I had success with Jenny a few years ago and got to my half-way point. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, I stopped going and have regained it all, plus some. I know the program works, and I am feeling like I have to do something. But I am reluctant to go back just to fail again. I know that sounds negative, but that's the way I'm feeling. How can I get the energy to do this again? Any suggestions?

You can do it!

You didn't fail! You succeeded in getting to halfway! That's great progress. You only fail if you give up. You only fail if you don't learn from the mistakes you made, and don't continue to find ways to overcome your lifestyle challenges.

Work on your mindset for a while before you go back. Think about your lifestyle that has gotten you right back where you started, and decide before you go back, what permanent changes you are willing to make in order to avoid doing that again. Make a list of all the pros of continuing your current lifestyle, and a list of all the pros of changing it.

It sounds like you might have been struggling because you were fighting against what you really wanted to do. The reason I posit this theory is because you say you're not sure you have the energy to do it again. That says to me that you may have been expending a lot of energy doing the program because you may have been conflicted about whether or not you really wanted to do it. You wanted to lose weight, but maybe you became overwhelmed by the prospect of the need for permanence in the lifestyle change. Maybe the lifestyle change you were tryng to establish was in conflict with your family's lifestyle, so you were constantly struggling against their continuing with the poor choices you were trying to break away from. Whatever the reason, you put your goals aside for a while, and now you feel like it might be a good idea to try again.

Maybe a good solution for you would be to set a less ambitious weight loss goal. Think about maybe setting a goal to get back to your former halfway weight, and then decide whether you want to go through the maintenance stage of the program, or continue with weight loss. You are not a failure if you set a goal less than your "ideal" weight. No matter how much or how little you lose, set a big picture goal to maintain those losses. No matter how much you lose, go through the maintenance coaching part of the program and see it through. You can always maintain for a while and then go back later to lose some more, if you want to.

Whatever you decide, decide to be happy about what you are doing. Cultivate a positive, can-do attitude, because you will infect yourself with it! I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.

[quote name='EllenWheels' date='Aug 15 2009, 02:32 PM' post='495631']
You can do it!

You didn't fail! You succeeded in getting to halfway! That's great progress. You only fail if you give up. You only fail if you don't learn from the mistakes you made, and don't continue to find ways to overcome your lifestyle challenges.

Work on your mindset for a while before you go back. Think about your lifestyle that has gotten you right back where you started, and decide before you go back, what permanent changes you are willing to make in order to avoid doing that again. Make a list of all the pros of continuing your current lifestyle, and a list of all the pros of changing it.

It sounds like you might have been struggling because you were fighting against what you really wanted to do. The reason I posit this theory is because you say you're not sure you have the energy to do it again. That says to me that you may have been expending a lot of energy doing the program because you may have been conflicted about whether or not you really wanted to do it. You wanted to lose weight, but maybe you became overwhelmed by the prospect of the need for permanence in the lifestyle change. Maybe the lifestyle change you were tryng to establish was in conflict with your family's lifestyle, so you were constantly struggling against their continuing with the poor choices you were trying to break away from. Whatever the reason, you put your goals aside for a while, and now you feel like it might be a good idea to try again.

Maybe a good solution for you would be to set a less ambitious weight loss goal. Think about maybe setting a goal to get back to your former halfway weight, and then decide whether you want to go through the maintenance stage of the program, or continue with weight loss. You are not a failure if you set a goal less than your "ideal" weight. No matter how much or how little you lose, set a big picture goal to maintain those losses. No matter how much you lose, go through the maintenance coaching part of the program and see it through. You can always maintain for a while and then go back later to lose some more, if you want to.

Whatever you decide, decide to be happy about what you are doing. Cultivate a positive, can-do attitude, because you will infect yourself with it! I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.
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Ellen,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I've been reading a lot of JC posts lately, and I appreciate your willingness to share and cheer on everyone. When I think back to the last time I was really, really happy, it was while I was eating healthfully on JC and losing weight. I felt better about myself in all aspects. I am going to do it again, but I'll do more close thinking about the process as I make progress. I don't remember exactly what put me off track last time, but I will pay closer attention to it this time and prevent it.

Thanks again!

Most of us have been dieting our whole lives, and, yes it takes effort, not just temporary effort. Those that succeed are those that fight for health, with each meal and with each passing day. Even when we feel like we have everything under control, the rug can get pulled out from under us and we're back to square one.

You have a great track record. You are coming from a place of success, not failure. You know that you CAN do it when you put in the time and energy. You will find the energy because you have experienced the positive results.

The question is... Do you have the energy to stay where you are??????

Good point, Frana. No, I can't stay where I am. Like many other people, I try to trick myself into thinking that I'm ok with being 130+ pounds overweight, but the reality is that I am uncomfortable, unhealthy, and generally unhappy. I need to take control, and I know that Jenny can help me with that. It is not a cure-all, and it won't always be easy, but it will be a great start.
Thanks for the support.