I Have Noticed Many People Returning, Having Regained Their Weight ...
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Ugh. I was so great at logging my food and dieting, I had lost 10 lbs in a couple months. Work then got stressful and I thought I could keep track without logging every day...the 10 lbs came right back on. I'm back where I started. I changed jobs so now don't feel as much stress and can handle logging again. Here we go again!3
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I lost over 100lbs within a year- in the 7 years it's been I've gained back about 75. The exercise I enjoy is weight work and yoga. But food is my problem and although it's one thing to know food is 80% of the battle, I eat a lot more than I think I'm eating.
I think it's also worth noting the number on the scale can sometimes be less important than how you feel or your "levels" (BP, cholesterol, sugars) but I'll be the first to admit that scale number really gets to me. And my levels are great (I regularly get checked as diabetes runs in the family). But seeing where I'm at now vs where I was able to commit and work to has been depressing. Interesting side note, I feel the same now as I did then- unhappy with my physical self; so I know my mentality since I made the change hasn't been positive.
So I may not be returning to MFP but I am to the lifestyle- I just started (literally new- signed up today) because I was realizing my clothes don't fit like they did even a month ago and it must do with what and (I think more specifically) how much I'm eating. Plus I think I need a wider support community and the accountability4 -
psychod787 wrote: »KrazyKrissyy wrote: »I gained muscle (I get DEXA scans by the way).
In 2013, I started at 187 pounds and 43% body fat. After crash dieting (no exercise), I was 121 pounds and 27% body fat by 2015. I also have epilepsy by the way. I began heavy lifting and switched to a diet higher in protein/fat and lower in carbs while cycling my calories (I'll literally eat anywhere from 1,100 to 2,500+ calories depending on my activity level and appetite for the day). I'm now 151 pounds and 23% body fat. My waist is even smaller (23 inches) and have abs and a thigh gap. Legs are more solid too. So technically, I "re-gained" weight (30 pounds in 3 years) but it's in the form of muscle.
I lost 220. Not all through crash dieting, but some. I am trying to bulk now without getting fat again. You are an inspiration!
Thanks!
And congrats, that's amazing progress! Just take it one step at a time with building muscle. Here's a collage if that helps at all (my current weight fluctuates between 150-155.
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I lost 188# in 20 months and was at my goal. I stopped logging, got complacent and 2 years later I am back having gained 60#.4
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Too many Vegas all you can eat buffets! Not doing that again!!!!2
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bump0
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I’ve done this twice before using mfp. I’m not saying this is for everyone but this is what I’m doing differently.
1. health is more important than a number.
2. I actually already set a weekly reminder to weigh and it says if weigh more than X amount eat less this week. (I’m about 10# from goal weight)
3. I’m not suggesting this... I know I’m not always going to weigh that slice a cheese or that pack of crackers so I don’t. I’ve lost 12# the past three months by logging entries. I know everything needs to be weighed I just figured I get there slower and yet learning better portion and habits along the way.2 -
I haven't read all of the entries yet, but something just hit me: does it occur to anyone else that the only way we can really maintain our goal weights is through what a nutritionist would call 'disordered eating'?
I'm not saying this is bad. But if the only people who keep the weight off for any realistic amount of time are those who carefully calculate their TDEE, keep track of their calorie intake, keep a food diary, weigh and measure their portions and weigh themselves regularly -- all of those practices are the sort of things that an eating disorders specialist would red-flag.
It's troubling. I think we're right -- you do what you need to do, and I know that I can't eat a 'healthy diet' and maintain my weight loss -- but it's a difficult practice to defend.16 -
Previously I never actually reached my goal weight. I was loosing with my mum, but we both went on a bit of a break, lost our motivation, and stopped worrying about it. Honestly I was focused on weight loss. But my logging really wasn't very good. I assumed that if I just "ate healthier" then I would lose the weight. Granted I lost 4kg, but I gave up a lot of the things that I enjoyed eating because I thought they were bad for me.
I ate salads with olive oil, lots of oil. I ate loads of avocado. I ate a lot of things that were more calorie dense, that I thought were a better choice than something that was less calorie dense, because it was "healthy". I logged the things that were easy, and the harder things I didn't bother. I logged the stuff that I thought were high in calories, and never learnt what really was and what wasn't.
I put it all back on when we were trying to buy a house. Our house buying process took about a year to complete. It's that first time buyer's horror story that you hear about, but assume will never happen to you. Well it happened to us. We had two fall through because the other sides wanted something unreasonable (1. unspecified service charge and 2. exchange before we were able to do some environmental investigation about a massive potential issue). And the one that we ended up getting, almost fell through again because the agent lied to us (they told us probate had been got, it hadn't. It wasn't until our solicitors had a look at the documents that we discovered we didn't need it anyway, but the other side solicitors hadn't realised this and were trying to delay letting us see the paperwork until probate had been granted).
