Yo-yo dieters?? How do I get consistent?

helenkenny9212
helenkenny9212 Posts: 5 Member
in Introduce Yourself
For the past 8 years I've gone between a healthy 140lbs and my current 175lbs (I'm 5ft 6in). I've successfully lost the weight about 4 times and never manage to keep it off (I move a lot for work, so every year or two I find myself living in a new country and trying to adapt to the new lifestyle).

I was very healthy a year ago while living in South Korea (ran 10ks, trained rugby etc.) but since moving to the UK (Newcastle) a year ago I've piled on 25lbs. I wanna lose 45lbs and keep it off for good.

Anybody in a similar situation? Or wanna join up for tips and inspiration (especially ladies in the North East)?

Replies

  • ScottishDev
    ScottishDev Posts: 3
    I feel your pain haha! I've fluctuated between 150lbs and 180lbs for the past 3 years now and I'm fed up of it! Time to change eh? I've just started on here and I'm looking for some friends to help me out too! :)
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    You need to

    a) lay down eating habits that are sustainable. So they are long-term and allow you maximum adherence whilst staying within, or at, your calorie goal. A lot of people make the mistake of cutting out stuff, or severely restricting things and never learn to live with the foodstuffs they are going to encounter and eat day-to-day when they get to their goal.

    b) lay down fitness goals. Run a faster mile. Compete in a half. Get a 2x bw deadlift. Master some chin-ups. Learn a martial art. Whatever. Something that will take some time and effort and requires you to make training choices to achieve. You stop seeing exercise as something to do to burn calories (dietary control is for weightloss) and something to do to make you more awesome in a certain regard. Committing long-term to a programme will improve your body-comp and help in goal forming that can carry you forward for life (for achieving the next goal. And the next). Because that's what this should be for, right? The rest of your life.
  • helenkenny9212
    helenkenny9212 Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks to you both. You're dead right about the fitness goals. My routine gets jostled so much I feel I have to try new things all the time.Competing in a half is definitely on my list for the next year, I lived by a brilliant martial arts gym in my old town but yet to find one in Newcastle.
  • HisStrengthCounselor
    HisStrengthCounselor Posts: 191 Member
    hey, search for this TOPIC: YO-YO DIETERS, ENDING THE CYCLE, there are a lot great responses.
  • akaporn
    akaporn Posts: 231 Member
    You need to

    a) lay down eating habits that are sustainable. So they are long-term and allow you maximum adherence whilst staying within, or at, your calorie goal. A lot of people make the mistake of cutting out stuff, or severely restricting things and never learn to live with the foodstuffs they are going to encounter and eat day-to-day when they get to their goal.

    b) lay down fitness goals. Run a faster mile. Compete in a half. Get a 2x bw deadlift. Master some chin-ups. Learn a martial art. Whatever. Something that will take some time and effort and requires you to make training choices to achieve. You stop seeing exercise as something to do to burn calories (dietary control is for weightloss) and something to do to make you more awesome in a certain regard. Committing long-term to a programme will improve your body-comp and help in goal forming that can carry you forward for life (for achieving the next goal. And the next). Because that's what this should be for, right? The rest of your life.

    He is correct... Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different result.... We (most of us here) just need to lookfor a better way to reach our goals...
  • bembo1980
    bembo1980 Posts: 28 Member
    Hello! I'm just outside of Newcastle and am currently 176lb (goal 140lb - 5"4'). Yo yo'd for years ( I'm 34) :-(
  • ladyrhodes2
    ladyrhodes2 Posts: 13 Member
    I am definitely one of those yo-yo dieters! I have lost and gained so much weight over the last 15 years. It is very hard to be consistent. I do know that when I am being "good" logging my food and sharing my goals with someone helps me stay consistent.
    Good Luck!
  • SandyBVTN
    SandyBVTN Posts: 367 Member
    Yup, yo-yo over here too. Never again though.

    Someone mentioned about the definition of insanity? That's exactly what I am doing differently this time. A month ago, when I joined MPF, I thought long and hard about where I went wrong before and made a really solid plan for myself to keep this weight off for good. Long term and sustainable is the name of the game now.
  • Garrett1234
    Garrett1234 Posts: 147 Member
    Slow and steady. Don't "diet," just watch your calories daily and try to get a little exercise. Set some manageable weight loss goals here. I aim for a lb. a week, but realistically it comes out to more like a lb a month. Work on making good food choices, don't eat junk or fast food. And be honest with yourself. If you set goals that have you starving, try a less ambitious goal. Good luck!
  • mandimahoney5
    mandimahoney5 Posts: 93
    Will power.
    I as my self, what is more important. The pizza, or being able to keep up with my toddler and making sure i am around for her when she is older.
  • Chelsey2016
    Chelsey2016 Posts: 41 Member
    I am also a yo yo dieter; it is always all or nothing. Currently, I am trying to break that cycle by being more realistic with my exercise and diet habits so that I do not get burned out like I have been known to do. ;)
  • mmerry5
    mmerry5 Posts: 69 Member
    I yo-yo'd for years as well. Logging in MFP has been the only way I've been able to stop the cycle. I managed to lose the last 8-10 lbs that I'd wanted to and keep it off for well over a year. I know that's not a long time for some, but for me it's an accomplishment. I'm the smallest, healthiest I've ever been and I could not have done it without MFP. It keeps me honest, helps me make better choices yet still allows me to eat the things I love. I just make sure to keep within a weekly goal. Because I still eat all the things I love, I know this is something I can do long term. I just eat all the calorie dense things less often or in smaller portions and stick to the leaner meats, fruits and veggies most of the time.

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