Restarters: What's different this time?

This time I will try to be more aware if depression comes sneaking back, and not let it sideline me. I know I can eat pretty much whatever I want if I exercise regularly, and exercise helps with depression. My depression doesn't always manifest itself in sadness. Sometimes it's just apathy or irritability. So it's too easy for me to say, "Meh, I don't want to run today," and eat some chocolate instead. Double whammy, because going for a run would make me feel better, and if I still wanted that chocolate, it would fit better in my calories.

But all in all, with all the stressful things (death in the family, job loss, money problems, legal issues, injuries, expensive home repairs, etc.) that happened during my depressive episode, getting through it gaining ~20 pounds doesn't seem all that bad. There's certainly worse ways to cope than eating too much, so I'm not beating myself up about it.

I've tried a few times over the years, or more than a few times. I've been big for just about ever- since older childhood. Hit 190 around 13 years of age.

1. My motivation to make the changes this time was different and more powerful. I got gestational diabetes when pregnant with my son and I was so upset. I changed the way I ate and walked for exercise- lost weight with the approval of my Dr. during pregnancy. About a year after he was born, my weight soared to a place I never thought I'd see. Being tired all the time, moody, and not being able to feel like I could keep up with my new toddler all pushed me into making a serious commitment.

2. Knowledge is power. And it was so simple- calories in, calories out. Coming to MFP and actually taking a good hard look at everything I was eating and portion sizes was a real eye-opener. I'm not sure if I could ever go back to eating the way I did because I could look at food and do a pretty good estimate now and many times that's enough to say No or I'll only eat a small portion of it. The forums have also been tremendously informative.

3. I got serious about exercise and slogged through it on days I really didn't want to. This improved my energy and mood. So even if I'm not feeling it, I still force myself to do something- even if it's just rocking around the house cleaning or a walk.

This time around I'm taking more advantage of the FREE support from other active MFP members. Before many of my support group centered around friends/family who have simply lost interest. Now I enjoy logging in and seeing what other's are doing to stay motivated, new recipe ideas, and to stay active and often I incorporate their ideas into my own plan.

For me, buying a food scale and using it almost religiously. In the past I logged my food but was constantly underestimating my calories. I lost maybe 20# before, and gave up. This time I am down 55#, I eat what I lil, but I'm very honest with myself now. I only cut out foods that I would overeat/drink lil soda, chips, and cookies. I can now eat those things in moderation, 6months later, but tend to choose lower calorie options(100cal snack packs or diet soda) so that I can eat more filling foods.

And I've been participating in challenge groups where I meet certain cardio, strength, and flexibility goals each week. This has helped me in so many ways, not food related. I am just achieving overall success tho time around! I am still about 50# from my goal, but I am so much closer than any attempts of fad diets/logging that I've done in the past!

pinklotus_56 wrote: »

I finally dropped all my bullsh*t excuses.
Yes, I can make time to work out.
Yes, I can find the energy to cook healthy food after a long day at work.
No, I don't have to turn to food when I'm stressed, sad, angry, bored.
No, having a full time job and 2 small children is not an excuse to continue to be unhealthy.
And so on and so forth.

This! (Except I don't have 2 small children.) It is less about the food and exercise plan, and more about my mindset. I have a food and exercise plan, but that is just an assist. I keep repeating to myself: "This time, I'm going to be stronger, I'm not giving in." And, however long it takes is how long it will take. I'm a little over a year and a half into it, 76 pounds down, and I think it will take at least another year or so to get to goal. That's ok! I have the time!

1. What's different about the diet you're using this time?
I am counting calories and keeping track of my macros so I am in ketosis - vLCHF so I am eating fewer carbs. I don't find the calorie counting helpful because I feel like I should eat more on days I am hungry and less on days I felt the need to eat more. When not counting calories, it seemed simpler and I lost at about he same rate. This time I just keep an eye on calories now while I juggle macros.

2. What are you doing differently this time to make sure you can stick to it long term?
I lot all my weight 5 years ago by eating foods that had no added sugar and were not highly processed, excluding a few foods like plain Greek yogurt. It was a diet though and as soon as I reintroduced flour and sugar into my diet my health and weight started to return.

This time I have health issues that have made me realize that this is not a diet. This is a WOL. I can't quit or my problems will return. The difference this time is that I know I have to stick to it or face poor health and possible future medication. It is quite a motivator.

This time I looked in the mirror and felt I was truly letting myself go. I felt out of control. In the past, I tried to do the 1200 calorie thing. I also didn't log everything. It was willy-nilly. I didn't feel fully committed.

This time, I log everything. I'm consistent. (I have a 120 day streak going - waaaaay more than ever before.) I have a reasonable weekly weight loss goal (thanks MFP'ers for that one!) I exercise a lot so I can eat even more good stuff. And yes, I'm vain... I'll be 40 in a year and I want to look the best I ever have in a bikini. Oh, and I also want to run a marathon when I turn 40, and I feel like losing a bit more weight will help with my running.

wiggawaggle wrote: »

If you're here because you're restarting, have previously tried losing weight, but didn't quite work out and so now you're trying again... then i have two questions about how you are ensuring success this time

1. What's different about the diet you're using this time?

2. What are you doing differently this time to make sure you can stick to it long term?

This time I am looking at it long term rather than just a temporary "diet". I am eating the foods I enjoy at a reasonable deficit, not going gung ho crazy trying to drop 1000 calories a day which always led to binges. I am content with losing .5 to 1 pound a week.

I bought a digital food scale and I weigh everything now which has been incredibly eye opening. I spend a lot of time on the community boards for motivation and support.

I lost 35 lbs 2 years ago then got pregnant and gained all of it back plus some. After I had my daughter I didn't care too much about my weight then one day I decided enough is enough and remembered how good I felt being thin. For me it's all mental, when I want pizza I say "if you eat this you'll be hungry later anyway so you might as well eat something healthier". I think about the consequences of everything before I eat it. When I get food thought I quickly get busy doing something so I don't think about food.

ejb06070 wrote: »

If I fail this time, I can basically kiss my dream of becoming a doctor "goodbye" since obese people are less than half as likely with those with the exact same stats to get accepted. On top of that, I'd be throwing away close to $40,000 that I used to get my Associate's and Bachelor's.

How would Admissions have a clue to your weight?