Critical Point - Feeling Anxious

[FLSunShine]

Hi Everyone,

This is my 7th day on this WOE and it's working eventhough my Ketone sticks say I am not in Ketosis. I have lost 11 lbs. and I am not hungry. But what I have noticed and I thank God I have so I can pray about it and bring it to you all for support too is, I am at a critical point now. Today I realized a pattern I had been following. Normally with any diet I attempt to do, I find myself getting anxious and wanting the weight off IMMEDIATELY. Then I end up getting discouraged and starting something else only to find another year has gone by and I am still not walking in victory. Does anyone feel me out there? I know it takes TIME and that I shouldn't be anxious for anything but when you have dealt with a weight issue since you were in the 4th grade, you just want it OVER for good.

So I am reaching out to my ADBB Buddies to help me with words of wisdom. I noticed that many of you have lost alot of weight with this WOE and that's AWESOME! What do you do when you feel anxious about wanting the weight off NOW? And Yes I am keeping a daily journal too, which REALLY helps. I know this is a lifestyle and not a quick fix but hey the feelings come and they are real. How do you deal with them?

Wow, I feel better just confessing this...... smile.

[*Emma*]

Re: Critical Point - Feeling Anxious

when i feel anxious i come here
when i feel demotivated i come here
when i need a kick up the butt i come here
when i need a slap around the head i come here

theres lots of other times i come here too, this board is the only reason that ive stuck to this WOE

Join challenges, post lots, we'll all help you through the hard times!

[FLSunShine]

Re: Critical Point - Feeling Anxious

Thank you Emma, I appreciate that. Have a good day today.

when i feel anxious i come here
when i feel demotivated i come here
when i need a kick up the butt i come here
when i need a slap around the head i come here

theres lots of other times i come here too, this board is the only reason that ive stuck to this WOE

Join challenges, post lots, we'll all help you through the hard times!

[kate58]

Re: Critical Point - Feeling Anxious

I second the challenges advice (and everything else Emma said for that matter).

The Christmas Challenge has kept me focused and working to plan, because it's a measured weight in a defined time and a deviation from eating right could wreck it all, and I am just NOT going to let that happen. Focusing on an ultimate goal is too far away to work for me every single day - in fact I never think about it at all really, just keep my eye on the next mini goal.

Another great motivator is to get some item of clothing that nearly fits - then plan to try it on after a week or 10 days. Leave it somewhere you can see it. For that week, determine you will make it fit better. Once that one is fitting good, get another nearly fitting one and so on.

In my case I then chuck the too big jeans etc in the bin, or give them away, IMMEDIATELY they become too loose. That clears away any options for putting the weight back on.

I also love the tickers and the weight recording in fitday.com - it is a very pleasant task on a day when you hit a new low to go about changing your tickers and adding another little bit to the downward slope of your graph.

[dreamof145]

Re: Critical Point - Feeling Anxious

I am so happy you posted this. We all feel anxious to want the weight off quickly. I found that my inner negative voice feeds on anxiety. When I feel stressed or overwelmed ... my mind always focuses on my weight. I'd always used my weight as an excuse for everything in my life, so I've learned that I need to re-fuel my attitude daily so that I don't get weak minded. There are several things you can do to keep the positive thoughts flowing and feel good about what you are accomplishing.

Remember this is a LIFE-STYLE change. Not a quick-fix. Get excited about the recipes, meals, exercises, positive changes that are going to make you healthy and fit.

Come here OFTEN for support. Very often. The people here are awesome for giving you cyber hugs, support, encouragement, advice and friendship. Friends are one of the most important assets you have as you make changes in your life-style. They will keep you motivated and feeling positive.

Measure!! The tape-measure will let you see the positive changes taking place in your body. Its a great motivator.

GIVE IT BACK. When you come to the ADBB, get involved and spread support to others. It will dissolve the negative thoughts and make you feel better and strengthen your belief in yourself.

Stop and tell yourself everyday (2 or 3 times a day or more) that you are worth it and that you are making life changes that will keep you healthy, fit and happy. Positive thoughts, positive actions will give you positive results.

