Are You Staying in the Saddle?

[Ranaesheart]

CHALLENGE POST

How is everyone doing?  Anyone having difficulties or struggling?  

It happens to all of us and it is normal.  We have developed eating habits, good and bad, throughout a lifetime and to be successful in our weight loss efforts, it takes the support of this community, perseverance and a “can do” attitude.

Do you know why you get back up and in the saddle when you get bucked off a horse?  It’s teaching the horse you will not allow that behavior and it is taking charge of your future and saying, “I will take control; I will not settle for failure!”

Today is a struggle day .. http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/54036  ;… so I am asking you, as a community, to list out all the ways you can to help all of us to either “stay in the saddle” or “get back on the horse!”

[dai3symae]

In the saddle but it is definately bumpy.....I do best on an Atkins type low carb diet.  But I love, love, love sweet food like ice cream and of course salty food.  Of course, those foods make me feel terrible.

I have a little extra motivation to lose the extra 30lbs....a joint in my toe is deteriorating and I'm having surgery in Feb to fix it.  So the less there is of me to lug around the better my feet will like it!

[gokuangel]

I agree to that Joy!! I would always say oh i ll do it but a week later i would quit!! I even tried a gym once and when i gained a lb instead of losing it i was goner lol!! And now with all the support and info i have been at this for 2 months!!

[JoyRenee]

In the saddle but it is bumpy at times! This forum, as well as Spark Peeps, has kept me going strong longer than I've ever gone before.

[twehner5]

In the saddle, but a little bumpy at times.  BUT, it's better than it was a couple of months ago, so I shouldn't complain.

You asked us to tell how we'll either stay in the saddle OR get back on the horse.  I think all of the ladies who posted above have touched on it: perseverance and resolve are HUGE! A mindset that says, I AM GOING TO DO THIS, NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES AND NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE TO TRY.  

We will ALL do this, especially TOGETHER.  Hang in there, all.  I NEED YOU!

[gokuangel]

I put in the saddle but bumpy at times because i have been seeming to go up and down with my weight lately and im scared to get my hopes up! My weight seems to go down but then when weigh in comes its up again!! But i have been doing great though the SHRED rocks!! I love it, and i think it has kicked the pleateau all the way to new jack city!! SOOOOO Hoping!!

[Barb135]

I'm definitely hanging on to the saddle with just one foot in the stirrup, the rest of me is dragging in the dirt!!  

I have had a sweet tooth lately (and I don't even like sweets) and craving all kinds of things I should not be eating.  I've been wearing my pedometer and putting on the miles, along with eating good meals - but obviously nothing is going to happen if I don't quit with the sweets.  

I've been losing and gaining the same 4-5 pounds for months now (even when I didn't have cravings) and extremely discouraged!!  Medical issues (thyroid) are not getting any better and don't see any sign of improvement for at least a couple weeks when I see my new endo.  

There - how do you like that for "doom and gloom"?  

[TrudieC]

I am in the saddle but bumpy.  I'm doing better at resisting bad for me items but struggle with the regular exercise.  I am quite talented at creating logic and excuses for not doing this and as a result I have been gaining and losing the same few pounds for the last few months.  I will keep on plugging.

[wonko]

Trying to stay in the saddle, but the horse is bucking!

I really don't mean to be the Queen of Excuses.  I've been vocal about my desire to lose more weight, but I've been at the same weight now since Oct.  Everytime I think I am going to move off of this LONG plateau, I hit another bump in the road.

I've had health problems including widespread joint inflammation and fatigue that make staying active an extra challenge.  There were those winter holidays that brought extra food to everyway I turned.  I switched to part time at work, again for health reasons, and that was an emotional and stressful time.  Then I totalled my car while traveling for Christmas, and while not seriously hurt, sustained trauma that again made exercise tough, and obviously the wreck stressed me out even more!  

Then, as New Years hit, I thought I'd cleared my awful 2008 and was ready to get on with life!  I picked up exercising much more and have found new focus and dedication to my weight loss goals.  But still no loss on the scale!  And then I got a stupid cold,  which kicked up my other health problems, and again interfered with proper exercise!

But yes, I'm grabbing the superglue and refuse to get out of the saddle!  I feel almost silly for posting, since I've not lost in so long, but everyone here is very supportive and I know I'll get over this pateau and on my way to my 2009 goals soon!

I weigh in on Fridays, and don't expect a change, and if anything, feel like I've probably put on weight.  But I PrOmIsE I am just not giving up that easy, and will keep fighting for this no matter what Mr. Scale says tomorrow.

Whew, I needed that vent!  Thanks for the post, Ranae!