It’s Like A Switch Turns Off

amyn73

I’ve gained and lost 60 pounds for the last 10 years. I’m always really committed until I reach my goal. With nowhere to go and nothing to focus on, I end up gaining all or some of the weight back. I’m trying to figure this out and I can’t. I know many people will say it’s mind over matter. I understand the premise. I just can’t get it to play out in my life. Anyone had trouble with this in the past and beaten it?

perkymommy

I'm the same way amyn73. I have gained and lost the same 25 lbs over the last 8 years, since the birth of my last child. Before I had her I was at goal for quite some time, now I can't seem to get back to goal and stay there. I always top off at the same exact "highest" weight and can't get back down.

saraonly9913

Check out the "maintaing weight" section for tips.

ladyhusker39

The problem is with your goal.

You focus on losing weight so that once you get there you're done and can go back to business as usual. That's proven by the fact that you've reached your goal multiple times. You're actually quite successful at achieving your weight loss goals. So clearly that's not your problem. So quit telling yourself it is (not meant to be nasty, but tough love).

You have to shift your goal from losing weight to being at a healthy weight. It's a totally different mindset.

The goal of losing weight has an end to it, so once you get there you have no clue what to do next.

Being at a healthy weight isn't really a goal at all because there's no end point, it's a way of life. For you being overweight is normal and losing weight is a temporary activity you're engaged in. Thus it's a goal.

You have to shift your focus to being healthy and make that what's normal. It's a very personal thing and only you can decide what that means to you.

Until you accept the fact that maintaining a healthy weight has no end point, you'll continue to struggle with yo-yoing. But once you do, you'll start to seek out ways to focus on maintaining for life.

88olds

I've lost 100lbs and been at goal 11yrs. I was so desperate to get off my 60 lb loss plateau, I joined Weight Watchers. Not plugging WW. But my 1 and only time trying it.

First thing I noticed at WW- the revolving door. So when I made goal, I changed nothing. Kept tracking for 5 years before I could maintain for a while without it. Started gaining- back to tracking. Did that twice. Last several years I seem to be doing OK. But my food scale is still on the counter and is used every day.

Only left my WW Meeting because I moved away.

As noted above, goal alone doesn't mean much. WW has the added problem of making a huge deal out of it. But I decided that the up & down, on & off, in and out just wasn't for me. I have no confidence at all in the notion that I could lose a significant amount of weight again.

Helped- I never felt I was deprived when losing. In fact, I'm kind of surprised at how much I can eat and maintain. WL became sort of a puzzle game, just trying to make the pieces fit.

Need2Exerc1se

Weigh yourself regularly while in maintenance. And set a window for regain. For me, that is 10 lbs. I am in maintenance (nearly 2 yrs) and my weight routinely bounces around. But if it ever hits 10 lbs above my goal I switch back to diet mode until it's back to goal.

It's so easy to get off track once you are in maintenance and out of the "I must lose weight" mindset. Setting this window helped me. If I gain 5 lbs on vacation or over the holidays, I usually cut back a bit after. But if I go outside that window, it's all hands on deck. No cutting down a little and letting it work itself out. No 'I'll start Monday'. It's weight loss time. Letting myself gain it ALL back is not an option.

amyn73

Thanks so much, everyone. I understand that I am not a victim in this situation, nor was I suggesting that, even though others took it that way. It's a matter of finding a logical thought process so I can make a plan of action that will stick with me throughout my life. It's not rocket science, I understand that. But sometimes it's so obvious that you miss it. For me, it's about addiction, also. I don't drink or take drugs, but food is almost as bad for me. Like holding a ball under water, I can do it successfully for long periods, until I don't. When I get off, I lose motivation and don't get right back on. I think that's what would make things better. I need to not look at every mistake as a do or die situation, but a "get back on the horse" kind of thing.