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!?

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

Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jul 2, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "Dear ALL, Check out this short informative video: How to Tackle the Toughest Eating Triggers. I..." + (show)
@rosemarya

Dear ALL,
Check out this short informative video: How to Tackle the Toughest Eating Triggers. I think it has some good ideas that can be easily applied.
http://mcmapp.mayoclinic.org/sharing/Content/weightloss?id=VID-20314288

My downfall is the "before bed ice cream craving"! Recently - grapes, or strawberries, or cherries have proved satisfaction to me!

How about you?
@techi, @jodeej, @parus, @liz223, @contentandwell, @kishanvasekar, @mari, @hopeful33250

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@jodeej
I 'try' to enjoy a small portion of something that I should limit instead of avoiding it all together. (and feeling deprived and grumpy). But I never even thought of the tip to: "Eat something healthy first. It's often easier to eat less of the food you're craving if you're not ravenously hungry". I'm going to give that one a serious try next time I see a treat that I cannot resist!

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jul 2, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "I think it is my turn to report in to all of you. First I want..." + (show)
@rosemarya

I think it is my turn to report in to all of you. First I want to send my sincere thanks for keeping this conversation ACTIVE (fitting words don't you think?).

I was doing real well with exercise and eating habits, I even lost some pounds - enough to earn a reduction in my BP meds! But two recent trips that included yummy foods that I couldn't resist are now going to need my strict attention.

Now the good part! Last week hubby and I spent some time in the Great Smoky Mountains, and occupied a major portion of our energy/time on the trails. I could feel the benefits of my time in the gym that I did in preparation. With that motivation, I am heading back to the gym, hopefully regularly, to keep it up.

Now that I have made a public declaration - I look forward to reading your motivations, and your struggles, and your successes!

Everyone is welcome to join
- What motivates you?
- What are your barriers?
- What success do you want to celebrate?

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@kishanvasekar
I know that your grandchildren will enjoy your visit. Happiness and love and joy!
Rosemary

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JK | @contentandwell | Jul 2, 2018
In reply to @techi "@rosemarya Rosemary l haven't talk to you in awhile. But l was doing good losing weight...." + (show)
@techi

@rosemarya Rosemary l haven't talk to you in awhile. But l was doing good losing weight. I even brought a new wardrobe. I guess l shouldn't have done that right away but when l was going to the gym was feeling good even though it takes awhile to see the pounds drop off. So now l am gaining my weight back again. I went from a 2x to a size 14. Then it went to 16 and now 18. My shirts where L and now XL. I have seen swelling all over. I was walking the dogs and my friend and l would get on the phone and walk together. Now l just fractured my leg and now l cant walk or do my gardening. And l see my orthopedic tomorrow he says if it's not healing l would have to have surgery
Well l already denied that because God has brought me through a lot of things and l not excepting that report. So l been having problems with slurred speech tremors and not being able to get out of bed because of dizziness. So l been to the doctor several times and my ammonia level went from a 30 to 59 and then l was told yesterday 63. So the doctor has me to increase my lactulose which l definitely hate. So now l am trying to watch my diet because l was told before l could eat anything. So now in 2wks l have to have my ammonia level checked again. I was also starting to have headaches but that can also be the weather but that reminds me of when l first started with the encephalitis. But l am not going to worry about anything because God said be of good cheer because l have overcome the world and to mean with sickness also. So now l have to stay away from meats just fish , fruits and vegetables and that's really hard. And my sweet husband mean well but here comes the candy, soda and snacks. So l told him don't bring me any of that anymore. I want to get back to the 14 and then reach my goal of losing 75lbs. Love you Rosemary.

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@techi if it’s all about regular walking I would not be able to do it. I need low impact due to bad knees so the treadmill works better for me.
I do not recall them ever telling me to limit my water. Now I have to drink a ridiculous amount of water, 80-100 ounces a day, to counteract the effects of the immunosuppressants on my kidneys.
I did not get any other message but no matter since that would not work for me anyway.
JK

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 3, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@kishanvasekar congratulations on your successes! @rosemarya my barriers are definitely sweets! I try to just keep..." + (show)
@jodeej

@kishanvasekar congratulations on your successes!
@rosemarya my barriers are definitely sweets! I try to just keep them out of the house for the most part. This past week at Gift of Life I was able to stay away from them for the most part, thankfully! Plus we walked a lot which is very helpful!

Keeping myself healthy to care for my husband and not wanting to have to take meds for cholesterol are what keeps me motivated! I need to get mine checked again to see how I am doing.

I want to celebrate being down 6 pounds! I have hit a plateau, but I am trying to work through it with more exercise. I'll get there! 🙂

Blessings,
JoDee

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@jodeej Congratulations on developing a healthier lifestyle. The 6 pounds are certainly encouraging. It sounds like your motivation is great when you say, "Keeping myself healthy to care for my husband." You are definitely benefiting your husband and yourself!

