In our workshop we are discussing the stages of weightloss. I sent the participants the following stages…
THE STAGES OF WEIGHTLOSS AND LIFESTYLE CHANGE
When you are losing fat you will go through stages. How you handle yourself during these stages will dictate how successful you are at achieving your goal.
Stage One – Blind Excitement…this is where you are stoked and ready to go. You finally hit the place where you know you have to do something with your life, found a plan that is for you, got your stuff, and been to the store/signed up at the gym. Everything is shiny and new and you are ready to go! This stage lasts about 1-3 weeks and most of you are either in it or just beginning to move to STAGE TWO.
Stage Two – Reality Zone…here we are, getting into some mild cravings and calorie deficits, tired from the challenging, new workouts, hormonal most of the time, temptations all around us, and our minds are doubting what the heck we are doing to ourselves. Often in this stage you haven’t seen much happen on the scale and you are a far enough from your last measurement day/weigh in day that the excitement is gone. In this stage you either get stuck or you get some patience to keep practicing the new skills until you magically move to STAGE THREE.
Stage Three – Gaining Momentum…in this stage you know what to eat, you are faithful to the exercise program, you have a few questions as you learn more and more about exercise and eating right, but you just need a little push and shove along the way. You still have questions, but you pretty much know what you are doing and can get yourself through crisis and such without too much help. As you build more confidence you move to STAGE FOUR.
Stage Four – Cruise Control…here you are, super confident, you know what you are doing, you plan your week and do it, you make good choices, prep food, and no excuses. This is the stage we all dream of getting to.
The funny thing about these stages is that they are completely fluid. Everyone moves from one stage to another, forward and backward through the entire journey of fat loss. You don’t skip stages on your way up or down, you might move very quickly, but you don’t skip one.
Right now I am so in the middle of Stage Two of my building phase (or off season phase). My mind is racing as the last two weeks close in on what has been five months of a lot of clean eating to gain weight. LOL. How’s that for a former fat girl…spend five months eating chicken, oats, sweet potatoes, turkey, vegetables, fruit, and nuts to put on 12lbs? Honestly, I remember gaining weight being a lot more indulgent than this – but I also only got a big ass out of it versus some muscle (and some ass).
Seriously, it’s been a tough road this last month. I’m at my uncomfortable max. Most of my clothes are tight, I’m tired, ready to do something new, and there is always that self-doubt plaguing. What if THIS is the time you can’t do it? Haven’t we all been there? If you’ve ever lost weight before you know what I’m talking about – that stalker FGT creeping around telling you this is the time you will return to what you’ve always known.
The one thing that is different for me than in my old past is that I know what to do and expect. I know in two weeks I get to hit Stage One – Blind Excitement. I’ll get my new diets, new workouts, new cardio requirements, and it will be fun to have that sense of new purpose with my eating and exercising. My prize for going through this adding weight/muscle phase will be waiting for me at the end of an 18-26 week journey.
Of course I’ll move up and down the stages through the next phase of my year. I’m planning on it. What I will not plan on is giving up. I have made the commitment to myself to live a healthy, sexy, feel good, love myself life and now I just have to be patient that in two weeks I tell my FGT to take a hike – it’s time to kickass!
Now you know my plan. What is your stage right now in the workshop? Tell us all about it.
29 Comments
Hi, I'm Corinne
I lost 100 pounds and get what it is like to be overweight and feel defeated. I did a complete mental and physical transformation and now I teach women how to do the EXACT same thing. You can get started today with the free course.
DAWN…Nobody CARES. Trust me. You care and you put a voice to non-sense you think everyone is running through their head. You know what? People just don’t think that much about other these days especially when they are focused on what they are doing. Call it selfish or whatever but I would bet you wouldn’t even get an are you OK if you dropped a weight right on your foot. LOL.
