1. < Healthy Living

Staying Motivated for the Long Haul

Posted by LindaF @fessmom, Jun 29, 2017

My biggest obstacle to maintaining a healthy weight is a seemingly invisible "switch" that goes on and off in my brain. When it's "on" I am in the zone and can avoid the most decadent temptations and will exercise faithfully. But, about a year to 15 months into my healthy lifestyle, the switch turns to "off" and I lose focus and revert to my bad habits of poor food choices (both in what I eat and how much I eat) and I become more sedentary. I am at that point now and I feel a slow panic building as the number on the scale inches upward. I know what I should do, but I am at a loss as to how to get my mojo back. Suggestions, anyone!?

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 15, 2017
In reply to @maisie89 "The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I..." + (show)
@maisie89

The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I no longer eat anything white except cauliflower. No sugar, flour, pasta. No more Coke, ice cream, sweets and all the other unhealthy foods. Only water and lemon are consumed, along with fresh fruits and veggies. Protein with dinner, no red meat. The key to better health is exercise. I now walk 30 minutes every day and enjoy salsa music to keep me moving. I feel better than ever in my 71 years. Healthy eating and exercise are addictive and I have also dropped 35 pounds and have a goal of losing 15 more. You can do it! Weight loss and healthy living is definitely starts with a mind set.

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@maisie89, I am Rosemary, a volunteer mentor on Mayo Clinic Connect. I want to welcome you to Connect. And I especially welcome you to this particular discussion on Staying Motivated! In my opinion, you have made a perfectly timed entry:-) I, and probably others, are already experiencing the holiday splurges, and the 'winter blahs' .

Would you share with us, what caused the 'switch' to go off in your mind? And how did you develop your current eating plan?
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Rosemary

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 15, 2017
In reply to @gizem16 "Hello everyone! My name is Gizem, and I have hashimoto's disease and insulin resistance. It makes..." + (show)
@gizem16

Hello everyone! My name is Gizem, and I have hashimoto's disease and insulin resistance. It makes me gain weight easily, but loose it in a very hard way. I can't really do much of a workout on a regular basis because of my university studies. so ı try to eat as healthy as possible. still, it is really hard for me to keep it that way and feel like it is impossibe to eat healthy with all the intense school life, and feel like giving up on all the healthy diet! Anyone like me, facing obstacles to eat healthy or had that times of giving up, how did you keep going, what is your motivation? How you ever failed to go on? And, maybe, start all over?

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@gizem16, I just now saw your post about staying motivated. I am in a constant struggle with obstacles that seem to jump in front of me. I do try to keep healthy foods in my kitchen, but that only makes it easy for me at home!
I understand the difficulties of trying to eat healthy while on a busy schedule with classwork and crazy hours. I can feel your frustrations at feeling overwhelmed, but might I suggest that you don't be so hard on your self? When I do the 'guilt thing' I only end up eating more. Have you considered taking it one day at a time, and try to focus on one day of healthy eating at a time? If you mess up, there's is tomorrow.
Another thing is to try to eat smaller portions. This is a hard one for me! But it really does help.
And water. Drink lots of water. I try to sip all day long.

What are some of the methods that you have tried so far?
Rosemary

REPLY
maisie89 | @maisie89 | Dec 15, 2017
In reply to @gizem16 "Hello everyone! My name is Gizem, and I have hashimoto's disease and insulin resistance. It makes..." + (show)
@gizem16

Hello everyone! My name is Gizem, and I have hashimoto's disease and insulin resistance. It makes me gain weight easily, but loose it in a very hard way. I can't really do much of a workout on a regular basis because of my university studies. so ı try to eat as healthy as possible. still, it is really hard for me to keep it that way and feel like it is impossibe to eat healthy with all the intense school life, and feel like giving up on all the healthy diet! Anyone like me, facing obstacles to eat healthy or had that times of giving up, how did you keep going, what is your motivation? How you ever failed to go on? And, maybe, start all over?

