QOTW...How do you get back on track?

Avatar for cl_grace_50
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Registered: 03-19-2003
QOTW...How do you get back on track?
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Mon, 05-24-2004 - 12:09pm

We all have times that we do really well with exercising and eating. Then life gets in the way...good and bad...and we get off track. How do you get back on track and stay on track after a setback? It always seems so hard to stay committed the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc time. Maybe it works a day or two, but then the "why bothers" sneak in.


So...share your way of getting and staying committed.


Grace

cl-grace_50

cl-grace_50 

fitness4health@yahoo.com

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 1:09pm

The one thing that really seems to help me get back on track when I've slipped off is journaling.

Lori

"Remember, I'm pullin' for ya.  We're all in this together." --Red Green

cl for Ask the

Avatar for imthebigsister
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 1:11pm
I wish it were magic, but for me it's really just making up my mind to get off my tail and move already. I go through stages where I don't want to do anything. Sometimes it coincides with AF's arrival, but not consistently. I can almost tell looking at my workout calendar (nothing more than I did one, not what, for how long, etc) when one of those moods is going to hit. It seems I'll go about 10 weeks where I'm in the groove, and then suddenly I'll just sit back. Not to admire my progress, but just because I don't feel like working out. The desire to work out comes back when I think about how much of a difference exercising and healthy eating has made in how good I feel and how I want to keep getting those good marks at the doctor's office. I wanted all A's in school; I guess I haven't changed all that much! Funny what one less-than-stellar report card will do for you......


Avatar for dmm11730
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Registered: 04-06-2003
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 1:28pm
I think by coming here and posting and reading it keeps me semi on track. It is hard to stay on program and keep up a regular exercise program. I find it difficult because I feel like I am being pulled into several direction all at the same time. I find my energy level is so low and that bothers me, even after pushing myself to do the exercise. I know if I do not fight back and allow my bad habits to control me I will only gain more weight and that is something I will not allow.

I think we all need to stop beating ourselves up when we do slip. Again the comment about eatting anything but within moderation is so true and I think that is why I can follow WW the best. Now just sticking with it is another thing.

Deb

Debbie

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Registered: 01-03-2001
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 1:51pm
Great question!I'm looking forward to reading the others post.I was very happy to read Lori's because it reminded me how much better i do with food when I write it down.I do fairly well with exercise because I truly love to run. The only problem I have is if Flo rears her head and makes me tired.Then I get off track and have some problems getting back in gear.My biggest problem is food.The hardest thing I have had to deal with is realizing I just can't eat like I used to and still get in my clothes.I LOVE food, especially the kind that heads straight for your waist and stays there.I'm hoping to turn my attitude and perspective around this week and realize the effort I put into it will make the payoff more than worthwhile.Is it Friday yet.........:)

Miss P




 

Avatar for ive_got_five
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Registered: 11-11-2001
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 2:11pm
I'm finding this an interesting thread and I'm finding that I'm in the minority. I'm much better with my eating habits than with my exercise. I've made some really good and positive changes to my diet over the past year or so and it has truly become a way of eating for me. Most of the time when I eat "junk", it is a very conscious choice to do so. It's rare that I mindlessly grab things and stuff them in my mouth, even when they're in the house. But it's taken a long time to get to this point. I've fallen so many times, given up and binged. I think I'm finally passed that now. I *allow* myself to have a small portion of something and move on! Yesterday we had hotdogs and fries for lunch at the beach. I ate my hotdog and savoured the dozen or so french fries I had. Before I would have eaten the whole tray to myself!

Now exercise is a very different story for me. I've been doing well for the last 3 weeks, getting my specified walks in 6 days a week because of the "Walk It Off Challenge". But, a few days I've really had to force myself to do it and I'm still having problems with the strength training. I did get a workout in yesterday, but I always seem to find other stuff to do that is *more* important. I guess I really need to work at the mindset and remind myself that the workouts are important too!


Edited 5/24/2004 2:14 pm ET ET by ive_got_five

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 6:04pm

As you can probably tell, I am having trouble getting back on track. I am doing ok with the exercise even with these darn feet. Not doing exactly what I want, but I am working around it for now.


Now the eating is very hit or miss. I don't understand why I can't stick to WW. I did so well on it the first time I did it. (The low carbing or somersizing does work for me, but I cannot stick to it at all. I even end up nauseous from the amount of protein and veggies, especially at dinner.) Once I hit goal and became a lifetime member, I started to slide. I know it will work if I give it a chance. But, I am tired of counting everything and journaling and thinking of food all the time. Moderation is the key, but it is not enough for me. My moderation must have too many calories in it.


