, keeping the exercise routine exciting.
Also, this time I have discovered the internet (blogs & support groups) which also is interesting and this also makes me want to keep to it.
I can relate to what you have blogged.
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