Entries from May 2009 ↓

I read a quote on Diettired Blog the other day - it was by a motivational speaker called Zig Ziglar. It said:-

“People say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we reccomend it daily”

This really strikes true for me.  I’ve always read weightloss books, I especially like the ones that deal with ways to defeat cravings using mental re-training or cognitive therapy. And I often find that my motivation is really high for a few weeks afterwards, but then it wanes.

A lot of times, the motivation comes from mantras, little sayings that stick in your head and provide the little boost that gets you through those tough cravings and moments of temptation.  For example, after reading The Thin Commandments, I found the mantra “It won’t make me happy, it will only make me heavy!” really struck a chord with me and was very effective in turning me away from off-plan eating. But after a few weeks, I forgot about it. It wasn’t floating around at the front of my head so much anymore and the motivation was gone.

A while back I realised that I had forgotten a number of really useful mantras that had helped me in the past. Actually, I hadn’t so much forgotten them as gotten out of the habit of using them. They didn’t come to me automatically anymore when I needed them, although I’m sure they would have come to mind if someone asked “What does such-and-such book say?”  The point is, you need to keep these things close, and practice them for them to be there when you really need them.

For me, the solution was a new divider labelled “Motivation” in my diet file, where I am now writing down every mantra, motivational quote, saying and concept I come across. I have made a committment to re-reading it every week when I do my meal plan, and to continue researching and adding new motivations to it.

So far it is very effective in keeping old mantras at the front of my head, where I need them, and also in making me remember new ones. I read or hear them and think, “Oh, I must write that down in my file!”

Maybe for you the solution is a notebook, or an index card in your wallet. Whatever, the principles hold true. Write down your motivations, keep them handy, read them regularly, and add to them often.

Although I won’t be blogging every day this week, I’m hoping to continue the same momentum through a second week. My goals for the week are:
- No chocolate on a week day
- No eating after dinner on a weekday
- Some form of exercise every workday and one weekend day.

My motivation is pretty high despite my weigh in this week, hopefully it will last!

OK, so I had a perfect week. I weighed myself on Saturday morning - just to see how I was going, and I was down by 1.2kgs to 69.8. Great!! I figured all I had to do was not pig out for a day and I was sorted!

So that’s what I did. I exercised, and didn’t eat anything terribly bad, and stuck to my no chocolate goal.

Then, on my official weigh in on Sunday, I weighed 70.8!! How the hell does that happen? 1kg in a day?

Of course I know that it’s just one of those weird things, water retention or whatever. But I’m still pretty pissed off about it. All that good work and nothing to show for it!

Next weeks weigh in had better be a huge loss!

I’m almost there! a perfect week. Blogging every day has been a really good way to get back on track, each time I’ve felt tempted I’ve been wording posts in my mind - which would you rather write, I acheived my goals today, or I blew it? very motivating
Yesterday went well, I stuck to my plan exactly. So far today I have exercised, eaten well, planned the rest of the days meals (including a healthy snack to take out tonight) and planned next weeks meals. So that’s a good day to.

I will blog again tomorrow to report on the results of my week, and to confirm that I didn’t blow it at the last minute!

Yesterday I acheived my goals, although I really did not want to work out after work, i did it anyway and now I’m glad
Today I will not be working out, but I’ll be going dancing which is almost as good! My goals for today are simple, no chocolate or fatty food. I plan to have a sala or something before going dancing, and two drinks while I’m there. With diet coke of course

Another gold star for me! I acheived all my goals yesterday.  I struggled a bit with the exercise - I’m still getting over a cold and was very tempted to stop after just ten minutes of wheezing away on the treadmill. But I walked for five minutes and then managed another ten minute run, so that’s a tick as far as I’m concerned!

I had to stop into the shops after work, and usually I would pick up a small chocolate as a treat. I did think of it, but it wasn’t too hard to resist really. I just reminded myselfthat this is a chocolate free week, and it’s only one week and I don’t need it. I bought a plum instead which was really good - just what I wanted.

Todays goals are - one good workout, no after dinner eating (a bit harder tonight as it’s Greys Anatomy night!) and no chocolate!

I have one other non-food goal today, I need to get Quicken propoerly set up on my computer and figure out how to use it, as my spending is almost as out of control as my eating used to be!

I acheived all my diet goals for yesterday again! yay for me, that’s two good days in a row.

I had a bit of temptation after lunch - the chocolate box was calling, but it wasn’t too hard really to tell myself that it’s just one day - you can do it!

Today’s goals are the same, no unplanned snacks, (chocolate) no after dinner eating and one good workout. The workout may be a bit harder today as I am a bit pressed for time. I’ll try to go after work.

A big gold star to me for achieving all my goals for yesterday! A good workout - check.  No Chocolate - check. No eating after dinner - check.

I had a few moments of temptation. On the way home form work the vending machines beckoned as usual - a nice snack to ‘relax’ with on the train would be lovely! But I tried out a bit of re-training, thinking firmly to myself  ”Thank God I don’t have to eat that crap to relax anymore!”  When you’re in a good mood and feeling positive, it’s amazing how well this can work! It’s harder if you are feeling down.

I also got a bit hungry before bed, probably because I hadn’t been organised enough and eaten enough during the day. But I stuck with it - reminding myself of what I would LIKE to post on this blog today really helped!

My goals for today are the same as yesterday -

• A good workout (already done!)
• No chocolate
• No after dinner eating (Easy - it’s dancing night, I won’t be home till late)

OK, so yesterday was my free day, and I made use of it, with cheese and dips in the afternoon with Sarah and popcorn at the movies in the evening.

Today is back on track day - so far so good, but it’s only 10am so we’ll see!

My goals for today are
- No Chocolate
- No eating after dinner
- One really good workout.

I actually need the workout for more than weight loss reasons, after a week of no exercise due to being sick I am again suffering from restless legs and I just hate it. It’s a constant annoyance. So back into it I go today, runny nose and all!

I’ve suspected it for some weeks, but today’s weigh in really confirms that I am at a danger point in my weight loss. I have become complacent, and allowed bad habits to creep back in. After dinner eating, afternoon chocolates, weekend snacks, all happening more and more frequently.

Today I weighed in at 71.0kgs. I could explain this with the fact that I had an indulgent weekend away last week, and I’ve been sick, hanging out at home and not able to exercise. But the really worrying fact is that there has been no appreciable change in my weight for SEVEN WEEKS. It’s just been going up and down around the 70  - 71 mark.

Not good enough.

I said this before, but then didn’t follow through with it. This week I am going back to basics. No eating after dinner, no chocolate at all, and researching and memorising my re-training and relaxation techniques to fight cravings.

It’s time to get back on track. I will try to blog every day this week.