For all MFP returnees, why did we gain the weight back?

HowDidThatHappen
HowDidThatHappen Posts: 20
in Motivation and Support
I see a lot of people are "back again" to "finally nail it this time" or words to that effect. Myself included.

Since quite a long stint on MFP in between 2010 and 2012, where I successfully managed to lose nearly 30lbs, albeit slowly, I have been on an off MFP two or three times last year but never stuck with it. I never actually reached my goal weight. So now, having gained nearly all my weight back I have restarted AGAIN. In total I now have 42 - 50 lbs to lose.

So I am curious, what brought you back this time? What happened to bring all the weight back? What will you do differently this time?

OK, I'll go first. I am back because last time MFP kept me on track most of the time and I enjoyed having the support from my MFP friends. My weight came back on because I stopped going to the gym and re-embraced my comfort eating and wine drinking habits and went into a denial about the scale creeping back up. This time I don't think I will rush into a gym membership, only to be enthusiastic about it for a few months then lose interest. I am going to think more carefully about the type of exercise I enjoy and can sustain long term.

I hope you will be able to share your views on here and hopefully we can learn from each other and really "finally nail it this time" :laugh:
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Replies

  • Lindsey_Mills
    Lindsey_Mills Posts: 4
    Marriage and night shift totally derailed my weight loss. I was down 120 pounds...however I've gained 50 back.
  • charliemouse70
    charliemouse70 Posts: 26 Member
    I'm a life-long yo-yo dieter, hovering somewhere between a size 14-16 until my divorce nearly 10 years ago.
    In the immediate aftermath of the divorce I lost a load of weight without trying, but when I met my current partner (a chef) the weight crept on. We've been together over 8 years and in that time I put on 3 stones. I'm 5'2" - it showed!

    Last year I lost almost all of that 3 stones - but last year was a killer for me. Work restructure meant I faced the threat of redundancy and I did get bumped down a grade, losing £500 a month. I also had health problems. I had a miscarriage and had to accept that at 43 I am unlikely to get pregnant again - and then I developed pre-menopausal symptoms..... oh, and I almost broke up with my partner.

    Not surprisingly I lost my diet mojo and the weight started to creep on. I re-gained about one and a half stones (21lbs). Before Christmas things had improved and I was in the mood to get back in control of my eating, but decided to enjoy Christmas first.

    So, here I am. Trying MFP for the first time, but not dieting for the first time! My motivation is mainly health: I don't want to get diabetes or osteoporosis and at my age & weight I'm in the at risk zone. It's more of a motivation that just wanting to look better.
  • Schtroumpfkin
    Schtroumpfkin Posts: 123 Member
    Maintaining doesn't give the sense of achievement that losing does. I realise that once I reach my goal weight this time (and I will), I have to find other goals to keep me motivated. I also have to develop the confidence to mix healthy meals with a moderation of unhealthy ones. For me, it tends to be all or nothing. Stupid? Yes. Common problem? I suspect so....
  • nikibean123
    nikibean123 Posts: 81 Member
    I successfully stayed at about 140-150lbs a couple of years ago which for me is quite slim as I am curvy anyway and 5'7".

    My partner and I have been together for about 2.5 years and we love steak! Eating out is our treat so we've both put on a bit of weight.

    A week or two ago, I accepted that I am bigger than I have ever been (178lbs) and didn't want to carry on feeling bloated and unhealthy.

    I've lost about 4lbs so far, am measuring waist etc as well as weighing to keep a proper track and am speaking to other MFP users which I didn't before.
  • Charlenemon
    Charlenemon Posts: 8
    Gained 20 pounds back over christmas (1 month!!!), but was extremely unhealthy, so can only blame it on my self. No real reason tbh behind my food choices either, other than wanting the food. Back to healthy eating and gaining my control back :)
  • BernadetteChurch
    BernadetteChurch Posts: 2,210 Member
    I think a lot of us gain the weight back because we take our eyes off the ball. We lose a bit of weight and think it's OK to then lapse back into our old ways, which is how we became overweight in the first place.

    Since joining MFP I've learned that I have to be in this for life now, not just until I lose the excess weight.
  • Yiriandur
    Yiriandur Posts: 4 Member
    Well, I just returned today.. The past 3 months have been an emotional roller-coaster, in which i didn't see the purpose to keeping up diet checking and sporting anymore. Lost the motivation i guess, and I was confronted with the fact that i'm getting closer to my starting weight again of 5-6 months ago, this week.

    I had lost some 5-6 kg in those 3.5 first months of the programs i had set myself up to follow (keeping track of what i eat, eating a deficiency, sporting daily or every other day at least to some extent), but I've gained 4 kg of that back in the last 2 months which of course also include the holidays and availability of comfort foods..

    Well, it shows and i can feel it. Clothes i could fit in again, no longer fit. My body looks more pudgy again. I feel worn out a lot faster if i do exert myself than a few months ago.

