You're not a machine. You're human. The day off is no big deal. Im actually kinda relieved you had it, tbh. The way we are with food and emotional eating and such, isnt good. It isnt the way it SHOULD be. But to go in the completely opposite way isnt good either. We HAVE to have that day of "whatever" every so often. Its natural. Its human. So Im quite pleased that you did what you did.
Your new plan sounds pretty awesome. No weighing and staying on plan FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DAYS. Not just "til whenever". You have a set date that you can work to and thats brilliant. I noticed how much easier it was for this time around to stick to plan and to actually ENJOY IT as this time I have had no shakes or soups (as you know) and I have a DATE IN MIND for when this (session of the) diet is over.
Thank you... I sometimes need reminding that I can make things a little easier on myself!! The day of relinquished control actually did me good. It let me appreciate the work I've done so far and got me to formulate a good plan to go forward with.
You've hit the nail on the head - 37 days sounds so much more realistic and doable than "til whenever". I know I still need to lose loads more weight even after 31st, but setting small time frames really does break it up a bit...!
I am so happy you're enjoying the diet again (as much as a diet can be enjoyed anyway...). No more imposed liquids!! I don't think I have liquid food right now - which is what makes it doable. Thick porridge, cup soup which has bits in it and evening meal packs - all warm and satisfying.
Don't worry too much about the final evening before you go away - be good to yourself. Make it easy as travelling and packing and the like are way too stressful for words!!
x
I think you reached the point where you needed to relax control! You've had a tough week! We're all human - even you (although you have more determination than ANYONE I know)! I'm gonna be 100% on plan for the next month too! 100%!!!!! We're gonna kick diet booty!
I wonder though - will not knowing how much you're losing each week for the next month affect you? Updating your ticker is a great motivator too. I mean I know if I didn't weigh myself for a month I know I'd be more likely to be slightly demotivated..
You better stick it out with me missy!! 100% !! We can do this!
As for weighing - I'm not actually that fussed about it. In fact I'm relieved. My losses are usually extremely rubbish - you've read my diary for the last few weeks, you know I get upset more than anything else!
I'm hoping to be at about 12st 5 on 31st May. And that is with VERY bad losses in the next 5-6 weeks, but I'll be happy to see that figure when the time comes because I'll be hoping/expecting the worst!
Just trimming this down to the 3 things I wanted to comment on, but hugs and good thoughts for everything (and I hope your OHs cyst get sorted - I can empathise).
1) One of the reasons we gain weight is because control is hard. I beat myself up for ages when I've lost control for days or weeks, cannot understand how I let myself do it. But I do it again and again.
In my case I think that it's the added pressure of needing to lose weight before I can maintain. I believe if I can get to a low enough weight, the pressure of trying to lose weight being gone, I'll find it easier. I could be kidding myself.
2) I am exactly the same - when I let go - I let gooooooooooooooooooo. I'm the original "see food" dieter. Which is why I want to get to a low enough weight where I don't feel I have to lose xlbs as well as any gain (just the gain!). I'm not sure how we can change that reaction.
3) Plan of action sounds great; no loss will feel too small over 6 weeks! I'm weighing this Monday but wil consider lengthier terms between weigh ins.
Control is indeed very hard. This was the first time I was 'out' of control the whole time on this stint of the VLCD.
I've had planned days off - and even a week of eating no packs, but real food - which was very successful - I lost weight and did not deviate from what I meant to do. I guess yesterday was different because it just exploded a bit. Emotions everywhere. But, today I was calm. I guess I needed to get it all out. I let the explosion wash over me in a way and didn't let it take me with it.
Control is something we learn to manage bit by bit... It's so weird how weight and food has such a big grip on us sometimes. It should be a fairly insignificant part of our lives, yet, for us it's not. We learn day by day... The pressure as you quite rightly pointed out, does not evaporate when we reach some magic number on the scale.... in fact, this actually IS the easy part. Control and not turning a blind eye to numbers creeping up and allowing and extra here or there - slowly becoming a daily thing .. THAT's the hard part.
Keeping aware of what is happening to us when we get to goal is key!
Big hugs to you Minerva!
One binge day in isolation isn't putting you back to square one! These things happen, and as you are doing now, all you can do is carry on.
Your plan sounds really good. I will be here cheering you on all the way!
Really sorry for all the poop stuff that's been going on, at least the studying has an end in sight. Then you will be a free woman all summer (I assume)?
As for the lack of ticker... Do one that counts down the days
I WILL be a free woman in the summer!! Bar the house decorating anyway (and job hunting).
I made a little number chart in my signature instead - so I can tick off every day as it goes by! It'll be intensely satisfying to colour each day as DONE!
You're right, one day doesn't put me back to square one at all, though the mind is a funny thing - it tried to convince me otherwise
Yay Day 1 (a.k.a. Day 115)
Lol, I just realised today as well - why do we all beat ourselves so much up about a day off or a binge or whatever?
We always feel so guilty posting about it here!! Hah, we're not in Diet Prison !! I think it's good that we're posting about our slips here - because that means we're admitting to it, analysing what went wrong and as a team working on strategies to move on.
Healthy group activity if you ask me ...
