Ready to do things differently than before. I'm terrified.

derposaurus
derposaurus Posts: 53 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi there. I'm 23 years old and I have ten years of yoyo dieting experience.

I am EXCELLENT at losing weight. Let me tell you. I have a great ability to restrict food and deprive myself until I'm eating 300-600 calories per day. One time I lost 75lbs in just four months this way! Hey at least I don't gain weight THAT quickly. I'm good at gaining weight too, but it's more drawn out. It took almost a year to gain it all back. Maybe it took so long because I purged a lot too so it might have slowed the weight gain. But after being hospitalized for damaging my throat due to purging and getting a bad infection, I stopped that habit. But THEN I developed thyroid disease and now I'm at my highest weight ever!

Sounds nuts and a little messed up right? That's only the past THREE years of my ten year yoyo dieting history. Everything prior to that is just as ridiculous, and I'm ready to break the cycle.

One thing I never understood about my yoyo dieting is exactly what it took to get myself motivated to successfully start losing weight again. It just kind of happened. I'm not sure how to get motivated or to get my mindset ready for losing weight the healthy way, but I think I'm on the path since I'm here looking for guidance. I've always heard the cliche (but true) phrase that it's about changing your life, not dieting. I NEVER got that until now. It was like speaking Japanese to me. But the meaning has clicked. That is what I want. but I'm still scared of failing? and it feels like such a big mountain to climb.

I have no idea if anyone can relate to what I'm saying and I know there's lots of people out there asking for motivation and support, but I wanted to write something out specific about me to see if any feedback may stick with me more

Thanks for any help :)

Replies

  • derposaurus
    derposaurus Posts: 53 Member
    bump
  • gypsy_spirit
    gypsy_spirit Posts: 2,107 Member
    You have a lot of history surrounding food/eating and most sounds pretty unhealthy. I have no advice for that but will say that if you want to start looking at fueling your body correctly and being healthy, this is a great place to start:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1175494-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Best of luck to you.

    ETA: If you find yourself restricting calories that low again or falling into the binging/purging - Please seek help from a professional.
  • JoeyFrappuccino
    JoeyFrappuccino Posts: 88 Member
    You mentioned you were hospitalized for throat damage due to purging. Did you undergo treatment for the behavior that caused it? It sounds like you could have an eating disorder and if that's the case you need to speak to a doctor before listening to any advice you'll get here. You may have kicked the habit but eating disorders aren't known for going away on their own, and you should be aware of that even if it's not a problem at the moment.
  • sun_fish
    sun_fish Posts: 864 Member
    Have to agree with both of the above posts ^^^^

    Best of luck to you.
  • derposaurus
    derposaurus Posts: 53 Member
    You mentioned you were hospitalized for throat damage due to purging. Did you undergo treatment for the behavior that caused it? It sounds like you could have an eating disorder and if that's the case you need to speak to a doctor before listening to any advice you'll get here. You may have kicked the habit but eating disorders aren't known for going away on their own, and you should be aware of that even if it's not a problem at the moment.

    Yeah. I've been diagnosed with ED-NOS by more than one health professional lol. I figured that was implied in my post. I just hate the label :p

    Anyway yeah I've been in and out of treatment for it my whole life but I have moved twice in the past year and haven't been speaking to a counselor. I mean do you ever really get "cured"? All I know id I feel truly ready for the first time in my life to not relive those habits. That's something I could never say before. But you are right... more treatment would never hurt.
  • JoeyFrappuccino
    JoeyFrappuccino Posts: 88 Member
    If you've gotten help for it and it's under control, I'd say starting a healthy diet would be the next step so you're in the right place! Different people have success with different methods, but I would recommend focusing on nutrition as much as calories. A calorie deficit may be what causes weight loss, but many people get carried away with restricting calories and don't consider that cutting out calories takes vital nutrients with them. Calories fuel and build your body and weight loss is not the only result of getting too few. Losing weight should be as much about getting enough proteins, fats and carbs as it is about staying under a calorie limit. Focus on the balance and you should find yourself steadily moving towards your goals.

    I'm sorry if I brought up something you've worked over in your past but it sounds like you're ready to move on and I wish you the best of luck in your goals!
  • derposaurus
    derposaurus Posts: 53 Member
    If you've gotten help for it and it's under control, I'd say starting a healthy diet would be the next step so you're in the right place! Different people have success with different methods, but I would recommend focusing on nutrition as much as calories. A calorie deficit may be what causes weight loss, but many people get carried away with restricting calories and don't consider that cutting out calories takes vital nutrients with them. Calories fuel and build your body and weight loss is not the only result of getting too few. Losing weight should be as much about getting enough proteins, fats and carbs as it is about staying under a calorie limit. Focus on the balance and you should find yourself steadily moving towards your goals.

    I'm sorry if I brought up something you've worked over in your past but it sounds like you're ready to move on and I wish you the best of luck in your goals!

    Oh it's okay I know you meant well lol. Nothing to apologize for. Thank you for the advice as well. That's definitely a new way of thinking for me as previously I have only concerned myself with calories. But I understand there's a lot more to it than that. It seems kinda daunting but I will figure it out :)

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