Thanks for sharing your good news (and your motivation) with Connect.

Teresa

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ihatediabetes | @ihatediabetes | Jul 3, 2018

Hi I just saw this and noticed that I was invited to comment. I did Mayo Clinic diet program in Feb 2017 and the diabetes program in Feb 2018. I really like having a wellness coach. She is my encouragement person. Plus when you set goals you will end up finding out things about your mind that often get in way. I also think body composition is more important than weight. I think about gaining muscle and losing fat. Often that means you gain weight. Last time I was there I gained 2 pounds. But I gained 4 pounds of muscle and lost 2 pounds of fat. So that is improved body composition and that has a metabolic benefit for conditions like diabetes. That is weight gain an endocrinologist is happy about. That's how I cope with diabetes and healthy living. I rely on coaching program and I focus on body composition.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jul 3, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "Dear ALL, Check out this short informative video: How to Tackle the Toughest Eating Triggers. I..." + (show)
@rosemarya

Dear ALL,
Check out this short informative video: How to Tackle the Toughest Eating Triggers. I think it has some good ideas that can be easily applied.
http://mcmapp.mayoclinic.org/sharing/Content/weightloss?id=VID-20314288

My downfall is the "before bed ice cream craving"! Recently - grapes, or strawberries, or cherries have proved satisfaction to me!

How about you?
@techi, @jodeej, @parus, @liz223, @contentandwell, @kishanvasekar, @mari, @hopeful33250

Jump to this post

@jodeej Great ideas for most people but most of them have not worked for me. This one may be worth a try:
"Change your mental picture. When you experience a craving, replace the image of the food with a picture of yourself doing your favorite activity or some other pleasant image."
Another of my downfalls is freshly ground honey roasted peanut butter. I buy it at Fresh Market and Whole Foods. I try to not buy it because I don't want it around tempting me but sometimes I give in to it. I put it on Wasa Crisp and Light crackers which are very low calorie (70 for 3 of them) and sometimes on celery.
JK

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jul 3, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "Dear ALL, Check out this short informative video: How to Tackle the Toughest Eating Triggers. I..." + (show)
@rosemarya

Dear ALL,
Check out this short informative video: How to Tackle the Toughest Eating Triggers. I think it has some good ideas that can be easily applied.
http://mcmapp.mayoclinic.org/sharing/Content/weightloss?id=VID-20314288

My downfall is the "before bed ice cream craving"! Recently - grapes, or strawberries, or cherries have proved satisfaction to me!

How about you?
@techi, @jodeej, @parus, @liz223, @contentandwell, @kishanvasekar, @mari, @hopeful33250

Jump to this post

@rosemarya @jodeej I, unfortunately, am not motivated by hunger frequently. It's just by the allure of whatever food it is. I am an endomorph, through and through.
JK

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Jul 3, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@kishanvasekar congratulations on your successes! @rosemarya my barriers are definitely sweets! I try to just keep..." + (show)
@jodeej

@kishanvasekar congratulations on your successes!
@rosemarya my barriers are definitely sweets! I try to just keep them out of the house for the most part. This past week at Gift of Life I was able to stay away from them for the most part, thankfully! Plus we walked a lot which is very helpful!

Keeping myself healthy to care for my husband and not wanting to have to take meds for cholesterol are what keeps me motivated! I need to get mine checked again to see how I am doing.

I want to celebrate being down 6 pounds! I have hit a plateau, but I am trying to work through it with more exercise. I'll get there! 🙂

Blessings,
JoDee

Jump to this post

@jodeej It's such a good feeling when you have success. Right now I am at the point where I say to myself "I've been good so far today" and then I get out of bed. 😉
JK

REPLY
jodeej | @jodeej | Jul 4, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "@kishanvasekar congratulations on your successes! @rosemarya my barriers are definitely sweets! I try to just keep..." + (show)
@jodeej

@kishanvasekar congratulations on your successes!
@rosemarya my barriers are definitely sweets! I try to just keep them out of the house for the most part. This past week at Gift of Life I was able to stay away from them for the most part, thankfully! Plus we walked a lot which is very helpful!

Keeping myself healthy to care for my husband and not wanting to have to take meds for cholesterol are what keeps me motivated! I need to get mine checked again to see how I am doing.

I want to celebrate being down 6 pounds! I have hit a plateau, but I am trying to work through it with more exercise. I'll get there! 🙂

Blessings,
JoDee

Jump to this post

@contentandwell lol! I have days like that. My best days are the one where I'm busy all day. If I sit, I eat. Ugh!

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jul 10, 2018

"Move More"
These are the words that caught my eye this morning in "Trending Newsfeed Posts" at bottom of Connect Home Page.
I read that, "Research shows physical activity and exercise is “preventive medicine”." I knew that I just had to share it with all of you
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/move-more/

How is that for Motivation?

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