Do you always feel like you're starting over?

​ ​ Hey there reader Over the weekend, I was talking with a few friends, and they were expressing their disappointment with feeling like they're always starting over when it comes to losing weight. They do great for a couple of weeks and then entirely fall off track and go back to old habits. First, let me say this, we've all been there. Even 10+ years into my weight loss journey, and as the owner of Organize Yourself Skinny and the Reset & Flourish Shop I still struggle at times and need to hit the reset button. You are not alone in this. While I'm not perfect, I've learned a thing or two and can offer some advice to help you look at this part of the weight loss journey differently. #1 Identify the reasons you fell off track. What got in your way? Did you make poor food choices because you didn't prep foods for the week? Did you stay up late watching TV and then couldn't make it to the gym in the morning? Did you find yourself in the "hot zone" all week because you didn't take time to prepare? Or was there an emergency beyond your control? What stopped you from committing to healthier habits? My advice here is to look in the mirror instead of trying to point fingers at external circumstances. Yes, it's easy to blame everything (and everyone) else for the reasons we choose to eat pasta and binge on Netflix, but at the end of the day, we choose our actions. Period. There are always going to be circumstances that cause stress. Some we control, and others we don't. It's called life. However, to succeed in a healthier lifestyle, we need to identify the reasons that hold us back and then create systems, routines, and habits to help eliminate those reasons or move us forward despite them. For example, if you're eating takeout for lunch more than you like, try preparing a few meals on Sunday to be ready to eat at lunchtime. I recommend mason jar salads. If you're stressed out every morning trying to get out the door, then try getting everything ready the night before. It's not just about food and exercise - we all know to eat less and move more. The goal is to set up your lifestyle to encourage and support your weight loss efforts. Keep weight loss goals realistic When we choose to lose weight, it's usually because we're fed up and ready for change. We're sick of being overweight and looking the way we do, and we want something different and expect results immediately. Unfortunately, this need for instant gratification is one of the main reasons people give up on their weight loss efforts. It's discouraging when there are no changes after a week or so, but you're not going to lose 40lbs in 2 weeks. It took me over a year to lose that much. Losing weight is more of a marathon than a sprint, and it's about changing decades of habits that we've become dependent on. That takes time and will not happen overnight or in a couple of weeks. My advice is to keep your eye on the prize (weight loss goal), but don't expect significant results in a short amount of time. Instead, focus on, and celebrate the small weight loss wins. For example, you can likely lose 5lbs in 4-5 weeks by tracking your calories and exercising 3-4 times a week. So while you might not see 40lbs for a few months, celebrating the small victories will keep you motivated and moving towards the bigger goal. Remember, bigger goals are achieved only by accomplishing small goals first. A 40lb weight loss always starts with 1 pound. Focus on habits, not weight. A healthy lifestyle and weight loss are achieved through healthy habits. Many people focus on the amount of weight they want to lose instead of the habits that will get them there. I understand because I've been there. Over the years, I've learned that change is found in your daily habits. What you do from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep will make all the difference on the scale. My advice is to use the scale as a benchmark but focus mainly on the habits you'll work on that week. Over time those habits will produce sustainable results. Also, remember it takes 3-4 weeks to form a new habit. So give yourself enough time to make the habit stick. Don't let a bad day (or week) turn into giving up. Creating a healthier lifestyle and losing weight is a lifelong journey. There will be days when you feel like you've got all this weight loss stuff down, and then there will be days life hits you in the face with a brick, and you want to gorge on pizza. It's just the way it is. If you find that you have more bad days than good, then go back to my advice on identifying why you're falling off track. Maybe you need to make a few adjustments to your lifestyle, so you don't fall victim to takeout, the couch, and other weight loss sabotagers. The goal is to celebrate the good days and forgive the bad days. You are human, and you will get off track, but instead of giving up, dust yourself off and keep moving forward. Keep going; you got this! Tammy Overhoff Organize Yourself Skinny ​ Ps. Hey, have you checked out my shop, Reset & Flourish? If not, let me tell you all about it! At Reset & Flourish, you can find many helpful resources to help you fit a healthier lifestyle into your busy schedule. From freezer prep guides to 10-day challenges and eBooks, there's something for everyone. And that's not all! I'm also creating workshops and courses that will make healthy living more manageable. I'm constantly adding new resources to my shop, so check back often. Check out the Reset & Flourish Shop!

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