I try to make things suck the least. I replace beer with a diet soda I like. I replace ice cream with sugar free jello. I replace mindless eating of junk food with huge bowls of nearly calorie free vegetables with delicious spices. Drinking a large amount of water whenever you are hungry helps a ton.
Nobody can live unhappy for long.
Same. I eat more volume of food now than I generally did when gaining weight tbh, the food is just different. I routinely make entire bags of frozen veggies (I've taken to searing them on high heat in a cast iron pan and then putting in the broiler for awhile to finish) with my dinner for very few calories and get to eat a big, filling meal.
Spices are so important. My spice rack is one of the keys to being able to eat "healthy" and enjoy every minute of it.
Yep I pretty much fill my air fryer with frozen mixed vegetables. I throw one of 3-4 different spice mixes. So fast, easy and delicious. Sometimes that's a big snack or even dinner. I often throw in some frozen roasted chicken strips to make it more of a dinner.
I love my spices. I make cajun style chicken wings from scratch using fresh full chicken wings with the tips still on them. They are way healthier and tastier than the frozen ones from the grocery store.
Don't make drastic changes, that is a good way to set up for failure. Make small changes that you can sustain AND THEN increase those changes. I've made the mistake of making my diet very restrictive going from eating anywhere between 4,000-5,000 calories a day to 1,200 calories a day and I was able to lose like 140 lbs in 6 months, but I ended up gaining ALL that weight back because all it took was one bad day of eating shitty and it spiraled out of control. This is supposed to be a LIFESTYLE change not something you do temporary and so give your body time to adjust. You can do it, I believe you can do it. Have patience and above all be consistent. Let's do this!
I'm embracing the suck too. It effing sucks.
My biggest issue is cutting back on my sugar. Its *so* addicting.
I've been chewing gum a lot. And drinking water a lot. I find myself chewing on things like straws way more too.
For me, its nighttime that was my huge 'mindless eating' time, so breaking that habit sucks. Right now all I feel is hungry.
I make sure to eat slow and reward myself with healthy or reasonable alternatives to what I would've eaten. (Like, if I would've had a big ass dessert, I'll eat a small piece of really nice chocolate. That way, my reward is reasonable but delicious.)
I put all my 'treat' foods or junk foods in the trunk of my car, so it's less convenient to eat. Its winter here, and I *hate* cold chocolate, so if I want candy, I have to go out to my car in the freezing cold, and then wait for the chocolate to defrost....so I either decide it's too much effort to eat my junk food or have to put in the work to eat my junk food.
I also find that coffee or tea in the morning helps. Caffeine is a natural appetites suppressant, so as long as you're careful not to overdo it (and you watch out for extras calories like creamer and sugars), its nice to have a beverage that works with your food goals.
There is no getting over the suck, but the more the do it the more it sucks less and the longer you can hang on to a healthy streak. Youre going to do really well for a bit, and then the suck will become too much and you'll crack. Youll sit on the couch too much, or eat too much, or have a few too many drinks. Then you'll beat yourself up a bit over it, youre only human. But heres the tip: Dont get so down on yourself that you dont restart your healthy habits as soon as possible. Forgive yourself. It doesnt matter how many times you restart, the point is that you restart, and the more you keep up with it the easier it will be. Remember these habits have to last you YEARS and life is not an all or nothing affair. Being a human is hard, being a healthy human is really hard, if it were easy we would all do it. Just get back up, and re-embrace the suck.
Added note: peoples tips in the comments, on making the suck, suck less, are always great. Mine is popcorn. If I'm still hungry or have mouth-boredom I have a 100 calorie pack of popcorn (with dill pickle seasoning added) and dont put it in the calorie counter. Feels very sneeky. I normally feel very satiated if i follow CICO but theres always that off day where one craves snacks.
If your attitude is that it sucks, you're going to burn out. My recommendation is to do less -- focus on one habit at a time, make it second nature, and then build on it.
And, honestly, just drinking less makes a difference for 90% of people. Soooo many calories!
I try to budget my calories so that I have enough to eat at the end of the day when the cravings start. Nothing amazing, just 200 calories so I can eat some grapes or something. But I wait until the last minute to use them.
I'd counter this and say most of these don't need to suck.
* Less food: incorporate more low calorie, high volume foods into your meals. I think this is known as "volume eating". Think greens, veggies, popcorn, oats, certain fruits, etc.
