Something that really helped my motivation was to find a positive goal that wasn’t just wanting to lose weight. I would keep failing in the past because I’d ultimately hit a point of wanting the food and old habits more than wanting to change. But making that change was a real game changer to making me want to engage with the whole process not just the outcome.
One thing that helped me was to view it not from a weight loss standpoint, but from the accumulation of different (better) habits. In that sense, I didn’t have to do everything, I just had to do one thing. One thing that put me on a healthier path. and once I felt good about keeping up with that one thing, I added another.
The first thing I committed to doing was not having takeout. The steps I took were to delete all the food apps on my phone except for grocery delivery. Then I made a list of what I thought would be good to eat, and did a shop. I bought a rotisserie chicken from the deli as a fallback because if I didn’t have the energy to cook, I had no excuse. Another thing I did was clean out the pantry of junk. These didn’t all happen on the same day and I was eating rotisserie for a while. 😃
That’s just an example of one thing, that’s not directly causing weight loss, but is one in a series of habits that eventually would help to form the foundation of my weight loss journey.
Another example, I needed to drink more water and not soda, so I decided that was the next habit to tackle. I bought one of those water jugs with the glasses marked off and the times printed so I could tell when I was ahead or behind pace. I flavored the water and drank it over ice. Every day I met my water goal I tracked and celebrates streaks, and then it became a contest with myself to see if I Could maintain my x-days in a row emptying that jug.
In this way, I built up a set of habits to support my goal for weight loss, without focusing on the weight loss itself. Instead of relying on motivation - which is fleeting and unreliable - I rely on discipline formed by the practice of habits to keep me on the path. I found things along the way to give me little bursts of joy by accomplishing something. Maybe someone else might not give themselves a high five for emptying a water jug, but it mattered to me.
It’s kind of like brushing my teeth. I don’t do that because it lights my world on fire every day and I wake up in excitement at the prospect of a clean mouth. It doesn’t even particularly motivate me by having all my own teeth when I’m 80. It’s just, something that happens in the morning and I don’t feel good leaving the house unless I do it.
Hi there! I’ve made a lot of personal progress just being nice to myself. Really try to give yourself some grace and patience. I also have some mental health stuff going on and in my group therapy, we always said, talk to yourself as if you were talking to a small child. You wouldn’t tell a child they need a kick up the bum! I know you are looking for motivation and a kick up the bum may help. But you got this! Like you said you’ve done it before, you can do it again. Make SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time bound. Checking off a few goals off my list everyday is also super helpful for me!! Good luck OP! I know you can do this
Stop thinking that way!! Instead of coming at it from a “here’s all the reasons I’ve missed the mark” attitude. Come at it from a “this is what I’m going to do.” At the end of the day IF is not a diet that is just popular for losing weight. For a lot of people it’s a healthier lifestyle that is good for your body as a whole. Tell yourself what kind of awesome benefits you’ll get every moment your hunger roars. Keep yourself busy with HEALTHY activities to distract your mind from dragging your health down the same old road. Give yourself a little grace along the way and don’t ever start from a “woe is me attitude “ ever again.
Good Luck and God speed!!
I find if I cut out carbs entirely and stick to just fiber filled veggies and lean meats I lose some of that insatiable hunger (mine was from high dose long term prednisone). After a few days of not giving in it should subside and become much easier to diet - even on those drugs.