Let's talk YoYo

Being consistent. Not being too restrictive. Realistic expectations. Sustainable "diet". Exercise that I like doing. Moderation.

I actually had success once I realized that it wasn't a diet but instead a lifestyle change (cliche, I know). I didn't need to restrict myself from eating the things I liked or start eating nothing but salads and chicken breast to lose weight. I set my rate of weight loss to 1lb and started tracking my intake and exercise.

Don't beat yourself up for every little misstep. Learn from them and keep moving forward.

Once I realized that "messing up" once wasn't the end, just a bump. So I stop myself sooner every time.

Then I give myself a do-over. Drink water, do a workout, go for a walk, and make a plan to do better at my next meal. Not tomorrow, not "monday". Right away.

Doing what MFP says has REALLY helped me with my awful habit of yoyo dieting. I found starting with it set to lose .5 pounds a week also really helped because I didn't feel like I was ever starving (hungry, yes, but famished... never)

These past 2 months I haven't lost anything. I only can blame myself because I went on 2 vacations and didn't log at all, but after those 2 vacations I was right back to logging constantly.

I will be on MFP for life...

i agree on making this a lifestyle change. but do it slowly. if you change everything at once you will go back. change the pasta for bown rice, quinoa or farro. eat off a smaller plate. get a food scale but you dont have to plan out your entire day. just weigh your carbs and meat. make sure you arent over eating those. as yu do things gradually it won't be so overwhelming. and you'll stick with it in the long run

I'm finding that what works for others doesn't work for me. I'm trying different things with the ultimate goal of setting myself up for success. I hope to create a "recipe," where I add and remove tools, that I can use for everyday life. Things I've tried/trying...MFP, talking to fit people about what they do and eat, appetite suppressant (with monthly visits to my doctor), asking my doctor questions about my health and my body (I love my doctor!), reading about REBT (rational emotive behavior therapy...good stuff!), incorporating increased activity into my life (more yard work, parking further away from the store), getting to bed by a certain time, removing trigger foods from home (and/or finding a healthy alternative), creating a small support group, and this week I plan to play some Wii games a few nights. I try to shop weekly and plan and prepare meals on Sundays (setting my week up for success). I think key factors for my recent success are planning and variety. Create YOUR own recipe for success. I wish you well on your journey!

Have you considered exercise?

It helped me lose almost 35 pounds over the past 7 months or so, and not only am I losing a pound a week, but I feel so much better than I used to. In fact, I never realized how bad I felt all those years until I started feeling this good.

I got an activity tracker which really motivates me to do activities. I get my 10,000 steps a day in, ride my bicycle about 3 times a week, and recently got a kayak to give me a little upper body action a few times a week.

I started out just walking a mile, then worked my way up. Then the biking and kayaking came as I progressed.

If you progress gradually, you will stand much more a chance for long term success, because you will be making a gradual life style change and develop them into habits. Good habits.

I know a lot of people here don't think exercise is important for maintaining a healthy weight (regardless what the CDC says), and they are probably going to come in here and rip my head off, but it has helped me in a big way, and I am not going to let that deter me from trying to help other with what has worked for me.

Anyway, I wish you luck in whatever you do.