This is the exact spot I’ve dropped the ball before.

freespirit427

Good morning!

So I’ve weighed in the morning and I’m exactly 10 lbs from my goal weight.

The last time I was sitting here all proud and feeling great, I dropped the ball and somehow spiraled back to a 70 lb gain.

My question is: Besides tightening my logging and weighing everything. Is there anything mentally that you tell yourself about there being less of you to feed? Any tips? I still have all of my old thoughts.

I go to the store and pick up the size 16 jean and large blouse and will even go and try it on in the fitting room. Side note: I recently found I am actually a size 8 but for some reason still tell people I’m a 16 by habit. It’s almost like I’m afraid to commit to saying I’m an 8.

I even order clothes too big online because I’m afraid it won’t fit if I get a smaller size.

Does anyone else have this “denial” period?

Poisonedpawn78

Sounds like last time you did two things wrong. You said ehh close enough and stopped trying.
You treated it like a finish line and went back to your old eating habits.

Accept that you need to change the amount you eat permanently and that monitoring that will never end.

kommodevaran

The thought of being a fraud, or fear of jinxing it... I can relate to that. I have regained before, after promising myself I wouldn't. I too was so proud of what I had achieved. So I cringe whenever someone suggests I should feel proud for losing and maintaining 50 pounds. I don't think it's difficult, but challenging, so I feel snug (not smug).

What I tell myself? I tell myself so many things. That I'm just a little lady, and I don't need a lot of food. That my eyes are bigger than my belly. I was heavier than I had to because I ate more than I had to. Enough food feels just right. It's not dangerous to be a little hungry, it's not even unpleasant; it feels normal, and it makes the next meal taste better. I can eat whatever I want, I can even eat as much as I want, and whenever I want, but I don't want to eat too much anymore, and I'm not someone who eats all the time anymore.

I don't keep a tight control on my food intake anymore, but I plan and log in a spreadsheet, and weigh things if I can't count it, because that makes planning easier. I also weigh myself daily, that takes care of my scale anxiety, and reminds me that every day, every eating occasion is a decision that has a small, but accumulating effect.

tulips_and_tea

Congrats on your success! I like the way you worded this: "Is there anything mentally that you tell yourself about there being less of you to feed?" There really are no tricks or tips. Just the simple fact that there IS less of you now so you don't need as much fuel.

Also, it takes a while for the brain to catch up to the body so just keep doing what you're doing and eventually you'll see yourself much more accurately. Take progress pics and body measurements. They also help to see yourself as you are now.

Let go of the fear of failing. Decide that you will NOT backslide this time and let yourself enjoy your success. You've earned it.

dblbbl88

I have been right where you are...I know what you're going through. I agree with @Poisonedpawn78 that you need to stop thinking about the goal weight as the end point. You are at the beginning. The beginning of your new life. Healthy diet and fitness are a mindset that you need to learn, sustain, and incorporate into everything you do. Think Fitness! You will not always be motivated, but you can learn to be disciplined.

ashliedelgado

Maybe now is a good time to take a break and find maintenance for a little bit. Get an idea of how much food/activity you're going to need long term to stay where you want to be. I haven't been where you are at, but I lost 70lbs, got pregnant and gained 17, and then maintained for a year while breastfeeding. I still had 50lbs to go. I still wanted to lose, but every time I cut my calories, my supply suffered. So, I maintained. And after doing that for a while, I was able to come back at this with renewed vigor.

nowine4me

I too have been in your shoes. The first time, just 10# short of my goal, I slowly let old habits creep back and gained 70#.

This time, down 90# and holding (mostly) steady, I’ve come to the realization that this is my new reality. Logging and tracking will be part of my life for the foreseeable future. I have a range (120-125) and it’s my mission to stay there.

psychod787

kommodevaran wrote: »

The thought of being a fraud, or fear of jinxing it... I can relate to that. I have regained before, after promising myself I wouldn't. I too was so proud of what I had achieved. So I cringe whenever someone suggests I should feel proud for losing and maintaining 50 pounds. I don't think it's difficult, but challenging, so I feel snug (not smug).

What I tell myself? I tell myself so many things. That I'm just a little lady, and I don't need a lot of food. That my eyes are bigger than my belly. I was heavier than I had to because I ate more than I had to. Enough food feels just right. It's not dangerous to be a little hungry, it's not even unpleasant; it feels normal, and it makes the next meal taste better. I can eat whatever I want, I can even eat as much as I want, and whenever I want, but I don't want to eat too much anymore, and I'm not someone who eats all the time anymore.

I don't keep a tight control on my food intake anymore, but I plan and log in a spreadsheet, and weigh things if I can't count it, because that makes planning easier. I also weigh myself daily, that takes care of my scale anxiety, and reminds me that every day, every eating occasion is a decision that has a small, but accumulating effect.

I am only a year into maintenance, actually letting myself gain a little, but I have to agree with a lot of what you say. We don't want to "jinx" things. I think we don't have a weight loss issue, its more of a regain issue. Most people do not want to, or can't maintain a lifestyle that helps with weight loss maintenance. Social pressures or the body it's self, I still believe there is a body weight set point that has not been confirmed in humans, will drive people to regain.

workinonit1956

I’m another one who’s “been there”, right where you are now. This time, I’ve managed to get past that point and plan on logging from now on.

angiew321

Been there, done that too. So frustrating. But counting calories and logging everything I eat and drink is making a huge difference - partly due to awareness of how many calories are in the food I'm eating, and also because I often can't be bothered to get myself a snack, because I know I have to go to the trouble of logging it

HeyJudii

angiew321 wrote: »

I often can't be bothered to get myself a snack, because I know I have to go to the trouble of logging it

This.
"Ugh, too much trouble to look it up, and then log it. And, I'm not even hungry. Probably just bored."

toxikon

The last 10lbs are notoriously challenging. If you're mostly content with how you look, it's hard to make that final push. People are usually telling you how great you look, and how you shouldn't lose another pound. Plus your TDEE is lower (due to your new smaller body) so it's harder to stick to a deficit significant enough to see results without feeling like crap.

Accepting that it's going to be slow is a good first step. Finding ways to increase your activity helps. Choosing to recomp instead of losing more is also an option.

As others have said - there is no finish line. As soon as you put the scale away and stop paying attention to what you're eating - you'll start the regain process. It takes lifelong commitment and sustainable, healthy habits to maintain your new weight.

Good luck!

passenger79

No advice but this is my 3rd time in 2 years I got to last 10lbs and started regaining .Everytime I get close to it its like I'm sabotaging myself and I pile another 15 -20 lbs back on.

I 've been overeating for a last week but can't let myself gain it all back again . I struggle maintaining deficit without exercise which I had to lay off over last month due to stupid little injury but now Im better I plan to increase workouts again .

Take it one day at the time .Also what others said and what I had to retrain my brain for...getting to your goal weight is not the end ,you have to carry on with this long term .

I'm trying to think how rubbish I felt at my heaviest and I really don't want to go back there so this time I am going to take it day by day ,hell hour by hour if I have to to make sure I stay in deficit consistently.