having a difficult time, mad at myself

That's some wonderful achievement you have under your belt! And good on you for realizing that you're slipping. Even better that you're here and talking about it! That's really wonderful. I have no doubt that you can get right back to where you want to be.

Not sure what I want to say here except that I can identify and sympathize with you. I've noticed too that when I take care of myself, I'm less tolerant of disrespect & nonsense from others, and I find it interesting that's what you seem to be missing the most. I think it's a good sign, because it shows you are in tune with how you feel and is great non-scale motivation.

You recognized it before it got to out of control. Be proud of yourself for that.

You can do it...

My advice is to focus on making tasty meals. If I have tasty, satisfying meals, I don't feel the need to eat as much junk food.

Honestly though, I very rarely have sweet buns or cake anymore, just because it doesn't fill me up at all for the calories. I have pizza when I really crave it, but just two slices of plain cheese pizza. Find lower calorie/more filling options that satisfy you... For example I love Chobani flips, it tastes like dessert for 180-240 calories, but gives you protein and good fats too (the new Oikos crunch have even less calories). And I've found that an apple can be very satisfying as well (but only honeycrisps or pink ladies for me).

ahoy_m8 wrote: »

I identify, OP. I will go a couple days eating more (especially more sweets), and I just want more on top of healthy meals. For me, it's just like you said: I have to practice self control and say "No."

I don't wig out about high days if my weight is in my maintenance range, but I do try to balance it out with lower days over a week or 2. If I'm over my range, I exercise more self control, more planning effort, and go into a slight deficit for a few weeks. Best of luck!

This jumped out at me. I relate. The idea of "eat a tasty, satisfying meal and then you won't eat much junk food" doesn't work for me. I can eat the wholesome meal and then want loads of sweets on top of it.

So it's a habit/ritual thing for me. Netflix and snacks downstairs by the fire! I find that I have to interrupt the habit. That's what's hard and that's what takes so much time.

Awareness is always a good starting point.

fiddletime wrote: »

I'd pick one thing to stop today- like chocolate cake. None for a week. Then the pizza, chips, or the next big culprit. Then start counting calories again. I've started over and it was harder for me the second time and I went more slowly. Once I got back to exercising and cut out a couple of trigger foods it got easier and my eating frenzy got less. Then I started counting calories since I knew I was close to being able to get below. Or, you can go straight for it. Fast not slowly. Good luck.

@fiddletime ,this is really helpful advice! At least it's helped me the last few days.

Great advice here! And OP, you've noticed and acknowledged the issues, especially by putting it out there. Good advice for some of us (yo-yoers)!

Sounds like my story. 220 top weight, got all the way down to 149, 2 months ago 170...wth...just time to take back what's mine. Back at it. And it's been hard. 164 now but it's a battle that never ends. You're not the only one. Thank you for sharing because it helps me know I'm not either

I think we all have that trait where once the floodgates open on the junk food intake, we just sort of go full speed ahead. I have to be very careful and thoughtful about how and where I eat junk food, otherwise its open season on the pantry!

Now that I've reached my goal weight range, I'm being a bit more flexible in my diet, trying to up my calories, and find that happy medium. So I may choose one night a week to have something "special", but I'll try to plan it and include it in my daily allotted calories. It might be a cookie, or a beer, or a piece of chocolate. Not a whole 6-pack or a whole box of cookies, but a very thoughtful, pre-planned treat to reward myself for working out and staying on track.

I can't do the loosey-goosey thing where I just randomly decide to grab a handful of chips or sweets or junk or whatever, because it'll just lead to me over-doing it and then beating myself up. So I find that planning my indiscretions works much better! Even if its just planning a night out for dinner, at least I know ahead and can plan my calories for the day around it (generally speaking).

This is still the part of maintenance that messes with my head: I can eat more, I don't have to be so strict, but I'm afraid to fall back into bad habits so I stay on the fairly straight and narrow path. I suppose I'll start wandering farther off at some point...

Recommend the podcast Psychology of Eating - Marc Davis. Very compelling insights on emotional eating and self image. I find it motivating to understand the science behind food cravings etc. it's helpful to understand your personal triggers. As others have said - you've got this! You know how to do this and you will get back on track!!

You totally have this! Remember....doing YOU is not selfish. It is love!