Why is this so hard?

HazyEyes93
HazyEyes93 Posts: 89 Member
edited December 2024 in Introduce Yourself
Hello, all. I have been back and forth to MFP for years now. A few years ago, something finally clicked and I went from 199 lbs to 120 lbs (didn't hit my goal of 115 but I was happy there). I think the fact that I was so close to 200 lbs really shook me. Since then, a lot of things have happened in my life and I've fallen back into old habits. I've put on close to 25 lbs in the last few months. I don't like that I've let my dependence on food take my life over again, especially since taking on a full time job that is so physically and mentally demanding. Basically, I've put my foot down because I know where this path takes me and I am NOT going back. It doesn't help that this 25 lbs on my figure looks and feels MASSIVE. Anyway, I guess it would just be nice to have some support in this. Losing weight is a very simple formula and not eating an entire pint of ben and jerry's shouldn't be this hard. But it is.

So yeah, hi everyone. Let's be friends.

Replies

  • AnthonyX150X
    AnthonyX150X Posts: 293 Member
    You already proved to yourself that you could lose weight before. Now it is important to find that motivation and drive to get back to where you were. The last time you lost weight, maybe you didn't learn any healthy eating habits that are needed to maintain your weight loss. Make this time different and make this a lifestyle change because once you lose weight, you need to maintain your loss if you don't want to restart all over again.

    Your right, losing weight is a very simple formula, but learning portion control and better eating habits takes time and effort. I don't know how fast you went from 199 to 120, but a healthy rate of weight loss is 1-2 lbs a week. Since you only have 25 lbs to lose, this should be the rate you want to aim for and try not to aim for an excessive deficit. If you haven't already, put your stats into MyFitnesspal's calculator ( age, height, weight, and activity level) to determine your calorie goal and try to aim for that amount.

    Remember there is no rush to lose this weight. A patient, slow, and steady approach will be the best decision for you to pick up on your eating habits and make this a lifestyle change for you to maintain!

    One more thing! There is nothing wrong with Ben and Jerry's, but pay attention to the serving size on the container and you can fit it into your calorie goal if you want it as a treat. There is no reason to deprive yourself of your favorite foods.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    Yup, I won't lie, it's hard. But at least you stopped the downhill slide at 25 lb gained and not the whole thing!
  • briscogun
    briscogun Posts: 1,138 Member
    edited August 2016
    Good points, @AnthonyX150X.

    The first time around when I lost my weight (about 50 lbs) I kept it off for a while but then let it slowly creep back up, almost all of it. Then I decided "enough" and last fall got back to my losing ways and lost most of it over the holidays. I've been pretty much maintaining ever since (a few breaks here or there but nothing drastic). If I get too far off my goal weight I buckle back down and it comes off within a week or two. No giant mountains to climb, just little hills and valleys for me.

    And its true about treats/ice cream. You can have them daily if you want, just fit it into your calorie goal.

    Another thing that has helped me is changing from weightloss goals to fitness goals. When we are all losing weight, there are milestones and measurements and victories on the scale that mark our progress and keep us motivated, but once you reach your goal weight you lose that ability to celebrate your accomplishments because you are just maintaining the status quo. I fell into that the first time. So now I have fitness goals that I'm trying to reach, and it keeps me more motivated to maintain my diet and work out, not because I want to lose but because I want to reach new heights as a fit person.

    Some food for thought... (pun intended)

    Good luck!
  • HazyEyes93
    HazyEyes93 Posts: 89 Member
    AnthonyX150X wrote: »
    You already proved to yourself that you could lose weight before. Now it is important to find that motivation and drive to get back to where you were. The last time you lost weight, maybe you didn't learn any healthy eating habits that are needed to maintain your weight loss. Make this time different and make this a lifestyle change because once you lose weight, you need to maintain your loss if you don't want to restart all over again.

    Your right, losing weight is a very simple formula, but learning portion control and better eating habits takes time and effort. I don't know how fast you went from 199 to 120, but a healthy rate of weight loss is 1-2 lbs a week. Since you only have 25 lbs to lose, this should be the rate you want to aim for and try not to aim for an excessive deficit. If you haven't already, put your stats into MyFitnesspal's calculator ( age, height, weight, and activity level) to determine your calorie goal and try to aim for that amount.

