Frickin Frustrated!! -95lbs, stuck and miserable

I just want to say that I understand and you're not alone. I'm in the process of logging my binge from this weekend right now. I made myself write it all down, even if I couldn't seem to stop myself.

Assuming that you're eating at a reasonable calorie deficit and aren't missing anything in your diet, binging tends to be mental and emotional. Sometimes that means you have to deal with the underlying cause before you can stop. I binge when I'm anxious, I binge to fill a void, and I binge to create a barrier of fat between me and the world. If I can stop the anxiety before I get to the cabinets I have a much greater chance of staying in my calorie goal for the day.

Only you can figure out why you're overeating. Maybe you already know and just have to work on it. If you don't know why, yet, try thinking about what you're feeling while you're eating (and especially when you're overeating) and without judging at the time. Are you really hungry? Anxious? Tired? Bored? Lonely? If you can figure out what you're feeling then you're closer to stopping it at the source.

Other than that, keep the snacks out of your house. Or keep yourself out of your house. I get up and leave for a couple of hours when I'm feeling the overwhelming urge to snack. Find ways to relax and to reward or comfort that aren't food. If you're feeling the urge to binge try journaling or yoga or dancing and singing around the house or whatever it is that makes you feel better. Take up a hobby that keeps your hands busy (knitting keeps me from snacking).

Whatever it is, you lost the first 95 pounds, so I know you can do it!

My issue is eating well consistantly.

Nobody here can help with that. It's entirely in your hands. If you want it bad enough, it'll happen, the way the first 95 happened (which BTW is awesome, well done).

Good luck!

This.

OP, are you seeing a counselor/therapist? If not, do you have access to one? Do you have anyone trustworthy that you can talk to about this that isn't really involved offline--maybe a friend on the MFP boards? We may not be able to physically keep you accountable or monitor every bite, but there are loads of nice people here. Also, maybe a divorce/separation/relationship support group in your area could be beneficial to you. I'm thinking that addressing the emotional issues on a regular basis will help you stay accountable with logging your food too. Maybe you could just start journaling to let it all out and that could prevent an emotional eating binge.

You have come so far. You should be so proud.

I'm available to talk if you need someone to listen. Feel free to friend/PM me anytime.

All the best to you.

First, congratulations, big time, on the 95-pound loss. That is NOT something to ignore.

At this point, however, why not give yourself a break, given your situation. Weight loss does NOT have to be this linear thing. Do your best with the situation at hand, maintain what you've lost, and get back into the loss program when you're up for it. Maybe for the time being, practice "maintenance." Just try to not gain, while maybe experimenting with a few changes to your diet to see if anything works. Use this time to find new foods, try something you think would be good for your lifestyle, expand your meal and snack "repertoire," and just give yourself some room to maintain.

Winter, for me, is my "practice maintenance" time. I did manage to get to my goal, but it did take awhile--6 months or so to lose the first 60 pounds, another full six months to lose only 12 more pounds. Then my first winter with that 72-pound loss I went into "maintenance" mode, even though I knew I wanted to lose a touch more. I focused on staying the same weight over winter, when my outdoor exercise is reduced and I don't have a gym in this small town, etc.

Then as spring hits and I pick up going outdoors mountain biking, etc. I re-assess. Last summer I aimed to lose those last three pounds to get me to a total 75-pound weight loss. I succeeded, I even lost I think 6 pounds at one point. However, now I am in winter maintenance to keep off that 75 pounds, and then come spring, I'll re-assess.

So, in other words, be OK with where you are---for awhile. Practice maintenance as you go through emotional turbulence like you're doing now. A couple benefits: first, the self-pressure is not so great that it adds even more stress to your daily life. Second, you'll be better off than many of us who don't have maintenance skills set up when we reach goal.

Best of luck to you!

Just wanted to offer my support, you have done an amazing job!! I know exactly how you feel though. Some days it's just eff it.. im eating.. ( or drinking) and that's it. I have lost the first 50 really easily, and now for 3 years, yes 3 years with counting and kids and going to grad school have struggled with the last 20. I'm doing this for 'real' now, really setting goals harder and forcing more work-outs.. it's so so hard. Best of luck to you and you have us here to talk to!

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS. You're so inspiring!

I wondered about your fitness program/regimen. Have you been doing the same types of workouts for a long time? I know that we all need to change them up to keep the weight loss going. I've read lots of research suggesting that our bodies need a change in our routine every 30 days. That's the one thing I wondered about.

You're amazing and you've come so far already.

Wendy