Anyway, during this period of stress, I cooked less, ate many more takeaways, and ate comfort food. Fattening fattening comfort food. I wasn't happy with my job and that wasn't helping with stress either. My commute was long and I was shattered all the time.
The previous time I lost weight, and then put it back on, I put it on because I had a knee injury. I went from going to the gym 1/2 times a week and judoing 3/4 times a week, to nothing. It's no wonder that I put all that weight straight back on.
Honestly, that's the main reason why this time I haven't added a load more exercise to my plan. Yes it means I can eat more, but I don't see myself continuing to do loads of extra exercise once I reach my goal weight and so it's not a sustainable change for me. I still exercise, but no more than I always have done.5 -
Sorry!1
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This bothers me too.I haven't read all of the entries yet, but something just hit me: does it occur to anyone else that the only way we can really maintain our goal weights is through what a nutritionist would call 'disordered eating'?
I'm not saying this is bad. But if the only people who keep the weight off for any realistic amount of time are those who carefully calculate their TDEE, keep track of their calorie intake, keep a food diary, weigh and measure their portions and weigh themselves regularly -- all of those practices are the sort of things that an eating disorders specialist would red-flag.
It's troubling. I think we're right -- you do what you need to do, and I know that I can't eat a 'healthy diet' and maintain my weight loss -- but it's a difficult practice to defend.
When I've been able to lose and maintain in the past, it was because I was tracking and logging at a level about halfway to total obsession. When I've gained it back, it's been because some non-weight-related crisis occurred took over my life and I let my quasi-obsessive behavior lapse.
So my weight management works great as long as nothing else in my life goes seriously wrong. What kind of a ridiculously unsustainable plan is that?
*Kitten* happens. Roofing contractors screw up, and you have to have half your interior walls and all your exterior siding replaced if you don't want to live inside a fungus farm. Pets die. Elderly parents get smoked out of their assisted living facilities by toxic chemicals. Other relatives develop drinking problems, giving one a mandatory invitation to dance the Co-Dependency Paso Doble.*
(*To be clear, this stuff didn't happen all at once. It took place over the five years during which I gained back the 25 pounds I lost back in 2012.)
Yeah, I'm venting. I want to complain, and I want to make excuses: "I regained all this weight but it's not my fau-au-ult. How am I supposed to keep up with all this stuff when everything in the world around me is going wro-o-ong?"
But I'm also trying to figure out some way to make this work that doesn't depend on my life being all beer and skittles -- and calorie-free beer and skittles, at that.10 -
I haven't read all of the entries yet, but something just hit me: does it occur to anyone else that the only way we can really maintain our goal weights is through what a nutritionist would call 'disordered eating'?
I'm not saying this is bad. But if the only people who keep the weight off for any realistic amount of time are those who carefully calculate their TDEE, keep track of their calorie intake, keep a food diary, weigh and measure their portions and weigh themselves regularly -- all of those practices are the sort of things that an eating disorders specialist would red-flag.
It's troubling. I think we're right -- you do what you need to do, and I know that I can't eat a 'healthy diet' and maintain my weight loss -- but it's a difficult practice to defend.
As someone that has ACTUALLY struggled with an eating disorder I’m going to say that there is a big difference between “disordered eating” and “conscientious eating”. It takes more that just tracking calories and keeping a food diary for someone to flag your habits as disordered. There is also a MENTALITY about food that goes along with the actions. It’s more than the sum of its parts.
If someone makes sure to balance their bank accounts and make sure their bills are paid and credit cards are paid off, it doesn’t mean they are obsessed with money in an unhealthy way. If means they have chosen to take an active, hands on approach to their financial health.
It’s the exact same for maintenance. Calorie counting is simply a tool, it’s not disordered in and of itself. So no, in order to maintain it does not mean people must do it by taking disordered action. Simply by taking action.49 -
@MsHarryWinston I agree with you:)3
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I was doing really well and lost over 50 pounds. My dad then fell and had a spinal injury. He went into the hospital and he ended up almost dying due to some malpractice. After he got out, he had to come live with my fiancee and I because my mom is a hoarder and with now needing a walker he cant get through, plus he needs daily help. I've been caretaker, but he has had an abysmal attitude since getting out of the hospital and complains when I throw out expired food and complains noone wants to take him anywhere bland wont let him drive or go back to work. He thinks everyone is against him but he literally doesnt have the physical capacity to do those things anymore.
along with that, my car got totalled from an accident where I needed physical therapy on my neck and now a week after trying to get back into the gym I have a staph infection.
