Bummed...what have I done?

No need for a jumpstart (whatever that is considering you're clearly not a car battery) just start, right now, right this second, start weighing and logging and being diligent with your intake. It's really that simple, no need to do anything special, just do what you know you need to do.

Rigger

Well first of all, being mad & beating yourself up about it is only going to make you feel worse and most likely drive you to eat more. Accept that the weight is back - it sucks, but it doesn't have to be permanent.

I'd say start with baby steps. Are you logging your food? If not, start, even if you don't change your eating habits right away. Sometimes just seeing the numbers can give you a kick in the butt. Since you've moved, why don't you go for a walk/bike ride to check out the new area? Don't think of it as "exercising", you're just exploring & getting some movement in as a bonus. You might plan on only 10-15 minutes, but once you're out you will probably realize you want to go for longer.

I can totally relate. Two years ago, I did a great job of keeping myself on track and I lost some weight; started to feel really good about myself. Then my grandfather, who lived next door to me growing up, was dying of cancer and I spent lots of my free time with him and my father. He passed in February of 2013, then my other grandfather passed in August of the same year. I put on the weight I lost, and an extra 10 pounds! I stopped making that commitment to myself at the time when it was most important.

I've recently begun getting up at 4:30am every weekday to exercise before work. I pack my breakfast, lunch, and snacks the night before, as well as my work clothes and whatever I need for the next day. Something kicked me in the butt - I don't know what it was...an epiphany? I knew I could do better and be better for myself. Even though I started getting up very early to get my workouts in, I have more energy than I've felt in a long time. I know if I wait until after work to exercise, I won't do it, so I get it done first thing. Within the first week of doing this, I already felt more energized because I realized that I have control over the choices I make. I have two kids at home, a 6- and 7-year-old, and I work full time, so I know what it's like to get home from work then have to do MORE work. But I realized that it's not an excuse.

During that "epiphany," I also realized that this is something I have to do long-term. The changes I've made are ones that I can stick with. I know I can dedicate 45 minutes to an hour of exercise 5-6 times a week, and I know I can stick to the foods I've been eating. I'm not going to lose weight quickly by doing this, but slow and steady wins the race. It's hard work to keep on it, but it'll be worth it...it already is worth it. I feel so much better (I feel in control), and I've started losing weight. You don't need a quick fix, you need to see the big picture.

A lot of people use MFP to help create healthy lifestyle changes. Eating less (preferably healthier) and moving more. There is no jump starting, there is just making day in and day out choices to a healthier lifestyle. Start counting calories now

I started with the 24 Day Challenge and I lost 15lbs.. I wouldn't suggest looking to close at reviews on a website especially because those people are not buying it through a distributor and getting proper support. I stand behind Advocare 100%, a very good friend of mine just hit her 50lb mark because of Advocare. I have reached 20lbs myself. The 24 Day Challenge is a great way to jump back in a long as it is done properly, through a distributor getting the right support, meal plans, and coaching.

just do what you did last time...it's not really rocket science.

If you are looking for motivation look inside not on the forums.

Sounds like you had a good routine before, but it was based off of living somewhere else and a less stressful job. Just because that worked for you then doesn't mean it will now, considering you have moved and have additional stress. Make a NEW plan. Do something different than you did before: can you workout before work? Can you start making healthier dinners just a couple times a week to begin with? And, I'm not encouraging using alcohol as a reward, but maybe make sure that you don't have a drink until after you've gone for a walk or for a bike ride.

Put something in the crockpot in the morning or prep a meal and then pop it in the oven when you get home. Without thinking about it go out and walk or ride your bike. Then come home and do your relaxing routine. I incorporate my workout time as part of my work day (even if it is directly after work). That way it's not an option. Then I come home and wind down for the day.

I get out of work anytime between 3:00 - 3:30 but go directly to the gym, so if anyone asks what time I get off of work the answer is 5:00 or so.

The diet marketers bank on people like you that want to start feeling better right away. Don't get suckered in. I suggest making a personal contract with yourself to do something different this week; not to difficult a goal, something you can definitely do. Make that a permanent change and you have a new habit. Re-evaluate in a few weeks and change something else. Over time you will be back to that bike-riding, active, slimmer you.

Right away if you switch to one drink in the evening you are going to see a significant drop in daily calories.

I've been there, several times, and most recently I ran across this set of easy action steps from a MFP user/blogger to help get started (for the first time or the 10th time), http://www.organizeyourselfskinny.com/2014/04/29/5-things-you-can-do-in-the-next-24-hours-to-start-your-weight-loss-journey/

Going through these really helped me feel some control right away, especially meal planning. If I take a couple hours to plan ahead for the week, I don't have as many tough in the moment decisions that often lead to poor choices. In the last couple of months since I've gotten serious again about my health, I've been able to be gracious with myself and have lost pounds along the way.

