fallen off but trying to get back up...

[adori66]

I'm 24yrs old female, 5ft tall and currently weight 130lbs. I used to weigh 153lbs back in August, but I started "dieting" (replacing lunch and dinner with a slimfast drink, and having just coffee for breakfast if that), and i started exercising (i worked up to 1hr on the treadmill) and I am now 130lbs.

I don't know whats happening to me, but for some reason i'm losing (more likely i've lost) my motivation to diet and exercise!! I think what happened, is after going down to 130lbs i got stuck there. my weight just wouldn't budge after 130 so i kind of gave up...

the thing with me is, when i do something i do it with all my strength and when i let go i let go equally harsh (so for me 'letting go' is not eating normal and not exercising. it is eating mcdonalds snacking on junk food and sitting around). In the past, when i used to 'diet' (I'm putting in quotation 'cuz i know replacing 2 meals with slimfast and probably averaging around 400 - 600cals a day isn't a healthy diet at all), i wouldn't even give myself one cheat day, i wouldn't let myself slip even a little, because i know me. I never slip a little, i either stand up straight or fall on my face, there's no middle ground with me.

I'm trying to tell myself that even though I've not gained any weight YET (i've become a slouch for the past few weeks now) my body is probably just warming itself up to shoot me up to 150something again, so i really need to start at least TRYING again. But i'm sitting here writing this, and i honestly feel like going out and getting some Manchu Yok ..

Its a cycle, if i don't watch what i eat throughout the day, i can't get motivated enough to exercise in the evening, and until i start exercising, i can't control my diet.

Probably this is going to sound unthinkable to everyone here, but i really don't like exercising. I'm the laziest person i know. if i'm left alone and as long as nature doesn't call, i could probably sleep all day (and night)! So when i do exercise, i can't eat bad food!! my dislike for exercise outweighs my junk food craving so when i exercise i can't bring myself to eat junk food... i know how much cals i'm burning (according to my treadmill) and how much cals is in one little itty bitty chip, and i just can't eat it. also i know myself, for me its never one chip, its either the whole bag, and a few more bags, or nothing at all... does that make sense?

*sigh*... i'm just trying to motivate myself into eating right and exercising again. I remember last summer i was so GOOD!! i went to CNE with a bunch of friends and i actually threw a hissy fit cuz they wanted to eat fatty food (which i have no problem with) but they were forcing me to eat it too. i actually resisted summer time burger / fries / funnel cake (didn't have even one funnel cake this summer!!) my friends sat around me eating it, and i was grossed out 'cuz i'm just mentally thinking of all the hours .. no wait .. DAYS!! on the treadmill to even burn of half of what they're consuming. so i didn't eat it, see how good i was? and now, i'm sitting here, truthfully i'm not even hungry, but i want some chineese food, or some BK or -something- anyways i'm visiting this forum a lot nowadays, and hoping that seeing all of your dedications, it will motivate me to get off my lazy-ass and do something to get rid of the excess weight.

Oh by the way, i want to weight 110 lbs.. thats my 'ideal weight'. I used to weigh much less before and i was healthy but right now if i can get down to that i'd be soooooo ooo oooooo.... happy!!!

[LiftGirl]

You are correct that 2 slim fasts and a cup of coffee is not a very good diet. I believe you can't stick to this nutrition plan because it's not enough calories for a cat! I think you have a lot to learn about proper nutrition, but I also know that we can help you make a nutrition plan that you can stick too.

Remember, exercise doesn't have to take an hour, and it doesn't have to be on a treadmill. For cardio, you can run outside, or play tennis, or ride a bike, or a million other things. It can be anything that gets your heart rate up.

Are you, or have you ever, done any resistance training?

I think it's your "all-or-nothing" attitude that's defeating you. It's either, eat McDonald's or eat practically nothing. It's either go on the treadmill for an hour or sleep all day. You need to find the healthy, middle ground.

If you haven't yet, read all the stickies. There is some great information there.

[.V.]

Try a different diet. Something along the lines of 1300 calories with a balance of protein, carbs, and fat with each meal. Include foods you like and can live with for the long term.

Resistance training 3x a week (full body weight workouts)

Cardio 2-5 times a week, 30 minutes to 1 hour of lower intensity. Start with 2 and work your way up if you need more.

This is a good starter plan that will give you results instead of starving away muscle with fat like slimfast or weight watchers would do.

[adori66]

hi guys, thanks for your replies!!

i totally agree with you, it is my all or nothing mentality thats defeating me. I've actually read up a lot on weight loss and nutrition, but my problem is, when i try the healthy calorie intake, i don't lose weight and i don't see results as fast as I'd like which is why i revert to the fast and easy slimfast routine.

back in 2005 i actually went on the same diet (slimfast for lunch and dinner, and 1hr treadmill) and i lost about 43lbs in a very short time. it took me over a year to gain back the weight and thats because i went back to my 'nothing' attutde.. well hopefully this time i'll be able to do something and keep it up

[.V.]

Hmmm, so maybe the crash diet and exercise doesn't create lifelong habits? Perhaps the more sensible approach that stays with you for life is a better way to go?

There is no hurry. Fitness is for life...not to just "get in shape" then quit. Take your time, do it right, and it will stay with you forever.

[LiftGirl]

Originally Posted by adori66

my problem is, when i try the healthy calorie intake, i don't lose weight and i don't see results as fast as I'd like which is why i revert to the fast and easy slimfast routine.

I know it's hard to stick with it when progress is so slow. But the thing is, if you're losing more than 1-2 lbs a week, you're losing muscle mass along with the fat. Quality lean muscle is what helps keep the metabolism going strong.

Slow and difficult is much more healthy and as Andy (.v.) pointed out, something you can live with in the long run. If you're going to work hard, you want to maintain those results for life right?

[minime]

hi! i agree with the others, this 'all or nothing' attitude, where has it gotten you? So you lost 43lbs fast... but wait a second aren't you right back where you started? Think of it like this. Lose it slow and keep it off. Stop looking at it like a 'diet' as V says, it is a lifelong commitment you need to make.

So follow a diet that is sensible and you can keep to in the long run. If you slip up, big deal, just get right back on the wagon. We all slip up, we all have days when we don't feel like working out and just want to sit around ploughing through a bag of candy but being strong 90% of the time means the occasional slip up won't affect you much.

Ok so think of it in the long term : losing 1lb a week means 4lbs a month which adds up to you being close to your ideal weight by next year. Of course the closer you get to your goal, the harder it will be.. the leaner you are the harder it is to lose weight.

The first 10lbs should go easily, as long as you are consistent. Commit yourself to changing your body for the better. You want your body to be healthy inside and out : so feed it well, and work your heart and your lungs and your muscles, and you will be on the right track

good luck!

[minime]

hold on a second, i apologise.. i just realized that you are only 130 now, not 153! therefore you have hardly any weight to lose at all. However most of my above points still make sense