Gained it all back!
heathershaw4785
Posts: 30 Member
I am writing this with the hopes of getting the support I need to succeed again. I am 31 years old and started my weight loss journey at 23 when I lost thirty pounds the first time. I had gone from a size 14 to a size 8 and did okay for a while. I reverted back to my old habits (not tracking, large portions, regular alcohol consumption, dessert nightly...) and a few years later I was in the same boat, another 20+ pounds to lose. That was in 2012 and I decided to join weight watchers. A year later I had met my goal weight four months shy of my wedding. Now fast forward three years later and I am a few pounds away from my heaviest... again.
I stopped attending weight watcher meetings after I reached my lifetime goal because I wanted to focus on eating healthy not just counting points. That didn't last long and I began eating big portions and not making smart choices. However, I was still weighing myself and getting moderate exercise. Well that has all gone out the window as well. I stepped on the scale today for the first time in months and am right back where I was all those years ago when this journey started.
Today is a brand new day and I intend to start off fresh. My intention is to track everything I eat and step up my workout game. Have any of you had to start over with your weight loss journey? Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated!
I stopped attending weight watcher meetings after I reached my lifetime goal because I wanted to focus on eating healthy not just counting points. That didn't last long and I began eating big portions and not making smart choices. However, I was still weighing myself and getting moderate exercise. Well that has all gone out the window as well. I stepped on the scale today for the first time in months and am right back where I was all those years ago when this journey started.
Today is a brand new day and I intend to start off fresh. My intention is to track everything I eat and step up my workout game. Have any of you had to start over with your weight loss journey? Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated!
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Last year I lost a bunch of weight. I started at 185 and got down to 158. Like you I stopped worrying about calories and weighing my food. I started eating fast food on the regular. Before I knew it my weight had creeped back up to 185. I decided I needed to make this a lifestyle. In April I started back at it again. Starting weight was around 187. As of today I'm back down to 161 (hopefully lower once TOM is gone). I don't really have any advice as it's going to be a test for me. I just need to have the strength to make it a lifestyle change once and for all.3
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I think the key here is finding a plan that works for you. When you "diet," do you cut out foods all together? Typically that is the biggest weight loss foul yo-yo dieters make. What it essentially comes down to is that you need to create a lifestyle you can live the rest of your life, not just when you hit goal. Most say that maintenance is harder than losing. I think all of us have been in your shoes at least once. You clearly know how to lose. But you will need a plan for after that.4
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Thank you for your reply @lauraesh0384
When you say a lifestyle change do you mean tracking everything you eat? I realize my biggest downfall is in the evening where I do a lot of snacking in front of the T.V.0 -
Thank you @vespiquenn
That reminds me of a saying, "fail to plan, plan to fail". I have definitely been guilty of that. The feedback is much appreciated and it actually helps to know more have been in this same position.0 -
This is me exactly, total yo-yo dieter. This time I'm taking it slowly, tracking everything I eat, exercising more and generally just making healthier choices. I think I will need to always use MFP even once I reach target, to maintain, but that's ok. This time I also aim to keep weighing myself regularly to keep myself in check, rather than falling off the wagon hard and living in denial!1
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I have been in the same boat as you. I have gone up and down in weight a few times. The last time I lost weight it wasn't even by trying. I had my gallbladder removed and found out I had IBS and hiatal hernia and struggled to keep food down. When I finally got to eating again I overdid it and shot up to 182lbs, my heaviest. I have completely revamped my diet. I have found ways to eat fun stuff and not feel deprived. For me this time it is easier because of my stomach problems. I feel so crappy after I eat the wrong stuff it makes me not want to. But I am also going slow. I'm counting and being harder on myself on the week days and being less strict on the weekends. This way I don't ever feel like I'm missing out. And because the weight lose is going a bit slower, I will be building these habits for longer before I meet goal weight. I may stop weighing and counting everything but I have gotten into a good habit of cooking now and everything I make because of my stomach restrictions are pretty low calorie. So I think I can do it.
