How to make this time (losing weight) work?

catfood — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 11:00:20 -0800

Ever since college I have been working to lose a fairly significant amount of weight (> 75 lbs). I'm looking for suggestions as to how I can make *this* time be the *last* time I ever have to try. It's been four years since graduation, and the most I have lost was 25 lbs, which I slowly regained over the course of a year. After spending a few months wallowing in self-loathing and feeling like I couldn't bring myself to try again, I have given myself a personal pep-talk and created a plan to do it and reach my weight loss and health goals. But, it's not like I've never done this before.

I usually stick to my plans for 2 weeks to about a month and a half before I get frustrated or bored or tired of it, and just throw in the towel. But I do not want to spend the rest of my 20's and my life overweight & unhappy with myself.

My current plan:

Food: I joined Weight Watchers (this is how I originally lost 25 lbs) - I love the support system, I love that there are no lists of "good foods" and "bad foods", and I love that it is essentially simplified calorie counting. I'm also learning to cook more, especially incorporating more vegetables and legumes into my diet. I'm not a vegetarian per se, but I just bought a couple of vegetarian cookbooks so that I can break out of my usual chicken rut. I'm also trying to work on cooking fast, convenient meals since I come home late most evenings.

Exercise: I also joined a gym and have set up a program for the next two months that involves working out three times a week (30-45 min cardio + weight training + stretching) and yoga and walking at home at least twice a week. Once I have built up some fitness, I'd like to increase the amount of exercise I do and try new and fun types of exercise.

Mind: I'm trying to work on my self esteem & to convince myself that I don't have to be 100% perfect all the time, but that I have to stick with it. I'm also trying to relax & focus on other things I enjoy like reading, writing, etc.

So...I know there are many of you out there who have built healthy habits and stuck with it. What can I do to make sure that I succeed this time around? Thanks in advance for any & all advice!

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How to make this time (losing weight) work?