    I don't know if i can keep this motivation, because i do have to do it myself in the end, but today i started with a 25min exercise routine before work, and that felt great. I have quite a while to go again, but with any luck i'll look just -slightly- less pudgy in two weeks when i have to fit in a ballroom dress at a work event..!
  • angiewf
    angiewf Posts: 173 Member
    i was doing well losing weight until my husband died. Although it wasn't totally unexpected as he was 25 years older than me and had health probs, we had been married 38 years, and I regained most of my weight loss thru' comfort eating. Then I had a few years of upheaval with moving house and other things, so didn't settle to it. Now I'm back on track as I want to be healthy and not deprive my kids too soon of their only parent! Besides, late husband was so proud of my weight loss, so I feel I'd be letting him down if I don't get it off.
  • janesmith1
    janesmith1 Posts: 1,511 Member
    I lost 40 when I first started. Since then my life took some very unexpected turns. And it was really stressful. I mean I have an ulcer, that much stress.

    I made a group for people interested in losing 10# a month if any of the returnees are interested

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/18126-lose-10-lbs-a-month
  • ichorica
    ichorica Posts: 475 Member
    I got injuired lost my motivation and ability to work out, got frustrated with my stall! boooo super lame to think about that now. ai gained almost 50 back.
  • HowDidThatHappen
    HowDidThatHappen Posts: 20
    i was doing well losing weight until my husband died. Although it wasn't totally unexpected as he was 25 years older than me and had health probs, we had been married 38 years, and I regained most of my weight loss thru' comfort eating. Then I had a few years of upheaval with moving house and other things, so didn't settle to it. Now I'm back on track as I want to be healthy and not deprive my kids too soon of their only parent! Besides, late husband was so proud of my weight loss, so I feel I'd be letting him down if I don't get it off.

    Thank you for sharing. Sounds like you have had many life challenges in the past few years. You sound very motivated too and I hope you will manage to lose it and keep it off.
  • Zomoniac
    Zomoniac Posts: 1,169 Member
    I have to be in this for life now, not just until I lose the excess weight.

    Everyone should have this tattooed on their face. An MFP initiation.
  • HowDidThatHappen
    HowDidThatHappen Posts: 20
    Uh-oh, work beckons. I will be back later to see what you have all been saying :drinker:
  • runnermom419
    runnermom419 Posts: 366 Member
    From May 2011 to December 2012, I lost 171 pounds. I forget when I stopped MFP, but I decided to take a break because I started having panic attacks over food and not being able to measure things. Lost weight just fine without it. But, gained some of it back when I got pregnant with my son. Back to get rid of the last bit of baby weight.
  • rebeccadavis88
    rebeccadavis88 Posts: 40
    I could come up with loads of excuses....BUT HONESTLY.......I took my eye off the ball. After losing 46lbs in about 18 months, I've had a gain since September 2013 of 20lbs. Because I was feeling good, slim and healthy I "forgot" that to keep feeling good, slim and healthy I have to continue eating the right foods and exercising.....lol!

    My portion sizes increased, I had more treats than I really should and I stopped exercising regulary. Then I noticed my clothes were getting tight and (this is a very honest confession now!) So, I just thought sod it, I'm getting fat again and ate some more.....Hmmmm, recognise the cycle, I know I do??

    Then, just to add to it, I had two chest infections over December and injured my lower back and ate more mince pies than I ever thought humanly possible over the Christmas Break....

    I've really been working hard to re-educate myself after being a serial yo-yo dieter since I was 16 years old and honestly thought I'd cracked it....This 20lb gain has been good learning for me, time to get it back off!!

    Good Luck all x
  • rfsatar
    rfsatar Posts: 599 Member
    I think a lot of us gain the weight back because we take our eyes off the ball. We lose a bit of weight and think it's OK to then lapse back into our old ways, which is how we became overweight in the first place.

    Since joining MFP I've learned that I have to be in this for life now, not just until I lose the excess weight.

    Yep - new job, different way of working and complacency for me ... so back at it
  • ichorica
    ichorica Posts: 475 Member
    Ok wow people are awake! happy to read more replies!
  • Snow__White
    Snow__White Posts: 1,650 Member
    I got pregnant
  • linuss88
    linuss88 Posts: 1 Member
    Initially lost 70 pounds over 1year using mfp. gained back 21 pounds over 6 months. This was due to 7 from holiday weight and a further 14 from a desk job and not making time for exercise/ healthy eating.

