Sick and tired of feeling bad.

I'm 48 and have been on MFP for almost 2 years and have lost @ 40 lbs & kept it off (have another 30 or so to go). Like you, I started because I just felt so lousy all the time, and I knew most, if not all of it, was related to my weight & diet. I was watching t.v. one day and a Prilosec commercial came on (I was on the generic equivalent at the time) and I realized how ludicrous it was- "Why give up the awful way you eat and lose a few lbs when you can just take a pill to make the symptoms go away?" I made an account on MFP the same week, though I wasn't thrilled with the thought of having to give up one of the few things that still gave me joy... food. But here's the thing, as many others have pointed out, you don't have to cut things completely out of your diet. Set a *reasonable* weekly weight loss goal (probably not 2 lbs/wk unless you are obese). I was surprised at the number of calories MFP gave me. I logged, cleaned up my diet a little, and learned how meeting my macros helped me stay satisfied, but I didn't have to give up treats & carbs to do so. If I had, it probably would have been too burdensome and I wouldn't have lasted long. Just don't be in too big of a hurry or try to overhaul your entire diet overnight and you'll do fine!

I think for me I'm finding that it has to be REASONABLE. A balance is essential for me to be able to sustain my efforts. I know it sounds cliche but it really is about changing my lifestyle.. like when I'm at home needing to relax or feeling exhausted from my day my go to thought used to be "icecream and couch" because that would make me feel better temporarily. What I'm beginning to think today.. after a long time of practicing new ways.. is "gym and a healthy nutritious dinner" will make me feel better not only now but next week at my weigh in, tomorrow when I don't get tired riding my bike with my daughter. I personally would caution you against an ALL OR NOTHING mindset like this:
"I am going with lower carb no sugar no processed foods."
This is a great goal.. but it's tough to keep up day after day in the beginning.. and I would find this way of thinking to be defeating. If I screwed up I would just go off the rails. Today I follow the 80/20 principle that as long as I'm doing the right things (exercise, sleep, nutrition) 80% of the time I'm going to be moving in the right direction on my health. That leaves that 20% out there for days when I just need a quick easy meal, or want to eat something sweet at a social event, or need to skip the gym for some reason. It doesn't have to be discouraging or the end of the world. I can actually ENJOY it because I know I'm still at my 80/20 and I'm reaching my goals with some flexibility. This mindset makes the process more of a lifestyle change and less of a "diet". It makes it 80% more sustainable. LOL!
Best of luck to yoU!!!

i was down to my ideal weight a few years ago. then like boom..i went back my unhealthy style of eating. this time around i will lose the weight using the same method as before only i am looking into ways to stay at my ideal weight. i won the prize before but then i was lost at keeping it off. my mindset is good right now, i think about all those nights popping antacids, etc. , feeling bloated all night. now these past few days, i am already feeling better. mindset is the key for me. i have all the diet info i need. i wish all of you the best this coming year.

try2again wrote: »

terryearl46 wrote: »

i was down to my ideal weight a few years ago. then like boom..i went back my unhealthy style of eating. this time around i will lose the weight using the same method as before only i am looking into ways to stay at my ideal weight. i won the prize before but then i was lost at keeping it off. my mindset is good right now, i think about all those nights popping antacids, etc. , feeling bloated all night. now these past few days, i am already feeling better. mindset is the key for me. i have all the diet info i need. i wish all of you the best this coming year.

Not saying this is true of you, but another problem with adopting a restrictive diet (eliminating food groups or treats) while losing weight is that, unless a person plans on avoiding those things forever, when it's time for maintenance they often struggle because they add these things back into their diet but haven't had any practice including them in moderation, so they kind of go nuts. We can never go back to our "normal" way of eating, because all of us were eating too much. But that doesn't mean we can't include the foods we enjoy in our diet, now and later, just not as frequently or in such large portions.

This is why I continue to enjoy restaurants in my plan.