How to say I'm re-committing without sounding like I've failed?

Sunitagt

Because I don't think I've failed. I'm having some trouble getting back to losing, and I've gained some back over the last few years. I have my reasons. Personally, I'm a lot happier today than I was when I got to my lowest weight (198.9 or so at the end of 2014). When I started mid-2013 I weighed 299.

Currently I weighed in post-vacation at 234.6ish (can't remember the decimal), highest I've been since I was at that point on the way down. I changed jobs at the end of 2014 and while my job is now a lot more active, it's a lot less structured and thus has been an excuse of sorts as to why I haven't been cooking as much as I was before, and haven't been planning my weekly meals as much as I used to (since I used to do that during my work shift and now don't sit at a computer anymore). We also bought a home, moved, had to move out because of a flood from above, and more job changes. It certainly makes it harder for me to focus on my weight loss.

When I started I was absolutely obsessed with learning as much as I could about what works, what doesn't and how to best use those tools to my advantage. I was doing really well with it in my structured environment, but when everything started shifting around a couple years ago I stalled, and over the last year that stall became a gain.

I'm not upset about it, I'm not mad at myself, life happens and I didn't deal with it in the best way to maintain my habits. I know what I need to do, I just need to figure out the best way to build those habits into my new, much more erratic lifestyle. I don't have regular days off, I sometimes only get one day off for 10-12 days of work, and frequently have shifts that start at 10pm half the week, and 6pm some other days. I also travel more now than I used to, and discovered how much I really love craft beer.

Since I started in 2013, I am so much more active than I used to be and I am entirely grateful for that change. Just last week we went to Yellowstone/Grand Teton and didn't shy away from any activities. I did all the short/incredibly steep hikes we could down the canyon walls, around the lakes, climbed on rocks near the waterfalls and did a whitewater rafting trip. It was an amazing trip, and I don't think I could have/would have tried doing any of those things back in 2013.

Anyway, for anyone who is really just starting, know that this is totally possible. I didn't do any crazy things, just walked more, went to the gym 3x a week doing mostly strength training with some cardio (literally no more than like 30-45 minutes each day), and logged everything. I weighed everything, weighed all of my recipes to the gram and then weighed out my portion of that recipe. I haven't been as good about logging and that's the thing I'm working on now, again. Unfortunately (or not?) I know exactly what my problems are, I just have to commit myself to being more diligent about my practices. I would love to have more/new friends either in my boat or even if you're just starting or mid-journey.

tl;dr Lost 100 lbs, gained some back, ready to lose again, looking for more friends!

Iamsimpleguy

Welcome back to MFP, Good Luck!!

VeronicaA76

It's not failure. It's learning what doesn't work. Think about learning how do ride a bike, you fall off. You didn't fail, you just figured out what not to do.

The only failure that is acceptable is exercise failure, where you test yourself. Yesterday I went to failure on squats (my quads feel like they are on fire today...but that's okay).

sashimiandbeer

Life hits people in different ways. If you're still alive and still trying, you haven't failed.