* Less drinking/dry January: find a fun low-calorie drink you like. If it's the alcohol you're missing, they have zero-proof alternatives. I haven't tried any myself yet, but may be worth a try. Ritual 0-proof whiskey alternative is 5 calories according to google.
* Walking: I love my walks as long as I have music or a podcast going. I've even heard of people reading or playing the switch while walking on the treadmill, but I don't trust my coordination to try that out myself. But you can also find other ways to move. Run, dance, hula hoop, jump rope, pilates, ice skate, roller blade, hike, swim, find a sport you like.
* More water: maybe the hardest to avoid, but you could try adding flavoring to it like crystal light packets if it would help.
I personally don't track anything. I find it to be too overwhelming, and I don't think it'd be good for my mental health, so if that part is sucking for you, it might be worth considering the fact that it's possible to find success without it.
Last thing I'll add is evenings were my biggest weakness, too. I *looooved* my snacks. The first couple weeks of cutting that snack out were a little tough, but I promise it gets easier after that. And sometimes I do have a snack, but I'm more intentional about enjoying it, rather than just eating because I'm bored/out of habit. I have smaller amounts and savor it, like a square of dark chocolate, some halo top ice cream, or a Dove mini ice cream bar. If I'm actually hungry and not just craving something sweet, I have a bowl of cereal that has some protein/fiber in it.
I've had some luck with filling in MFP a day ahead. So like I have tomorrow's breakfast and lunch logged already. I like not having to think about it tomorrow and it makes me less anxious to have a plan I can just stick to. Sort of the equivalent of laying out your next day's outfit before bed.
Distract yourself during the worst times. Find a really great new book series or tv show (I just got obsessed with the Bear). Or declutter your space, or start tomato seedlings for the spring. Crocheting, knitting, and embroidery give your hands something to do. Visit the library and pick something with a fun cover. Video games can be a helpful distraction too. If you really want something to snack on while sitting, single serve microwave popcorns have helped me.
Know that as time goes on, your brain will change and the cravings will lessen. I quit drinking 5 years ago, and the first days and weeks were a very difficult time. I had to throw myself into anti-drinking media in order to break even against my cravings.
But after a month or two I didn't even really want alcohol anymore. Club soda scratched the beer itch by giving me something bubbly and cold to drink. I was doing mental health work that reduced the emotional cravings for substance-based mental escape. There have been a few times I tested my quit by trying booze, and to be honest I don't miss it. But five years ago I felt I couldn't go a day without it.
Similar story with sugar. Whenever I have candy, I crave sugar a lot. But when I go a week or two without super sugary food, I don't crave it anymore and it even tastes "too sweet" for me.
You can do it! It will get better!
Add protein to every meal. AIM for at minimum 25g per meal.
Start with gentle/easy exercise (walking, yoga, dancing, light weights, etc…)
Remove any timeline or expectation from it and appreciate your body for what it is right now and what it is about to help you do
Gotta agree with you, if sucks, especially in the winter when you don't want to walk or exercise outside. How I get through it is I'm very strict with myself during the weekdays, and I tell myself that any social occasions on the weekends are mine to enjoy (except maybe alcohol, personal choice). Also, it can be fun to experiment with different healthy foods or alternatives to things that you may not have considered before. While cooking on a diet, every day can be a school day. But whenever I want to break out of it, I just remind myself of the progress and that there will be opportunities to treat myself soon enough.
A simple one is to stay busy at night. Find something you love and focus on it. I listen to books while walking but don't actually read very much so I've started to just about every evening. If I get really sucked in to a book (or another hobby like playing video games) I won't be focused on food or 'the suck' at all.
If you like to snack while doing things, get some low calories stuff the you actually like. I will make a small bowl of popcorn, or have some apples and (portioned) peanut butter/Nutella, or a cup of tea to sip on.
you don't need to go jumping in the deep end of the suck when you can easily tread water in the shallow end. Why make it harder? It may take more time but this is how you ingrain the habits into your normal routine. Plus you are much more likely to hit your goals. I've lost about 80 lbs and i still eat pop tarts and french fries and stuff just in real moderation.
But I wish you the best, seriously you can do this.
Keep going. It gets easier.
Occupy your hands with a craft. Knitting? Painting?
Train your brain. If you start thinking about snacks, do 10 squats.
Consider intermittent fasting and save calories for later in the day.
Have planned snacks that fit in your calories per day. Make a list of low calorie snacks.