You can do this! Don’t allow the thoughts you have of yourself as an excuse to not do this. I truly feel when you feel like people are saying things you are honestly displacing your own thoughts.
make a goal to do weights once this week. Come back and tell me how it goes, what questions you have, and me/we will help you learn how to navigate enough to feel confident and competent.
Dawn! I’ve never posted here before but I feel like I have to say to you “yes you can”!!! I agree with Lisa’s response to your feeling like everyone is watching you at the gym. I used to so feel that way and finally my trainer got me to see that no one cared what I was doing…..she made me ask people. Talk about putting everyone on the spot. But after that it was much easier for me to “do my thing” and not worry about what was going on around me. Then, once I was comfortable I had people asking me for help because I was rockin’ the strength training! Kick that fat girl thinking in the ass and “do your thing” woman :o)
I am still in Stage 2, but can see Stage 3 just around the corner! I only did half the prep for this week and am regretting not being better organized! that is SO the key to this… organization! Thanks for all of this, Corinne, you are so inspiring and encouraging!
For all my stage 2 girls, if you go to today’s blog (1/20) we are talking Stage 2 and moving on to the other side.
I am in stage 2. My stage 1 period never seems to last very long and I (in the past) usually don’t make it to the other side of stage 2. I get stuck there and then just give up all together. I am really trying to focus on sticking to the plan and not weighing to affect my thinking.
Dawn, you know what I’ve realized at the gym? Nobody cares. They’re all busy looking at themselves. Really. There are very few people making judgement calls there because everyone is concerned about what they themselves look like (and this can be in either a negative “uch, look how dumb I look” or a positive “damn, I am smoking while doing these curls”). And even when people are looking at you, it’s just to pass the time until they can get back to their own routine. Just get yourself in your own cocoon and zone out (but in a good way – keep the mind/body connection within yourself).
This is the 2nd post. Not sure why the 1st post is not showing up. Between stages 1 & 2. Cardio not an ussue. Getting 40 minutes in a day. Water not an issue as long as it’s in a glass with ice and a straw. I can guzzle it in a glass but have to force myself if in a water bottle. Strength training is not just not happening. I feel like everyone is watching the fat girl. Making wiser choices eating. Next week I’ll be able to follow the food plan. I’d already been to the grocery. I’ve prepared the food I did have wiser and watched portions. The hardest so far has been trying to tune out the inner voice telling me I can’t. I don’t desire to be healthy. Your mom is obese so you’ll be obese.
I am totally at stage 2.
I’ve done everything right, for the first time in a very long time and I am not losing. I am pretty frustrated & I let the FGT get the best of me, as a result I broke down and ate a Subway white choc. macadamia nut cookie. I caved & of course I feel guilty now! But, tomorrow is a new day & I have worked to hard to let it go to waste.
I believe the wt. loss will catch up with me and I’ll start losing. I also have to remember the cookies, cakes, etc. are not helping my cause!
Stage 2 for sure. I am eating on plan I’d say 95% of the time, which is actually good for me. It seems like when I don’t drink the water as much then I tend to hold water. I wake up in the mornings thirsty and my rings won’t come off! My workouts haven’t been as consistent this week – kids off of school for the past 4 days doesn’t help and running the roads all day every day. I know what I need to do, so tomorrow I am back on exercise. Thanks for the food prep video Corinne! I am excited about my pants fitting looser this week. Yay!
Presently, I’m at stage two with roaring PMS…. Although the exercising is not a problem. Eating every couple of hours is getting me through this challenging week. I keep thinking that I was pregnant for 9 months (3xs) and gave birth without a pain killer each time. I CAN DO THIS!
Most of the time I feel like I’m in phase 2. Working on prepping the food and getting through the weekend. Now that I know the stages I think I can visualize what I would feel like in phase 4. Thanks Corinne for the breakdown.
