Diet Backsliding

BSchoberg

Most of us have backslides and the ones that don't... well, they're liars.

But it's that perception - of a forward and a backward - that's your (our) problem in the first place.

Whenever you think in terms of progression or regression, or of being somewhere other than where you are right now, you are thinking in terms of a 'diet' as a verb rather than a noun - and diets are statistically proven to fail.

I think it comes down to understanding what is good for you in the present moment, because the present moment is all you've got. Trying to lose weight for vanity - well that's a lost battle inevitably. Trying to lose weight for health? Yeah but you could have an embolism tomorrow and drop dead in your breakfast cereal. Present moment is all we've got. Whatever we do, at the time we do it, is either gonna cause us some mental or physical anguish or it isn't.

In some present moments a big greasy cheesburger is good for you, in most - it isn't. Not for health reasons but because right after you've eaten it, you feel kinda crappy - be it psychological or physical. There's always some subtle sense of disatisfaction there when we're not eating to fuel ourselves properly. It's a really, really hard lesson to learn but eating the right amount of the right stuff inevitably leads to the best feeling you can get in the present moment, i.e. the only reason you should give a damn about what you're eating.

You wanted something different. Hope this helps a bit.

Amen! Life - and therefore fitness - is not a linear progression. We zig and we zag; we're all in and then we're only giving like 50%. I'm having a little trouble with the shorter days and some crappy weather - so I'm taking this week "off." The key is to allow yourself to recharge but not to unplug completely. If you take some time off, be sure to have a plan of exactly what that means. For me, it's this week and on Monday, I am back - no excuses. As it happes, I may not even make it a whole week - I am definitely missing my program. (Which is exactly what was said above...) Happier when I'm eating clean and moving my body? Go figure...

joeysox

i think most people have been in this position. ive been dieting for a few years now and lost 172pounds but ive had many blips and backslides! i see that you put you are affected by SAD and a few people have said that this is making excuses, i too get SAD and also have clinical depression and it can be easy to blame things on this. These things certainly do not do us any favours but you have recognized what makes you feel crap now and its always good to rethink and change your goals. rather than thinking on your old ones make new small ones try to not be too hard on yourself. i can be terrible for wanting to binge on junk when im at a low but i made small changes healthier comfort foods ( home made soups etc) swapping my usual choc for lindt dark choc dont need as much just small things can help. whether they are excuses or not you are the only person you will let down if you dont keep trying and if all else fails use your aim just to be healthier.
sorry if some of this makes no sense/or miss spelt i have a 2 yr old jumping on me

xxx

kenazfehu

In all my too many years of losing and re-gaining, the only thing that has worked for me has been logging and planning. All those other diets where you're supposed to be able to eat anything you want as long as it isn't "whatever"? Garbage! The determined eater (like me) can find a way to overeat if we don't monitor ourselves.

Don't do like I did - lose the weight, stop logging or even paying much attention, gain it all back plus more. Last time I lost weight, it was only 35 pounds I needed to lose. This time I had 60 pounds to lose. If you think you're sad now, think how sad you'll be if you double your problem.

You've had a nice little break, now climb back onto that naughty bucking horse and hold tight. We're going for a ride!

Charloo1990

I'm having the same problem, last week i had such a solid, good week and lost 3lbs and this week i just can't get focused :frown: Not been 100% well in myself and its making me want to eat naughty food like Ben and Jerry's and hearty meals. Im feeling so off track at the moment and as much as i want to get back on my diet, im really struggling :frown:

Franzibear

I got tired of logging as well and at some point me and my bf decided that we knew the cals more or less of the things we eat; we know what's good for us and what isn't, and we don't need to guesstimate it all down to the single cal anymore. In short, we just stopped logging (but we haven't stopped eating the food we love and that is good for us)! We still search for better alternatives to things we like and want in our diet, but it is all a bit more relaxed without the constant logging and trying to figure out if 'x' fits into the goals today or not. Some days are gonna be bigger, some smaller, but in the end it all seems to work out (and the stress of logging, combined with the stress of "OMG was under cals yesterday, how am I heavier today?" kind of melted away too, which is very nice).

