Lost weight, gained it all back. Please help.

Idk if this helps but I too, am in a similar situation. In 2011 I lost 35 lbs & have now gained it back + some. For a long time I ignored that it was creeping back up on me and got comfortable with my unhealthy habits. Now I am back where I started; disgusted with how I look. I finally decided enough is enough. I was depressed about being fat and too embarrassed to go out with friends, so I'd console myself with a bag of chips. Smart thinking right? The most important part is making the decision that you've had enough and want to get healthy again. It's not too late! Just do it! Like you did before. It's possible! It's going to be tough but it'll be worth it in the end and you're not alone

Losing weight is one thing...maintaining is another.

You know how to lose so do that again but learn how to maintain.

I can completely relate as it seems like after a weight gain (of a prior loss), you go through some sort of emotional stages (maybe like stages of grief?) It takes some time to come to terms with where you are at again. And then mustering up the motivation to start that weight loss journey can seem almost impossible.

But here are a few things that I had to come to terms with...
- I don't have a choice but to deal with the weight because if I'm not watching what I eat, I am gaining and it really will not stop. It took me an additional 40 lbs to realize that, accept it, and own it.
- I also realized that my weight is a life long journey and as frustrating and difficult as it is to lose weight, the journey can be empowering and hopeful if you celebrate the small successes.
- The other thing I vow to tell myself and remind myself once I lose weight is to never again let my eating run away from me completely.

Hope this helps because it has taken me so long to get ready for another round in the weight loss ring!

I am in the same boat, lost 38lbs, gained 32lbs back in the last year. It *is* depressing and disappointing and I am frankly amazed at myself. BUT I'm determined to lose it (plus a bit extra because I never did quite reach my goal) and I have a wealth of experience to draw on (though I'm still learning loads of new lessons). I think the main thing is to learn from this re-gain and get down to business again. Like Mart001 said, once you get to goal you gotta keep logging.

Dust yourself off, head up and start again OP - don't dwell on the past, move forward with determination! You CAN do it!!

I too lost almost 30 pounds and gained half of it back in less than 3 months. I go through spurts where I work out like crazy and then I pig out on the couch. I decided to go back to logging everything again and hoping it will get me back to where I want to be. Just stay positive and know you did it before you can do it again. I use MFP to keep me accountable for what I put in my mouth. It really helped me before.

One thing that I've learned on this site is that you need an exit strategy. It's great to lose all the weight, but if you don't have a plan to keep it off, you'll go right back to your old ways and regain it all.

I generally see that people do one of 2 things:

1.) Keep a goal weight range in mind, and if they go above the chosen range, then they go back to calorie restricting.
2.) Continue counting calories like they did when they were losing, just eating at maintenance, rather than having a deficit.

I lost 50lbs on here, but eventually gained back 80. I am so disappointed in myself but I know that just being disappointed wont help. I need to take responsibility and accept what I need to do to change my eating habits. It isnt easy but I am getting there. Feel free to add me as a friend. Sometimes it's easy to be able to talk to people who have been there. You CAN do this!!

I've lost and gained weight several times, although this is my first time using MFP to do so (and this is my biggest "loss in one go" - 70 lbs vs in the past I lost and gained 40 lbs).

I've done a lot of research on weight maintenance and I've done a lot of introspection as to why I've failed in the past. For me, it comes down to a few factors.
1. Not Owning A Scale. Studies show that people don't gain back as much weight when they regularly weigh themselves. I didn't own a scale until 3 years ago. Now I know.
2. Using exercise to lose weight. In the past, I didn't change my eating habits (portions) enough- I just ramped my exercise WAY up. It wasn't sustainable when life happened.
3. Being Perfect. I would severely undereat and go all veggie + lean protein to be "perfect" and then fail and overeat.

You'll have to do some soul searching for yourself about how you got to where you are. The good news is that you know what to do to get there; you just need to figure out how to stay there. Most people don't even know how to get there.

The same happened to me. I lost 85+ pounds with WW, and then put it all back on (and then some). YOU CAN DO THIS. Learn from your mistakes, and realize that you've only given up when you stop trying. Keep going.

I lost 30lbs...gained it all back plus another 10. I finally weighed myself this morning after being in denial. Thank you for posting this thread! I am currently on Pinterest trying to find some yummy and healthy food, and I've already planned to join my old gym.

It's all about changing your habits. Never give up. It's hard to adjust to a new lifestyle, but once you keep your mind to it, it becomes incredibly easy. For instance, I used to drink soda like it was water, now I hate any type of carbonated beverage because I created this new habit. I use Stevia in place of sugar when I make my morning coffee, buy wheat bread instead of white, meal/protein bars instead of candy bars ... these small changes I made keeps my weight at a manageable level. I recommend reading this book: http://www.amazon.com/Making-Habits-Breaking-Things-Change/dp/0306822628/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434999360&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=making+habbits,+breaking+habbits I hope it helps you out, and remember, don't let any set-back stop you from your goals!

I am now in that same boat, thought I was alone. I lost 42 lbs and have gained all but 10 back, starting over again. UGH!

Like people have said, part of the problem for many is that they see the goal weight as the end of the road. Like you "only" have to utilize the tools that MFP or other programs have to offer until you hit that goal and then you've succeeded and the work is done. I hear people say all the time..." I couldn't POSSibly count calories for the rest of my liiiiiiiife!!! What?! are you CRAZY?!!?" As though it's the most difficult thing in the world when it's actually quite simple and not even that time consuming. People I know who will spend hours on a Netflix binge end up looking at me like I've grown a 2nd head if I suggest that keeping a tally of their calories eaten every day might prove more useful than "just trying to eat healthier". Because...you know...that would just take up too much of their time.

Anyhoo the general assumption seems to be that the good habits have gone by the wayside and it's as simple as remembering that you have to keep the habits and look at this as a lifestyle change rather than a diet....but since that's not necessarily what the issue was, I'm curious....WAS it as simple as that? Or was there something else that came along and caused the regain? Can you pinpoint specific events that caused you to go off the rails temporarily? Is there anything that might need to be addressed aside from the making or breaking of basic habits?