Needless to say ive gained 30 pounds back. Keeping my diet under control has been extremely hard as we go out to eat sometimes to get away from my dads negativity and horrible attitude. Also the fact I couldn't move my neck for a month I really didnt want to cook.
I'm trying again and restarting..we will see what else crops up.18 -
I haven't read all of the entries yet, but something just hit me: does it occur to anyone else that the only way we can really maintain our goal weights is through what a nutritionist would call 'disordered eating'?
I'm not saying this is bad. But if the only people who keep the weight off for any realistic amount of time are those who carefully calculate their TDEE, keep track of their calorie intake, keep a food diary, weigh and measure their portions and weigh themselves regularly -- all of those practices are the sort of things that an eating disorders specialist would red-flag.
It's troubling. I think we're right -- you do what you need to do, and I know that I can't eat a 'healthy diet' and maintain my weight loss -- but it's a difficult practice to defend.
I'm baffled when people say stuff like this. Is tracking calories really that hard? It takes me a few minutes a day on my phone or computer. I certainly don't see that as 'disordered' in any way...
Disordered eating is anorexia, orthorexia, or just plain being 300 lbs and not seeking to change....17 -
MsHarryWinston wrote: »I haven't read all of the entries yet, but something just hit me: does it occur to anyone else that the only way we can really maintain our goal weights is through what a nutritionist would call 'disordered eating'?
I'm not saying this is bad. But if the only people who keep the weight off for any realistic amount of time are those who carefully calculate their TDEE, keep track of their calorie intake, keep a food diary, weigh and measure their portions and weigh themselves regularly -- all of those practices are the sort of things that an eating disorders specialist would red-flag.
It's troubling. I think we're right -- you do what you need to do, and I know that I can't eat a 'healthy diet' and maintain my weight loss -- but it's a difficult practice to defend.
As someone that has ACTUALLY struggled with an eating disorder I’m going to say that there is a big difference between “disordered eating” and “conscientious eating”. It takes more that just tracking calories and keeping a food diary for someone to flag your habits as disordered. There is also a MENTALITY about food that goes along with the actions. It’s more than the sum of its parts.
If someone makes sure to balance their bank accounts and make sure their bills are paid and credit cards are paid off, it doesn’t mean they are obsessed with money in an unhealthy way. If means they have chosen to take an active, hands on approach to their financial health.
It’s the exact same for maintenance. Calorie counting is simply a tool, it’s not disordered in and of itself. So no, in order to maintain it does not mean people must do it by taking disordered action. Simply by taking action.
ITA! The habits I learned while losing weight here are practically effortless for me now. My logging is less perfect, but if my weight starts to creep up I just tighten it up for a few weeks, see why the creep was happening, and then settle back down. It's why I always suggest to newbies - don't just log because you have to log, don't just look at it as a chore. Learn from it. Experiment. Use the notes field. Find a way you can eat for the rest of your life at the right calorie level that you enjoy.
Any nutritionist who would call keeping a food diary and weighing out portions "disordered" shouldn't have the job in the first place.14 -
MsHarryWinston wrote: »I haven't read all of the entries yet, but something just hit me: does it occur to anyone else that the only way we can really maintain our goal weights is through what a nutritionist would call 'disordered eating'?
I'm not saying this is bad. But if the only people who keep the weight off for any realistic amount of time are those who carefully calculate their TDEE, keep track of their calorie intake, keep a food diary, weigh and measure their portions and weigh themselves regularly -- all of those practices are the sort of things that an eating disorders specialist would red-flag.
It's troubling. I think we're right -- you do what you need to do, and I know that I can't eat a 'healthy diet' and maintain my weight loss -- but it's a difficult practice to defend.
As someone that has ACTUALLY struggled with an eating disorder I’m going to say that there is a big difference between “disordered eating” and “conscientious eating”. It takes more that just tracking calories and keeping a food diary for someone to flag your habits as disordered. There is also a MENTALITY about food that goes along with the actions. It’s more than the sum of its parts.
If someone makes sure to balance their bank accounts and make sure their bills are paid and credit cards are paid off, it doesn’t mean they are obsessed with money in an unhealthy way. If means they have chosen to take an active, hands on approach to their financial health.
It’s the exact same for maintenance. Calorie counting is simply a tool, it’s not disordered in and of itself. So no, in order to maintain it does not mean people must do it by taking disordered action. Simply by taking action.
ITA! The habits I learned while losing weight here are practically effortless for me now. My logging is less perfect, but if my weight starts to creep up I just tighten it up for a few weeks, see why the creep was happening, and then settle back down.
