Help me get back to my routine!

[Anonymous]

In early 2020 I, all of a sudden and with great fervor, started working out and eating better in order to achieve what I called “revenge weight loss”. In the beginning it was just that, but once COVID hit it became sort of a coping mechanism and something to focus on. Between January of 2020 and June of this year, I lost 55lb.

This past summer I sort of fell off the wagon and gained back 10lb, and now I’m struggling to get back in gear. I remember exactly what I did in 2020 (worked out daily, was strict with my diet) yet I can’t help but make excuses to skip the gym and eat junk. I hate myself. I want to be motivated like I was back when I was feeling “revengeful”, but I can’t find it. I can’t even find how I felt when it was a comfortable routine. I want to get back there. Help!

[Anonymous]

I know the feeling OP. Sometimes I get a burst of amazing motivation and it’s easy. Sometimes, it’s just not. What helps me sometimes is being excited about a new plan- like whole30 or something that doesn’t allow any cheats at all, and tell yourself you’ll just do it for a week. By then, you’ll be in the routine of being healthier and you can branch out away from the strict nature of it if you want.

Or, having a scare helps me too. Seeing a friends mother die in her 60s from a myriad health issues due to her lifestyle gave me enough of a wake up call that I want to enjoy retirement in my 60s and travel, not die of preventable causes.

[Anonymous]

I feel you OP, that was me a few weeks ago. What helped me get back in the swing of it was to start with a haircut. Sitting in the chair spending good $$ to get beautiful highlights and cut only for the beautician to take away the cover and see my bulging belly! I know shame is a terrible motivator so another idea to take it one day at a time. Start with an exercise you enjoy. Don’t worry about the food - just yet. Even a 15 min yoga routine makes me feel better. I like yoga w/ Adriane. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Firstly a huge congratulations on losing 55 lbs that's pretty epic. A 10lb gain is very small by comparison but finding the motivation to lose it again is going to be down to you.

[Anonymous]

Some great ideas above. I saw my mother unable to get out of a chair without help and it was a great reminder to keep up with my functional fitness goals to stay mobile! I also recommend taking a few photos in your underwear if you want to get motivated. Or find a work crush you want to look good for (this would just be a mental thing, but can help).

Try to work on the self hatred and anger/revenge - I think in the long run those can harm your self esteem and self worth even if they help with weigh loss. Reach for some positive, supportive thoughts to push yourself if you can.

Also you can try finding an accountability partner if that’s your thing. Perhaps you have kids that you want to model healthy eating and fitness for? Find your reason and start right now! Make your next meal a healthy one. Do 10 minutes of exercise. Whatever you can do to get back into it will help!

[Anonymous]

Routine is really key. But also listen to yourself. I exercise every morning. But this Sunday I got up late, felt like I needed a break, it was freezing out, etc. etc. ... so I didn't exercise in the morning. By afternoon, though, I knew I needed to do something just to keep my routine. So I just did 6 minutes (SIX minutes is not much) of yoga. That's it. But I did it.

I did not want to get up to exercise this morning - again, cold! and the bed was so snuggly. But I did get up because I knew I'd regret it if I didn't.

Get going, get your routine! You got this!!!

[Anonymous]

How did you get into the habit, how did you get out of the habit, and how can you get in again? Did you go back to the office? Do you work out in a gym?

[Anonymous]

I actually have different advice- I think rather than continue to guilt yourself for not returning to your routine from two years ago, which was a unique circumstance with the lockdowns, I think you need to find a new, evolved routine that's easier to live with. Maybe you won't lose that 10 lbs as quickly and dramatically as before (if you, for example, cut your sugar back a bit, or restrict your eating window, or add an hour walk, or whatever it is that you come up with), but if you come up with something that is easier to sustain, you'll be less likely to gain it back.