Jump to this post

I started by drinking green smoothies, see 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse by JJ Smith. I drank two smoothies a day and a small dinner with protein and salads for two weeks. Snacks were carrots, celery, radishes, lots of water. Then back to a regular diet including whole grains, fresh veggies and fresh fruits. I didn't miss sweets because of the fresh fruits. Herbal tea helped when I thought I was hungry. Mind set!! Get moving, you can do it!

REPLY
maisie89 | @maisie89 | Dec 15, 2017
In reply to @maisie89 "The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I..." + (show)
@maisie89

The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I no longer eat anything white except cauliflower. No sugar, flour, pasta. No more Coke, ice cream, sweets and all the other unhealthy foods. Only water and lemon are consumed, along with fresh fruits and veggies. Protein with dinner, no red meat. The key to better health is exercise. I now walk 30 minutes every day and enjoy salsa music to keep me moving. I feel better than ever in my 71 years. Healthy eating and exercise are addictive and I have also dropped 35 pounds and have a goal of losing 15 more. You can do it! Weight loss and healthy living is definitely starts with a mind set.

Jump to this post

Yes, my annual physical was coming up and for the last five years my doctor told me I needed to lose weight because of heart issues in my family and also a history of colon cancer. I decided I would lose weight before he saw me. I used JJ Smith's 10-day Green Smoothie Cleanse. That got me started and my doctor was delighted I had dropped 12 pounds. After the physical, my liver enzymes were slightly elevated. Of course, I read everything I could on liver problems. The key to a healthy liver is fresh fruits, veggies and no sugar, lots of water. I made up my mind this would be my way of life. It's not hard and after many tests, turns out I have a genetic problem that is nothing to worry about. I will continue following The Liver Cleansing Diet by Dr. Sandra Cabot.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Dec 15, 2017
In reply to @maisie89 "The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I..." + (show)
@maisie89

The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I no longer eat anything white except cauliflower. No sugar, flour, pasta. No more Coke, ice cream, sweets and all the other unhealthy foods. Only water and lemon are consumed, along with fresh fruits and veggies. Protein with dinner, no red meat. The key to better health is exercise. I now walk 30 minutes every day and enjoy salsa music to keep me moving. I feel better than ever in my 71 years. Healthy eating and exercise are addictive and I have also dropped 35 pounds and have a goal of losing 15 more. You can do it! Weight loss and healthy living is definitely starts with a mind set.

Jump to this post

With all of this talk about losing weight does anyone know what can cause unintentional weight loss? I have lost about 10 pounds in the last two months without trying to. I feel great (except for this darned knee which is still giving me problems). It just seems odd.
JK

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 19, 2017
In reply to @maisie89 "The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I..." + (show)
@maisie89

The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I no longer eat anything white except cauliflower. No sugar, flour, pasta. No more Coke, ice cream, sweets and all the other unhealthy foods. Only water and lemon are consumed, along with fresh fruits and veggies. Protein with dinner, no red meat. The key to better health is exercise. I now walk 30 minutes every day and enjoy salsa music to keep me moving. I feel better than ever in my 71 years. Healthy eating and exercise are addictive and I have also dropped 35 pounds and have a goal of losing 15 more. You can do it! Weight loss and healthy living is definitely starts with a mind set.

Jump to this post

@maisie89 Thanks for sharing! The veggies and fruits sound wonderful. Do you eat all these raw, all the time? or are you using any healthy cooking recipes?
I like to hear ideas from others about what works for them. I have heard that the best diet is one that works for an individual; one that they can adhere to for the long term. And, I know from my own experience that I sometimes get in the rut of fixing same things - and getting bored. Thanks for sharing.