I hover between 2 and 3. Most of the time I don’t have to think too much about it. I’m very faithful to my workouts and know what I need to eat. My FG can be a spoiled little brat though. Once in a while she pops in to say, “It’s not fair that you don’t get to eat those cookies!” “You lost 2 lbs, there’s room for a splurge” “You can’t stop living real life!” I’ll just be getting to stage 4 and she’ll poke her head around the corner and knock me back to 2! I hope to see much less of her over the next 9 weeks of the workshop. I’m working hard on this.
I like what you said about living sexy and that is a big motivator for me, even at this weight / size. I believe I am in stage three. I came close to hitting stage two over the weekend and I want to hit stage four by the end of the year. When I look back on the last few weeks, I have really rocked the exercise. I don’t know why I think that I am a failure. Thanks for posting this.
I’m between 2 and 3. I have been having a hard time getting enough sleep and I know that is really affecting a lot of stuff besides just eating and exercising.
I’ll keep plugging away at it. This too shall pass.
I guess I’m between 3 and 4. Or maybe 4 but I would dispute the “super confident” aspect of it. I’m more along the lines of head down, bulldozing away here.
I’ve found a system that’s working for me to up my water intake (3 bottles, in constant rotation) and my food choices have been great these past 2 weeks.
My big goal for the next 2.5 months is to stay healthy for the marathon. I’m feeling that all this eating right, getting enough sleep, and the exercise plan I’ve got is getting me there. Dropping those kilos will keep my joints that much happier on the road. So far so good!
Stage 2 with some hormones! It’s that time of month and today I’m crabby and keep thinking about Ben and Jerry. I’ve been adequate with workouts and eating. Too many carbs, need more protein but in calorie range, need to up the workout intensity but getting them in. Weigh the same this week, but am sure it’s PMS weight.
I am between 1 and 2…I am learning to “forgive and forget” and hopefully just keep going instead of letting a slip turn into a big ol’ slide. I did some things this weekend at 2 different parties that I can’t believe I did…in a good way! And today, at McDonalds of all places, I ate a salad. Here’s to getting to stage 3!!!!
I know I’m in stage 2 right now. I have been sick for almost 3 weeks with a really bad chest cold & cough. Been to the doctor & taken antibiotics, but I’m still sick. I am not exercising because I can’t breathe & I have no energy. My food choices are OK, but that’s only because I really have no appetite. And I’m sure I’m not eating enough either.
I really want to get back to stage 3, which is where I was before I got sick.
One good note, I did do a lot of food prep yesterday to have what I need for the week. Now if I could just eat it, that would be great. 🙂
I’m definitely in Stage IV. I have no issues with food or exercise these days. My only problem is I want to hurry and get to my goal weight.
I’m in Stage 3! Yeah! It feels so good because I was struggling a little at the beginning of last week with being tired from the workouts – definitely in Stage 2 at that time. I am really proud of myself for finishing strong. I’ve lost 2 pounds in two weeks but that is not the real eye opener. I’ve lost 3 inches just from around my ribcage and 1 inch off my waist. Wow! I can already see the subtle differences in the mirror. I am stoked and ready for another week of the journey. Am I still tired and sore? Yes, a little bit. However, it is worth it and tells me that I am working hard.
Kay – I hear what you are saying and feel pretty much the same. But that is awesome about the clothes. Just stick to it – and enjoy the new clothes. And drink lots and lots of water! Every day is a step forward!
I think I am in phase 3 — 5 weeks til bikinis on the beach — food and workouts on track — keeping the night time snacking demon at bay. I am working on ramping up w/o time and added more running. Nice job ladies!!!
I guess I’m in stage one. I’m lovin’ my workout schedule and menus! I’m down 7.4 lbs in 2 weeks which is keeping me motivated. I’ve crashed and burned so many times before that I’m just trying to stay focussed – easy does it – one day at a time. I did feel like I was in stage four last week. I was all planned, prepped and even took my own popcorn to the movie theater. Now to just stay focussed………….
I am in Stage 2. I am at a place where I have to tell myself to follow through with my planned exercise and food. It is not easy going but I need to measure my victories in other ways besides the scale or I will give up. I tend to get stuck here and not progress – I need help with progressing to stage 3. Is it just a matter of time?
