OK so I am wondering if this happens to a lot of people. You lose some weight, you make some behavior changes, you still have some more weight to lose, but you get comfortable. You stop losing and start to revert back to behaviors that got you to the heavier you.
Has that happened to you?
I am pretty certain that is what is happening to me. I hit 300 lbs, lost 100 lbs and got comfy. I am still not real happy with what I see in the mirror, but I am not as repulsed as I once was. I am more physically fit than many many people. So I am comfortable.
Then comes the self destructive behaviors. I might drink to much on occasion or I might indulge in things that were completely off limits before. Chips and Ben and Jerry's indulgences. I am telling myself that once the new year rolls around then I will be back on track. I just don't want to gain a bunch over the holidays. I don't want to gain anything over the holidays.
I try to look back and see what I have done, but honestly in this particular case I try to look forward most of the time. I feel like focusing on gains and losses can lead to that aforementioned self destructive behavior.
So I am asking you guys today. Did you comfortable along the way? What did you do to break the cycle?
In other news, I am running a 5k to replace the once I missed. The Parkville Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. Weather is gonna be a bit chilly, but I am looking forward to the race.
Beyond that, Enjoy your Thanksgiving. I plan on having some great food and great company. This year in particular I am thankful for my family, my friends, my new found blogging friends, and for the my health and the health of my family and friend and all of you guys!
13 comments:
I found that once I got under 300 pounds, my focus wavered a bit. I'm still losing, but not at the pace I'd hoped I'd be at. I stopped setting small goals to reach, and I haven't been vigilant on counting my calories. I saw your interview on JohnIsFit, and just recalibrated my basal metabolic rate based on my new weight. Turns out I'm 2500, not 2800 anymore, so that's good ammunition to use in my fight. Thanks for that reminder. :)
I think a lot of it depends on what brought you to that moment when you told yourself that you HAD to do something about your weight! For me, it was tight clothes, shortness of breath upon exertion, and a little fear. That was what I wanted to change and when I had reached a loss that relieved me of those factors...about 50 pounds...I started to slow down. The doctor wanted me to lose more and WW wanted me to lose more, but I think deep inside, I was happy with the new weight and not all that inspired to go lower into numbers that I had not seen for years! I knew who I was as this overweight person...I just didn't want to be TOO overweight.
Reaffirming my goal was a great way to keep me motivated. You've got to want to lose it, so reminding yourself of why you are on this journey is extremely important.
this is my first time to your blog...I like it! You are doing a great job taking care of your health. Keep working hard!
Man, comfortable is a scary place for me. When it happens and things start to slide I do a little review. Looking back at my earlier blog entries really helps me to recognize what's going wrong and what it takes to get me going again. I applaud your success and wish you all the best.
happy thanksgiving!
(for another day: I did get too comfy. and regained. and lost again.)
OMG Matt, you too??
I have been so frustrated, I have blamed in on the lack of time due to school or the stress that came along with it. But, when I'm honest with myself, I became comfortable. I lost over 100 lbs, got under 300 for the first time in YEARS! And... I've gained some of it back.
I'm starting to feel uncomfortable again. Time to kick it in the butt.
Oh gosh you have just described my life.
I know what you mean about the mirror, I look at myself nows and I'm like "hey you look way better, not so bad" and I just revert back to my old habits.
And just like you I keep telling myself I'll start tracking again once things settle down.
I can't figure out how to get out of this rut, I keep rewarding myself with food for things I haven't done.
Maybe that's what I need to remind myself - how uncomfortable I need to be.
Matt,
All I can say is we all seem to be right there with ya brotha.
I guess we just have to find that inner demon that says, Get your ass back to work!" My demon hasn't screamed at me yet.
I'm exercising, but not eating as good as I should.
I think that it started to happen to me after dropping the weight due to a number of factors: busy life schedule, mental/personal craziness (well, I dunno if crazy is the right word, heh), and not to mention the general feeling in the midst of all of this that I've lost about 120 pounds so far, I've earned a bit of a break.
But the truth is that is just a load of bunk - am I healthy? Am I at my goal? Do I look good? No, not at all, so truthfully - I haven't earned some extended break.
And hey - thanks for the props over on John's blog!
This has been happening to me lately, and it's so frustrating! I've lost 98 pounds and am now feeling very comfortable @ 185-188.
What I'm doing to push myself is to come up with new exercise goals-- getting the time on my mile from 10:55 to 10 minutes flat is my next big goal. I also tried on some of the clothes that were super tight in the beginning, and are now falling off. That reminds me of how far I've come and how hard I've worked... showing me that I don't want to go back to that weight!
Best of luck!
I got comfortable. Gained a lot. Lost it all and some more. Was starting to get comfortable recently but have set some major goals and am focused on them now.
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