Just believe in yourself. Make a choice and stick with it. Find a balance that works for you where you can eat right without feeling like it is a lot of work or effort.1 -
Yes @NatalieLJ I have definitely been living in denial!! Thank you for your feedback. Do you weigh once a week?0
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I am getting close to maintenance and it scares the crap out of me. I don't want to regain again. I've been telling myself the following to make sure I stay in the right mindset:
To lose weight, you need to maintain a calorie deficit. You do this by counting calories in, and making sure that they are less than your TDEE (calories out).
To maintain your goal weight, you need to maintain eating calories at (or below) your TDEE. Forever. Regularly eating above your TDEE causes weight gain. Prioritize this lifestyle change to eat and move to maintain your goal weight body forever. ETA: going back to old habits is equivalent to eating to get your heavy weight body back and maintain it that way.2 -
heathershaw4785 wrote: »I am writing this with the hopes of getting the support I need to succeed again. I am 31 years old and started my weight loss journey at 23 when I lost thirty pounds the first time. I had gone from a size 14 to a size 8 and did okay for a while. I reverted back to my old habits (not tracking, large portions, regular alcohol consumption, dessert nightly...) and a few years later I was in the same boat, another 20+ pounds to lose. That was in 2012 and I decided to join weight watchers. A year later I had met my goal weight four months shy of my wedding. Now fast forward three years later and I am a few pounds away from my heaviest... again.
I stopped attending weight watcher meetings after I reached my lifetime goal because I wanted to focus on eating healthy not just counting points. That didn't last long and I began eating big portions and not making smart choices. However, I was still weighing myself and getting moderate exercise. Well that has all gone out the window as well. I stepped on the scale today for the first time in months and am right back where I was all those years ago when this journey started.
Today is a brand new day and I intend to start off fresh. My intention is to track everything I eat and step up my workout game. Have any of you had to start over with your weight loss journey? Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated!
Oh God... I have had to restart many times. At my heaviest I was 268 lbs. An now 195 and have found that mfp really DOES work.... But I do have to weigh daily to keep on track.2 -
heathershaw4785 wrote: »Yes @NatalieLJ I have definitely been living in denial!! Thank you for your feedback. Do you weigh once a week?
I weigh daily, so I can track the fluctuations and also to keep me accountable - if I weighed weekly, I'd end up eating badly because I'd tell myself there's still x number of days until weigh-in so it will be fine, lol. My weight loss is quite slow, so I also use Trendweight to see the trend as well as the actuals, which keeps me motivated and on track.3 -
How many lb/kg are you hoping to lose, btw? I suspect we may be similar.1
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heathershaw4785 wrote: »I am writing this with the hopes of getting the support I need to succeed again. I am 31 years old and started my weight loss journey at 23 when I lost thirty pounds the first time. I had gone from a size 14 to a size 8 and did okay for a while. I reverted back to my old habits (not tracking, large portions, regular alcohol consumption, dessert nightly...) and a few years later I was in the same boat, another 20+ pounds to lose. That was in 2012 and I decided to join weight watchers. A year later I had met my goal weight four months shy of my wedding. Now fast forward three years later and I am a few pounds away from my heaviest... again.
I stopped attending weight watcher meetings after I reached my lifetime goal because I wanted to focus on eating healthy not just counting points. That didn't last long and I began eating big portions and not making smart choices. However, I was still weighing myself and getting moderate exercise. Well that has all gone out the window as well. I stepped on the scale today for the first time in months and am right back where I was all those years ago when this journey started.
Today is a brand new day and I intend to start off fresh. My intention is to track everything I eat and step up my workout game. Have any of you had to start over with your weight loss journey? Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated!
I think you just told my life story...I am in the same boat and have been in this boat too many times. I am focused at working hard to lose it and this time keep it off. MFP is a great tool and is keeping me on track. I have about 65 lbs to lose. I am trying to do it slow and making lifestyle changes I know I can continue. My weight is kind of at a standstill after losing the last 2 weeks. I feel lighter, but the scale is not reflecting it. I trying to focus off the number and go with how I feel. Ordered a tape measure to do some measurements.....WE CAN DO THIS!! Feel free to add me as a friend if you would like!
