What helped you stick to your diet/healthy lifestyle?

[plainflower]

I've never been a diet person but when I was younger I stuck to a really healthy diet and that's the only time I genuinely felt and looked my best, no diet just watched what the amount of junk I was putting in my body. So I know I can do it I'm just lacking motivation or determination. I really like the idea of intermittent fasting but I can never stick to it for longer than a week, I always just tell myself 'I'll have a cheat day today and start again tomorrow' and it always goes downhill again from there as I just eat junk in the evenings . Working out also feels like a chore but again, I know I can do it when I'm determined to reach my goal! So I'd like to ask... what helped you stay motivated and stick to your diet or healthy lifestyle?

[Gemi33]

Hi OP

I'm exactly the same. Years ago I lost weight and felt great, it actually seemed quite easy because I just felt focused and motivated from the start. Now I feel like I've tried everything but nothing seems to suit and I can't stick to anything. It's so frustrating.

xx

[AirPie]

Agree with PP that you have to find a strong reason to lose weight and get healthy. Once you’ve found your ‘why’ then the actual method doesn’t matter so much - you can stick to it. I’m not motivated by having a beach body - I just know that if I don’t lose weight then my osteoarthritis is going to cause serious mobility problems - that’s if the high cholesterol doesn’t finish me off first. That will be crap for me and my DCs. So dig deep OP and find your reason to do it - otherwise it’s too easy not to. Good luck!

[worldweary45]

Honestly what helped me was the fear of getting seriously ill

As a single parent to older teens, 1 with additional needs, I suddenly realised that them moving to live with grandparents wasn't going to be an option anymore if something happened to me. They aren't old enough to manage alone but are too old for much support either. My dd with additional needs is just about to age out of children's services yet isn't severe enough to access adult services unless she goes into crisis and reaches out for support (which I can't see her ever doing)

Fear is a huge motivator

[MsTSwift]

That’s amazing owl. Op You’ve got to want it. My push was a routine medical confirming I was officially overweight bmi 27. It’s 21 now.

[EndlessUserName]

Op it's not you that's the problem, it's the way you're trying to do it. You haven't found what suits you yet, and that's ok.

For me, I've made some small changes instead, don't buy junk food, filling half my plate with veg, weigh out pasta and rice (I have 100g), just little things can make a difference

[OwlPop]

I started my diet on feb 16th and I've lost 32lbs so far. I just walk 15k steps a day, eat between 12-7pm and stick to about 1400 cals a day

You just need to grit your teeth to get past the hard first few weeks

[plainflower]

Well!! Day 1 of my 16:8 and attempt to work out. I FAILED. Did the quickest workout ever (not even 5 minutes!!!) as DD would not leave me alone and I've just sat down and had a packet of crisps in my fasting window. I just give up, why can't I stick to it!!!

[blubberball]

@ITonyah Been every day for a few weeks now. It won't be permanent, but I have a lot of weight to lose.

[EndlessUserName]

Tiny habits is a great book

[twostripycats]

Something just clicked for me at the start of lockdown. I’m completely ashamed of how I look and knew that this was my time to try and sort it out.

I’m supposed to be getting married this year and having a first fitting booked for my extremely figure hugging dress is definitely motivating too!

[ITonyah]

I've gradually worked my way to fasting 23:1, since new year every day?!

[Foreverlexicon]

I’ve slowly lost 20lb in the last year by eating healthier and the odd more intense week of dieting but also plenty of time off the wagon. Now trying to crack on as my partner is hopefully moving in in a couple of months which will make it much harder so I’m using MFP. When I start struggling I just repeat get it done as I don’t have that much left to lose really.

[PumpkinPie2016]

plainflower I run early morning when no one is around 😁

I have occasionally seen another person but we don't really notice eachother- just nod and carry on.

I find wearing my headphones and listening to music helps.

[fessmess]

moving how? How have you lost 2 stone and I have put on 1/2 a stone?? I am baffled. I walk 1-2 hours every day and eat healthily. I HAVE drunk a little more frequently and I am normally much more active but it feels so unfair. 😞

[MsTSwift]

Found a form of exercise that works (turbo whilst watching box set episode a day) 16 / 8 limit bad snacks relax at weekends. Lost 2 stone and maintaining bmi 21

[blubberball]

Well done everyone! I've found that taking things in little steps has helped me, rather than trying to do anything massive and dramatic. I've gradually worked my way to fasting 23:1, since new year. Drinking more water. Trying free work outs on YouTube. Knowing my own weaknesses and limitations. I know that I hate running, and I hate the gym, but working out at home with no equipment needed suits me fine.

I've lost 22lbs since new year, and this is the longest I've ever stuck to any healthy lifestyle.

My next little step is to cut down sugar.

[plainflower]

@KellyHall that sounds amazing! How long do are your running sessions normally. Yes to the dancing around, I love doing that when I get a chance to and some time to myself. Well done on the weight loss

[KellyHall]

No one cares what you look like when you're running, most people don't notice runners at all. I've started running during lockdown because it's the only thing no-one else in my household wants to do and I can actually get away from everyone once in a while! Also covid has meant I can use a face mask so neither asthma nor hayfever are an issue because my face mask filters my air.

I've changed the way I see food and view it more as fuel. I want to feel and be healthy so now see healthy eating as a treat to myself, junk food as doing something harmful to myself. I try to keep moving as much as possible, even if I don't want to exercise I put music on and dance around until I feel like I've done a workout. I vary my workouts so I don't do the same thing more than twice a week even though I workout every day because I hate being bored, and I get bored really easily.

Once I started to lose weight, I found it easier to eat a bit less, then I lost a bit more and exercising got easier. I've lost 6kg in lockdown so far and have 3 left before I'm a 'healthy' weight for my height. I'm 8kg more than I was 10 years ago though, when I was single, childless and had all the time in the world to prepare proper meals and exercise.

[plainflower]

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace that's a good thing to keep you motivated! Good luck for the competition!

[NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace]

I'm training for a competition. I'll be competing with much younger, much more glamorous women and ..... I just want to give it my best shot for all the late 40 somethings who think that life ends at 50 (trust me: it doesn't )

[plainflower]

I really envy all of you that said running, I just feel and look ridiculous when running I'm definitely going to give my 16:8 a go again starting tomorrow and be stricter with myself! Also gonna start my workout routines again. I just hope all goes to plan THIS time

[PumpkinPie2016]

I've lost just over 3kg (approximately 7lb) in 2 the last two weeks.

I have taken up running again and I am using myfitnesspal to track calories. I stick to 1200-1300 a day. Plus, I am sort of doing 16:8 but only the last couple of days. I say sort of as I can't function without a cup of tea in the morning haha! But I don't have sugar and I have skimmed milk in it.

I have stopped buying cake/chocolate (my big weaknesses!). I've upped my water intake and I am eating more fruit/veg.

I can definitely feel the results now. My clothes are fitting better already and I am not as tired and lethargic. Obviously won't apply to everyone but my IBS has been much better too.

In terms of staying motivated, I am focusing on long term, sustainable changes. So, if I have an odd treat, that's fine as long as I moderate it. I think if you deprive yourself too much it's harder
to keep going. Can you choose one day a week to have a treat?

[pairofchairs]

Running here too.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

Fasting as your hunger disappears.