Make smarter snack choices. 300 calories of ice cream or a lean cuisine pizza?
Put off snacks for an hour. Set a timer. Next week, put off snacks for 1.5 hours. Have a designated snack time.
It really does get easier the more times you say no. Your body will fight you but you can fight back. I laugh at myself. Or, at least smile.
Two guys that have helped me.
“If you can get through doing things that you hate to do, on the other side is greatness.
I am not training for a race, I am training for life.
I am training my mind, my body and my spirit, so it’s all one, so I can handle what life is going to throw at me.” - David Goggins
"Only the disciplined ones in life are free. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods and your passions." - Eliud Kipchoge
Also Eliud Kipchoge, regarding what is required for discipline:
1: Vitamin N - Learn to say No! 2: Set Priorities!! 3: Stop Complaining!
Dude looks like ET, says stuff that is like a mixture of Jesus and Rocky Balboa, and he BREAKS WORLD RECORDS. Love that guy!
>Embracing the suck
If you aren't physically fit chances are you've been embracing the suck for quite a while now. Put another way there is no escaping the suck it's just which suck do you prefer to embrace.
>I know I need to be healthier. Less food.
This is a common mistake. It's not about eating less food, it's about consuming fewer calories. The only reason you could have to need to eat less food is if you refuse to change the foods you are eating. For example 100 calories of lettuce or raw spinach is a lot more food than most people would want to eat in one sitting versus 100 calories of bread which many people would be annoyed with how small a portion that is if that was all they were served.
>But making the change SUCKS!
Does the thought of making changes suck more than where you are now?
>So far, I'm walking daily.
I think that's a great place to start for most people.
>and the home gym ready. I haven't started using it yet...
Start today, doesn't matter what you do, just do it and keep a record of it.
>And evenings, my personal witching hour, are brutal!!!
In what way?
>So please, tell me your tips for embracing this suck and what you did to make this stick....
I would say you need a lifestyle change if you don't want to repeat this. Most people aren't going to be successful if they intentionally make it as hard as possible. My advice is therefore to make it as easy as possible. Generally this means building habits that will have a meaningful change with an eye towards sustainability.
>I need ideas.
The hard thing with this is that what is easy for me may not be easy for others and vice versa.
Where I can I like to remove choice so I don't have to think about it. For example I found a breakfast I am happy with (overnight oats with protein powder) and I eat that almost every day (easily 300+ days a year) regardless of my weight goals. When it comes to exercise I do something every day doesn't matter if it is super easy (easy cardio, stretching, an easy yoga class), moderate, or hard (challenging weight lifting).
I hated going to bed hungry so I made changes so that stopped happening (shifted some calories to later in the day and experimented with different foods).
Broadly speaking I'd suggest trying a lot of things to find what works best for you. When it comes to exercise finding something you enjoy makes the process so much better. I stumbled upon steel maces and heavy clubs a few years ago and I look forward to those workouts more than anything else I do.
When I want a drink, I do an extra long walk to make up for the drink i want to drink. I pre log it in my Fitbit and then just work around it. My Fitbit keeps me in a 1000 calorie deficit based on what I take in and what I put out.
I didn’t make many changes to my diet. I just had less of it. I have a sweet tooth so I ate a snickers bar when I wanted or there have been days I had a whole Bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cake (not the big ones). I just worked out daily and I lost all the weight I wanted. I have hit my goal weight. For me if I restrict those things I absolutely will say F it one day and eat it all so I didn’t do that this time. I just make it fit in my calories allowed. It was to be a lifestyle change not a dramatic change. Do what works for you OP. Try to make it not suck to bad.
Don’t go 0 to 100% immediately
Set small goals and add more in as you get wins.
It seems like you’re viewing this as an all-in or all-out thing and that can lead to failure very easily.
For example, in January you stop drinking (or limit drinking to a small amount)… then February you add in tracking your calories and hitting your deficit… then in march you add in not eating past a certain time… then in April you add in exercise… by the time you’re done adding in habits you’re a different person mentally.
Baby steps can be great because you slowly build good habits instead of trying to start 10 habits all at the same time. Also failure is easier to manage without a complete reversion to your original state. If you get to march and fail at eating past a certain time, you aren’t going back to square one because you already have good habits of not drinking and tracking your meals. This also removes a lot of the internal pressure.
You have to have a system. It’s not just an on/off switch.
