Small changes to get Back On Track?

I love this time of year.  The commercials are geared toward losing weight, eating healthy and exercising.  Everyone is trying to sell their product just in time for the big resolution day of January 1st.

Also, the news shows have interviews of resolutions, goal setting and how to achieve success.  One of the interviews got me thinking so I thought I'd share here with you.  The professional said that when you want to get back on track from the holidays that you make small changes rather than go for making big changes all at once.  Taking on small changes creates a momentum of success.  Rather than tackling all of the big changes of getting back on track, the professional suggested taking on a small change and build from there.

What do you think of that?  For you, is it best to get back on track by making big changes or breaking down getting back on track into steps.  For example, if we've gotten into grazing, drinking with meals and eating simple carbs and sugar, take on one at a time rather than all of them.  Possibly, for January, stop drinking with your meals.  For February, take on another step in what you consider to be "on track" for you. 

The interview got me thinking about my own process.  With the holidays, I've taken a few detours from my being on track.  So, I'm recommiting to get back on track, I'm thinking about the best way for me - in small ways that build on each other or take it all on.  Grazing is a biggie for me so I'd probably tackle the ones that are easier for me first. 

Thanks!!! 

Cathy

I like this idea.  I have always before tried to do it all at once and do it perfectly.  Of course, I couldn't do it.  So...tackling it a step at a time will be my strategy.  For January I commit to eating 3 meals a day, with two snacks and recording my intake.  Blessings to everyone getting back on track..TOGETHER!

I'm right there with you.  I've always tried to do it ALL at one time and you are so right on with doing it perfectly.  If I couldn't do it perfectly (and who can?), I would get frustrated and go off track.  From there, I stumbled getting on track. 

I think our BOTT is on to something with committing to getting/staying on track with small changes rather than perfection all at once.

I haven't decided what my commitment for January is quite yet but I'll post it when I do. Yours sounds great! 

Cathy

For January, I also commit to getting back on track and getting my protein intake up and my carb intake down. Good luck to all who want to get back on track and Happy New Year.
Debbie

Hi Debbie,

Those are great goals to start off the year with.  Just an offer, if it would help you, feel free to post here as often as you'd like with your protein/carbs for the day.  I read a study that discuss people that log their food or have a form of accountability outside of themselves do better with healthy lifestyle changes.  As I read that, I thought our BOTT would be a good place to do that. 

I haven't decided yet what my goal for January would be.  When I do, I'm going to post about it and I think I'll do the regular posting here too.

Thanks for your post.  Great goals!

Cathy

I love the idea of a goal a month.  January I am focused on cutting out sugar - since this has crept back into my diet I have gained about 15 pounds - not good.  February, I'll set a new goal.  I think this will make a year long goal not seem so daunting.  I use to tell people all the time "We can eat an elephant one bite at a time" - this is both good and bad.  I can conquer anything with baby steps, but I could also, literally eat an elephant one bite at a time if I don't make the choice to stop.

Hi Kathleen,

The more I've though about the goal of back on track in small monthly steps the more I like it.  I've always been one to do it all and perfectly.  If I couldn't do it all at once and perfectly (unrealistic expectations, huh), I wouldn't do it.  I'm glad that you like the idea of a goal a month too. 

Just like you say with the elephant, I have a stone that is etched with "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" that pretty much sums it up too.  I'm changing my mindset that one step isn't enough.  It is and especially when you create momentum by adding other steps per month.  This time next year, we'll have completed a lot of success!

Thanks for your post.  Great goal in cutting out sugar.  I haven't decided quite yet which habit I want to change for January.  Sugar though is right up there on the list!

Thanks, Cathy

I often let the perfect stand in the way of the good.  I've tackled this problem in house keeping by using the fly lady method.  Maybe I don't have an hour to make the kitchen spic and span but surely I have ten minutes to clean off the counters.

I may not be able to deal with every bad habit, but for January I can deal with sugar.

I have signed up for this group, but I'm not sure I belong here.  I had WLS in July of 2007, lost a total 30 pounds and have slowly gained back 15-20.  I was never on track for any length of time.  Over the holidays, I had a conversation with someone who had had surgery recently, and through our conversation, I realized that I had probably never even experienced the "sweet spot" everyone with the lap band talks about.  I commited to her that I would call for a fill appointment, and I have one for January 9th.  My doctor told me too that people who are the most successful make regular fill appointments.  I haven't been committed to any of this.  I've been pretty shocked by my behavior.  I really didn't think I would react this this.

So, slowly, "one step at a time," I've been working on my behaviors.  I joined a gym a couple of months ago and have been swimming but not often enough.  I need to do that or play on Wii more often.  I have two kids, a full-time job, and a husband whose job took him to another city for two years, so he's only home on the weekends, so I don't have a lot of time, but I have to make the best use of the time I have.  I know I will have more energy when I start taking off weight again.

Another comment my doctor made was that with the lap band, there is not a "window of opportunity" that can be lost.  You can start getting fills again and start over.

I feel different now than I did before.  I want to believe that it's enough to get me through this time, but I don't have much confidence in myself.

So, I'm here.  This weeks small step was to start tracking my  protein intake.

Deanna

Tracking protein is GREAT.  Studies have proven we over estimate our exercise and under estimate our eating.  Tracking your actual protein intake will keep you honest.

You have a Wii, I think that's great.  Use it to BOTH exercise AND spend time playing with your kids - it's a win win in a busy life.  Do you have Wii Fit?  It is a great way to have friendly competition with your children.  We just bought Dance Dance Reveloution for the Wii.  Not for exercise but for fun.  My daughter loves it, so does my husband and by the end of a routine I find myself winded.  Family fun and exercise is a giant bonus and eliminates the excuse of no time.