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!?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Healthy Living Support Group.

lioness | @lioness | Jun 15, 2019

@lioness. I love the water always have I go to a warm water pool for the exercises and love our chair exercises ,when I'm hurting I exercise and the pain has disappeared for awhile ,so worth it. @contentandwell looks like your having fun !

Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Jun 16, 2019

In reply to @rosemarya "The Heading of this discussion is "Staying Motivated for the Long Haul". I think it is..." + (show)

@rosemarya This is a great idea. I wish I could join you, but at this time my life is so out of control that I can't get motivated for anything. I have tried to think of something, but I can't do anything but worry and be upset. I look at the calendar and think maybe by August things will stabilize and I can get myself in check. I would give anything to be in control but now, I am just a wreck.
Good luck to all re-activating, and I hope I'll be able to join you in several months.
Carol

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 16, 2019

In reply to @retiredteacher "@rosemarya This is a great idea. I wish I could join you, but at this time..." + (show)

@retiredteacher, Carol, I wish we lived near each other so we could enjoy some (un)sweetened iced tea and chat for the whole afternoon. I don't imagine that there would be a silent moment!
Do you know what I would say to you after giving you a great big hug? I would tell you to be gentle to yourself and be patient. Give your body the gift of rest and relaxation without the stress of a deadline. Take each day for what it is and look for one teeny blessing each day. (That worked for me when my health was fading while waiting for transplant)

Carol, I realize that you cannot join me on the treadmill right now, however, I look forward to when you can.

I just found this in the Connect Pages. I was drawn to the Newsfeed section and the section on Mindful Breathing.
Health and Mindfulness
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/mindfulness-in-health/
The Mindfulness and Health Blog is a space to share science, ideas and practical experiences about how the practice of mindfulness relates to health (personal balance). The blog content is meant to be simple so it can be applied in real life – right here, right now. The blog is not intended to create back and forth responses, nor to give specific “right” answers, but rather to create conditions for people to practice and experience hands-on if what we offer works to improve their health.

Let me know what you find that looks interesting to you.

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 16, 2019

In reply to @ihatediabetes "Hi, I go hiking with my husband in the state park near us. Sometimes we go..." + (show)

@ihatediabetes, You are blessed to be near a state park for occasional evening hiking!

You shared a picture of yourself bundled in warm clothes in preparation for the Reindeer Run. (Brrr it had to be cold!) Are you still running 5K races?

JK | @contentandwell | Jun 16, 2019

In reply to @retiredteacher "@rosemarya This is a great idea. I wish I could join you, but at this time..." + (show)

@retiredteacher Carol, as Rosemary said, for now just take it easy and take care of yourself, and your husband.

I hope things do stabilize soon and your life can have more normalcy. I’ll be thinking of you. I do think of you frequently when I go to the gym at my club. I try to vary my speed on the elliptical as you suggested for walking, and also the weights on the other equipment.

I’ve been away from my club for a while and I went today and found it to be so much more effort than it had been. I had to decrease the weight on a couple of pieces of equipment.
JK

ihatediabetes | @ihatediabetes | Jun 16, 2019

In reply to @rosemarya "@ihatediabetes, You are blessed to be near a state park for occasional evening hiking! You shared..." + (show)

Hi Rosemary, my last 5k was the women run the Twin Cities 5k. So I am still doing them when I can. I don't know though about the summer heat. One thing I got involved with recently is salvation army emergency disaster services. I am going on deployment this summer. I'm in good enough shape so the running really helped.

Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Jun 17, 2019

In reply to @contentandwell "@retiredteacher Carol, as Rosemary said, for now just take it easy and take care of yourself,..." + (show)

@contentandwell Thanks for the advice. I am the patient now and not a mentor. Things are topsy-turvy. It's like a maze, and I'll work myself through it. The next two weeks will be crucial for knowing what's ahead.
I just need to get through June with my hubby unscathed. I can relax then.
So thankful for your encouragement.
Carol @retiredteacher

Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Jun 17, 2019

In reply to @rosemarya "@retiredteacher, Carol, I wish we lived near each other so we could enjoy some (un)sweetened iced..." + (show)

@rosemarya Thanks for the link to the Mindfulness and Health Blog. I read the entries for most and found them informative and helpful. If I can get through the next two weeks with good reports for my husband, I can calm myself. Right now the stress has put my blood sugar as high as it's ever been. My husband is my first priority, so if he is okay, I can get myself straight. I have not exercised and have not been eating right so I am punishing myself for having diabetes and not being able to take care of him and myself too. There is no one else, so I need to put on my big girl panties and deal with it! The trials start tomorrow. I'd rather be in a pool of sharks,
I appreciate you, as always
Carol

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 17, 2019

In reply to @retiredteacher "@rosemarya Thanks for the link to the Mindfulness and Health Blog. I read the entries for..." + (show)

@retiredteacher My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband, Carol. Do your best to take care of yourself.

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 28, 2019

In reply to @rosemarya "The Heading of this discussion is "Staying Motivated for the Long Haul". I think it is..." + (show)

@christinelouise, I want to invite you to meet others who are encouraging and supporting each other. Would you be interested to join us? I am interested in learning what you found successful for yourself over the past 10 weeks that helped you to achieve weight loss success.
Rosemary

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