Q is for Quitting
Do you ever just feel like it’s too much work to stay on track?
Sometimes I do. Sometimes I REALLY do. There are days once in awhile where I think “WHY do I have to count my calories today?” Sigh! I just don’t WANNA. In those cases I can sometimes take a day or two off from counting my calories and then return to it feeling refreshed and re-dedicated.
There have been many times (usually in times of stress) where I am very tempted to binge like I used to. But when that temptation to binge comes into my psyche I remember that the binge is just not worth it. Maybe if I wasn’t aware of how many calories are in food it would be easier to give into those binge cravings. But knowing that if I eat half a pizza by myself is over 1500 calories just isn’t worth it anymore.
There are days when I just don’t feel like working out. If I’m going to be entirely honest here, my workout schedule is something I don’t even think about anymore. It’s just part of my life, it’s a habit, it’s like brushing my teeth or showering every day–sure there might be days I don’t want to, but I just do it. However, sometimes I get burned out and just need a few extra rest days. I give myself that. I listen to my body and my mind and I know when it’s time for a short break.
What reminds me of why I don’t quit is this simple fact:
I am not on a diet. This is a lifestyle change.
A lifestyle change is long-term. A lifestyle change is a commitment to my health and well-being. A lifestyle change is worth the hard work and dedication…even if it means I don’t have that third slice of pizza or that second glass of wine or that extra scoop of ice cream.
Portland Century 2011
Not only that, I really LIKE my lifestyle change! I LOVE the events that I do now. Hood to Coast, the Portland Century…all wonderful (and painful) memories of a time I challenged myself and was victorious. Training for a full Century for this summer makes me feel excited about having a goal to work for. I feel good about my body and abilities! These are all great feelings, and totally worth the hard work.
The next time you want to quit and go back to your old habits, really think about why and what you want your lifestyle to be. Do you want it to be healthy? Do you want to challenge yourself? Don’t quit. Take a day off here and there, but get back on that wagon and continue the hard work!
QUESTION: Have you ever wanted to quit? What stopped you?
A-Abstinence * B-Balance * C-Calories * D-Vitamin D * E-Emergency * F-Fast Food and Fine Dining * G-Gym Bag * H-Happy Weight * I-Intervals * J-Jumping * K-Keeping Sane * L-Losing Weight * M-Measuring Mistakes *N-Nemesis * O-Open * P-Plateaus *
Roz@weightingfor50
I so admire your balanced outlook to weight loss/maintenance Lisa.
Lisa Eirene
Thank you Roz. I try! Some days are harder than others, but for the most part it works. It’s all about a change of mindset.
Jess
What stops me from quitting is looking at how far I have come. I have lost 20 pounds this year, and I really don’t want to blow it before bathing suit season! In all seriousness, I just have to look at how much I weighed/what I looked like 6 months ago to stop the urge to quit or binge. I don’t want to be that fat girl again! I am also a member of sparkpeople, and online weight loss support community. I have access to thousands of people going thought the same thing, so I get tonnes of support whenever I need it.
Lisa Eirene
YES!!! Good point! After you’ve come sooo far, it’s hard to justify eating something bad for you if it just means gaining the weight back. It’s not worth it.
Jodi @ Jodi, Fat or Not
I don’t know if I ever feel like straight up quitting…but there are a LOT of days I would rather not count calories or think so much about my food. Bingeing is definitely still a worry for me, but I know now that even if I do it, I will get right back on track wit the next meal.
Lisa Eirene
The urge to binge DOES get better with time. It becomes less attractive.
Alison
I feel like quitting when I work really hard on both good food and exercise and nothing changes on the scale. It defeats me and I go eat some chocolate. But… a few days later you’re right back on it again. I guess what keeps me from quitting is the hope that one day I’ll get to where I want to be and be able to enjoy things I cannot now.
Lisa Eirene
YES! I totally understand that. I felt that way too. It is soooo frustrating to work really hard, track everything, exercise and NOT see a number change on the scale. I wish I had an easy answer.
Yum Yucky
The fitness stuff definitely is like brushing my teeth and putting my clothes on everyday. And we both know that going nekid with funky breaths is not acceptable, so neither is slacking on my workouts.
I honestly got tired of counting calories few years a back. I just stick to cleaning eating as much as I can with a little bit of greediness thrown in for healthy lifestyle pleasure.
Lisa Eirene
I love your analogy! 😉
Yes, counting calories can become a pain. Especially when you see the numbers. But for me I need that accountability and that “shock of reality” that calorie counting is!
Jill
Yes!! Somedays I feel like it is just not fair that I have to always think about food and calories. Then I remember how far I have come and how great I feel now. I also am very competitive and don’t like to lose. Quitting is rarely an option for me. Sometimes I just take a small break and then keep on my path of a healthy lifestyle. My goal in life is to be happy and being strong and healthy makes me happy way more than binging on pizza and ice cream!
Lisa Eirene
When you’ve come a long way and have worked really hard for your losses, it’s hard to justify giving up, isn’t it?
Katie Squires
Perfect timing…sitting here dreading my workout later…thinking ughhh….usually like you its a habit, like brushing my teeth, just part of my life and I enjoy it…today..DREADING IT…I feel burnt out..I have taken two days off since running the marathon just over two weeks ago…I think its catching up on me….tired…perhaps tonights workout should be a hot bubble bath and stretching my toes 🙂
Lisa Eirene
Sometimes you DO need extra rest days! Especially after something as big as a marathon. Bubble bath and yoga would probably do you good. 🙂
Tiffany
Love your view of your “new” lifestyle! I am looking forward to the day it hits me that I just don’t have to think about it much anymore. I just do it because that’s who I am. 🙂 Very inspiring Lisa! My post from this weekend is actually about NOT giving up this time, even though in the past this is exactly when it would happen. Your post helps me to know it’ll be worth it to keep going. 🙂
Lisa Eirene
Thank you, Tiffany! I’m glad it spoke to you. Yes, you should keep going. Even though it might be slow right now, or frustrating, it’s totally worth it in the long run. You just have to weather this storm!