Your situation sounds almost exactly like mine! I lost about 40lbs last year, then moved out of state and pretty much lost my routine and good habits, then my dad passed away a few months later, and i got really depressed and also stressed at work. Now about 6 months and 10-12lbs later I'm finally getting back into it.

What helped me get back into it was making a list of all the things that helped me succeed before (progress pics, making small goals, etc.) and a list of all of the things that mess me up (alcohol happened to be on this list for me, along with working out after work). Now im just trying to make small changes as I go so i dont get overwhelmed and discouraged. I'll admit it's been tough looking at the scale and thinking about everything I un-did and where I could be if I hadnt gotten off track, but I'm trying to remember that I'm heading in the right direction and I'd rather move forward, even if it's slow, than to stay where i'm at or to do even more damage. You can do it!! Just make a small step to give you some momentum and before you know it you'll be right back on track!

Don't expect it to come back off in a hurry - but it will come back off. You've done it before, you can do it again.

Bear in mind, it always gets a bit tougher as you age, but also consider you are bringing more to the table as far as wisdom, and the confidence that comes with a prior successful experience.

Megoondas wrote: »

I can totally relate. Two years ago, I did a great job of keeping myself on track and I lost some weight; started to feel really good about myself. Then my grandfather, who lived next door to me growing up, was dying of cancer and I spent lots of my free time with him and my father. He passed in February of 2013, then my other grandfather passed in August of the same year. I put on the weight I lost, and an extra 10 pounds! I stopped making that commitment to myself at the time when it was most important.

I've recently begun getting up at 4:30am every weekday to exercise before work. I pack my breakfast, lunch, and snacks the night before, as well as my work clothes and whatever I need for the next day. Something kicked me in the butt - I don't know what it was...an epiphany? I knew I could do better and be better for myself. Even though I started getting up very early to get my workouts in, I have more energy than I've felt in a long time. I know if I wait until after work to exercise, I won't do it, so I get it done first thing. Within the first week of doing this, I already felt more energized because I realized that I have control over the choices I make. I have two kids at home, a 6- and 7-year-old, and I work full time, so I know what it's like to get home from work then have to do MORE work. But I realized that it's not an excuse.

During that "epiphany," I also realized that this is something I have to do long-term. The changes I've made are ones that I can stick with. I know I can dedicate 45 minutes to an hour of exercise 5-6 times a week, and I know I can stick to the foods I've been eating. I'm not going to lose weight quickly by doing this, but slow and steady wins the race. It's hard work to keep on it, but it'll be worth it...it already is worth it. I feel so much better (I feel in control), and I've started losing weight. You don't need a quick fix, you need to see the big picture.

Megoondas,
This is a phenomenal post!! I was rockin' this weight loss/ exercise thing until Aug 22, 2013- the day my mom died. I took my last "after/ work- in- progress" picture that morning and headed out to plan a funeral that night. I pretend I don't care about my weight gain, but I do. And I pretend that it'll never catch up to me, but it will. Your last line grabbed me and I LOVE it...
"You don't need a quick fix, you need to see the big picture."

Thank you for inspiring me....

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

korishka wrote: »

I started with the 24 Day Challenge and I lost 15lbs.. I wouldn't suggest looking to close at reviews on a website especially because those people are not buying it through a distributor and getting proper support. I stand behind Advocare 100%, a very good friend of mine just hit her 50lb mark because of Advocare. I have reached 20lbs myself. The 24 Day Challenge is a great way to jump back in a long as it is done properly, through a distributor getting the right support, meal plans, and coaching.

What is your friend going to do when it's time to come off of the Advocare? Will she have learned portion control and developed a healthy relationship with food? Is she planning on forking over the cash for the shakes for the rest of her life?

Also buying through a distributor is the worst thing you can do with these types of programs. They'll always have your contact information, they'll always view you as a potential customer, and they'll be there waiting like vultures as soon as the weight comes back.

Actually not really. I am a distributor and I don't have anyone's information. Do you look for people posting about this and bash them? Cause this isn't the only post I've seen from you. I'm not sitting here bashing what you do. If it works for people then it works. It's not for everyone. But yes from personal expierences and watching my friend, it does help teach portion control and want to eat healthier and it's not about having shakes either. In fact, I don't even use shakes. So please don't just assume how people are based on a product they take.

Leave a pair of walking shoes by your door so when you get home the first thing you can do is go for a walk. A small change like this can be the starr. Slowly add in what you can handle (counting calories, changing your dinner plans, drinking more water, then increasing exercise). Start small and set small goals. Let your mind control your body rather than your body controlling your mind. You can do it!