Has anyone succesfully overhauled their lifestyle?

[Eternal Sunshine]

I used to be junk food/sugar addict for years. I ate whatever I wanted and did almost no exercise. You wouldn't have caught me dead in a gym. I was never very overweight but I was chubby with high fat %. My highest BMI ever was 24.7.

 

I made lots of gradual changes (starting 6 months ago, fully implemented 3 months ago). I eat high protein/low carb/med fat diet with limited fruit and no sugar, no junk and no processed food. I also do total body weights 3x week, 45 mins each session. I am yet to miss my 3x a week target. I do 2km swims 2x a week.

 

I feel loads better and more energetic. Gym is not a chore and I often feel like doing more but don't want to overdo it. I do "cheat" with food and will eat a pizza or chocolate probably once every 2 weeks. Also, birthday and christmas were "eat anything" days. I feel cheating is important or I would feel too deprived (plus I noticed no difference in weight).

 

Overall, I already look more toned, have lost some kilos and can fit into jeans that I wore when I was 21! And I am not even close to reaching my real goals..

 

I guess I worry that I will somehow slip into my old unhealthy habits.

 

Anybody has any tips for staying on track?

[todreaminblue]

I used to be junk food/sugar addict for years. I ate whatever I wanted and did almost no exercise. You wouldn't have caught me dead in a gym. I was never very overweight but I was chubby with high fat %. My highest BMI ever was 24.7.

 

I made lots of gradual changes (starting 6 months ago, fully implemented 3 months ago). I eat high protein/low carb/med fat diet with limited fruit and no sugar, no junk and no processed food. I also do total body weights 3x week, 45 mins each session. I am yet to miss my 3x a week target. I do 2km swims 2x a week.

 

I feel loads better and more energetic. Gym is not a chore and I often feel like doing more but don't want to overdo it. I do "cheat" with food and will eat a pizza or chocolate probably once every 2 weeks. Also, birthday and christmas were "eat anything" days. I feel cheating is important or I would feel too deprived (plus I noticed no difference in weight).

 

Overall, I already look more toned, have lost some kilos and can fit into jeans that I wore when I was 21! And I am not even close to reaching my real goals..

 

I guess I worry that I will somehow slip into my old unhealthy habits.

 

Anybody has any tips for staying on track?

 

 

i am changing my life overhauling major all unhealthy habits i have will be gone soon, I am an overachiever and had to go to a personal trainer to be montiored this time so i dont do things too quickly or tear ham strings ......they are supportive my family is supportive and i am getting comments from people who havent seen me in a while....my daughter wrapped her arms around my waist....that was a feel good moment i had to day....i took up smoking when i was in the navy.......and haven't given it up since.......just for two weeks when i was baptised...i think finding my faith has helped me a lot.....i feel more at peace with me than i have in a long time i gave up my anti psychotics my antidepressants junk food...ill still treat myself...but i find soreness to be more of a treat....music motivates me, my faith motivates me......people motivate me....i feel stronger and my personal trainers are proud of me..... i dont give up and i push myself even when i dont want to go ..i have some rotten days....but doesnt everyone?...i am glad you posted this thread....made me smile....and is motivating in itself....ta.....cheers to ya eternal sunshine, i wish you all the best.....deb

[Toddbt12y1]

Years ago I made changes to bulk up from being thin. Not sure if it's work as well as I'd liked.

 

I'm proud of you ES, keep it up. A cheat day every so rarely doesn't hurt.

[Feelin Frisky]

Having done it in varying degrees--a few dramatic, losing as much as 120 lbs--my tip is to not get involved with anyone who trivializes the struggle, has prejudice toward obese people, who views the world using themselves as the standard, who eats recreationally and doesn't gain weight, who doesn't respect your fragilities and is wiling to sabotage you either by design or default. Be careful what kind of jobs you work--intellectual jobs where you work by yourself can be dangerous because no one sees you most of the time. I hate that an it has led to relapses for me. I only want work that gets me lots of exposure to other people because they provide the feedback mechanism which validates all the work they don't see that goes into your image. Don't give yourself permissions to go off your new life-style because it only takes a day or so to fall back into relishing not having to work out and acting out on your pleasure foods. Limit use of alcohol as much as possible--perhaps even tea totalling it. One hang-over can bring on a world of procrastination that equates to relapse into obesity. Don't underestimate these things yourself. It is as insidious as any addiction--even more so. And people you may interact with who profess to love you can be agents of sabotage. People without this problem--especially the ones with arrogant prejudices--are everywhere and don't have a heart for the person who has to work hard to appear normal. Best of luck and good wishes. You have a compassionate compatriot in me.

[Emilia]

Anybody has any tips for staying on track?

 

Socialising with fit people through meetup or other means. I'm serious.

[EasyHeart]

Time.

 

The important thing to realize is that there is no such thing as "getting in shape" or "going on a diet". These are lifestyle changes that are just part of your new and better life.

 

After a while, you won't think about skipping a workout any more than you'd skip going to your job or calling your mom. It's just part of your life. And a lot of that crap you used to eat won't even look like food anymore. You'll be able to walk past packaged crap in the supermarket and no longer think of it as food. It will be about as delectable as the laundry detergent aisle.