Hasn't worked the last umpteen times, how to make it work now?

gostumpy

Well it's 12:44am and I just finished putting the kidlet back to bed.... Leaves me thinking and wondering, I've wanted to drop 20-30 lbs for years now, back when I was 180 I wanted to be 150, now I'm 205 and I'd be happy just being 180 again!!!

I've tried MFP off and on for years now, each successful time I lose around 10-12lbs... then something happens and I stop logging forever.

What I've been doing is NOT working.

What are some suggestions to make it work this time where it hasn't in the past?

Is it that I don't feel strongly enough to WANT to change? Is it that my desire to lose weight is strong, but my desire to eat food over what is necessary is stronger? Am I not in control of that?

It is a decision each and every time I eat food, whether it is healthy, whether it is a reasonable portion size, and whether or not I really need to eat.

This post is in place of a midnight snack where my mind and body is telling me "Go ahead and have a bowl of cereal!". The cravings...



My wife got snarky at me the other day because I wasn't helping with the kidlet because I decided to have a couple bowls of cereal after dinner... "You JUST ate!" "I wish you would help out, but you're eating again"... Those definitely cut deeper than I expected. Maybe that triggered something in my head like "oh *kitten* she's right... I DID just eat... nom nom nom "

I know I'm overweight. I see it every day.

Perhaps this is the turning point where I DECIDE to be healthier and lose weight!

I've quit drinking... completely. From 12-20+ beer per week to nothing. All because I decided I didn't want to run my life around drinking beer, and I wanted to clear my head. That was 2 months ago, and I have no intention or desire to start again.

I believe I should use the same willpower and thought process to eating healthy.

Goodnight, and see you for a healthy day tomorrow

TheBeachgod

"I believe I should use the same willpower and thought process to eating healthy."

There ya go. Get started and don't stop. I've been on and off the MFP wagon a few times myself. When I keep chuggin' along doing what I should do like weigh food and exercise I lose weight and shape up. Stop doing it and back comes the gut, moobs, bingo wings and feeling blah.

Fight the good fight man, good luck in your quest for a healthier lifestyle.

blueboxgeek

Just take it one day at a time. One meal at a time.

If you don’t already have the MFP app on your phone try adding that, it saves me so much time compared to the online version.

Even if you have a bad day, log everything. I sometimes think “oh I have ruined today and might as well have that bar of chocolate too” when really if I log the calories, it’s not always that bad. Maybe maintenance but if I cut it off before the chocolate.... I wouldn’t see a gain from it.

If I am having a tough time, I come on here or other sites and read success stories and they motivate me. If they can do it.... so can I! And so can you!

After a couple of weeks you’ll see the lbs dropping and that is what will push you to continue. Good luck!

gostumpy

I am confident now, if I apply the same willpower I used to stop smoking (not cigs), to stop drinking (almost completely), I should be able to do this. I always gave in to fast food, overeating, no matter what.... If I had a bad meal, I wouldn't lessen the other meals to compensate.

I'm a week in now, and so far so good. YEARS of using MFP I've learned how many calories are in almost everything, and if I feel like it was a high calorie meal, I'll eat really light the next meal, or a more unpopular trick is to eat two meals if they're large...

Yee haw!

dangerouscurvs

Well, you're on your way just by acknowledging that you have a problem. And your will power is obviously strong of you can quit drinking like that. You've got this!

MelodyandBarbells

Some things to consider for better chances of success:

Are you doing too much too soon? Eating too few calories, being extremely strict on the things you can eat?

Do you incorporate regular exercise, in any form, really? Great for burning calories, clearing your head, something to do when you want yet another snack.

Lastly, I second the phone app!

ninerbuff

This may be your "it" moment. Many times people just "desire" to lose weight and put in a half hearted effort. There's a difference between desire and commitment and IF you're ready to commit, then you'll do fine.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

RodaRose

I set a specific goat, got a plan that involved rearranging my kitchen (putting somethings away, buying new things to keep on the counter top like my food scale), planning and logging the food the day before, making a realistic timeline, tossing out clothes the second that they become to loose and yucky on me, planning small non-food rewards.

IILikeToMoveItMoveIt

Do you think that maybe there is some kind of emotional avoidance that you use food to not deal with whatever is bothering you? Weight loss is in our minds as well. Just thought I'd throw that out there...

LKArgh

Counting calories does not work for everyone, you might be more successful with some other approach, like talking to a dietitian and having a specific plan to follow? In any case, I would strongly suggest you see a therapist. From your post, I think there are probably more generic issues than losing some weight.