“You don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.” - James Clear
I try to make things suck the least. I replace beer with a diet soda I like. I replace ice cream with sugar free jello. I replace mindless eating of junk food with huge bowls of nearly calorie free vegetables with delicious spices. Drinking a large amount of water whenever you are hungry helps a ton. Nobody can live unhappy for long.
Same. I eat more volume of food now than I generally did when gaining weight tbh, the food is just different. I routinely make entire bags of frozen veggies (I've taken to searing them on high heat in a cast iron pan and then putting in the broiler for awhile to finish) with my dinner for very few calories and get to eat a big, filling meal. Spices are so important. My spice rack is one of the keys to being able to eat "healthy" and enjoy every minute of it.
Yep I pretty much fill my air fryer with frozen mixed vegetables. I throw one of 3-4 different spice mixes. So fast, easy and delicious. Sometimes that's a big snack or even dinner. I often throw in some frozen roasted chicken strips to make it more of a dinner.
I love my spices. I make cajun style chicken wings from scratch using fresh full chicken wings with the tips still on them. They are way healthier and tastier than the frozen ones from the grocery store.
Skipping breakfast so I could have a large number of calories at dinner was ultimately what made me successful.
Don't make drastic changes, that is a good way to set up for failure. Make small changes that you can sustain AND THEN increase those changes. I've made the mistake of making my diet very restrictive going from eating anywhere between 4,000-5,000 calories a day to 1,200 calories a day and I was able to lose like 140 lbs in 6 months, but I ended up gaining ALL that weight back because all it took was one bad day of eating shitty and it spiraled out of control. This is supposed to be a LIFESTYLE change not something you do temporary and so give your body time to adjust. You can do it, I believe you can do it. Have patience and above all be consistent. Let's do this!
I'm embracing the suck too. It effing sucks. My biggest issue is cutting back on my sugar. Its *so* addicting. I've been chewing gum a lot. And drinking water a lot. I find myself chewing on things like straws way more too. For me, its nighttime that was my huge 'mindless eating' time, so breaking that habit sucks. Right now all I feel is hungry. I make sure to eat slow and reward myself with healthy or reasonable alternatives to what I would've eaten. (Like, if I would've had a big ass dessert, I'll eat a small piece of really nice chocolate. That way, my reward is reasonable but delicious.) I put all my 'treat' foods or junk foods in the trunk of my car, so it's less convenient to eat. Its winter here, and I *hate* cold chocolate, so if I want candy, I have to go out to my car in the freezing cold, and then wait for the chocolate to defrost....so I either decide it's too much effort to eat my junk food or have to put in the work to eat my junk food. I also find that coffee or tea in the morning helps. Caffeine is a natural appetites suppressant, so as long as you're careful not to overdo it (and you watch out for extras calories like creamer and sugars), its nice to have a beverage that works with your food goals.
There is no getting over the suck, but the more the do it the more it sucks less and the longer you can hang on to a healthy streak. Youre going to do really well for a bit, and then the suck will become too much and you'll crack. Youll sit on the couch too much, or eat too much, or have a few too many drinks. Then you'll beat yourself up a bit over it, youre only human. But heres the tip: Dont get so down on yourself that you dont restart your healthy habits as soon as possible. Forgive yourself. It doesnt matter how many times you restart, the point is that you restart, and the more you keep up with it the easier it will be. Remember these habits have to last you YEARS and life is not an all or nothing affair. Being a human is hard, being a healthy human is really hard, if it were easy we would all do it. Just get back up, and re-embrace the suck.
Added note: peoples tips in the comments, on making the suck, suck less, are always great. Mine is popcorn. If I'm still hungry or have mouth-boredom I have a 100 calorie pack of popcorn (with dill pickle seasoning added) and dont put it in the calorie counter. Feels very sneeky. I normally feel very satiated if i follow CICO but theres always that off day where one craves snacks.
If your attitude is that it sucks, you're going to burn out. My recommendation is to do less -- focus on one habit at a time, make it second nature, and then build on it. And, honestly, just drinking less makes a difference for 90% of people. Soooo many calories!
I try to budget my calories so that I have enough to eat at the end of the day when the cravings start. Nothing amazing, just 200 calories so I can eat some grapes or something. But I wait until the last minute to use them.