Any nutritionist who would call keeping a food diary and weighing out portions "disordered" shouldn't have the job in the first place.
Yep. I can't trust myself. There was a reason I got soooooo large. Losing weight was the easy part. Maintaining that loss is the real fight. So, logging weighing and measuring is my ORDER. Being rigid in my diet is now permiatiing into my general life. Hard work and discipline. Planning and organizing my day. Thus not disordered to me, reordered. What's my alternative? Going back? Kitten that, if I can help it!8 -
I have never stopped tracking. I did try Trinessa Birth Control last year and it didn’t agree with me. I felt like I was in the early stages of pregnancy the whole time and struggled to keep my calories at maintenance level (often eating over 3000 calories). Until I tried that everything was fine for the most part. I put on about 5lbs when I switched to maintenance, but that was it until I started that Birth Control. I gained about 18 lbs while I was on it. I am slowly working on taking it back off this year, but it’s been met with some obstacles. I have managed to get 5 lbs back off and I have been switching between weight loss and maintenance depending on my health/stress/etc this year. I am in no hurry to take the weight back off since I am still at a healthy weight for my height.3
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I haven't read all of the entries yet, but something just hit me: does it occur to anyone else that the only way we can really maintain our goal weights is through what a nutritionist would call 'disordered eating'?
I'm not saying this is bad. But if the only people who keep the weight off for any realistic amount of time are those who carefully calculate their TDEE, keep track of their calorie intake, keep a food diary, weigh and measure their portions and weigh themselves regularly -- all of those practices are the sort of things that an eating disorders specialist would red-flag.
It's troubling. I think we're right -- you do what you need to do, and I know that I can't eat a 'healthy diet' and maintain my weight loss -- but it's a difficult practice to defend.
If mindful awareness and management of a process results in red flags, then this is an issue with the 'science' of nutrition and studying eating disorders.
People don't often go into financial debt because they are aware of their debits and credits. Awareness doesn't encourage disordered activities. The disorder is external to this process.17 -
psychod787 wrote: »MsHarryWinston wrote: »I haven't read all of the entries yet, but something just hit me: does it occur to anyone else that the only way we can really maintain our goal weights is through what a nutritionist would call 'disordered eating'?
I'm not saying this is bad. But if the only people who keep the weight off for any realistic amount of time are those who carefully calculate their TDEE, keep track of their calorie intake, keep a food diary, weigh and measure their portions and weigh themselves regularly -- all of those practices are the sort of things that an eating disorders specialist would red-flag.
It's troubling. I think we're right -- you do what you need to do, and I know that I can't eat a 'healthy diet' and maintain my weight loss -- but it's a difficult practice to defend.
As someone that has ACTUALLY struggled with an eating disorder I’m going to say that there is a big difference between “disordered eating” and “conscientious eating”. It takes more that just tracking calories and keeping a food diary for someone to flag your habits as disordered. There is also a MENTALITY about food that goes along with the actions. It’s more than the sum of its parts.
If someone makes sure to balance their bank accounts and make sure their bills are paid and credit cards are paid off, it doesn’t mean they are obsessed with money in an unhealthy way. If means they have chosen to take an active, hands on approach to their financial health.
It’s the exact same for maintenance. Calorie counting is simply a tool, it’s not disordered in and of itself. So no, in order to maintain it does not mean people must do it by taking disordered action. Simply by taking action.
ITA! The habits I learned while losing weight here are practically effortless for me now. My logging is less perfect, but if my weight starts to creep up I just tighten it up for a few weeks, see why the creep was happening, and then settle back down.
Any nutritionist who would call keeping a food diary and weighing out portions "disordered" shouldn't have the job in the first place.
Yep. I can't trust myself. There was a reason I got soooooo large. Losing weight was the easy part. Maintaining that loss is the real fight. So, logging weighing and measuring is my ORDER. Being rigid in my diet is now permiatiing into my general life. Hard work and discipline. Planning and organizing my day. Thus not disordered to me, reordered. What's my alternative? Going back? Kitten that, if I can help it!
Losing weight appears easier because there is a clear goal and purpose - an end point.
Maintaining is really the same, but appears more difficult as the goal and purpose are not as clear...and there is no end point. All things work in the same manner. Education for one - finish your semester, year, degree, etc., but the real goal is establishing a pattern of behavior which encourages growth and continued learning.
To effectively maintain we need larger & higher goals beyond a number on a scale. Being a better father, mother, leader, role model... Personal improvement is the strategy. Running a 5k, then hitting sub 30mins in a 5k, then 29mins....these are small goals in service to a larger purpose.5
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