I am trying to remember how I did it the first time - what kept me motivated to keep going. Even going back to meetings hasn't helped. I just stop going when I feel like I failed. I really think that it had to do with paying money every week and you don't have to go every week once you are lifetime.


I know what I have to do and the ole kick in the butt is needed. A real live friend would help too. Someone I see everyday who I can call and/or talk to. Everyone is so busy with work, family, kids. I do understand...just in a different stage of my life.


So...as soon as I figure out what gets and keeps me on track...I will share.


Grace


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2003
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 7:51pm

For me, the answer is just thinking differently.

“You can only grow if you’re willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” -Brian Tracy
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2001
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 7:58pm
I think every so often I just need to hit rock bottom. I have to say I haven't had to go so low lately to realize I need to regroup. It's usually just a feeling of feeling like crap. Whenever I lay off good eating habits and don't get in any excercise I can tell by my mood and just general feelings of not feeling right. I can't live with an eating plan where I can't have this or that. I've learned that when I tell myself it just makes me crave it more. I need to have that indulgence every so often. It's been learning the difference between indulgence and just going overboard and not giving in to thinking that I've exercised so I should be able to have whatever I please. I do believe that my eating habits have changed quite a bit. I've learned that I need to eat 3 meals with 2 healthy snacks in between. I have a habit of not doing that on the weekends and it shows in my mood and usually overeating. I've actually cut back on my workouts. I was trying to do 45 minutes to an hour 6x a week but just feeling exhausted afterwards. I've had many a guilt trip as of late by cutting back to 30 to 45 minutes and cutting back in intensity. I see how hard you ladies work at your workouts and often times consider myself lazy. It just seems with the use of the bp medication that I'm on, the onset of menopause and lots of Rice Krispie sounds coming from the bones that I'm better off with a more gentle workout and just keeping up with those 30 minutes 4x to 6x a week. I don't like to miss more than 2 days in a row with a workout because I find keeping the workouts consistent help me keep my eating consistent as well.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2000
Tue, 05-25-2004 - 9:26am
Good question, and I'm not sure of the answer! I had a much harder time getting back into exercising this year (Jan/Feb) after a 2-month break, but OTOH, once I got back into it, it's not taken me long to get to the level where I left off.

It's a matter of making up my mind that I'll carve out time - ANY time - to get in a workout of some sort. And pushing myself to persevere even when I don't want to. It helps setting a goal of 3x a week, and invariably, I'll eventually realize that 3x a week isn't getting me the results I want. In that I'm fortunate that I've got a track record for a previous success that I can strive for.

I find that eating properly is much harder for me to do. Last summer I was really into peaches and strawberries, and those seasons are just getting upon us, but meanwhile I've drifted away from fruits. Water is another rough spot for me. I drink more than I used to, but still prefer something like Wyler's (or a store brand) flavored drink - lite, of course. I've quit counting daily glasses. I drink milk (Ovaltine) in the morning, coffee (1-2 cups), then go to water or Wyler's (3-4 glasses a day betweem the two), and allow myself a glass of soda or two per day. Between the milk and water/Wylers I'm getting 46-58 ounces of better liquids a day without caffeine.












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Tue, 05-25-2004 - 10:29am
You look great, Deb! You know what, I am going to be like you - I don't want to be skinny and I'm not going to try any more fads (diets). I dabbled in something last year & yes, I did well with getting rid of alot of processed foods. I lost some weight, too. However, I went a little extreme (ate more meat than I like & yes, meats have things in them that I hate reading about . . .) and got to the point I hated eating. That's bad! I love to cook and eat, so I'm to the point where I want to be fit, healthy & happy. I don't want to eat too much of something to where I get sick of it ever again. Balance is the key for me as long as I try for the healthiest versions of foods the majority of the time.

I am not the slimmest or best toned person on this board, but I have to make allowances for what time I have to spend on fitness - practically zilch! I think I do pretty darn good, considering. To be totally honest, I'd rather have my slightly plump body any day over being too thin. I'm so glad I don't have an eating disorder - I was listening to the beautiful music of The Carpenters this weekend. I grew up wishing I could sing like Karen Carpenter. What a tragedy!!! Her brother wrote that she read a review that made a reference to her as being chubby when she was young and that had affected her body image.

It's always a mistake to let what others think affect the way we treat our bodies.

Katherine (Kat)

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