I keep a journal that I write in every morning. I used to write at night, but found that by morning, I wasn't as motivated to do what I'd written I would do. Now...I write every morning and that keeps my committments fresh on my mind and makes me feel more positive.

[ShiningStarr]

Re: Critical Point - Feeling Anxious

When I get thinking like that I just have to think about where I want to be a year from now. Do I want to be at or close to my goal or do I want to be this size or bigger? If someone had asked me last year if I wanted to weigh 218 or more or 188 in a year I would have definately said 188. Now I think do I want to be at or close to 150 next Christmas or 218+ next Christmas. For me it is definately 150!! That usually helps me out of my funk!! I have set in my mind what I want to do and where I want to be and I know that staying on this WOE is the only way I am going to get there. You said you have lost 11lbs in 7 days and you are not feeling hungry.....have you ever tried any other diet where you have had such great success? Keep going and soon you will be where you want to be.

[msnicksmom]

Re: Critical Point - Feeling Anxious

Honestly, there is no "getting there". Maintaining the loss is a whole new challenge. Ask any goalie or STAC'er. Start evaluating why you want to lose, and why you are heavy, and what food is for you, and your attitude about losing fast will adjust. And you'll really internalize the healthy lifestyle change vs the "diet" attitude. You have the opportunity to be thin and healthy for the rest of your life, no need to feel impatient. You have to lose it "right" to be able to maintain it. Hope that makes sense, it's really early here

[FLSunShine]

Re: Critical Point - Feeling Anxious

GREAT ADVICE ALL..... THANKS SO VERY MUCH

[cgdat136]

Re: Critical Point - Feeling Anxious

when you feel anxious....i would say its best to put on your sneakers and go for a 30 minute walk or so. at times in the past i have been so stressed about things....dating things, work issues, family stuff etc.....but i found that by going out for a 30-45 minute walk is best, and sometimes i cannot even remember what i was upset about in the first place. just remember that rome wasnt built in a day...and this will take time too. do you like to read books, sometimes a good book, if you get caught up it in....will take you out of reality and into the story. my first job out of college i was in social work....so i understand that feelings and emotions are very real and that we must find ways to cope with them. find something you enjoy, and when you are feeling anxious.....turn to it and immerse yourself in a hobby or activity of some sort. thats my best advice for you

[blue996]

Re: Critical Point - Feeling Anxious

When I feel anxious (and I do because I want the weight gone now!) I go into fitday (I have the PC version) and look at the graph and it's downward slope. It also predicts based on your past losses what you will weight in 4 and 12 weeks. I find that is a huge motivator for me.

[mitzimarie]

Re: Critical Point - Feeling Anxious

I love the replies you've gotten! Each one of them has good advice.

My weight loss averaged between 1 and 2 pounds a week. May not sound like much to some, but they do add up!

Like Kate, I like to keep an article of clothing that nearly fits, and try that every 10 days, or so. I love this gauge for losing inches, even more than the tape measure. I've been disappointed in the tape measure before, because my clothes were telling a different story than the tape. I guess because there are so many variables... tension on the tape, is it the same exact place that was measured before... So, I don't use a tape measure very often. But you should either use a tape measure or keep something a little snug to try on. The scale can lie.

And I only weigh once a week. Can't stand watching the same pound bounce back and forth all week. Get on each Sunday morning, and it is what it is. That way, I can get excited over a pound loss for the week.

Msnicksmom - love what you said when you wrote... "Honestly, there is no "getting there". Maintaining the loss is a whole new challenge. Ask any goalie or STAC'er. Start evaluating why you want to lose, and why you are heavy, and what food is for you, and your attitude about losing fast will adjust. And you'll really internalize the healthy lifestyle change vs the "diet" attitude. You have the opportunity to be thin and healthy for the rest of your life, no need to feel impatient. You have to lose it "right" to be able to maintain it." --- So true!

Dreamof 145 - Yes! Time to create a new lifestyle... getting excited about new recipes and exercises... very well said.

Fitday, tickers, keeping busy with hobbies, sticking close to the board... all very excellent ideas!

Hang in there.