How many times did you start over?

Coloradogirl1996

Ive started over trying to lose weight and getting healthier so many times I lost count and I'm so dicouraged I will never succeed. So how many times did you start over your journey before anything stuck and you were able to lose the needed weight? How much did you lose?

PixelPuff

A single time, and I hadn't exactly 'quit'... I just stopped watching myself as close, but still tried to choose the healthy options when I could. But I stopped counting because my goodness, working 50-60hrs/week plus being a full-time student absolutely demolished my brain. Gah.

I'd lost just over 100lbs. I've currently regained a 3-6lbs over the last two months, which I'm slowly chipping back down on. Bf gives me good food, gonna make me fat again.

Running2Fit

More times than I can count. This time I’ve lost 15 lbs in 2 months. I would still like to lose another 35-45 lbs. I feel much more confident and determined this time around. Usually, I give up after about a month. Honestly, I feel like I want it more this time. I can’t really explain why, but it feels different this time, like somehow I just feel like I know this time I’m going to reach final goal, it feels different than other times I’ve tried and given up. I’m not expecting fast results, I don’t have unrealistic goals set for myself, I’m just taking it one month at a time.

Lillymoo01

I have only seriously tried to lose weight once and I lost around 40 kgs in total and have been maintaining for a year and a half. I never went on a diet. I just changed one habit at a time that I knew I could stick with for life and when that became my new norm I changed another habit. If I went on a diet where I felt restricted by what I could eat I'd give up and end up regaining the weight because it would be too hard. It wasn't until I had lost about half of that weight that I really started to pay attention to calories in versus calories out but doing this has been my success in maintenance.

ceiswyn

More times than I can count.

I’d been trying to lose weight since I was about 7. Yes, 7. Weight Watchers, Scottish Slimmers, Atkins, ‘just eating sensibly’, I had tried everything. But in retrospect, all of those diets were just going through the motions; performing a ritual that I had to perform because I was fat. I never actually believed that I could lose weight.

Two years ago, something happened in my head; I still struggle to explain it. But suddenly lots of things came together, and I knew, absolutely knew, that if I ate little enough I would lose weight; I was willing to go through whatever it took; and I knew what little mental knacks I could use to avoid hunger (mainly distraction).

At the time, I weighed 27 stone. Today, I weigh 11.

tiptoethruthetulips

Too many times to remember, I don't see it as failure but the opportunity to learn and get better at it!

CHRISSYWEBB3262015

Way to many times to count. In back and feel more focused but came to see I have no support to do at home or here so alone and I struggle. Need friends who support me.

robthephotog

More than 20. Easily. Each one was very discouraging. But this time im determined. I do think you have to really want it thats a very difficult thing to quantify, we Think we want to lose weight but for most you have to make that real decision to change your life. I did it a few years ago and dropped 45lb in 5 months. Fast forward and now ive got 75 to lose again, but im determined and more motivated than ever.

If theres one take away, everyone goes through this, and you CAN do it! Just think about the end goal and that with a little time you can get there

fleawill

Probably about ten times. This time I'm in month three and it feels good; I'm losing about a pound a week, which is what I want. I finally got serious about watching how much I was eating, and more importantly, I hired a personal trainer and made it very clear that what I want from her is to hold me accountable, i.e., check my food diary and exercise logs on MFP, as well as to push me with strength training. When I'm not consistently logging, she texts me and asks about it, and that helps keep me honest. I now make healthier food choices, but I don't deny myself anything if I really want it -- I just eat less. A lot less. I also got rid of all of the junk food in the house. I know that for me personally, it's having someone else holding me accountable that makes a difference.

elizabethmcopeland

All of your failures are part of what make you successful.

I've had many iterations of "dieting" and "getting on the wagon" over the last 20 years.

It was only until I looked at my life honestly and started finding habits that worked for me (the things that I could do mindlessly, forever) that I was able to start cultivating the results I felt I wanted.

There were a lot of times that I was down on myself. But...

Do the work, create the habits of the person you want to be, and the results will follow.

Blessings to you.

kittybenn

You should be proud of yourself for not giving up. One thing that's helped me is to just decide that you are never sticking your head in the sand again. That you'll check in here everyday no matter what and at least attempt to do some food logging, however imperfect. Staying connected here helps me, even over long periods of kinda screwing up. I always imaging where I'd be if I gave up -- 100 lbs heavier? 200? more?

