Confessions of a yo-yo dieter

jellio98
jellio98 Posts: 24 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
The first time I tried to lose weight, I was in the 140's. I lost 20 lb and got to my goal - but I achieved this through eating special supplements and pre-packaged foods. As soon as I started to eat normal food, the weight came back, and then some.

The second time I tried to lose weight, I was in the 160’s. Again, I lost 20 lbs, but did not reach my goal weight. I was eating real foods, but it was a very restrictive diet and I got bored eating the same thing over and over again. I gave up. The weight came back, and then some.

The third time I tried to lose weight, I was in the 180’s. I discovered MFP, and liked the idea that I could eat any food I wanted. As I was totally dedicated and determined to lose the weight, I had a calorie goal of 1,200 and an exercise goal of 1 hour per day. I lost 20 lbs, but ultimately the low calorie and high exercise demand was too much. I justified that I needed a cheat/rest day, which came more and more often, until everyday was a cheat/rest day. The weight came back, and then some.

This is the fourth time I’ve tried to lose weight. I started in the 200’s. I’m still using MFP, but I’m taking a much longer-term approach to it. Anything that I’m doing, I’m going to have to be willing to do for the rest of my life. I’ve been at it for about a year, and I’ve lost 50 lbs. I eat a reasonable 1700 calories a day. No exercise required, although I do enjoy walking my dog (with an occasional jog).

Although I have another 20-30 lbs to go until I hit my goal weight, I’m starting to think about what maintenance might be like. Honestly – it scares me a bit. I can lose weight and I can gain weight, but staying the same weight seems so foreign. But I’ve been at it a year and I think I can do this a lifetime. I have the right tools and habits established. I’m optimistic that I have it figured out this time. I hope.

Replies

  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    Well done!

    Quite a few people start wrong, but it's great that you took the time to find out the most realistic way to lose weight and keep it off with a plan that's sustainable - so kudos to you!
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    While I have never used fad diets or supplements, my story is similar. I've yo-yo dieted my entire life as a means to stay at a healthy weight. But gradually over the years the top number has gotten higher until it was outside the healthy range.

    And I too find the notion of staying the same weight foreign. In fact, I'm not even sure I'm going to shoot for that. I imagine I'll spend the rest of my life bobbing up and down. I'm just going to make sure the top number never gets too high again.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I have a story similar to this too. I've done MANY fad diets and a few supplements. The times I actually stuck to it and got to goal was thru journaling (CICO)...not fads.

    Like Needs2Exercise....maintenance is a foreign concept. I can see doing some form of journaling forever.
  • dkingdom1
    dkingdom1 Posts: 60 Member
    I guess I've yoyoed in some sort of fashion. The first time I was 13, 5"3, and weighed 145ish. Then for some reason, I had stomach problems or something that just killed my appetite so I barely ate anything. My weight went down to 130. Throughout the next two years, my weight increased steadily, but still in the 130 range and by the time I was 16, boom I suddenly weighed 154. Then I started eating clean (especially since that was the year I took nutrition class) and in six months, went down to 130 pounds again, but had several complications. Went back to eating "normally" and in another six-seven months, I regained all the weight I lost. A year afterwards, I gained about 15 pounds on top of it (170). Now I am in the high 160s and am just starting to use MFP and my scale as a tool, but I wouldn't trade my past experiences for anything else. My second weightloss trip made me appreciate vegetables and not have to deal with boxes of microwave pizza. And now, I'm learning that calorie counting and weighing food is a "normal" thing, even if some may call it bs.

    So I feel you. Good luck!
  • richardgavel
    richardgavel Posts: 1,001 Member
    I think it's going to be a long time before I stick with maintenance. After I drop to my goal weight, there's going to be a bulk period and I imagine a number of bulk/drop cycles before I get to both my ideal weight and body fat percentage.
  • vespiquenn
    vespiquenn Posts: 1,455 Member
    Most people in maintenance say that it's harder than losing. Realistically, if logging is something you are okay with, there's nothing wrong with continuing into maintenance. It will be benefitial to keep things in check.

    Others in maintenance that I know of give themselves a +\- 5lbs window. Once they exceed that 5lbs, it's time to do something about it.

    Personally, as I near maintenance with around 5-10lbs to go, I'm more interested in strength gains. That also ensures that I am continuing my workouts which can keep my diet in check.

    Great job at your success this time. I think if you have a plan of action once maintenance comes, you will be fine.
  • AnnyHo
    AnnyHo Posts: 1 Member
    You have got to read The Diet Fix. It addresses serial dieting and the trauma that follows. It really gives strategies to live healthy- he recommends keeping a food diary eben after you reach your goal. A few other things he suggests is ensuring all meals have at least 20g and each snack 10g of protein. Another thing that research shows is maintaining some kind of exercise/physical activity. He calls it your tooth brush level. What is the minimum amount of exercise you can commit to daily? Maybe a walk with the dog. Anyways, I've found it very helpful with my own journey. Good luck!

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