7 Things You Don’t Want to Say When Dieting or Maintaining Your Weight

Looking back at my dieting mentality I can remember things I repeatedly said to myself that defied logic. I said them hoping to create a comfort mechanism when really what I was doing was sabotaging my efforts. Over the years I still find myself tempted to recreate these patterns. They are always there with me. Underneath the new me I still remain, ever so slightly, that overweight girl. It takes practice to talk you out of things.

Here are some of the things I would say:

It’s the weekend I deserve to splurge.

Yes, you do! However my definition of splurging is not necessarily on food. I love pampering myself at the salon or buying a piece of inexpensive jewelry, having a coffee with a friend. Splurging can mean eating one piece of pizza you haven’t had all week long or having a glass of wine and playing it cool the rest of the night with a diet pop. Little splurges are fine. Big splurges, unless you’re prepared to take the good with the bad can be difficult. I know now if I splurge I have no problem getting back on track.

I ate the cake so I might as well forget about my diet this week.

I told myself this numerous times. Yes, you can have your cake but don’t chalk your mistakes up as failure and give in. Pick yourself back up and carry on. We all do it. One day, one meal or one snack mistake is just that, one minor mistake. Ruining your efforts for the entire week will make you feel worse.

It’s too early or too late in the day to exercise and I’m tired.

I used to wake up late in the morning. By the time the evening rolled around I was making excuses not to exercise. A friend suggested I get up early before my family was up and get my exercise in. Me? Get up early in the morning? This was absurd!

I now have my workout clothes and tennis shoes beside my bed. I slip into my gear and head to my basement for my workout. Any other things I do during the day like walking, biking etc. are bonuses for me and my health. Plus, once I get started with my routine I’m not so tired after all. In fact the exercise gives me energy and makes me sleep better. Keep working at this. Find what fits your schedule. You won’t regret it.

Life is too short I’ll try again some other time.

Life is short but think about how much shorter it will be if I don’t take care of my health. I want to be around for my daughter’s graduation or my son’s wedding. I want to remain energetic and enjoying life for a long time. Sure, you can start tomorrow but today sounds even better when I know what I’ll have to look forward to.

Now that I’ve lost the weight I can start eating again.

I’ve been on countless diet plans and my biggest pitfall was when I told myself it was fine to go back to the way things were. I never completely made what I was doing a life-long habit. Now I tell myself that I can eat, only this time it’s healthier versions of what I love. I can enjoy everything in moderation.

My family is overweight so I’m destined to remain overweight.

I remember telling my husband this when I was on vacation with him. After attempting to lose weight for years I was exasperated at the thought of trying one more time. I had a mother, grandmothers and relatives that were always overweight. I felt that was my destiny. Of course, now I realize I won’t be model thin (I’ve never wanted to be) but I can feel healthy and energized and fit in my own way. I know that everyone has health issues that may affect their weight but this was not my case and neither was my weight being hereditary. It was just one more mountain I had to climb. One more thing I needed to do to change my destiny.

If I eat this when no one else is around it won’t matter.

This was something I did regularly at my highest weight. The kids went to bed, the husband tucked in and it was me and my best friends chocolate chip cookies and late night movie. Sitting in front of the television I remained in my own little world for a couple of hours and no one would notice. I called it “ME TIME”. I wish now I had just turned the kitchen light off and went to bed like everyone else. It does matter and people do notice. They notice how heavy you are so the secret is out whether you want to believe it or not. I didn’t get that way just watching TV. I also know that it does matter, to me.

What are some things you say to yourself that keep you from maintaining or losing?

What words are you using to keep you from reaching your goals?

Say them but think outside the box and use them to your advantage instead.

Mini Goals To Weight Loss And Keeping It Off

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Do you remember the last time you set a goal for yourself?  I remember my last big goal was to graduate from college with a bachelors degree.  If I had thought right out of the start gate that I had to rush through everything to get there I would have been truly disappointed with myself and would have quit.  To truly be satisfied I had to work hard to get that diploma.

Because I took my time and experienced everything, the networking, professors, discussions with peers, test taking, and clubs, I truly felt I had become a well-rounded person, as cliche as that may sound. 

I'll never regret the journey. I'll always carry with me the knowledge and wisdom that comes with being a student. 

Even the strongest athletes had to start somewhere.  Their strength and motivation didn't just happen overnight. They trained everyday and learned to change their lifestyle to reach the top. 

That goal and how I obtained it was one I kept stored in my mind even as I embarked on my weight loss journey.  If I could do the college thing why couldn't I do the weight loss thing?  I applied those same principles to my new goals. 

Mini goals are what I remember vividly and I still go through this process today. Here are some things to consider:

Plan -  Wake up each morning with a plan for the day. It might not always come to fruition but at least you have somewhere to start.

Take Baby Steps -  Mini goals are baby steps.  Start with knowing how you'll handle your morning and once you get past that have the next step ready to embark on. Maybe it's just drinking your water.

Do Your Homework -  Make it a habit to learn something new about your health, eating, and exercise.  The fun part is finding out new ways to enjoy the process and there's a plethora of information to incorporate into your new lifestyle. 

Slow And Steady Wins The Race - Take your time and enjoy the changes that are happening inside and out. Make sure the goals you set are your goals and no one else.  I remember thinking that a wedding was coming up and I'd better hurry to fit into my dress!  I never got there any thinner or healthier.

Stop Beating Yourself Up! - The day I realized I was human and made mistakes was the day I knew I would be alright. You will cheat.  Give yourself a break!  I just tell myself the next meal I'll get on track, the next time I exercise I'll add a little more weight lifting.  There's always another day. Don't give up! Learn from your mistakes.

Celebrate! -  However your day unfolds find one thing you did right.  Celebrate everything you're doing. Maybe you just invited a friend to join you in your new exercise routine. There's always something. 

Mini Goals are important and for me that's how I get through everyday. Try some of your own and you'll end up being a winner too!