Staying Motivated for the Long Haul

@lcamino, @2011panc, is this the video you were referring to Lynn, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/interactive-webinar-weight-loss-5-behavioral-strategies-for-success/?

@JustinMcClanahan - Yes it is. Thanks for finding it.

@elcameno Thank you for your response. I need to force myself to watch that webnair. I really do not like them. I much prefer reading a summary with bullet points. At this point in my life I have been through so many nutritional visits, seminars and speeches that I become impatient when forced to listen to the same information being presented as if it is a totally new concept. I also do not jump on the latest fad diets. I have so many limitations on my food list that I really do not want to try any food program. All of them that I have checked use leafy greens, dairy, chocolate, peanuts, almonds, sugar, cashews or potatoes; all of which I need to avoid. I am glad Jenny Craig is working for you and your husband but not something I feel comfortable pursuing.

@panc2011 - That is totally fine! I did not expect you to be able to do JC. I I I know someone with IBS that could not do it either. I merely shared hoping to encourage you that weight loss is possible even if you are not able to exercise. As I said earlier, you need to find what works for you and stick with it. Everyone is different - different health issues, cooking abilities, strengths, weaknesses, budgets etc. etc.

As for the webinar, I multitasked. I listened to the information and worked on my computer because some information was not new to me. It is lengthy so maybe just watch it in 3 20 min. segments.

@lcamino Basically 1100 is if I am a slug, which some days I am. 😉 This shrinking has got to stop.
JK

I used to be exactly like you. Even when I was on course I still thought about my favorite foods all the time and when I was "off" I binged those favorite foods sometimes. Since then I have had a recurrence of breast cancer that I assumed was cured 16 years ago. Now I have very little appetite. Food means very little and many times it's hard for me to find anything I want to eat and sometimes I give up and have an Ensure. It's such a strange state to be in for a life long food addict. I'm losing weight without trying but it has convinced me that this is a chemical thing that you cannot help. I'm not saying you can't lose weight but I am saying your desire for food is not your fault just as my lack of motivation to eat is not my fault. Your description of a switch being on or off is so accurate but I think the switch is in your brain not in your will power. One thing I found that helped me in those times is reading motivational articles and books. I'd keep a collection of weight loss readings that had inspired me in the past and read them like crazy. Also Id give my self credit for doing any exercise at all such as walking for ten minutes. I also found the app, "lose it " very helpful. Good luck. You are fighting a battle that your brain does not want you to win so don't berate yourself just keep trying. Until science catches up and comes up with a treatment that really works you're stuck with this battle.

@sistie, Thank you for joining in this discussion. I am sorry to hear that your are experiencing a recurrence of your cancer. You have given us some interesting "food for thought". I can really identify with the binge eating part! I find that if I deprive my self of something, and don't come up with a healthy substitute, I will eat-eat-eat too much, and later regret it. A good example is cookies or cake - hard to stop at just one. I am learning to make or buy smaller quantity or to give it away!
Hugs,
Rosemary

@rosemarya - I'm learning, for me, that a little taste is better than no taste and keeps me from craving because mentally I feel less deprived. For example, while doing Jenny Craig I have finished my daughter's rootbeer (maybe 4 oz), eaten one forkful of her cheesecake, had 10 candy corns etc. with no negative impact on my weight loss. I find that if I don't have a taste then I have negative self-talk (I can't keep this healthy eating up, this stinks that I can't have anything sweet, this is too hard etc.) so a little treat actually keeps me on track. In the past I would have said, "I mind as well enjoy it" and drink an entire can of pop. Of course I can't do this with everything I see that I want so I have learned to decide what is really worth stealing a taste of. Obviously it would be best to have none of these things in the house but she had a birthday and I still need to cook for her.

I think it is time for me to report in to my support team!

First I want to thank all of you for your ideas and words of inspiration over the past months. I have been able to remain loyal to my exercise, thanks to my husband who has joined me in going to the gym regularly to workout. And I have ALL of YOU to thank for encouraging me to 'eat with reason".
To all,
My husband and I have recently returned from our annual trip to a National Park. This year we chose Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. And we racked up a total - according to hiking books and trailhead signs - a 38.5 mile total of hiking:-) The rocky trails and the ups and down trails were a real challenge. As an FYI - I had been diagnosed in the past year or so with exercise induced asthma (bronchospasms) since being tapered off prednisone. My pulmonologist was right when he said that it s-l-o-w and use the inhaler!

I also managed to eat fairly well and concentrated on smart menu selections, but, I also allowed myself to enjoy some special foods as an almost daily treat.
Now, after a short rest, it's time to get back to my exercise and to work to keep healthy and to prepare for the approaching autumn hunger and food cravings that lurk around me.

You are a great team!
Thanks, @contentandwell, @lcamino, @techy, @2011panc, @JustinMcClanahan, @contentandwell, @fessmom, @sistie, and anyone I missed. We are all in this long haul together - No matter what our long term goals might be!
Rosemary

@rosemarya - It's nice to have you back and what a wonderful place to choose to vacation! As a family we have visited a lot of national parks and they have provided us with many fond memories. Family vacations are harder to do now and both my girls will be in college next year so my husband and I are looking forward to taking one vacation on our own! In 24 years of marriage we have only had one other vacation sans children.

I also find it encouraging that you treated yourself to special foods which I'm sure had little impact after walking 38.5 miles! Awesome job relaxing while doing something healthy!!

I'm off to walk the dogs. The weather is cool this week and they are bothering me until I take them. Who knew my dogs would keep me on track?!