For people who lost, gained it back, lost it again and never went back.

I haven't lost it all again the second time, but I'm about eight weeks/20lbs into it now.

I lost about 90lbs around 10 years back through extreme (see also: unhealthy) diet/exercise, then pretty much just stopped caring. I gained it all back plus 20 - 30lbs on top of it, so I'm currently back to where I was before I started my last big weight loss.

Last time, it seemed like the weight came off extremely easily. I wasn't logging my calories, or anything like that. I was just unknowingly eating at a severe deficit, and losing 20 - 30 lbs/month. After learning all that I know this time around, that number might sound nearly impossible, but I was doing pretty intense cardio in the gym 5-6 days/week for a few hours at a time (burning anywhere between 1500-2000cals per session), and sustaining on not much more than iceburg lettuce with chicken breast salads. I am extremely lucky that my body didn't shut down in some form, or another. I mean, It was gone so quickly that my parents wholeheartedly believed I was on drugs. It happened so fast that my mind wasn't able to process it, and I had a very hard time seeing myself differently than 280-290lbs when I looked in the mirror. This is likely why I never physically saw myself as much different, even though I knew I was gaining it all back, until I was over 300lbs a few months before starting the loss again.

Sure, I suppose it can be looked at as easier the first time around because I would be around double my current weight loss in the same amount of time, but I don't see it that way. I think this time around is much easier because I have complete control over it.

ClassicPearl wrote: »

Hi there,

Has anyone lost the weight, gained it all back or half back, then lost it again and stayed that weight? If so, what made you decide to lose it for good? It's sort of easy the first time to lose it because you were never at that weight, but to lose it again and stick with it, that's... tough.

And it's where I'm at now.

Thank you.

I kind of count, I guess.

2012 - lost 60lbs, but I dramatically restricted my foods. It wasn't sustainable plan. I ended up gaining about 20lbs back.
2013 - lost about 50 lbs. This time the only restriction was making sure I stayed at a calorie deficit. I was much happier with this. However, I became pregnant with my 2nd child and during the 9 months (which crossed into 2014), I gained 42lbs.
2014 - down 52.4lbs from what I weighed 2 days before my c-section (41 wks May 27). I still have about 30lbs to go, but I'm going about this the same way I did in 2013 and its working for me. I do however fear maintenance. Mostly because I've heard that it is harder than losing weight.

I've lost and gained 50 lbs 3 times now. It's depressing but I've not failed till I quit.

Nana_Booboo wrote: »

I've lost and gained 50 lbs 3 times now. It's depressing but I've not failed till I quit.

wow! What a great attitude

ClassicPearl wrote: »

I did it the right way the first time (with MFP and exercise), but plateaued for 6 months and gave up. I still work out and eat healthy, just not with the drive I once had. I'm trying to get that drive back and I wonder what made you get that drive back that you once had? How do you get it and keep it?

I don't have the answer you're looking for, but I'm willing to find it alongside you!

I joined MFP in 2012 and at the beginning of 2014 had lost 57lbs and 60+".
It's now 2015 and I've lost a 46lbs in total but have gained back inches. I gained 11lbs in the last half of 2014 and I am not pleased about it -- it feels like 50, and because of that I know it has to go.

I'm presently 21lbs heavier than I was at one point in the Spring of 2014 ... so although looking at the yearly timeframe doesn't seem so damaging, seeing how I yo-yo'ed most of the year is petrifying.

Anyway, if you're looking for a pal come seek me out.
Same goes for anyone else looking for and to provide a positive and honest network of support.

JC.

So this is my 3rd time at this, hopefully it will be the charm! First off I have been hypothyroid my whole life, never had a problem with weight until kids and gained significant amount of weight with each pregnancy due to my thyroid levels not being checked and monitored very well. Weight loss is very challenging having hypothyroid but not impossible. Back in 04/05 I lost most of my pregnancy weight after my first 2 kids (they were 4 and 5) I went from 215 to 155 following weight watchers (130 was my goal). Then I went through divorce and got remarried and had my last child and gained the weight back plus some up to 240. In 2010 I started MFP and started the journey again and went from 240 to 160. Then some personal/family issues happened and I got depressed and quit exercising and watching what I ate and I put all the weight back on plus another ten lbs so here I am at 250!! . I'm ready to go at this again with a lot of lessons learned. I wasn't so upset with the first two times I gained weight because they were both in part mainly because of pregnancies, its this last time that really has me upset with myself for gaining the weight. I do feel like both times I lost weight I did in healthy ways so in that way I feel prepared. The part I am worried about most is when things don't go expected or life gets gets challenging etc, I need to deal with them in a better way whether than getting depressed and taking it out on myself and of course the maintaining once I get there. Good luck to all of us in 2015 !

I started back in 2008, found MFP and used my Wii Fit and went from 158 to 123...started dating an A hole that sabotaged me, got layed off work, unemployed and depressed for a month, then went back to college and a very difficult major for 2.5 years, then diagnosed with Connective tissue disease and I found myself at 185...the heaviest I've ever been. I started MFP again awhile back but went to the calorie limit I used to be at 1200 calories...lost 8 lbs then stopped and started slowly going up... I panicked / got pissed and quit.

Now I'm back. I went to a dietician to verify a good calorie limit for me and have been back since late November. Its been tought through the holidays but I've lost 10 lbs so far. I hope to do better now that the holidays are behind me and I'm hoping to find a gentle exercise routine to add to increase the losing speed.

I'm not there yet obviously... but what has changed is that it is for my health this time, I don't want to hurt anymore and I thought changing what I eat and getting some weight off would help...no matter how long it takes me. Feel free to add me.

Lets see...
In 2000 I lost 80ish lbs on Meridia gained about 20lbs back and maintained that until I got pregnant in 2004. I was 240ish when I delivered that baby. I hovered in the 220s until 2008 when I joined weight watchers. I lost 20lbs and found out I was pregnant. I was 252 when I delivered my second son. When he was about a year old I went on phentermine. I was 224. I got all the way down to 140 and got pregnant with my 3rd baby in 2012. Back up to 242....And I hovered in the 220s again until last August. I'm down 20 since then and will soon be back in Onederland. No more babies, hoping to get at and stay at goal this time.