How to keep motivation going?

Good morning,

Struggling with motivation, had a busy weekend and of course it revolved around food.

My husband loves a local place that has a great fish fry on Fridays, I did ok, had a piece of fish and some coleslaw. Then Saturday there was a rib cook off close to home, so we went there. Did get to see Frankie Ballard, he sounded good. Had a few ribs and then a couple of Guinness, ate well in the beginning of the day.

I know back in the day I could have done a lot worse, but emotionally I feel like I failed, even though logically I know I might not have made the best choices, but it could have been worse.

This process is so much more mental than I ever thought. 32 pounds of regain has me feeling like the old 230 pound woman I used to be, even though I have lost 14 pounds of it so far. It's crazy up here in my head!!!

My husband just does not get it and neither do any of my close friends. 

Well, I think that about sums it up.

What do you guys do to help with the stinking thinking?

Thanks,

Maria

The process of being on track isn't about having perfect days of eating.  Life happens so weekends like you just had are part of it.  For me, the most important day is the next day.  Being on track (to me) is getting back to your norm, and not extending into the next day.  If you get back on track today, that will make you feel better and more in control.  

Being a post-op long-term, it is about a 95% head thing.  You're right, it is more mental.  When we've just had surgery, it is more physical from having the benefits of our WLS.  After that window has lessened, it becomes mental.  Newly post-op, it is 80% surgery/20% us.  After the first or second year, it becomes 50% surgery/50% us.  Beyond that, it is more like 20% surgery/80% us.  Today, keep your head in the back on track "game" make sure your weekend doesn't extend into today and beyond.

When I need to be motivated, I'll call a friend, cruise OH, check in here like I did yesterday because it really helped, I'll do my hobbies that keep my hands busy and occupies my head, I'll cruise FB for motivating images, and do major self-talking as what I would say to someone else (coach myself).  

Keep telling yourself that You've Got This because you do!  

Thanks Cathy.

I got right back on track yesterday, but it is just the whole head game I play with myself. Thanks for the reassurance of the whole mental aspect of this. It really is tough and never realized how much I used food to cope with emotions.

Getting back on OH has made a big difference for me. I really avoided the scale and the boards for too long!

Found some mandelas to print for free online. Pretty cool!

~Maria

Hey Maria!  I'm struggling too.  I haven't reached goal yet, and I'm really upset with myself.  I'm probably "on track" 80% of the time, but I NEED to be on track all the time, or I'll never reach goal.  I'm not gaining weight, but I'm barely losing at all, and I've got about 60-70 more pounds to go.

I try to keep busy, but I've got a lot of time on my hands, and have some depression issues.  I must remember to take my medicines every day, I've gotten slack on that.  And I must stay 100% away from any breads of any type -- that take me into the Carb Kingdom is I let them in!!

What can we do?  Got to keep going:  pre-planning, weighing and measuring; tracking, etc.!!

Good luck to you!  

Thanks Mary Gee!

I am right here with you, cheering you on too! The carbs are tough. Once I am away from them for a few days the easier it gets, but once I start, oh boy!

Keep fighting the good fight. Some times I guess I just need that mental check. Being prepared always make things easier. Made some hard boiled eggs and some sliced turkey rolled up around a cheese stick in case I really feel the need to snack or have an easy lunch at hand.

Thanks again, and together we can do this!

Good luck to you too!

I can't be perfect everyday.

I need to take transplant rejection meds 12 hrs apart. I can take no calcium or iron within 3 hours of those meds. I need to drink more water. I need to move more. I need to do more laundry. I need to live with a mostly petulant 14 year old boy and feed him and get him where he needs to go.  I need to track my food. I need to make sure I've gone to the grocery store. I have to assess my wife to see how her physical needs are and if she is in a big pain day. I have labs drawn every month. Therapy every week. Doctors..so many doctors.

Can I do it all everyday?? Hell no. I just trying to get better. I'll focus on something that has been lacking..ie drinking water. Then you wake up the next day and you have to start all over again. I think I should get some slack days but nope...just start over trying to do it all.

I would have eaten that BBQ with no regret.

Deb T.

Thanks Deb! I know, bbq from all over was here in my little town, it was awesome!

I know this is life and I cant be perfect. Logically I know that, it's that darn little naggy voice in my head that does not want to stop at times. Ugh! 

Kind of like  a teenager! My are now 18 and 19, does get a little easier, but can still make me want to pull my hair out some days!

How do we all do it?

We all have so much going on in life, that it can be so overwhelming! Maybe that's why I chose food instead of drugs or gambling or etc.

Thanks again!