Yo yo dieting my whole adult life

noidles

I am in a total rut - I feel like I've dieted my whole adult life, and in between I gain back more than I lost and I'm at a point where I'm getting more and more overweight. I look back at photos of myself when I started dieting and feel frustrated at how slim I actually was and just wish I could shake my younger self and tell her not to start on this path of yo yo dieting. I was stunning. I have no idea why I thought I was so fat.

Now I am fat - I'm 22lbs overweight. Before christmas I had gallstones and lost 28lbs in less than 3 months because I could barely eat anything without having a gallstone attack. Since having surgery I've now gained back 21lbs.

I am just fed up! Yesterday there was a work 'summer fun day' and a colleague took a photo of me and I just look hideous. But I always end up saying to myself 'tomorrow I'll diet' and then tomorrow comes round and I always find another excuse.

I'm tired of it. I need serious motivation. How do you motivate yourself and has anyone succeeded in ending the cycle of yo yo dieting?

tmbg1

Your story is my story exactly! I feel like I have wasted so much of my life with dieting and weight issues. This is the last time I hope. Feel free to add me as a friend. I am on every day and am determined to do this one last time!!

Trnuttall

Sounds like me. I've always been dieting and unsatisfied with myself. I remember thinking I was so fat 8 years ago after my 2nd child and now I'm 70lbs heaviertjan when I started trying to lose weight. It is a horrible cycle. I'd love to be added as a friend.

seska422

The only way to stop the dieting cycle is to stop dieting. Make a lifestyle change instead.

Don't have an ending point. Don't cut out foods that you love. Work within your calories so that you can eat moderate amounts of anything you want to eat. If you deprive yourself, you are more likely to throw up your hands and quit. Aim for 80% of your calories to be from foods that meet your nutritional needs and leave 20% for treats.

Track your food intake (weight your solids and measure your liquids) and find a food balance that satisfies you even while you are losing weight. That way, when you reach the weight you like, you can keep doing the same thing but with a bit more calories.