I have participated in 24 dietbets in the last year. I took a 3-month hiatus in the fall because I was becoming obsessed with weight-loss and not thinking about my overall health and wellness goals. It was all I talked about, thought about, dreamed about. I counted calories and grams of sugar instead of essential nutrients, I logged exercises in terms of minutes instead of muscles worked.
That break was good for me to figure out what my long-term health goals are. I was pretty good about maintaining my weight as I did my best to return to a normal frame of mind for food and exercise. (I did really well until the holidays, when I put on ~4 pounds in 6 weeks between rich, sweet treats and not making time for exercise.) I joined a round of games for New Years and it got me back into the weight-loss mood, but with a much healthier approach this time around.
This last round of games has not been so easy for me, though. I joined during a PMS weight-gain, and of course that means the weigh-out was during the same time of month. I had to push myself really hard to get the water retention off, and it didn't make me happy or fulfilled. I've been really questioning why I want to hit 140. That has been my goal weight since 9th grade, when I was probably a healthy 150. My body seems to really like being 150-ish, and I enjoy the lifestyle that maintains this weight. I want to push myself to gain more muscle with heavy weight lifting, and not be scared of the number on the scale, too. On the other hand, I'm soooo close to this goal that I've had for 10 years, and I know that I can hit it with just a little more consistent effort!
I think this is going to be my last kickstarter game. 4% in 30 days is getting harder and harder to do as I have less and less to lose. I like the pace overall, and the energy of the group, but I'm not sure I can get to my goal and keep the weight off if I keep doing it this way. I am nervous about joining a 6-month bet, though, because it would put me at least 5 pounds under my ultimate goal weight! Then again, I have a whole 6 months to get there...
I don't know. I think I'll take the rest of April to decide if I want to join the Transformer bet that starts on the 22nd, or another (probably my very last ever) kickstarter. During this break, I will do my very very best to maintain my current weight.
My ultimate goal in weight loss isn't necessarily a number or a size, it's to maintain a healthy lifestyle in eating and activity that keeps me energized, nourished, and fit. I don't want to slip into weeks of laziness and poor eating when I get stressed or sad. I don't want to feel guilty when I eat something that isn't great for me, or have to pat myself on the back when I eat a salad instead in the face of temptation. I just want to live well and inspire others to do the same.