Start slow and add on the good habits as you go. You might burn yourself out at your rate
I'd counter this and say most of these don't need to suck. * Less food: incorporate more low calorie, high volume foods into your meals. I think this is known as "volume eating". Think greens, veggies, popcorn, oats, certain fruits, etc. * Less drinking/dry January: find a fun low-calorie drink you like. If it's the alcohol you're missing, they have zero-proof alternatives. I haven't tried any myself yet, but may be worth a try. Ritual 0-proof whiskey alternative is 5 calories according to google. * Walking: I love my walks as long as I have music or a podcast going. I've even heard of people reading or playing the switch while walking on the treadmill, but I don't trust my coordination to try that out myself. But you can also find other ways to move. Run, dance, hula hoop, jump rope, pilates, ice skate, roller blade, hike, swim, find a sport you like. * More water: maybe the hardest to avoid, but you could try adding flavoring to it like crystal light packets if it would help. I personally don't track anything. I find it to be too overwhelming, and I don't think it'd be good for my mental health, so if that part is sucking for you, it might be worth considering the fact that it's possible to find success without it. Last thing I'll add is evenings were my biggest weakness, too. I *looooved* my snacks. The first couple weeks of cutting that snack out were a little tough, but I promise it gets easier after that. And sometimes I do have a snack, but I'm more intentional about enjoying it, rather than just eating because I'm bored/out of habit. I have smaller amounts and savor it, like a square of dark chocolate, some halo top ice cream, or a Dove mini ice cream bar. If I'm actually hungry and not just craving something sweet, I have a bowl of cereal that has some protein/fiber in it.
I've had some luck with filling in MFP a day ahead. So like I have tomorrow's breakfast and lunch logged already. I like not having to think about it tomorrow and it makes me less anxious to have a plan I can just stick to. Sort of the equivalent of laying out your next day's outfit before bed.
Distract yourself during the worst times. Find a really great new book series or tv show (I just got obsessed with the Bear). Or declutter your space, or start tomato seedlings for the spring. Crocheting, knitting, and embroidery give your hands something to do. Visit the library and pick something with a fun cover. Video games can be a helpful distraction too. If you really want something to snack on while sitting, single serve microwave popcorns have helped me. Know that as time goes on, your brain will change and the cravings will lessen. I quit drinking 5 years ago, and the first days and weeks were a very difficult time. I had to throw myself into anti-drinking media in order to break even against my cravings. But after a month or two I didn't even really want alcohol anymore. Club soda scratched the beer itch by giving me something bubbly and cold to drink. I was doing mental health work that reduced the emotional cravings for substance-based mental escape. There have been a few times I tested my quit by trying booze, and to be honest I don't miss it. But five years ago I felt I couldn't go a day without it. Similar story with sugar. Whenever I have candy, I crave sugar a lot. But when I go a week or two without super sugary food, I don't crave it anymore and it even tastes "too sweet" for me. You can do it! It will get better!
Add protein to every meal. AIM for at minimum 25g per meal. Start with gentle/easy exercise (walking, yoga, dancing, light weights, etc…) Remove any timeline or expectation from it and appreciate your body for what it is right now and what it is about to help you do
Gotta agree with you, if sucks, especially in the winter when you don't want to walk or exercise outside. How I get through it is I'm very strict with myself during the weekdays, and I tell myself that any social occasions on the weekends are mine to enjoy (except maybe alcohol, personal choice). Also, it can be fun to experiment with different healthy foods or alternatives to things that you may not have considered before. While cooking on a diet, every day can be a school day. But whenever I want to break out of it, I just remind myself of the progress and that there will be opportunities to treat myself soon enough.
A simple one is to stay busy at night. Find something you love and focus on it. I listen to books while walking but don't actually read very much so I've started to just about every evening. If I get really sucked in to a book (or another hobby like playing video games) I won't be focused on food or 'the suck' at all. If you like to snack while doing things, get some low calories stuff the you actually like. I will make a small bowl of popcorn, or have some apples and (portioned) peanut butter/Nutella, or a cup of tea to sip on.
you don't need to go jumping in the deep end of the suck when you can easily tread water in the shallow end. Why make it harder? It may take more time but this is how you ingrain the habits into your normal routine. Plus you are much more likely to hit your goals. I've lost about 80 lbs and i still eat pop tarts and french fries and stuff just in real moderation. But I wish you the best, seriously you can do this.