Dootzy1

For the past decade, it's like I am on a 3 year cycle of "Seriously, have to drop some of this weight!!" So, I lose it, and hold it for a short time, and then regain it. I guess I get careless and lazy.

bunyauch

More times than I can count as well. Hoping that using MyFitnessPal and Fitbit together will work - seems to be working so far!

allison8668

Well, I seriously started trying to lose weight 4 years ago this past August. From then until now, I've given up so many times. I regained some weight - usually 10-20 pounds. But, then I tried again so many times, too! And, for all that time, I've lost a total of 95 pounds. I'm currently maintaining at a normal weight - but, would like to try for 25 more pounds.

It all seemed impossible as I was going thru it. I ended up learning a lot about fitness and nutrition and myself. So, I'd have to say, in the end, I was successful. I wouldn't want to do it again, though.

CarvedTones

You asked; I hope this doesn't discourage you because we are all different. I have been at a BMI of ~24 for 8 month. Before that, the last I was at his weight was around 1985. I lost ~65 pounds to get here. There were times in the years since then that I didn't really know what healthy was and got to goal weights that were actually 25 to 30 pounds overweight a number of times and a few times stayed at that weight for a year or more. This time, I didn't want to turn 60 overweight and out of shape as that increases your risk of poor health and/or an earlier death. I turn 60 in under 2 months and I am fit and trim. Very fit, actually. Unless something happens to sideline me in the next few weeks, I will turn 60 with visible abs. I needed to be staring at higher risk of a shorter less active life before I got serious.

jhilkene

Definitely quite a few times.
I find a lot of it for me, was circumstantial.
Usually I had or goal of some sort. For example, a competition, event, etc..
Although this time, I was tired of feeling crappy, and just decided to focus on myself.

I hope, OP, you find what clicks for you.
As I've heard many say before, try and look at it as a journey, not just a destination with one final goal.

Motorsheen

Q: "How many times did you start over?"

A: 1000



.... give or take.

MikePTY

For most of us, this is a lifelong battle of starting and stopping and gaining and losing. Mad props to those who can lose weight their first time and keep it off. But they are in the minority. However, despite that, and despite past failures, I approach each new try with the belief that it will be the successful one. I try to take everything I've learned, both good and bad, of my previous attempts, and incorporate that knowledge into doing better.

bemyyfriend0918

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred....

DonnaKelly79

Wow, some great responses from previous posters! I too have tried countless, countless times, however this one is IT, I just know it. For me, it just happens to be the right time in my life, things are starting to fall into place and I am committed. I am only 20lbs down (over the last 2 months) of A LOT to go, but it's going well and I feel I can maintain. I am NOT denying myself anything, I just change what and how much i.e. yesterday I went to Taco Bell (my fave fast food) and had one burrito + a diet soda and I was honestly happy with that. One day a few weeks back I had DQ, but budgeted it into my calories.

What I'd suggest is looking at what's stopping you (emotionally, physically) and working around it. I lived with my mother-in-law the past four years and didn't feel comfortable cooking in her kitchen, I've finally moved out and have a happy space to cook, when I have time, so this gets me one step closer to being ABLE to lose weight. I read an awesome quote that "you NEVER fail if you keep trying" and you are still trying by virtue of being here and thinking this all over, so keep thinking about what hasn't worked, and what could work - trial and error and you'll hit the right formula eventually

hroderick

every day

hattiesgrooming

Sooooamy times, really focusing this time on the metal part to hold myself accountable. Journaling every day, having ajug for daily water, a check off list of workouts. I want this time to be the real time. Add me anyone who wants to share support 💕

jdubois5351

I was always at a pretty good weight, but over the last 15 years or so, the weight just kept creeping on. Nothing major, just a few kg every year. I thought it was a normal part of aging. I never seriously tried to lose weight, because I didn't really deem it necessary. I've taken part in some half-hearted attempts at fad diets (cabbage soup, anyone?), but again, not really to seriously lose weight. Then I had a procedure done in the hospital last November. They made me step on the scale (I didn't have one at home), and yeah, how bad could it be? It was 95 kg bad (I'm 1,80 m tall). I was totally shocked. I guess that was the kick-start I needed, because OMG, the triple numbers were looming, and then I'd be seriously fat! The first few kgs dropped off just like that, with just a little watching what I ate. Then a friend pointed me in the direction of MFP in the beginning of June, and I've never looked back. So far I've lost 16.5 kgs (36 lbs), and another 5.5 kgs (12 lbs) have to go. Knowing me, I'll likely have to be vigilant for the rest of my life, but I have my indulgences now and then, so I don't really find it super hard to keep it up. Oh, and so far, my only exercise is walking 7-10 km per day, as I don't really like exercising. To sum it up, this is my first - and hopefully last - attempt.

