To others who understand:

You know what you're doing wrong, I think all you need is a little motivation. Buy yourself something but don't let yourself have it until you lose some weight. You mentioned that you lose the same 15 pounds over and over, reward yourself with that something when you reach -17 lbs or even twenty. For me it was a dress I got on clearance that I fell in love with. It fit, but not the way it should. I wouldn't allow myself to wear it until I could do the dress justice. Now the dress is too big. YOU CAN DO IT! Good Luck!

I'm there. I lost 20 lbs and put on 30 because I binged everyday after almost reaching my goal. I thought "I'll start tomorrow, so I'll eat what I want today!" but the next day I said the same thing. It's a mental thing (I have FINALLY realized) as well as a lifestyle thing. Best wishes to you and me as we hopefully do this for the last time!

I have lost, and regained the same 5pounds probably 5 times over. The thing is to identify the REASON behind the sabotage. Also, eating is good, so eating under 1200 isn't something I'm a fan of at all, as your body will not react well to it for the long term.

A skill I learned in Weight Watchers years ago, was trying to visualize yourself succeeding, and being at goal. You may need to try doing that, and stop being so hard on yourself. We are human, we're not perfect, but if you give up, you most certainly will not achieve your goal. Do you see yourself at goal? Do you believe you can do it?

Also, I try to plan a small treat of some sort, maybe every day, or every other day, and work it into my calories, that way I don't feel like I'm missing out, or "can't" have something. I can eat whatever I want, no food is off limits or bad. I just need to figure out how to fit it in.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

I am in the same situation as the OP. I get down, right when people start noticing I've lost weight, I gain it all back After reading this post I realized I can't visualize myself skinny. When I try, my brain just sort of shuts down...maybe I need to meditate or something...

I have lost, and regained the same 5pounds probably 5 times over. The thing is to identify the REASON behind the sabotage. Also, eating is good, so eating under 1200 isn't something I'm a fan of at all, as your body will not react well to it for the long term.

A skill I learned in Weight Watchers years ago, was trying to visualize yourself succeeding, and being at goal. You may need to try doing that, and stop being so hard on yourself. We are human, we're not perfect, but if you give up, you most certainly will not achieve your goal. Do you see yourself at goal? Do you believe you can do it?

Also, I try to plan a small treat of some sort, maybe every day, or every other day, and work it into my calories, that way I don't feel like I'm missing out, or "can't" have something. I can eat whatever I want, no food is off limits or bad. I just need to figure out how to fit it in.
Hope this helps, and good luck!

I am in the same situation as the OP. I get down, right when people start noticing I've lost weight, I gain it all back After reading this post I realized I can't visualize myself skinny. When I try, my brain just sort of shuts down...maybe I need to meditate or something...

Make a vision board with pictures of rewards that you want to get once you reach goal, things you want to do, bodies that inspire you, etc

Huh??? I don't understand what you mean by "losing the same 5 (or 10 or 15) pounds over and over again"......it's NOT the same weight. Am I missing something here, science wise?

You may have a tendency to hang out at a weight 5, 10 or 15 pounds above your ideal but....I mean....[insert shrug]. I'm not really understanding this way of thinking.

If you keep fluctuating back and forth so much that it's a problem, then whatever you've done to lose the weight in the first place doesn't seem to be a sustainable long-term option--and THAT'S what you need to address, seems to me. If you've lost the weight eating 1000 calories a day (or doing a juice fast or whatever), how long can you keep that up? If this is the sort of thing you're doing, this may be reason the weight keeps creeping back.

But it's NEW weight, not the old weight coming back. Sorry to sound as if I'm splitting hairs and talking down to you, but I can't figure out if you are not understanding the laws of physics or just using a casual expression.

I am not by any means trying to turn this into a pity party for myself. I just don't know why I always sabotage myself. I have lost the same 15 lbs AT LEAST 10 times over. I have a HRM, I have MFP, I have all the tools to make it work, I just don't. I will admit, I am a "I think I should eat like a damn chicken to lose weight". So I eat at 1000 cals or under for a week or two. Then I go bat crazy and spend a week or two eating 3000 every day. I KNOW that this is unhealthy, I KNOW I am doing it wrong. I just can't get my act together. I know it is my fault, and I know none of you can offer a quick fix. (Ok maybe this did turn into a pity party). Sorry : ) Anyway, thanks for reading and for any helpful comments of those who have been in the same boat or those who currently are. Have a happy week!

i have a quick fix.

stop doing that.



deprivation doesn't work in the long run. it always leads to binges.

pre-plan your meals. eat at a modest deficit. don't avoid foods that you crave, just avoid binging on them. add some more exercise. etc...

there are lots of little things you can/should do to get out of this rut you're in. they all help.

Can you do one week at a respectable calorie reduction and one week at maintenance and mix it up as necessary? You would still lose weight, albeit more slowly, but it would stay off that way.

Gorging is your bodies natural reaction to being starved.

the smartest thing i've read all day today!:drinker: