How have you all been able to 'get back on track?'

I'm devastated. Disgusted. Heartbroken. With myself. I spent eight weeks of flawless eating. Realistic, healthy weight loss, losing 8 kg in total. I felt so fantastic and on top of the world during those eight weeks. But for the past month, I have put three kilos back on, eating horribly and not working out.

I can't seem to get back on track. I have tried to completely repeat everything I did before that helped me succeed. I'm also just as - or even more motivated then before.

Personally I find that starting is the issue here, that once I've been going for a week I would be able to get my good habits back, and get back into the zone. But every 'new day' where I plan to 'get back on track' I end up thinking to myself "Hey, look at all that long, pain in the *kitten* time you have left in front of you. So much pain. Just give up" or "You're already off the track, why don't you just start tomorrow. You have time!". Of course, these thoughts always pop up and dominate my mind when I'm in the bakery section of my supermarket . In these situations, I am hopeless. I have no discipline.

I remember clearly, I began my successful 8 week weight loss journey last time by simply saying "NO" to temptations for a couple of days. I gradually gained self discipline quite quickly, and became stronger and stronger. But I just can't seem to say NO! What's the difference between back then and now!? Nothing.

Tips? Advice? I know I can do it, I've done it before. I'm sick and tired of continuing to fail. I want to be that soldier again that conquered these negative thoughts. All I want is another eight weeks of solid work so I can lose my final 8 kilos, before I'm at my DREAM WEIGHT (omg). I want it to happen

I chose one aspect to make non-negotiable. For me, it was exercise.

So, I work out five days a week (most weeks) four at minimum. It is not negotiable.

I've been doing this since January '12. In January '13, eating right becomes non-negotiable.

Exercise isn't a problem anymore because it has become a habit, I hope that the eating thing will also become more habitual, but I struggle with it every day.

But it takes SO long to create a habit.

Good luck. Just remember, you can't change what is done, you can only move forward and try to do better.

Dwelling on failure isn't productive, using that failure to make better choices is.

Don't worry about being perfect, work on being better than before. Eventually, you'll get to a balance that works for you and your life. I'm still working on that, but I'm getting closer most days and sliding back some days.

a train can hit a truck and not derail. be like a train. stay on track.

Xanem:

From your post, it's clear what you're being: lazy. Yes, I'm being a b*tch. But it's true. You're making excuses. You're not being strong. You're giving in, because it's easier than working for what you want. I have the same problem as you do: chocolate. chocolate. MORE CHOCOLATE. And sometimes I lose. But most often I don't. Why? Because saying "NO" to whatever is tempting you today, is easier than hating yourself / your body, today, tomorrow, forever.

There's a really nice quote, posted by another MFP member:
"The scale can't measure your will, drive, or dedication. The scale can't recount how many temptations you said no to or how many bad habits you broke. The scale doesn't have any idea how many times you got back on track when you felt like giving up. So every time you get on the scale, measure what's really important, including your behavior and effort."

This, and one other thing has helped me greatly to remember that this is a journey, a lifestyle change. So what IF you lose the remaining 8 kgs but continue to (over) splurge in the bakery selection every week? Unfortunately, those kgs are just going to come back on. You've gained 3 recently from bad eating habits - it sounds like you're prepared to go right back to them after gaining your ideal body weight!

For me, it sounds like you're looking at this the wrong way. This is a JOURNEY, with lifetime goals, including healthy body weight, healthy eating patterns, a healthy lifestyle. Most people fail because after their success, they forget everything they've learned, and go right back to their bad habits!

My suggestion for you:
A) Change your habits. I don't know the specifics of your eating / exercise / falls, but there's tons of info on how to lose and maintain a healthy lifestyle here. Look around!

You have to learn to both manage indulgences properly and how to incorporate them into your life. I have a) a ferrero rocher ball OR 5 m&ms OR a reese's peanut butter cup everyday. Everyday. Because this isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change. And I certainly couldn't imagine my life without those things!

C) Change your goals. Why do you want to make healthy choices? Is it REALLY for that perfect body? Or should it be something deeper, something more meaningful, such as "I want my kids growing up, knowing how to make healthy choices" or, "I want to be healthy and strong when I'm older, so I can do things after I retired". Look deeper, and motivation will come to you!

And one last thing, its just my personal opinion. Take someone to the grocery store with you! Take someone who knows youre dieting. You'll feel self-concious picking up things that are not diet worthy, and will likely avoid them completely!
Also, as I mentioned, I have chocolate everyday - hopefully you can find moderation with your bakery items It's all about priorities!

You've mentioned "habits" in a couple of your posts. You're wanting to get rid of the bad ones and replace them with good healthy ones corrects? From what I've studied it takes on average about 28 consecutive days of doing something to make it a habit. Which also means 28 consecutive days of not doing something to get rid of the habit. So, your eating healthy for a week is not enough time to make it habit.

For motivation I would get yourself a calendar, pick a habit you'd like to develop and start marking of the days until you hit 28 and see what happens? When you are in the bakery before you buy something just remind yourself you only have to do it for 28 days, if in 28 days you still want that treat then go back and get it. Just commit to 28 days and it won't feel so overwhelming. Try not to focus on how much further you have to go just look at how far you've come.

It's not easy. I'm right where you are. This is my first day back after gaining 5lbs (in 4 months) in maintenance. This morning I officially weighed in at my "oh no" weight. I know what I have to do, but that doesn't make it any easier. I got into a false sense of security and now I have to face it and get back at it...

Unfortunately you just have to get back at it and if you fall, you just have to pick yourself up and deal with it.

I have this written on a frayed note card, and I read it whenever I catch myself in doubt or feeling discouraged:

"Breathe in the future, breathe out the past.

No matter where you are or what you’re going through, always believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Never expect, assume, or demand. Just do your best, control the elements you can control, and then let it be. Because once you have done what you can, if it is meant to be, it will happen, or it will show you the next step that needs to be taken.

Life CAN be simple again.

Just choose to focus on one thing at a time. You don’t have to do it all, and you don’t have to do it all right now. Breathe, be present, and do your best with what’s in front of you. What you put into life, life will eventually give you back many times over."

You're stronger than you know

I am all for a lifestyle change, this is what I'm doing... but for these next two months, let's just say I am 'speeding up' my lifestyle change just a bit, so that I can enjoy the rewards I have been dreaming for, for so long in Bali (January 9th 2013).

Just be careful that you don't get upset and beat yourself up if you don't lose 1kg a week that's a really high bar you've set for yourself, half that is what most people lose on a good week unless you have alot more than 8kg to lose overall, take care and remember even if you don't hit that high target you'll still be doing well!!! However hope you do manage it and there's nothing wrong with an uber target!!! Well done for getting back on track!

get back on track RIGHT NOW. Not tomorrow, or next week. NOW

I had terrible issues with "start tomorrow, start Monday" Then I would have a bad day, have a cake/treat, then would think "I'll refocus tomorrow": Then it was a green light to be bad until tomorrow or Monday.

Ok I have slowly managed to change, now if I drop the ball and give in to tempation, I log it and make sure that I fit the rest of the day to it. I refocus there and then. That was nice, but how can I make it fit.

So yes I can have a doughnut, more often than not now I will decline, or have half a doughnut. Then I make sure the rest of my day fits it in.

Don't restart tomorrow, start now. Stand up go for a walk. Nothing is forbidden, except excess.