Lost Weight, Now Slipping back into Old Habits

Seems to me you are already heading in the right direction - honest recognition of the situation.

Plug in your info, start tracking and logging again. Chances are since you mention bad habits you already know what you need to cut back or cut out.

Once more into the breach...

Statistics suggest this happens to the majority of people who attempt weight loss, so... yes. That doesn't make it a life sentence of it being impossible to control weight, though.

You did it once, you can do it again. It's just a matter of doing the same things you did before- track your food, move more. Consider what changed when you went from losing/maintaining to gaining, and reverse those things, or change your habits to avoid those pitfalls.

Often it's easier when you're losing, I think, because that's goal-oriented. You get little periodic successes. The scale moves down, people notice and compliment you. You can tend to idealize what it'll be like when you achieve your goals.

Maintaining is less glamorous. It's old hat by then. People rarely say, "Wow, you look like you haven't gained or lost weight in months or years!" even though it's just as much work as losing. You find being at your goal weight isn't as great as you thought it would be (it's great, it's just not fantasy-life). The scale doesn't move, which is the point, but also isn't very exciting. The foreverness of "doing this forever" gets more overwhelming. It's easy to think "Well, I'm thin now, one donut won't hurt," and easy for one donut to become four.

The only real tip is to remember that there are only three states- losing, gaining, and maintaining. You're always going to be in one. You have to decide which one you want, and do what it takes to get there. You already know from history that your "default" habits tend to put you in "gaining." So if you don't want to be there, you have to go back to the methods you know work, even if it's a challenge.

I'm the same, except at the moment I'm generally losing weight. The last week has been hard with various friends wanting to go out for food and cinema etc and a wedding yesterday. It's about being focused and vigilant and it will happen

fastfoodietofitcutie wrote: »

This has happened to me multiple times. To get back on track I completely start over. Clean out the cabinets, plan every meal, log and track all food, create a plan for exercise, etc.. Most importantly, get in the right head space. Think about how much you want to lose the weight and all the reasons why and then just do it.

Yes, this is the most important part! It's also the most difficult, for me, anyway. And it's not really something anyone can help us with. We just have to find our own way.

Good luck!

Been there and done that a few times. However each time I get back on track and generally reach a new low. That low reminds me the next time I can do this and how it feels to be there.

I slipped a bit over xmas but have got back into it resonantly well. The last week proved tough but I think I have my head back in the game this week. Sometimes I slip but then I remind myself that I have actually done really well and I am better off than I was a few years ago.

Goals are great, they dont have to be a particular weight. Fitness goals are good as they dont focus on your weight but losing weight can help you achieve that goal. Rewards/incentives for achieving milestones (even mini ones).

I am going on a beach holidays in 3 months, I want to feel good about myself and not hide in photos. But also the holidays will come just after a fun run (I love to run) and not long before a city to surf run event that I have done once and would love to do again. Doing it 2 years ago was such a great achievement for me, I will never forget that my Dad turned up to suprise me at the finish line.