    Like people have already said it is too easy to slip back into old habits and forget why we used mfp in the first place
  • silmarilliane
    silmarilliane Posts: 133 Member
    because i like food :D and because i have the knowledge that i will start the dreaded diet again soon so i need to eat all the foods NOW before that happens haha.
    this year i'm trying to focus more on weights based exercise and slowly getting back to a better size than focusing on a weight goal.
    good luck :)
  • PumpkinPanda
    PumpkinPanda Posts: 16
    A big factor for me was the stress of my previous job and then changing jobs :/
  • umer76
    umer76 Posts: 1,272 Member
    One of the biggest reason which people don't realize including myself is the portion size. While gaining weight we think we are entering the right number of calories but actually it is not. Since 1st of December I have again started to lose weight and I would say credit goes to the portion control and not going over the calories budget. You go over the calories budget once or twice a week and chances are you will not lose weight in that week. I have tested that time and again. Staying within calories goal is extremely important.
  • OriginalKatie
    OriginalKatie Posts: 119 Member
    I previously lost 40kg, which wasn't easy. I almost reached my goal weight when I hit a plateau. I maintained my weight for maybe a year and then I started developing chest pain (non-cardiac). I then sprained my ankle but the pain never went away. Long story short, I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, because I now have chronic widespread body pain. This pain is what initially stopped me from training. I eventually had to stop because I decided that the training might be making it worse. So then my diet slowly deteriorated after that, and I never got back into the same routine I used to have. Throw in some medication that makes you gain weight, and now I've gained 20kg back. I'm getting married in two weeks time, and I'm disappointed in myself for letting myself get like this, and annoyed that I developed this condition in the first place.

    Now my goal is to find a way of exercising that's not going to flare up my pain, while allowing me to burn fat at the same time. Diet will play the biggest role, as I've let my nutrition go.
  • encho
    encho Posts: 2 Member
    I got nothing.:glasses:
  • smuller73
    smuller73 Posts: 71 Member
    I got pregnant

    ^this

    Lost weight after my first pregnancy and pretty much kept it off for 3 years and although I was really good during my 2nd pregnancy and didn't gain too much excess weight it was the months at home after, totally exhausted from being up all night and having no energy to exercise or cook a healthy meal, my hubby thought he was helping by buying ready made meals and take away. (Shame, his heart was in the right place) The pounds piled back on and bad habits crept back in. Went through a "I'm going to fat for the rest of my life so get used to it" stage and then woke up to reality and got my *kitten* back in gear.
  • AbysmalFitness
    AbysmalFitness Posts: 32 Member
    night shift totally derailed my weight loss.
  • ReginaM49
    ReginaM49 Posts: 65 Member
    I definitely know that this must be a lifestyle change. But Its just so easy to sit back down on that couch with beer and pizza! Lol. I was down 31 pounds in October and have slowly gained back 6. I'm trying to get back on track. Add me if you like. Good luck! :-)
  • HowDidThatHappen
    HowDidThatHappen Posts: 20
    My portion sizes increased, I had more treats than I really should and I stopped exercising regulary. Then I noticed my clothes were getting tight and (this is a very honest confession now!) So, I just thought sod it, I'm getting fat again and ate some more.....Hmmmm, recognise the cycle, I know I do??
    This ^^^^
  • lisanume
    lisanume Posts: 127 Member
    I see a lot of people are "back again" to "finally nail it this time" or words to that effect. Myself included.

    Since quite a long stint on MFP in between 2010 and 2012, where I successfully managed to lose nearly 30lbs, albeit slowly, I have been on an off MFP two or three times last year but never stuck with it. I never actually reached my goal weight. So now, having gained nearly all my weight back I have restarted AGAIN. In total I now have 42 - 50 lbs to lose.

    So I am curious, what brought you back this time? What happened to bring all the weight back? What will you do differently this time?

    OK, I'll go first. I am back because last time MFP kept me on track most of the time and I enjoyed having the support from my MFP friends. My weight came back on because I stopped going to the gym and re-embraced my comfort eating and wine drinking habits and went into a denial about the scale creeping back up. This time I don't think I will rush into a gym membership, only to be enthusiastic about it for a few months then lose interest. I am going to think more carefully about the type of exercise I enjoy and can sustain long term.

    I hope you will be able to share your views on here and hopefully we can learn from each other and really "finally nail it this time" :laugh:


    THIS!!!
    First I broke my leg in 3 places
    THEN I got lazy
    THEN I got what I called the PLAGUE and was sick for 15 weeks!!!

    THEN it was the holidays

    NOW IS MY TIME!!! back at it!! YAY!!!
  • HowDidThatHappen
    HowDidThatHappen Posts: 20
    Thanks for all your replies. A mixture of life challenges, illness and general lapses in portion size, exercise seems to be the consensus on here. So what can we do differently?

    I know my exercise lapsed because I just got bored at the gym. It felt like a real chore particularly as the weights section was often crowded with people just lolling around the machines. So this time I am going to try and find something I like and I can stick to. I would love to try running again, but for now just walking to my meetings in town instead of taking the car is good for me.

    As for eating, well I just got careless as in the post I have quoted above. This time I am not going to stop logging until I actually reach my goal weight. I am seriously hoping to end my tendency to comfort eat for good. I have just started to learn to play the clarinet. It's very hard to eat when you have a clarinet in your mouth!!!

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