-Tena1 -
vespiquenn wrote: »I think the key here is finding a plan that works for you. When you "diet," do you cut out foods all together? Typically that is the biggest weight loss foul yo-yo dieters make. What it essentially comes down to is that you need to create a lifestyle you can live the rest of your life, not just when you hit goal. Most say that maintenance is harder than losing. I think all of us have been in your shoes at least once. You clearly know how to lose. But you will need a plan for after that.
I gained back 10 lbs
I think a lot of problems is I haven't developed a good enough diet lifestyle to stick with1 -
I do find maintenance kind of harder than weight loss, but also when you're at maintenance you have already reached a goal and come a long way. Make sure you never forget all the work you did, and make sure whatever you decide to do, you can do for the rest of your life. Balancing calories for people struggling with weight is somehow not as intituitive as it is for "naturally" slim people. I do believe in many cases it is necessary to track permanently because it is the only way to have a sense of what your energy intake actually is. And that is the key of weight management.1
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When you think about it, we don't really get that many more calories to eat during maintenance. 250-500 more calories max per day.2
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I've been doing the up and down my whole life. This changed when I joined MFP. I'm not saying MFP is what changed it. Rather, it was my mindset. Tracking calories is not the goal. It's just a way of measuring while you figure out how to eat better. I find it to be a lot of rethinking my relationship with food. Here are some examples of what changed for me. When I sit down to a meal now, the first thing I do is take stock of what will be served. If I don't see, I'll ask. My wife knows that I always ask if she has any surprises lined up. This way, if there's a desert I really like, I'll eat a bit less during the meal. I also make sure never to be full if there's another course coming up. I used to eat whatever was put in front of me. Now, I'll decide before I start eating what I will eat and what I'll leave over. Another thing is not to put too much in my plate. For example, if I'm eating a steak at a BBQ, I'll put half in my plate and half in middle of the table. If I want more, I will take some more guilt free. But that way I don't eat it all if I'm already full.
Living with this mindset helps you feel satisfied after every meal. I never feel deprived or even that I want more after a meal. Quite the opposite. I used to feel horrible after overeating at a big meal. I feel so much better now.
Another thing is that I don't cut out any food that I really like. I have ice cream about once in two weeks. I plan for it and eat it guilt free.
Bottom line, don't let counting calories be the end goal. Use it to know that you're eating the right amount.1 -
I think the biggest thing is you have to commit to changing your relationship with food for life. Not for the duration of your "diet". Pretty much everyone gets to goal, thinks yahoo I did it! And hits the donuts. It's a recipe for disaster.
For me (and this is really the first time I've properly been committed to losing weight but I haven't found it hard or stressful, because I'm committed) it's about not trying to lose too aggressively and making sure I still live my life. I will get off track and that's okay as long as I nip it in the bud. I must make sure not to deprive myself of my favourite foods because I need to see how to practically make them fit as I will be eating those things for the rest of my life. And at all times I will have to vigilant probably because I have a tendency to let things creep. I am great at seeing it happening now though and reigning myself back in.4 -
I'm 5'7'' too and was aiming for about 136lb to 140lb, which is where I've been before and felt and looked a lot better (all my weight goes on my stomach and legs). This time I may stop at being a little heavier as I'd like to tone up and add some slight muscle definition so I'll see how I get on. This time I reached 168lb, which was my heaviest, and am currently just over 154lb, so about half way there I guess. It's all a bit rough as I tend to weigh in kg.1
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heathershaw4785 wrote: »Thank you for your reply @lauraesh0384
When you say a lifestyle change do you mean tracking everything you eat? I realize my biggest downfall is in the evening where I do a lot of snacking in front of the T.V.
My advise for that...Don't Buy It! Just get rid of the temptation all together. That said, I am not one to throw out food but as it's left the house I have not replaced it and don't intend to.
