Mental rut...

jennyp08

On January 1st I weighed myself, and I was 162.5 lbs.  I'm 5'4, and when I moved in with FI I weighed 125.  Clearly, I had become unhealthy, and I finally decided to get back to taking care of myself.  I set a goal to reach 135 lbs.  Not quite my ideal weight, but a very healthy weight that I felt was obtainable.

After a lot of ups and downs, I finally found the C25K and started tracking my food.  Fast forward to today--I currently weigh 146 lbs.

 I've almost lost 20lbs, and I'm just about 10 lbs away from my goal.  But mentally, I'm just exhausted with the whole thing.  I feel like I'm constantly worrying about what I am eating, and I have to keep track of it all so that I can make sure I'm within my calorie range. The jogging is still enjoyable, but everything else is starting to wear me down. 

For some reason, I'm not excited with where I am--all I can see is how far I still have to go.  Yesterday I saw a bunch of photos from 2 years ago, and I felt so upset--I look so slim and pretty in those pictures, and it just made me feel overwhelmed, like I will never get back to where I was.  And I was kicking myself for not taking care of myself to begin with.

Does anyone else get into these mental ruts--how do you work through it?  Its odd that I'm still losing weight, but mentally, I feel as if I'm stuck.

cdream05

Hi Jenny!  I feel like we are in the same boat! I used to weigh 120-125 when I first met my husband and now have creeped up to the 150s.  I dont feel that overweight until I see a picture and then I am reminded.  ( I am a little shorter 5"3.5)
Mental ruts are tough, sometimes I take a break from working out or eating healthy and then I dont feel as good so it helps me to go back to making healthier choices. 135 sounds great to me !

ctappin

Jenny I know exactly how you feel. I got into one of these like mid-last week (I usually get them right before my TOM, yay hormones!). So I decided to take a break from all the calorie counting and number tracking. I actually feel a lot better now. I'm still working out 4-6 days a week (heavy work load at the office + 2 months til our wedding = lots of stress and I find exercise is the only thing that really helps), but I've given up the tracking calories online for at least this week. I still post on here to stay accountable, but it's a lot less pressure on myself (or at least it feels that way). Maybe try giving yourself a break from the calorie counting for a little bit to see if that helps at all, or maybe try switching up your exercise routine a little bit to throw your body a curve ball that might snap you out of your rut. You could find something else you enjoy as much as jogging. HTH and congrats on your success already!

msange727

i hear you! i've been fighting with the same 15lbs for what seems like forever, and frankly i get really sick of being looked at weird when i order something healthy (even at a dive bar or something), or telling people that i don't eat fried food or whatever - or obsessively reading labels.

right now i'm maintaining a loss and working at getting about 8 more pounds off, and it does get old. but. when i feel like that, i also think back to when i'd try on my summer clothes after a long, lazy winter and want to scream and cry like a little girl because nothing fit. i try to remember those days because the extra work and planning that comes with losing weight is much better than not being able to wear what i'd like or feel comfortable in my own skin. maybe that'll help? just focus on the major accomplishment you've already reached - go pick up a 20lb weight and carry it around, you lost that!! - and take it easy on yourself. you don't have to be perfect!