Are You Losing Your New Year’s Motivation?

Roni, I know this is a common thing this time a year as everyone runs on the high of New Year’s resolutions, but I find this seems to be a pattern whenever I try to get on a healthy lifestyle trend – regardless the time of year. My whole lifestyle change is the best of intention, then the enthusiasm wanes, I start to slide, I feel defeated and then guess what? The weight lost is regained and i am starting all over again. I am tired of starting all over again, which then leads me to wondering if I should just give up anyway. It’s a vicious cycle that has left me over 300 pounds to a known maximum of 371. To say I am feeling weakened in success is an understatement. I question if it’s truly attainable for me. I know it has been for others, but I just don’t see the results. You know, you always provoke these truths out of me.

Yes, I’m feeling a little slip as I am up a pound from yesterday. Not deterred, but needed to get my head right for the day. I found this quote on my computer this morning and felt it went along with what you just posted Roni, “Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the task anew”. St. Francis de Sales. How nice to realize that each day is truly the only thing we have and it’s such a gift!

No, because I didn’t make any. I’ve never been much of a New Year’s person, or cared much for any date. Instead, I ‘made’ a resolution sometime around March-April last year, and I’ve been slowly but surely keeping on keeping on since then. I’ve lost between 4 and 5 kgs (9-11 lb) in that time, which is after losing 7 kgs (15 pounds) at around the same time the year before. So I’m sitting at about 11-12 kgs (24-26 lb) below my highest, and probably 2-3 kgs (5-7 lb) from where I want to be.

In that time and during that weight loss, I’ve eaten many things I probably ‘shouldn’t have’, and ate too much sometimes, and now and then drank quite a bit of alcohol. But my philosophy isn’t to deprive myself and isn’t to beat myself up if I ‘fail’. I aim to eat the healthiest food I can, in moderate amounts, with enough treats to stop myself going insane. I have a few loose ‘rules’: limit but don’t eliminate carbs (I love toast, but rarely have rice or potatoes), eat as many fruits/veggies as I can, limit but don’t eliminate snacks and eat moderate portions. Oh, and avoid sugary stuff when possible, but don’t stress about it occasionally.

I’m not one for rules, and I’m not one for resolutions. But I’m happy just plodding along, being happy with myself.

Here’s the thing: it’s a lifestyle. It’s not a fad, there is no quick fix. I lost 75 lbs over a three year period. I’ve now maintained (within 5 lbs) for almost six years. I was always chubby as a kid, always heavy as an adult. After I hit goal I realized that the hard work was now starting. It’s about keeping yourself honest, but still enjoying life (I love food…I love wine…I enjoy both). It’s about, when you fall off the horse, picking yourself up, dusting yourself off and moving on. Don’t just stay on the ground beating yourself up for falling off. For me it is a daily battle. I still fight the fat girl within. I’m often not comfortable in my own body. I always think I could do better. But I keep on keepin’ on…because that’s the choice I’ve made.

Didn’t start off with a “January 1st Plan,” but a friend whom I only know via an online fitness/weightloss support site from seven years back started posting her new goals on FB. I got wrapped up in her enthusiasm and a desire to return to those glory days of fitness success, so I asked to join her — virtually, as we lives states apart. Did that yesterday, but from the moment I did (even with a plan to “start” in about a week), my brain went to THAT place. The place where I must eat everything in sight (because, you know, I CAN’T once I COMMIT and also I will most certainly DIE of the deprivation). So, the emotional struggle goes on. I’m not backing out of my commitment, but am, once again, trembling with the fear of potential failure as I find myself at this familiar jumping-off-point of comfort or confidence. P.S. — Roni, I came across your blog a few days ago and credit you with helping me get past my place of having totally given up. Thanks!

I’ve been a reader for a long time, and this is the first time I’ve posted. I’ve been going strong since September 2012, but had really struggled with the food over the last six weeks. But now, what seemed so impossible over the holidays seems possible. I’m determined to keep going–no starting over here–ever again. If I make poor choices, which I will, I will just keep going. I feel like my mind is in the place it needs to be. I also think a positive attitude can do wonders in keeping me in that right place! I don’t care about the scale right now — it’s all about following through. I love the phrase “pushing through it” — have been using that a lot lately in so many ways–just my ramblings!

Usually it is really hard for me to keep my New Year’s resolution, and I lose interest shortly after making it. This year has been different though, because I have been using a tracking website called Gymshout.com that tracks your exercise and nutrition to give you an overall score. It is fun, doesn’t cost anything, and it doesn’t show my friends exactly what I am doing, which is good, because I can be a little self-conscious sometimes. Hope this helps!

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