Don't beat yourself up, we are all a work in progress from the inside out
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After losing and re-gaining over the years, I am again in the process of losing. While looking at MFP reports one day, I started looking at the weight fluctuations and noticed a very distinct pattern. And, I can't even believe that I didn't notice it before. Over the past 3 or 4 years, I have started "dieting" as spring/summer approached. By end of summer each year, I was more than half way to my goal weight. But as fall came on, I quit tracking and fell off the MFP radar . . . every . . . single . . . year. Clearly, the cool crisp temperatures, more forgiving attire, and calorie laden treats of Autumn are my calorie counting Kryptonite. The challenge now is to be aware of my pattern and work harder to maintain my weight loss way of eating year-round. Sounds simple enough. But apparently I absolutely lose all form of sense from October to about April or May.1
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heathershaw4785 wrote: »Thank you for your reply @lauraesh0384
When you say a lifestyle change do you mean tracking everything you eat? I realize my biggest downfall is in the evening where I do a lot of snacking in front of the T.V.
When I say lifestyle change I mean everything. Tracking calories, exercising regularly and just making smart decisions. Granted, you don't have to exercise, but I enjoy it and it allows me to eat more food. Plus when I don't exercise I turn into a sloth and don't have the energy or motivation for anything. When I gained all my weight back I stopped tracking my calories, didn't exercise (my only activity was really at work). I was eating loads of calories in excess of what I burned.
I had a bad habit of being a night time eater so I made the decision to cut myself off around 8pm. I would go rummaging through the kitchen not because I was hungry, but because I was bored. If you need to snack on something while watching TV, they have Smart Pop 100 calorie bags. A pretty good size bag for only 100 calories. I really like the kettle corn.
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VintageFeline wrote: »I think the biggest thing is you have to commit to changing your relationship with food for life. Not for the duration of your "diet". Pretty much everyone gets to goal, thinks yahoo I did it! And hits the donuts. It's a recipe for disaster.
For me (and this is really the first time I've properly been committed to losing weight but I haven't found it hard or stressful, because I'm committed) it's about not trying to lose too aggressively and making sure I still live my life. I will get off track and that's okay as long as I nip it in the bud. I must make sure not to deprive myself of my favourite foods because I need to see how to practically make them fit as I will be eating those things for the rest of my life. And at all times I will have to vigilant probably because I have a tendency to let things creep. I am great at seeing it happening now though and reigning myself back in.
^^^This. I've been yo-yoing my whole life too, but due to a health issue last year, I've had to change my relationship with food. I've learned to understand when I'm hungry vs. when I'm bored. I've learned I don't need to eat as much, and truthfully, I feel a lot better when I don't overeat. I strive to eat a fruit/vegetable at every meal (I eat 5x/day), and have weaned myself off sugary foods. I don't limit anything, but I'm conscious of my macros and calorie goals.
This is not easy, but as VintageFeline said, this is for life. It's a marathon, and not a sprint. You've got to be committed and live your life this way - not just as a temporary diet - if you hope to maintain your goal weight.
I spent 4 months making sure my mindset was steady with the food relationship before I started with the exercise piece. I've signed onto ClassPass, and I now do at least 5 classes a week - sometimes even in the morning!! :-O I've been working hard, but I realize this is just the beginning... and that realization excites me. The possibilities are endless!!
Best of luck OP! I hope you're able to make the changes and stick to them to make you happy over the long haul.2 -
I recently found myself in the same boat as you, lost a ton of weight, got bored with keeping track and gained it all back plus a couple of extra pounds within 3 years.
My biggest advice for everyone that's gone through something similar is the thing that finally worked for me personally: Don't ignore the psychological aspect!
A big part of my weight gain had to do with my depression issues and lack of self-love. Once I had a handle on the depression (after plenty of therapy) I got to work on my problem with self-esteem. Once I learned to love myself exactly as I am (extra pounds and all), I began taking better care of myself and the weight started just falling off.
Now, 9 months since that drastic change in my perspective, I've lost almost 30 pounds. I need to lose about 20 pounds more, but I feel that it's easier this time around than it has ever been before. And it's all due to the fact that I actually love myself for who I am instead of how I look.
Best of luck with your weightloss journey!3 -
heathershaw4785 wrote: »Yes @NatalieLJ I have definitely been living in denial!! Thank you for your feedback. Do you weigh once a week?
I weigh daily, so I can track the fluctuations and also to keep me accountable - if I weighed weekly, I'd end up eating badly because I'd tell myself there's still x number of days until weigh-in so it will be fine, lol. My weight loss is quite slow, so I also use Trendweight to see the trend as well as the actuals, which keeps me motivated and on track.
