Have 50 lbs to go and feeling daunted

nataska22

I'm a woman in my late 20s and I am 50 pounds away from my goal weight. I have yo-yo'd over the past several years, but always end up re-gaining what I've lost (and then some). I have realized I need to make a lasting change for my physical and mental health.

At the beginning of May, I made a commitment to myself to be diligent about calories in/calories out, so I started using MFP. By last Wednesday (5/25), I had lost a little over 5 pounds and was feeling good about my progress.

But then my brother got married Friday, and with all the wedding festivities (rehearsal dinner, wedding reception, drinking, etc.), I've gained most of it back and am feeling very low today. I feel as if I don't have anyone I can talk to who truly understands how I'm feeling. My husband understands to a certain degree, but we have found we don't make good accountability partners.

Anyone else in a similar situation? I would love some advice about how to stay positive when setbacks happen. Thanks!

raquelleblanc

I know exactly how you feel. Try not to let it get you down. Just get back on track and be for you know it your weight will be back down!

cmriverside

First, unless you ate 17,500 extra calories, you didn't gain 5 lbs of fat. It's water weight and will drop back off after a couple days of sensible eating again.

There are always going to be weddings, birthdays, parties, holidays, vacations.

I had to develop a plan around "food events." Some of the food at these events is worth eating and some of it isn't. All food is a decision on a daily basis. After a while at weight-loss I could go to these type things and estimate portion sizes and make better choices if that is what I needed to do at the time. Sometimes it's just worth it to indulge. It's always a choice.

Keep it going. Make good choices in the next couple days, get in a few hikes, you're fine.

nataska22

Thank you both, this is what I needed to hear! And you're right, today I'm much closer to what I weighed before the weekend revelry began

Cheesy567

Focus on building new habits, rather than the number on the scale. After all, this is a lifelong goal (keeping the weight off) and there will be bumps in the road. Little ones like weddings and big ones that throw everyone's life into a tailspin at some point. Look at the little ones as a chance to learn, and to build new skills and habits that will help you through life's really tough times.

And be gentle with yourself on brief re-gains, it's usually water weight and will "woosh" off in a few days.

I like the HalfSizeMe podcast-- she has a great perspective on long-term maintenance.