Help and Support NEEDED

I wish I knew what to say.
I sometimes try to think about myself a year from now, how do I want to look and feel.

Wow it sounds like quitting smoking. My best suggestions are eat filling foods. Drink lots of water and when you start obessing about food if you don't feel hungry find something to do. Work, exercise do something that entertains you.... if you are actually hungry and you don't have the room to eat drink some water.

Only thing I can suggest is. everytime you're overcome with the urge to eat. Exercise. if you have an airclimber, or a treadmill, use those. something light. If it is depression causing you to find comfort in food, then I would direct to you qualified health official.

P.S. If you recently quit smoking, you will gain weight. just keep working hard and maybe see a nutritionist who can point you in the right direction. Sometimes cutting calories isn't enough. if you regulate your intake, I.E Sodium, Carbs, Proteins etc. you should be losing weight. lots and lots of cardio will help to. But like I said, I'd point you to a doctor or health specialist as my knowledge of weight loss is limited.

Tell me about it! On month 2 of not smoking aswell!!

OMG!!! double whammie I feel for you...truly.

Friend, you need to work out how badly you want this. Great advice to get active when you feel cravings. Give yourself a reward day, make yourself accountable by telling your friends and family about your goal and asking for their help. Get involved in a training program. Probably Michelle Bridges' 12wbt would be great for you - it is very structured and gives you great contacts, advice and a regular training regime. Think about something like that. Or join a gym and tell the instructors about your struggles, ask them for ongoing encouragement and nagging to get you out of their comfort zone. That is what they're paid for.

Lots of practical ways to get out of your headspace and change your habit. You are setting yourself up to fail and sabotaging yourself madly at the moment, from the sounds of it. Maybe have a chat to a doctor or professional to see what is holding you back. There could be an emotional issue behind your behaviour that you need to get to the bottom of. Getting healthy is not only about the physical, it is about balance - the mind, emotions, attitude and body are all completely inter-dependent. Make sure you are looking after ALL of you, not just the outside.

All the best, and keep your chin up. You can do this if you really want to.

Wil

Start lifting . Thats my advice, you can focus on building strength and your body will follow and start to look great

I try to think of it as investing in my life. Whether it's something I don't want to do (like get up at 4:30 to work out, or pay the extra 2 dollars for a salad instead of a cheeseburger) or telling myself not to do something I want (like eat an entire cake) I stop and take a moment and tell myself I am doing this for me. I know in the long run, being thinner and healthier will make me happier. Then, I try to assess what is really going on and why I want to eat. Sometimes I'm just bored, sometimes I'm angry or sad, and sometimes I'm actually hungry and I just need the time to pick the right thing to eat instead of the first thing.
Most of my weight gain has happened during my bouts of depression, so as soon as I have health insurance again, I'll be right back with my therapist trying to resolve the issues that cause that in the first place.
Above all, remember that you are not solely your body. It does not represent all of you and just because you have gained weight doesn't mean that you haven't grown in other areas of your life. Everything teaches us to deal with life a little better if we let it, so let it.

I was just like Jesz124, put off changing things before I joined this, then I went on holiday with my two size 8 (UK) friends and when I looked at the pictures of myself in a bikini next to them it made me feel sick.
So now, when I feel like stuffing my face I look at the worst picture, and it helps me feel more determined to get to a place where I don't have to be ashamed of my body.
I find making sure I don't have anything bad in the house or office helps and if I get close to giving in I make a cup of black tea and eat something small- maybe a few raisins or something. Is usually just enough to quell the urge!
Stay strong, good luck!

I'd say quitting smoking, more than being on MFP, is the cause of your weight gain/ food obsession. I've never known anyone to quit w/o gaining weight. That being said, giving up cigarettes should still be your top priority!!

It's always easier to lose weight/ tone when you eat healthy foods as opposed to junk. But now you have added some extreme stress to your system w/ trying to quit smoking (physical, as your body detoxes, and mental, as you crave the nicotine). Now more than ever, you need to be feeding your body with clean, wholesome, nutrient packed foods in order to combat the stress, and the cravings.