What a cool little website. First time I'm hearing of it. I also weigh daily and try to do a weekly average to account for fluctuations. Trendweight does the math for me. Really cool!2 -
I have yoyo'd plenty over the years. For the first time ever I am convinced that I'm done with yoyoing. I am throwing out clothes and plan to get my wedding ring resized. This confidence comes from having lost the weight very slowly. So slowly that I don't feel as though I've been dieting. And whenever I slip up (and I do), it's easy to jump back on track. Previously, once I'd had a bad day I procrastinated restarting the diet until I felt "I was ready" again. Often months went by. I procrastinated because I made the diets too difficult. I know it's nice to get to goal quickly but lasting results are more important imo.2
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Thank you @CorneliusPhoton for your reply.
I realize, like a lot of things in life, weight loss is 20% head knowledge and 80% behavior. I have the knowledge part of it down but the behavior is a different story. I do really appreciate your feedback because it shows that you are knowledgeable on the subject and knowledge is power! Now if I could just channel that into will power I'd be set!0 -
megzchica23 wrote: »I have been in the same boat as you. I have gone up and down in weight a few times. The last time I lost weight it wasn't even by trying. I had my gallbladder removed and found out I had IBS and hiatal hernia and struggled to keep food down. When I finally got to eating again I overdid it and shot up to 182lbs, my heaviest. I have completely revamped my diet. I have found ways to eat fun stuff and not feel deprived. For me this time it is easier because of my stomach problems. I feel so crappy after I eat the wrong stuff it makes me not want to. But I am also going slow. I'm counting and being harder on myself on the week days and being less strict on the weekends. This way I don't ever feel like I'm missing out. And because the weight lose is going a bit slower, I will be building these habits for longer before I meet goal weight. I may stop weighing and counting everything but I have gotten into a good habit of cooking now and everything I make because of my stomach restrictions are pretty low calorie. So I think I can do it.
Just believe in yourself. Make a choice and stick with it. Find a balance that works for you where you can eat right without feeling like it is a lot of work or effort.
Health problems don't make this any easier, that is for sure! I too was diagnosed with IBS and eating salads the last few days have been really rough on my system.
It is hard for me to to stick to 1200 calories a day. I have tracked breakfast, lunch and one snack and I only have 350 calories left for the day! So what ends up happening is that I eat anyway I just don't track. This has been my downfall most recently. I think you are right, I need to believe in myself and stick with it!0 -
heathershaw4785 wrote: »megzchica23 wrote: »I have been in the same boat as you. I have gone up and down in weight a few times. The last time I lost weight it wasn't even by trying. I had my gallbladder removed and found out I had IBS and hiatal hernia and struggled to keep food down. When I finally got to eating again I overdid it and shot up to 182lbs, my heaviest. I have completely revamped my diet. I have found ways to eat fun stuff and not feel deprived. For me this time it is easier because of my stomach problems. I feel so crappy after I eat the wrong stuff it makes me not want to. But I am also going slow. I'm counting and being harder on myself on the week days and being less strict on the weekends. This way I don't ever feel like I'm missing out. And because the weight lose is going a bit slower, I will be building these habits for longer before I meet goal weight. I may stop weighing and counting everything but I have gotten into a good habit of cooking now and everything I make because of my stomach restrictions are pretty low calorie. So I think I can do it.
Just believe in yourself. Make a choice and stick with it. Find a balance that works for you where you can eat right without feeling like it is a lot of work or effort.
Health problems don't make this any easier, that is for sure! I too was diagnosed with IBS and eating salads the last few days have been really rough on my system.
It is hard for me to to stick to 1200 calories a day. I have tracked breakfast, lunch and one snack and I only have 350 calories left for the day! So what ends up happening is that I eat anyway I just don't track. This has been my downfall most recently. I think you are right, I need to believe in myself and stick with it!
Boom. Here's your issue. Pick a less aggressive weight loss goal. I can almost guarantee this has been your downfall in the past. There is no need for a 5'7 woman to be eating 1200 calories a day, no wonder you can't keep it up for any length of time and hit the food like a starved dog once you get to goal! You're hungry!
And do you exercise? And eat any of those calories back?3
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