This morning I contemplating going to the gym for my 2nd day of week 2 of the couch to 5k, I told myself that I could always workout tomorrow. Last week, I jumped out of the bed to get to the gym – not this morning. Well I bought new workout clothes yesterday and had everything out – I looked at the tag I took off and realized that they were one size smaller than normal. They fit and looked good. I have to leave the scale alone because I am making progress, but the scale just doesn’t move very fast.
Good Afternoon Ladies !! I am not quite sure what stage I am in exactly but I know that I am excited about all the changes in my eating and exercise routine :o) Thanks to Corinne I am working on being an ex-carb phobe and loving it !! Combined with a new exercise routine I had a great week last week. My curious mind had to step on the scale Saturday morning and was pleased with a .8 loss. While it certainly wasn’t much I knew that with the changes I have made it might take awhile for the scale to catch up with the changes going on in my body. I know that I burned a ton of calories and fed my body good food which is good enough for me right now !!
I can’t recall the last time I was excited about the food I am eating. Here’s hoping that my body will agree once it adjusts and I will find my way back to my “happy” place weight wise and feel good in my clothes !!
I am feeling confident in knowing what I should be eating and plannig to make that possible. I am on the second week of the workout routines and felt this morning ran a bit smoother as I knew what I should be doing.
So here’s to the journey and where it may lead us :o) Knowing full well there may be some derailments along the way……………. This is life , right ?!?!?
Have a great day ladies !!
Oh, I’m clearly in Phase 1, but I know it! Just yesterday, with yesterday being my first day following this new program and menu, I was all pumped up about it. And it even crossed my mind that I’m in what I like to call the “honeymoon” period. I have a feeling that by next week, I’ll be into phase 2. But at this point, I actually feel pretty well prepared to move into these other phases. At other times over the years, I’ve been very well aware of the different phases. Over time, I’ve gotten better with getting through the difficult parts and maintaining my enthusiasm and such. But the hardest part for me is around week 3. By that point, I SO want to be seeing some results, and I have really do some mental talk to get myself out of the whole “this isn’t working, I need to try something different”. Corinne, you’ve been with me through lord knows how many times of THAT, so you KNOW what I’m talking about! lol!
I had somewhat of a good week. Didn’t exercise as I planned. My daughter kept us up at night for three days in a row. But I was good keeping track of my food over the weekend. So I lost 1lbs and I’m happy with that. I’m just plugging along. I’m probably somwhere in between phase one and two. I feel like I’m getting stonger every day. After finishing a spin class on Saturday I almost felt like an athlete again – it was awesome!
I am the queen of FGT today! I had a great week and on Thurs was down 2 pounds. I went into the weekend with a good attitude and had a social gathering at my house. I prepared a bountiful veggie tray and a fruit salad. I started out well and then it went downhill with glasses of wine and chips and dip and cookies. Sunday contained a couple more cookies, but otherwise was ok. This morning I step on the scale and am up 4 pounds!! So here I am mad at myself and wanting these 25 pounds gone now!!! I had a good breakfast. I have a good lunch planned and I will go to the gym.
So I guess I am wallowing in doubt and impatience. But not willing to give up!
Hey Corinne,
I had a really good week last week. The scale did not budge and a few times I felt myself starting to panic – but I stuck with it. I had a great weekend – and today was rewarded with a 2 pound loss. I still think I am in stage 2 – I have not quite built up the momentum and have to talk myself through a lot of things (like getting out the door to the gym, doing the full workout, eating the planned food), but I have to tell you – the pep talk you gave on Friday really helped me to keep my mind in the place it needed to be to get through the weekend on track. I have been on a bit of an emotional roller coaster – one minute feeling like I have this down and the next feeling like “what am I doing??” But the ups are lasting longer and the downs are not so deep. So – that is where I am at.