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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jodeej | @jodeej | Jan 13, 2019

@contentandwell I will! Reading through the book, the recipes look great and simple.

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jan 13, 2019

In reply to @jodeej "@contentandwell I will! Reading through the book, the recipes look great and simple." + (show)

I do have the Mayo Clinic Diet Book. I purchased it after my transplant because I wanted to develop healthy eating habits. I did not need to lose any weight back then, and I continue to use it as my guide. I especially like that it stresses a healthy-for-life plan for eating and it encourages activity. I find it to be encouraging and also flexible.
My nurses tease my husband at my visits that he must be benefiting, too!

Here is a link, if you want to read about the Mayo Clinic Diet.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/mayo-clinic-diet/art-20045460

There is also an online version of the diet plan.

jodeej | @jodeej | Jan 13, 2019

In reply to @rosemarya "I do have the Mayo Clinic Diet Book. I purchased it after my transplant because I..." + (show)

@rosemarya I've seen the online version. I like having the book since for me it's easier for reading.

mickj | @mickj | Jan 13, 2019

Exercise is never going to solve anyone's weight issues, unless you want to run a marathon every week or so. Then you could lose a pound or so per week. If I was overweight, intermittent fasting, combined with a keto diet is what I would do. But, in my opinion, that's a short-term fix. Long-term, it's all about the food we eat and food we don't eat. There are a couple of YouTube videos by Dr. Robert Lustig ("Sugar: The Bitter Truth" "Fructose 2.0") that really opened my eyes. I always knew that certain foods were bad for me, but I never knew why. And Dr. Lustig does a great job of explaining it. He dives into the biochemistry of the metabolism of fructose and glucose. His focus is on insulin resistance, and the evil things that happen to us once we become insulin resistant. Learning the role of hormones in this metabolism is fascinating. In general, our bodies naturally self-regulate satiety if our hormones are working right. And to help make that happen, elimination (or heavy reduction) of added sugar and other refined carbohydrates will give our liver and pancreas a chance to do their job and help our hormones do what they're supposed to do. I eat this way and it works for me. Steering clear of the perceived pleasure of sweets and the convenience of refined carbs is a small price to pay for feeling as good as I do. Oh, and I don't crave sweets and I'm never hungry.
Gary Taubes also has some great YouTube videos on this subject.