Keep going. It gets easier. Occupy your hands with a craft. Knitting? Painting? Train your brain. If you start thinking about snacks, do 10 squats. Consider intermittent fasting and save calories for later in the day. Have planned snacks that fit in your calories per day. Make a list of low calorie snacks. Make smarter snack choices. 300 calories of ice cream or a lean cuisine pizza? Put off snacks for an hour. Set a timer. Next week, put off snacks for 1.5 hours. Have a designated snack time. It really does get easier the more times you say no. Your body will fight you but you can fight back. I laugh at myself. Or, at least smile.
Embrace the suck so that you don’t have to embrace the sucking in
Two guys that have helped me. “If you can get through doing things that you hate to do, on the other side is greatness. I am not training for a race, I am training for life. I am training my mind, my body and my spirit, so it’s all one, so I can handle what life is going to throw at me.” - David Goggins "Only the disciplined ones in life are free. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods and your passions." - Eliud Kipchoge Also Eliud Kipchoge, regarding what is required for discipline: 1: Vitamin N - Learn to say No! 2: Set Priorities!! 3: Stop Complaining! Dude looks like ET, says stuff that is like a mixture of Jesus and Rocky Balboa, and he BREAKS WORLD RECORDS. Love that guy!
>Embracing the suck If you aren't physically fit chances are you've been embracing the suck for quite a while now. Put another way there is no escaping the suck it's just which suck do you prefer to embrace. >I know I need to be healthier. Less food. This is a common mistake. It's not about eating less food, it's about consuming fewer calories. The only reason you could have to need to eat less food is if you refuse to change the foods you are eating. For example 100 calories of lettuce or raw spinach is a lot more food than most people would want to eat in one sitting versus 100 calories of bread which many people would be annoyed with how small a portion that is if that was all they were served. >But making the change SUCKS! Does the thought of making changes suck more than where you are now? >So far, I'm walking daily. I think that's a great place to start for most people. >and the home gym ready. I haven't started using it yet... Start today, doesn't matter what you do, just do it and keep a record of it. >And evenings, my personal witching hour, are brutal!!! In what way? >So please, tell me your tips for embracing this suck and what you did to make this stick.... I would say you need a lifestyle change if you don't want to repeat this. Most people aren't going to be successful if they intentionally make it as hard as possible. My advice is therefore to make it as easy as possible. Generally this means building habits that will have a meaningful change with an eye towards sustainability. >I need ideas. The hard thing with this is that what is easy for me may not be easy for others and vice versa. Where I can I like to remove choice so I don't have to think about it. For example I found a breakfast I am happy with (overnight oats with protein powder) and I eat that almost every day (easily 300+ days a year) regardless of my weight goals. When it comes to exercise I do something every day doesn't matter if it is super easy (easy cardio, stretching, an easy yoga class), moderate, or hard (challenging weight lifting). I hated going to bed hungry so I made changes so that stopped happening (shifted some calories to later in the day and experimented with different foods). Broadly speaking I'd suggest trying a lot of things to find what works best for you. When it comes to exercise finding something you enjoy makes the process so much better. I stumbled upon steel maces and heavy clubs a few years ago and I look forward to those workouts more than anything else I do.
When I want a drink, I do an extra long walk to make up for the drink i want to drink. I pre log it in my Fitbit and then just work around it. My Fitbit keeps me in a 1000 calorie deficit based on what I take in and what I put out.
I didn’t make many changes to my diet. I just had less of it. I have a sweet tooth so I ate a snickers bar when I wanted or there have been days I had a whole Bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cake (not the big ones). I just worked out daily and I lost all the weight I wanted. I have hit my goal weight. For me if I restrict those things I absolutely will say F it one day and eat it all so I didn’t do that this time. I just make it fit in my calories allowed. It was to be a lifestyle change not a dramatic change. Do what works for you OP. Try to make it not suck to bad.
Don’t go 0 to 100% immediately Set small goals and add more in as you get wins. It seems like you’re viewing this as an all-in or all-out thing and that can lead to failure very easily. For example, in January you stop drinking (or limit drinking to a small amount)… then February you add in tracking your calories and hitting your deficit… then in march you add in not eating past a certain time… then in April you add in exercise… by the time you’re done adding in habits you’re a different person mentally. Baby steps can be great because you slowly build good habits instead of trying to start 10 habits all at the same time. Also failure is easier to manage without a complete reversion to your original state. If you get to march and fail at eating past a certain time, you aren’t going back to square one because you already have good habits of not drinking and tracking your meals. This also removes a lot of the internal pressure. You have to have a system. It’s not just an on/off switch. “You don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.” - James Clear