    Remember there is no rush to lose this weight. A patient, slow, and steady approach will be the best decision for you to pick up on your eating habits and make this a lifestyle change for you to maintain!

    One more thing! There is nothing wrong with Ben and Jerry's, but pay attention to the serving size on the container and you can fit it into your calorie goal if you want it as a treat. There is no reason to deprive yourself of your favorite foods.

    You definitely hit the nail on the head with me not learning and committing to healthy eating habits. I lost a lot of weight at a drastically unhealthy deficit. I was eating as little as 500 to 900 calories a day for months on top of an intense HIIT workout routine. The scale went down, but my physical health was bad. Couldn't stand for more than 20 minutes without my heart rate skyrocketing and passing out. Thankfully, I had an amazing support network and successfully maintained at 130 lbs for a long time. Health improved. And then I went to a much more reasonable deficit and ate 1,500 on active days and 1,200 on sedentary days (I'm very short, so this made sense lol). Knowing what I know now, I will never go back to such a ridiculous caloric intake. I don't wanna die emaciated and bald, nor do I wanna die obese with heart disease and diabetes (which runs in my family, yikes).

    And as for the Ben and Jerry's thing, I want the whole pint, man. A 1/2 cup is just gonna make me weep. I'm gonna save those for maintenance days. ;P
    gothchiq wrote: »
    Yup, I won't lie, it's hard. But at least you stopped the downhill slide at 25 lb gained and not the whole thing!

    Seriously! Just the thought of going back to square one is terrifying. Not gonna happen. lol


  • gjw1911
    gjw1911 Posts: 31 Member
    My father always told me "Nothing worth doing is easy"
  • AnthonyX150X
    AnthonyX150X Posts: 293 Member
    DawniDeHart wrote: »
    AnthonyX150X wrote: »
    You already proved to yourself that you could lose weight before. Now it is important to find that motivation and drive to get back to where you were. The last time you lost weight, maybe you didn't learn any healthy eating habits that are needed to maintain your weight loss. Make this time different and make this a lifestyle change because once you lose weight, you need to maintain your loss if you don't want to restart all over again.

    Your right, losing weight is a very simple formula, but learning portion control and better eating habits takes time and effort. I don't know how fast you went from 199 to 120, but a healthy rate of weight loss is 1-2 lbs a week. Since you only have 25 lbs to lose, this should be the rate you want to aim for and try not to aim for an excessive deficit. If you haven't already, put your stats into MyFitnesspal's calculator ( age, height, weight, and activity level) to determine your calorie goal and try to aim for that amount.

    Remember there is no rush to lose this weight. A patient, slow, and steady approach will be the best decision for you to pick up on your eating habits and make this a lifestyle change for you to maintain!

    One more thing! There is nothing wrong with Ben and Jerry's, but pay attention to the serving size on the container and you can fit it into your calorie goal if you want it as a treat. There is no reason to deprive yourself of your favorite foods.

    You definitely hit the nail on the head with me not learning and committing to healthy eating habits. I lost a lot of weight at a drastically unhealthy deficit. I was eating as little as 500 to 900 calories a day for months on top of an intense HIIT workout routine. The scale went down, but my physical health was bad. Couldn't stand for more than 20 minutes without my heart rate skyrocketing and passing out. Thankfully, I had an amazing support network and successfully maintained at 130 lbs for a long time. Health improved. And then I went to a much more reasonable deficit and ate 1,500 on active days and 1,200 on sedentary days (I'm very short, so this made sense lol). Knowing what I know now, I will never go back to such a ridiculous caloric intake. I don't wanna die emaciated and bald, nor do I wanna die obese with heart disease and diabetes (which runs in my family, yikes).

    And as for the Ben and Jerry's thing, I want the whole pint, man. A 1/2 cup is just gonna make me weep. I'm gonna save those for maintenance days. ;P

    I'm glad your committed to put in the work to live a healthy lifestyle! I know you will be happy with your results afterward. Sometimes we need to fail to truly learn something.

    I know what you mean about wanting the whole pint of Ben and Jerry's. I am in maintenance and I usually have the entire pint whenever I eat it! When something taste that good, how can I regret it? :)
This discussion has been closed.

Categories