So I'd say, if you are tired of logging, stop doing it for a while. Find foods that you like to eat and that you know are not terrible for you. If you are prone to eating the bad things, don't bring them home in the first place.

rchupka87

I also suffer from seasonal depression - and have since I was a kid. I totally understand where you are coming from and have had a similiar breakdown over the last few days. My journey has taken me years so far, but I HAVE lost 70 pounds. I am one of those people that need a constant reminder of the successes I have had. I know this sounds silly - but yesterday I wrote a letter to myself, or rather, the skinny girl inside me wrote a letter to the FatGirl on the outside... I printed it out and have it hung at work, on my fridge, and in my bathroom. Motivational pictures, quotes, sayings, and lists of my accomplishments hang all over my house. It reminds me of how far I have come, and helps me to WANT to keep going.

I posted the letter as a blog post yesterday. Feel free to read...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/rchupka87/view/a-letter-to-myself-432066

IrishMc

Been where you are, if fact just coming off a year-long backward slide where I regained 30 lbs. Don't let yourself get there - you'll feel a hell of alot worse than you do now, trust me. I am trying to look at this as a "rest of my life" type of thing. I put the vodka bottle away for most of the week, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to fit in a couple of drinks when I really want them (seems it's more the ritual of having an evening drink that I miss, not the alcohol so I just eliminated the vodka, still have the club soda and mio during cocktail hour). I ate crap & cals on Saturday for lunch, so an apple with cheese for dinner, and I know (and told my husband for future ref) I need to put half in a go box when the food comes to the table. Not giving it up, just trying to eat well much of the time and dealing with the "crap" food differently. Having a $#!T relationship (eating for comfort or out of boredom, etc...) with food sucks, but it's reality. We're the only ones that can figure out a way to make it work.

I'm also taking some of the advice from above - let's both get outside in the sunshine that's left before winter really sets in and move - walk, hike, bike, rake leaves, whatever - and stay on track!

MzMiller1215

I know firsthand that depression can cause you to not want to do anything; however, I'm sure you know that exercise is a wonderful natural anti-depressant. It has helped me tremendously. You have to be stronger than your mind. Negative thoughts breed negative actions. No one can motivate you but, you. Read motivational quotes or the motivational stories on here to remind you why you are doing this. You want a healthier version of you so, do it.

Indygirl_81

I too know about depression and SAD... I have worked it out with meds, upping my exercise, and the occasional tanning session (helps with light for some reason).... I don't recommend everything/anything I do, but it seems to work most of the time FOR ME.

I also know what it is like to go up a few and back down a few.... you have to be in the right frame of mind and really want it.

I also have a problem with motivation... so I found some quotes and posted them on mirrors in my apartment for me to see daily... although it isn't a "cure," I find this helps also.

I have done this more than once before and lost 85+... only to gain it back and now have to lose more than 100+ now. I understand motivation/lack of it.... but I also know what I want... and my current life is literally killing me. Good luck! If you want support- feel free to add me.

tinjc

I have been doing the same thing so you are not alone. I just started logging again yesterday. I was doing great and was only five pounds away from my goal, I put 5 pounds back on by eating whatever I wanted so now I am 10 pounds away. I have PMDD and just recently started on Prozac, which i have read isnt going to help the weight loss. Trust me I know what it feels like to not have control of your body or your emotions. I also know that it is so much easier to eat what you want and say screw it, to reason that I already messed up today so today is shot i can eat whatever I want, and its Wednesday so you know what screw it the rest of the week is shot too because i cant start a diet on a Thursday.

In my experience, knowing that I am now further away from my goal is even more depressing. I know that when i get the extra weight off I am going to feel better about myself and that will help the depression. So my best thought right now is...Just for today. Maybe I will cheat tomorrow maybe I wont. But today I am going to make good choices. Something else that motivates me is to think about someone that I think judges me. When i exercise...I picture them.

pinkraynedropjacki

Most of us have backslides and the ones that don't... well, they're liars.

The ones that don't are the ones hell bent on a mission. Take a good look at my diary if need be... not one backslide there at all in closer to 8 months now. I'm no liar, just strong enough to make no excuse.