thelegendofsakura89

More than I can count.
My first weight loss attempt was when I was 15, and I lost 40 lbs. I would generally have some degree of success...but I would always gain the weight back and sometimes a little bit more over the years, because I was just so focused on losing weight but had no idea how to make the lifestyle changes to sustain it.

14 years later I think this time I finally got it right, lol.

MarvinsFitLife

0 times! Because even when it seemed hard and progress got stagnant. Just switch up your calories intake and workout routines but never give up and the key is always in the food you eat. Minimize or eradicate sugar and all other processed foods in your house

jilleebee77

"starting over" is all a mental thing. I too have been on MANY "diets", programs, etc. and have fought my ups and downs. I have learned this last year you really never "start over". Starting over is a term, to me, that seems to state that you have lost ALL knowledge, info, direction, etc. of anything you have ever done/learned. You make poor choices that get you back to the start line, but you never lose your knowledge of how to move forward. You just need to start reapplying that knowledge and make the choice to stick to it, and take steps forward every day no matter how small.

Losing weight may seem to have a lot to do with exercise, eating right, etc. but no matter what plan, program, diet you choose to follow, if your mind is not right you will forever be caught in the loop of lose and gain. I have found many ways to "get right" with myself and every day I am still learning more.

Everything is a choice and taking responsibility for poor choices/decisions when it comes to weight loss is HUGE too. So many people (I myself was one of them) blame other people, situations, experiences, etc for their weight gain, emotional eating, and lack of exercise. But nothing in your life dictates what goes into your mouth when you are eating. Only YOU can make that choice. I have become more self aware of my choices and my responsibility to ME for what I eat and when. My feelings are just that, feelings. Sometimes they suck and sometimes they are great. I cannot let that rule over my CHOICES to show up for myself no matter the good or bad in my day. The cheesecake never makes *kitten* days better...LOL

So I am hoping with the "getting right with me" and showing up for myself every day, this will be the last time I have to re-lose any weight ever again. I am meeting myself where I am at and making small changes that I can do the rest of my life to keep this off, also journaling and working on the mental side of myself will help in more ways than just weight loss.

mspris2u

8,540 times at least! It's a never ending struggle for me. At this point I'm just trying to make healthier choices and watch my portion size and STOP beating myself up when I eat the entire refrigerator or the entire package of sour gummy worms that I ate yesterday. Honestly, I think the hardest part is believing I can do it. My self talk needs a lot of work...

MarieRosekenji85

To many times, and now I need to get it together.

lessismoreohio

Always having to be mindful of choices and always slipping up in little ways (and working to adjust/correct); so it seems like I'm starting over each and every day.

tinkerbellang83

I've started over many times before I learned that I didn't have to eat "healthy" and that weight loss wasn't as complicated as the diet industry would have me believe. It isn't easy but it is simple - eat less than you burn and you will lose weight either by eating a little less than you need, burning a little more than you do normally or a combination of the two.

What I've learned that's helped me stick to nearly 2 years of logging now:

• I need to eat far more than the "average" female and thus 1200 calories is not suitable for me, I don't need to starve to lose weight, see below infographic.
• I don't have to cut foods I enjoy out of my diet or live on "diet food" It's all about moderation.
• You don't have to exercise to lose weight (although it is good for your health) MFP's calorie allowance only accounts for your non-exercise activity - so your calorie goal does not factor in exercise.
• It's totally normal for my weight to fluctuate day-to-day and it's actually helpful for me to weigh daily to understand and track my trend - I used to weigh weekly and I wouldn't know that the 5lbs gained from one week to the next was just a result of a higher sodium meal or being dehydrated.
• I understand the reasons that I overeat now, I don't eat perfectly all the time, I don't always stay under my goal but that's ok, it's what I do 90% of the time that matters, not the other 10%.

cwolfman13

Save for the winter weight I put on most years, I've only lost weight once...40 Lbs. I put on 8-10 Lbs most winters, but it typically comes off in the spring to early summer when the cycling season kicks off.