Help

jrobmeds2543

So my whole life I have gone up and down with my weight. I have been at my highest of 325lbs I had bariatric surgery in 2012 I lost 160lbs and kept it off for a good two years then it slowly began coming back. The reason because I was not doing what I should. I veered from the high protein low carb diet to high carbs and junk food and binging at night. I will eat til I’m physically sick and throw up. I lost about 40lbs once again last year but now back up to 238 I physically hurt and feel like I’m killing my self with food. My joints hurt my back kills me. I have trouble breathing and I look in the mirror and hate what I see. I get depressed and mad at myself because all the times I say I’m not going to let myself get back to the way I was I do. I am a nurse I work in behavioral health I know what to do. I know I need to change how I live. I heard a quote the other day and it has stuck with me. Eat your food as medicine or one day you will eat your medicine as food. Just not in a good place and need some support.

cmriverside

I feel your pain and hopelessness. It's not hopeless, though. You can regain control of this.

Maybe you could try to cut back those carbs again. When I eat too many carb-heavy foods and not enough protein, vegetables, and fiber I have the same problems with over-eating or binging.

Have you read the Beck Diet Solution? How about trying one of the Overeaters Anonymous food plans? Binging isn't just behavioral, some of us have more problems than others with certain foods that trigger us. If your higher protein/lower carb thing worked, you may be one of us.

Here's the Low Carber group. Lots of understanding and help there:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum

You'll have to ask to join the group, that's how they keep it a safe place to discuss things that many people don't understand because they just don't have a problem with it.

nutmegoreo

I'm sorry you're struggling. The reality is that most of us do at some point or another. Start with small steps. Start with just logging your food. The good, the bad, even the ugly. Think of it as data. It's just information that you can later analyze. Make notes on how you are feeling each day. Again, more data. Then after a week or two, do some analysis. What patterns are you seeing? What can you change?

What three things will minimal effort can you start today that will give you the greatest improvement in your quality of life? When I asked myself this question, I developed a new 30 minute bedtime routine that included stretching and meditation. Within two days, I was sleeping better and waking feeling more refreshed. It was amazing how such a small change could make such a big difference.

You need to find what makes sense for you. Maybe you need a different morning routine. Maybe you need to make one day a week/month as food prep days and you cook then freeze serving sized meals to last the rest of the week/month. Baby steps and and small changes. You know the weight isn't going to change as quickly as you would like. But what can you change today?


Some interesting threads to read:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/818701/the-myth-of-motivation-and-what-you-need-instead/p1

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10394510/the-ultimate-success-stories-guide/p1

TavistockToad

jrobmeds2543 wrote: »

So my whole life I have gone up and down with my weight. I have been at my highest of 325lbs I had bariatric surgery in 2012 I lost 160lbs and kept it off for a good two years then it slowly began coming back. The reason because I was not doing what I should. I veered from the high protein low carb diet to high carbs and junk food and binging at night. I will eat til I’m physically sick and throw up. I lost about 40lbs once again last year but now back up to 238 I physically hurt and feel like I’m killing my self with food. My joints hurt my back kills me. I have trouble breathing and I look in the mirror and hate what I see. I get depressed and mad at myself because all the times I say I’m not going to let myself get back to the way I was I do. I am a nurse I work in behavioral health I know what to do. I know I need to change how I live. I heard a quote the other day and it has stuck with me. Eat your food as medicine or one day you will eat your medicine as food. Just not in a good place and need some support.

Have you spoken to your doctor about some treatment for the depression?

Jackie9003

I agree with nutmegoreo, slow and steady really works if it all seems daunting and impossible.
Small changes I started with were drinking more water instead of fizzy drinks and having a regular bed time (it stopped any opportunity for late night binging) I then moved on to swapping regular crisps for low fat crisps, chocolate in the afternoon for fruit. I'm sure you get the idea, each change was done every few weeks so it was quite easy.
If you haven't already add some friends who will motivate you, and read through the forums, especially the success stories, there are some amazing people on here who are very inspiring.
Good luck, you can do this!

88olds

Try calorie counting. It works. Use the MFP calculator to calculate a number to lose 1 lb per week. Plan a menu, get and use a food scale, start a food diary, do weekly official weigh ins, problem solve and adjust as needed. You can do this.

Give yourself plenty of time with the calorie counting learning curve. It gets easier. Keep posting here when you encounter problems. Embrace the process.

If the voice in your head says you can’t wait a year or more to get to goal weight, tell the voice to shut up. How long it takes to get to your goal is about the least important thing in weight loss. So long as you’re progressing and can live within a few reasonable limits, its working fine. Because, as you’ve learned, it never ends. Fewer calories will get you losing, a few more will get you maintaining, a few too many and you’ll be right back to gaining. Learn the process, do the work, there’s no other way.

You don’t need to go around hurting. This is all doable. Weight loss saved my life. It can save yours.

An aside- you ever had a sleep study?

ultra_violets

There's a lot in your journey that I can relate to. I too have gone up and down with my weight my whole life. I'm a food addict and have been successful at losing weight in the past but it always comes back plus some. At my heaviest I was 253. I've gotten down as low as 195 but always go back to old habits. This past year I put on 30 pounds and by Christmastime, things were dire. I was eating fast food and sweets constantly, the numbers on the scale and my glucometer were scaring me and I felt desperate. I didn't think I could stop and ever get control. I can only say what has worked for me. With my doctor's permission, I tried the keto diet. I've cut carbs out of my life as much as possible (less than 20 a day, no sugar or wheat). For me, it was like flipping a switch. I have no desire for the carbs and junk anymore. I just don't want it. I'm feeling better and I've lost 19 pounds. It may not be for you, but it's an option to look into. I hope it goes well for you, and remember you're not alone.