Falling off the wagon, time and again.

StephanyJDingman · February 2013

SO frustrating! Anyone else feel like they aren't "yo-yo" dieting as much as they just keep falling flat on their face? I have been trying to get "healthy" since I was in 3rd grade. Yup... for the last 21 years I have been battling my weight. People say if you fall off the wagon you just have to get up and keep going..which I am trying so hard to do. I have lost 10lbs, which is awesome... but then I get stressed and eat and then I beat myself up over it. I try having healthy snacks available, I try going for a walk or doing something else other than stuff my face, but sometimes I just wave the white flag and eat a creamy fat filled casserole. Then I hate myself. It's an awful cycle. This time around I am really REALLY putting 110% into my diet and exercise because at the age of 30 my Dr. has told me my liver and pancreas are fat completely throughout, head to tail, nothing but fat. Gross. No wonder I feel like crap. I get them rescanned in 3 months to see if there has been any change. So I am really, REALLY trying. 100lbs just seems so daunting.

So what do you do to keep yourself going? What do you do when you fail or when someone you know sees you with a jolly rancher and says "I thought you were on a diet" making you feel like crap ( I suck on candy through out the day..it keeps my mind off of food)? How have you battled your demons?

KenosFeoh · February 2013

I can't claim any great weight loss success, but I have managed to break the bad habit of wandering through the kitchen like a giant caterpillar, eating everything in sight. This is how:

1) I made myself a schedule for meal times. When I find myself in the kitchen, I ask myself "is it meal time? No? get out of here!"
2) I have projects to do that keep my mind and my hands busy.
3) Brush teeth. Nothing tastes good immediately after brushing teeth.

I'd advise that you stop sucking on hard candy. Sugar stimulates the desire for more sugar. Maybe try sugar-free gum instead, or sip on water. Lots of water.

Who makes the creamy, fat-filled casserole?

SweetestHoney · February 2013

Maybe part of the problem is putting in 110% and then falling off later. Please don't go into a "diet" thinking "Ok, no more candy ever." It's not healthy. You can have anything in moderation. Please ignore dieting as a whole and work on having a lifestyle that makes you happy. Find healthier meals that are so damn good that you're ok with not having a fattening meal. Find workouts that you love or people who you love to workout with you. In general, just enjoy life and that person you says "I thought you were on a diet" can **** off. That's rude.

Btw: Don't forget we're here for you.

snowflakeheather · February 2013

Start with small manageable goals. How much water will you drink today? Do you want to work on healthy eating AND exercise, or just starting with one? For me, my greatest successes come when I plan. Today is a great example. I'm totally stressed because someone I love is having a medical procedure today. I knew today would be hard. So last night I planned my meals and my snacks for the day. I left myself 150 calories for a small treat tonight. It's hard not to turn to food for comfort, but planning one day at a time can really help. You CAN do this. It's all about one choice at a time.

MorbidMander · February 2013

I can totally relate as I just had a day like this yesterday. I do have those kinds of days at some point every month since I started my "official" weight loss journey, which was in September. Here's how I look at it; you want to be inspired, get angry. I think of all the people that have hurt me and have been an *kitten* to me over my weight, called me fat or ugly (even some of my family that has) and use that as motivation to keep going. Not how everyone does it I understand as more people are probably wanting to be more positive, but it sure as hell has been working out for me and here I am 25 pounds lighter. And I have PCOS which makes it a ***** to get off. I still have a ways to go, but that is certainly one of things that keeps me going, just seeing their faces when I am fit and sexy. Ever need someone to push you or to talk to, feel free to send me a message~ (:

BlueObsidian · February 2013

You mentioned you get stressed and eat. Are you doing anything to work on that? I found that, for me, I had to get my mental stuff in order before I could be successful at getting my eating plan together. If you are an emotional eater and don't find another outlet for that stress, it's going to keep coming up. After all, life probably isn't going to get any easier for most of us anytime soon!

I also had to deal with beating myself up when I wasn't perfect. I'm human, I'm not going to be perfect. Beating myself up or feeling like crap when someone made an insensitive comment ended up putting me back in that spiral of stress eating and shame. For me, the best solution was working with a therapist who has experience working with people with food issues (your doctor may be able to recommend a good one in your area, if you are interested).

Make a list of all the things you can do to relieve stress that don't involve food. Whether it is going for a walk, meditating, talking to someone, or whatever works for you, finding a healthier habit to substitute for eating will help.

BubblesxDear · February 2013

I know the feeling. I've quit MFP dozens of times because I'm fed up with getting no where but this time I'm really going for it.

sasicek · February 2013

I can't offer much advice, just encouragement to pick up the pieces every time you slip up and keep carrying on. I have on multiple occasions not done this, and just given up only to see my weight balloon up leading to more depressed feelings and emotional eating. So just keep going, occasional slips or not. Good luck!

StephanyJDingman · February 2013

Thanks everyone! I am just having "one of those days" where I just want to bang my head against a wall ( I won't actually, I'm not crazy)
To respond as much as I can:
I am not much of a planner, more of a free spirit of sorts. If I try to get on a schedule I feel overwhelmed with it and rebel. It's how I have been pretty much my whole life. And for the most part, I love my free spirit and I love being that person who can shift with change. I do not envy those who can structure their lives meal by meal, snack by snack..as I do not want to do that, but I respect you guys who do. I could never do it and your strength to do it is inspiring.
As for therapy, I did do cognitive behavior therapy and it has helped tremendously. But as for any more counseling, I have been going since 9, I really have run out of things to talk about. So I don't go anymore. But I have taken what I've learned to heart.
As for stress eating, I do meditate, drink green tea and I take long baths and when I am really stressed I clean like a mad person. My husband can tell when I am super stressed, the house sparkles. I am trying to find more ways and am sure I will find things that work and things that don't. But occasionally, I just crave that satisfied feeling that I only get from eating. I am working on it. I am the one that cooks the food. And honestly, I don't see the harm in a little every now and then..if I could convince myself to stop after a little. As for sugar, my candy is sugar free. I don't chew gum.. I think it's a texture thing. I am not a candy/sweet craver. Never have been. I could live without chocolate, ice cream, candy etc nor do I really eat chips or anything like that either... I love the cheeses, meats, creamy goodness out there. I agree, I should look for healthy alternatives.
About getting angry...oh I have used a lot of that pent up frustration to keep me going! I agree it's good to get angry sometimes.

As for my goals, I do have smaller ones. I would like to wear a swim suit in June without wearing shorts over them because I hate my thighs. In August I would like to be able to ride a roller coaster again with my daughter. By July I would like to buy super cute scrubs for work that doesn't have an X in front of the size. By October I would like to wear a dress and feel good in it. So I do have little goals.

I appreciate you all telling me what you do to help. I like to take a little of what others do/suggest and see if it will help me. And I love knowing there are others out there that "get it".

Thanks again

Aarjono · February 2013

Don't think of it as "OMG, I need to lose 100 pounds". That is just so overwhelming! Think of it in 5% increments, or 5 pound increments. With even 5% you will see health benefits. Think of it in terms of small manageable goals and celebrate each one:

"I will drink one more glass of water *today*."
"I will walk the the end of the block and back *today*."
"I will track everything I put in my mouth *today*."

We didn't wake up one day all of a sudden 100 pounds over weight, and as much as we would like the skinny fairy to come while we sleep, we won't take it off over night. But we have to keep making *conscious* healthy choices until they become unconscious healthy choices.

Slow and steady wins the race!

Falling off the wagon, time and again.

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