I feel so lonely

livelsey

I feel incredibly low in my self image at the moment. I can't bear to look in the mirror or at pictures of myself.

I'm 27, and have struggled with my weight for a very long time. Recently, I've noticed that I've gained at least 14lbs (1 stone) since losing nearly 3 stone in 2023- but i am too scared to weigh myself and get exact figures. I now need to lose that weight gained and more to get back on track.

Does anyone else feel similar?

Jon4189

I have hidden from the scale because I am ashamed of myself. Don't worry knowing the number doesn't change who you are. You are awesome! You got this. I have YoYo'ed enough myself, but the first step is admitting to yourself you want to change. The first step is always the hardest, but once you start moving, it will become easier. You got this!!!

Dum_Belle

I feel this post, one million percent!

It's okay to have to start over. Getting the "extra" from the last time off sounds exhausting and totally unmotivating. That's where I'm at.. but its ok.

You've got this- choose today & dont look back on yesterdays.

One day, or day one! 💪 ✨️ ❇️

pridesabtch

Friend, many of us have been there. The mirror is still no friend of mine (working on that), but my scale is my buddy. I have struggled with weight for longer than you have been alive. I have literally lost and gained hundreds of pounds over the last 30 years. I used to fear the scale because I put value in the number. Actually, I put my value in what the number said. Of course, no matter what it said I was never satisfied. My relationship with myself was unhealthy and I thought I had to be "perfect" to be worthy, yet I couldn't define "perfect". A little crazy, but true.

I was the queen of all or nothing and that is rarely sustainable. My goals and outlook have changed. I eat the amount I should and I'm slowly adding exercise back in. I don't go balls to the wall crazy with exercise everyday anymore in search of validation. You know what, it's actually working. I've lost 15 pounds in about 8 weeks. My goal is 1lb/week, but I had a big initial drop and have now settled in at close to plan. I weigh daily (never thought I'd do that!) and use the number as a data point rather than a self evaluation of worth. It feels good not to hide from it and not to rely on it. The path has ups and downs, but the trend is down and that is key.

A lot of really smart people on here tried to warn me when I was going too hard and eating to little that is was a recipe for disaster. They were correct. It has taken me many years of roller coaster living to realize a nice steady, all be it bumpy, slide can more effectively get me from point A to point B without all the screaming.

Work towards peace with yourself and where you are. Have a vision of where you want to be and build a plan to get there. You can look at the scale or not, there are a ton of ways to measure progress without the scale. The scale is just the easiest to use. Hopefully some day soon we can both look in the mirror and smile.

Nikki

SPa50

Absolutely relatable, I felt like that for so long and still do but things can change. If you're still going then you gotta push yourself. Do it for you! Make yourself like yourself again, you can do it :D

elisa123gal

If weighing yourself at this point causes distress, why do it? You can track your success other ways. I use tight clothes to track my progress. I also take photos in the same yoga pants and tank top every few weeks or once a month.

Know what? I'm wearing jeans I couldn't a few months ago.. and my photos show me getting smaller.

Do I look like I want? Nope…not yet.. but I'm getting there. My husband keeps nagging me to weigh myself..but it doesn't work for me.. it breaks me down. So, my way works for me. Find what works for you.

dirtbikeingisfun

Dude I believe in you! You got this, just step on the scale and take one step at a time. Set a weakly goal on how much you want to lose each week and you'll be set. All that matters is that you feal confident and happy with yourself. Don't let other people bring you down. Don't have a good day. Have a great day! 😁

age_is_just_a_number

I think almost everyone in the MFP community has felt the way you are feeling at some point. Sometimes it comes in waves, sometimes we make the 'right' choices, sometimes we fall and then we get back up. Hang in there, you are in the right place with MFP. We are here to support each other, provide guidance and encouragement. Weight is not the holy grail — if you don't want to weigh yourself, then don't.

I do recommend some mindfulness (aka meditation) (or what ever you enjoy to reduce stress) to help calm your mind and reduce your stress. Cortisol is the stress hormone and the more you stress about your weight, then more cortisol in your body. Cortisol triggers our bodies to store fat. The reverse is also true, less stress, less cortisol, less propensity for our bodies to store fat = easier to lose fat.

lgfrie

I've had 3 diets over the course of my life where I lost 50+ pounds. Twice, I gained it all back (and then some), and the last one I managed to hold onto 1/2 of the weight loss but still gave back a lot of it. Each time, I feared getting back on the scale, so I totally get that. But each time, I got back on track when I gritted my teeth and got on the scale. In a way, it was liberating. Like, "do your worst, let's get this over with," from which a new beginning could emerge, and it was actually kind of empowering, like "I'm not scared of you." I'm not saying to do that, but just saying you may find it helps you get re-centered around what you need to do, with only momentary unpleasantness at having to see the number. Fear of the scale can become part of a doom cycle, along with the (for me) dreaded "I'll start tomorrow, so given that, I'm going to eat every single thing I won't be able to eat for the next X months" lol

FrankK827

Felt this same way many many times. Try to find little positives in the day that move me forward mentally and physically but also realistic that some days life causes bumps.

healthierorbust

You are not alone! I dread the scale, the mirror, pictures of myself. It’s so discouraging how slowly it takes to make progress but I just tell myself to keep at it because if I don’t and I just stop trying I gain weight so easily and quickly it seems. Hang in there and know you’re capable of doing hard things!