Pentdad

You should try the alternate day fasting diet, you can eat whatever you want as long as you hardly eat anything a few days a week. It makes you look forward to the on days and really enjoy a good hearty meal. It only works for dedicated people though- if you feel ill by not eating more than 500 cals in a day for example it isn't for you.

Spindrift2012

Logging can be very helpful but it can make you obsessive and worrying about it all too much. I work out what we are going to eat for the week (I have to do this anyway, because I have to go and buy the food for the family). I find recipes that are within my calorie goal and plan which day to eat them. There are loads of normal meals within mine so its not like I have to find special diet foods to make it work. It takes about 15 minutes to do this. Then I don't have to worry or think about it anymore after that as its all worked out. If you give yourself a goal like that then you know its done and its achievable.

You are starting to feel like rubbish now because its getting darker and colder. One of my friends suffered from SAD and found an ultra violet lamp very helpful so you could try that if you haven't already.

Whatever you feel like, spring will turn up eventually. If you're struggling remember that its OK to maintain for a while too and then you can focus on it when you're feeling better. Don't beat yourself up if it doesn't all happen at once.

60x60

Bump. Will try to respond later.

Soloflyergirl2

Look at your other goals.... not just weight goals. What will it take to accomplish those goals? It will take a healthy person.. who can climb up the stairs..... bend down to pick up a piece of paper.... and walk a mile...... If you can't do that... get back on track... because the Other goals are beckoning you..... We focus a lot on the weight and the logging, but the truth is.. you are carving a path to other things......like ..... earning money for food, clothing, shelter,.......... tuition for school...... insurance for health..... It's not just about how much you weigh..... it's about how much fat you want around your heart while you're trying to take on the world..... oh , and by the way..... i know i'm older..... and I'm still trying to lose weight......... not pretty...... so..get back on track... and if you need counseling or have to buy the lamp that SAD folks use to fight the depression...... get it... do it... Best wishes. I know it is not easy.....

kitka82

I don't know what to do. I just can't put up with logging anymore since this weekend, and I want to eat whatever I want. I know I shouldn't, but I have been since this weekend. I don't want to reverse all the work I've done, but this constant counting and figuring out what will fit into my diet, instead of what I want to eat, seems so TEDIOUS at times.

I've also completely lost the feeling for all the reasons I started this. The reasons are still there, but I think the sudden winter cold snap has slapped me into my usual SAD. I bought mostly healthy groceries, but have binged on frozen yogurt, IHOP, a steak sandwich from a fast food place over the course of the past four days. Can anyone help me? Say some words, help get me through this? Look, I know I don't want diabetes and heart disease. I know I don't want it to be hard to f'ing climb stairs. There has to be some kind of profound thought out there that isn't a cliche. If you have something like, remotely different from listing the USUAL reasons I should keep going, then I would like to hear that.

In the meantime, I will be taking a bunch of b vitamins.

I suffer from depression too, all year long on and off, but it sucks during the colder months. I feel like you need something fun to look forward to. I know how depression drains your motivation and energy levels. You already know the quickest fix for that is a workout. Imagine all of those marvelous endorphins! Is there any activity you enjoy doing? For me it was a few things. I took a water aerobics class and had fun. I've done Zumba, and I love dancing. I love running too. I don't really do any exercise that I don't enjoy because then I won't do it. I feel like maybe if you focus on getting your activity in first, the eating will fall in line. I can only speak for myself, but as long as I'm working out, I don't really want to eat a lot of crap.

HTH

4flamingoz

If anyone has had SAD, then you know what she's talking about! I'm with you sista-but this is what I do. Get a full spectrum light box, and use it every day, from now until April. It really does help-it takes a while, but you have to be consistent. Keep exercising, and above all, don't beat yourself up. One day, or one minute at a time, and don't listen to the stupid remarks some posters say. Peace.

kenazfehu

Sigh ............. I had one month of "perfection", but yesterday I had a very stressful afternoon of fighting with the computer and turned to food to soothe me. I saw exactly what I was doing and decided to do it anyway.

One day; that's not too bad. Right?

Love_flowers

Okay then.. Let me ask you blunt: Do you really want to meet your goal and be the most confident beautifull and strong girl ? Or do you just want to give up? Just like that? Well .. It's up to you to decide. i hope you choose the former, it will be totally worth it trust me! :flowersforyou: