Sunday, January 31, 2010

Hocus Pocus

I can feel my waistline expanding. This week I have become my own worst enemy. I've eaten too many carbs, and not the whole wheat kind. I'm dangerously close to having gained at least 15 pounds since Thanksgiving.

What on earth has happened? I was so motivated to eat healthier and choose exercise over sitting around, doing nothing. Now, even though I am making a half-hearted attempt at riding my bike, it's not enough. Being hypothyroid means I need to really move it to lose it. And now, for the last two days, I've binged on bread, crackers, and brownies.

I was at Amazon today looking for another "diet" book to inspire me. Not a book to tell me what to do. God knows, I know what to do. I was looking for a book to give me that magic potion for getting my motivation back. You know, that kick in the pants to get back on track. I saw a few that called out to me and I almost hit the "add to cart" button, but I didn't. I have a bookcase full of books that I thought would "get me in the mood mind-set" to diet. Did they help? Well, for a little while and I'd lose some weight. Sometimes a lot of weight. Then my old habits would start up again and I'd gain some back and then just give up. Is that what's happening again? Oh, please, not again.

I just want my motivation back.

15 comments:

  1. Sometimes it helps if I keep my focus small. Just one decision at a time - trying to turn the ship around and keep it on a straight course is just too overwhelming. Craving and eating the wrong stuff usually comes as a result of some anxiety so the exercise helps curb the anxiety for me.

    And my other diet tip for motivation - declutter something! It really does help.

    Hugs to you - you'll figure this out.

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  2. Roxie is right. Clean something. I was surprised the 1 st time I took the advice, but it worked.

    The only way to start is to begin. You know what to do!

    you will figure it out!

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  3. I too have recently felt the expanding of the waistline. Grr! I'm not going to let that weight come back!
    Like others have said, time to start is now.
    I think once this cold business is over, things will get easier too!

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  4. I just read through several of your recent posts. I know exactly what you're feeling. I gained 23 pounds back over the last several months.

    I think it's your job that's stressing you out so much. I went through that for the last four months of last year when they sent me out on the road, traveling every week. I hated it so much, and I was majorly stressed out.

    My only advice is...don't let them do this to you. If you gain weight because of stress at work then they win. Don't let them win!

    About books, a good one I read recently that helped me is "The end of overeating". The first half of the book is more about how bad the food industry is and how they're out to get us. If you've read any of Michael Pollan's books or seen Food Inc. then you already know that. So I read the second half of the book first and that really helped me.

    Also, I didn't see if you're doing Weight Watchers or not, but if you are, switch over to eating mostly filling foods. Makes a huge difference in the how hungry you get. Of course that'll mean no brownies. :)

    Hang in there and whatever you do, don't give up!

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  5. There are two books I would highly recommend. 1. The Beck Diet Solution; and 2. 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food (by Susan Albers). I have not read either of them yet, but I hear only the best reviews from people I know. Good luck!

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  6. Hi Tena,
    I'm not sure what to recommend. I am thinking about the skirt that I used to wear...I want to wear it this summer! However I too an still eating the worst stuff!
    I sent you an email awhile ago, maybe that'll help?
    xo
    Andrea

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  7. Roxie is right so much of the time - she just knows!
    After like 5 months I am finally getting my motivation back -
    It came down to "do" or "die" or "diet" and for some reason my soul chose to live.
    Sometimes what you focus on tends to expand. Keep nurturing your sweet and authentic self!

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  8. Want me to crack the whip!!! :) I have wheels now and can come and go walkies with you whenever!! Weekends are good for me... I could use another get out and move it!

    You can do it Tena!! Grab that motivation and strangle it back into shape.

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  9. I wish I had the magic words to bring about motivation....yours and mine. But that's not the case. I think for me I have to remember why I started and wanted to lose weight in the beginning. How did I feel way back then...the excitment of the new beginning.

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  10. I think winter is what happened. It's so hard to hang on through the cold and gray days.

    My turnaround potion is two things: 1)revisiting my reasons why I want to maintain my weight, and 2) committing to changing just one thing, whether it's to drop something I'm currently doing or add something new. So far, it's worked every time.

    Hang in there! Warmer, sunnier days are coming!

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  11. I agree with some of the other comments to make small goals for yourself. You can do this!

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  12. You have the power within yourself to change this, motivation or no. Like Roxie said, start small, change one thing, no matter how small. If you find yourself saying "but I don't want to", do it anyway! Remember to be patient & forgiving with yourself, and don't despair. We've all been there, and most of us will be again. You can do it!

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  13. I'm right there with ya ;) I have had zero motivation lately. I'm slowly getting it back though by reading other blogs and reading about other people's great success. This always helps.

    Nevermind the fact that I have drank about six coca-colas in the past two days and I haven't had one since last summer...what does that tell ya?

    Ease yourself back in and like Roxie said, start small. You can do it!

    Jules
    runningdownadream2010.blogspot.com

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  14. Carbs are so addicting... but I've come to the conclusion that I cannot live without carbs. So I just try to make better choices. Have you ever considered that you might have an allergy to wheat (even whole wheat)? I go wheat free whenever possible, because that seems to set me off, often wheat even leads to a bad binge. So we're eating spelt bread and oat bran, etc. One of the symptoms of a wheat allergy that you can't stop eating them once you start.

    My "somewhat healthy" snack lately is something called "hemp plus" granola. Compared to most granolas, it is relatively low in calories and carbs. I add some dried blueberries and sliced almonds, and mix it up, eat it dry or with soy milk. It's very satisfying and good tasting. You can probably get it at any health food store; I get mine at Whole Foods.

    Anyway, I feel for you…but I know you can get back on track. Especially when the weather improves.

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  15. Stop off at my place, there's something there for you!

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