I am happy that your doctor was pleased with your dedication. And as a liver patient, I'm double happy that your liver is happy!
Rosemary

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 19, 2017
In reply to @maisie89 "The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I..." + (show)
@maisie89

The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I no longer eat anything white except cauliflower. No sugar, flour, pasta. No more Coke, ice cream, sweets and all the other unhealthy foods. Only water and lemon are consumed, along with fresh fruits and veggies. Protein with dinner, no red meat. The key to better health is exercise. I now walk 30 minutes every day and enjoy salsa music to keep me moving. I feel better than ever in my 71 years. Healthy eating and exercise are addictive and I have also dropped 35 pounds and have a goal of losing 15 more. You can do it! Weight loss and healthy living is definitely starts with a mind set.

Jump to this post

@contentandwell, I hope you know that I am concerned about what you are experiencing. I do hope that as you return to a slower pace of activities that you will see some natural improvement in your weight and appetite. Is it possible that any of this is a result of the stress, pain meds, and immunosuppressant meds?
I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Rosemary

REPLY
maisie89 | @maisie89 | Dec 20, 2017
In reply to @maisie89 "The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I..." + (show)
@maisie89

The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I no longer eat anything white except cauliflower. No sugar, flour, pasta. No more Coke, ice cream, sweets and all the other unhealthy foods. Only water and lemon are consumed, along with fresh fruits and veggies. Protein with dinner, no red meat. The key to better health is exercise. I now walk 30 minutes every day and enjoy salsa music to keep me moving. I feel better than ever in my 71 years. Healthy eating and exercise are addictive and I have also dropped 35 pounds and have a goal of losing 15 more. You can do it! Weight loss and healthy living is definitely starts with a mind set.

Jump to this post

I do eat a lot of fresh fruits, and veggies mostly consisting of salads. I do roast root veggies like sweet potato, cauliflower, broc. and include in my diet. I try to have a protein with either lunch or dinner. Fish or chicken either grilled using about a tsp. of olive oil. Whole grains are also part of my daily routine using quinoa and brown rice and steel cut oats. Hope this helps. Still strongly motivated, I think due to the daily walking.

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 20, 2017
In reply to @maisie89 "The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I..." + (show)
@maisie89

The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I no longer eat anything white except cauliflower. No sugar, flour, pasta. No more Coke, ice cream, sweets and all the other unhealthy foods. Only water and lemon are consumed, along with fresh fruits and veggies. Protein with dinner, no red meat. The key to better health is exercise. I now walk 30 minutes every day and enjoy salsa music to keep me moving. I feel better than ever in my 71 years. Healthy eating and exercise are addictive and I have also dropped 35 pounds and have a goal of losing 15 more. You can do it! Weight loss and healthy living is definitely starts with a mind set.

Jump to this post

@maisie89, I pretty much rely on the healthy eating habits from the Mayo Diet book that I purchased as a souvenir during one of my Mayo Clinic visits. And it has worked well for me. However, my husband is a meat and potatoes man, and that makes it easy for me to slip into careless choices. On top of that, cooking is not my favorite activity!
I have been a walker for years and this past April we joined a gym and we go there most mornings. I used to have a walking group, and I enjoyed that immensely, but my girlfriends dropped out and I do not like walking alone.

Thank you for helping me to begin to re-focus my eating habits:-)
Do you have to prepare meals for other family members?
Rosemary

REPLY
maisie89 | @maisie89 | Dec 20, 2017
In reply to @maisie89 "The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I..." + (show)
@maisie89

The switch has recently gone off in my mind and for the last four months, I no longer eat anything white except cauliflower. No sugar, flour, pasta. No more Coke, ice cream, sweets and all the other unhealthy foods. Only water and lemon are consumed, along with fresh fruits and veggies. Protein with dinner, no red meat. The key to better health is exercise. I now walk 30 minutes every day and enjoy salsa music to keep me moving. I feel better than ever in my 71 years. Healthy eating and exercise are addictive and I have also dropped 35 pounds and have a goal of losing 15 more. You can do it! Weight loss and healthy living is definitely starts with a mind set.

Jump to this post

Yes, I prepare meals for my husband, who is a heart patient, so he enjoys eating healthy too. I have the same cookbook and there are some wonderful recipes inside.

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