Struggling to get back on wagon after Xmas break

gabbyo23
gabbyo23 Posts: 100 Member
edited November 14 in Health and Weight Loss
Argh! I did not see this coming.

I've always been good at taking a little break and getting straight back to it. So when Xmas came around I told myself I could have a week off and smuggly assumed I'd be right back to it.

Over Xmas I ate what I wanted...I didnt go crazy but I just relaxed and had treats when they came up.

But I've been trying to eat at definite since Friday and every day I just go way over. Yes I am aware only I am in control of what I eat. I'm not a beginner. This isn't my first rodeo. I have spent all day feeling hungry and have just shoved my kids left over baked potato (covered in butter and hummus) into my face.

I'm so angry. I found this easy before Xmas. Now a few days off and it's like I can't control myself?!! I even tried just eating at maintenance over weekend but I still went over.

How do I jolt myself back into deficit mode and give myself a shake?!! I'm 3 stone down but I still have at least 2 stone to lose before I'm healthy. I cannot stop now. And at this rate I'll be gaining weight not even maintaining.

Any kind support welcome x
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Replies

  • gabbyo23
    gabbyo23 Posts: 100 Member
    bogwoppt1 wrote: »
    Try pre-logging your food for today and tomorrow, and stick to it. I find that really helps at times like this.

    Thank you. Good advice but I do already pre log 2-3 days on advance x
  • tress29
    tress29 Posts: 614 Member
    It's a lot easier now that all the Christmas candy has been consumed!
  • jazzine1
    jazzine1 Posts: 280 Member
    I'm in the same boat was off for 2 weeks for the holidays and over ate a lot. Now that the big meals, drinking & treats are over with hopefully I can get back on track. Today I'm back to work, I logged all my food and so far I'm doing fine.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    once the xmas goodies are gone, its easier. pre logging helps. as does prepping your meals ahead of time. account for a snack or two if you think you might need it. log accurately, even the bad stuff. seeing it few days in a row usually gets me to pull myself together ;)
  • everher
    everher Posts: 909 Member
    I think you're just going to have to take a few days to adjust. It's going to be hard at first, but just eat within your calories and after you are out of calories, you are out of calories.

  • Trish1c
    Trish1c Posts: 549 Member
    Next time you feel hungry, drink a glass of water. If you are still hungry after that, eat something healthy & low calorie like an apple or some carrots.
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    edited January 2017
    If you find it difficult to reduce the calorie intake right now, try increasing the calorie burn instead. Just some simple exercise like walking for a few minutes each day might help.
  • NicoleMarie2486
    NicoleMarie2486 Posts: 30 Member
    I did the same thing and am struggling getting back into my old routine...
  • daworley
    daworley Posts: 238 Member
    One of the things that has helped me is getting back to working out. I did serious workouts all weekend and feel like my old self again. It is truly difficult, I know from too many past experiences. Start with working out and go from there. I know you will get it...makes me think of Our Lady of Weight Loss..all is forgiven, move on!
  • jennybearlv
    jennybearlv Posts: 1,519 Member
    You came back and logged. That is a massive success! How many people do you think took a holiday break and haven't logged a bite since? Cut yourself some slack and keep logging. You will find your way back on to the track.
  • ahoy_m8
    ahoy_m8 Posts: 3,053 Member
    I hear you on mindlessly eating kid leftovers. A mfp poster said what she does is think about how unhygienic her kids are and how germ infested their food must be. That gave me a good laugh but it does make me think twice before scarfing.

    You've done it before. Just take it one meal at a time... "I will eat the lunch I logged and worry about the rest of the day later." Go through the right motions and your head will catch up. It's just a matter of time (and probably only a couple days). Press on!
  • gramarye
    gramarye Posts: 586 Member
    jennybearlv wrote: »
    You came back and logged. That is a massive success! How many people do you think took a holiday break and haven't logged a bite since? Cut yourself some slack and keep logging. You will find your way back on to the track.

    This. I'm just now, after several very "eat all the food" days, getting down to almost maintenance calories. And even that's been hard -- reminding myself that this isn't an overnight thing, and getting back to my normal slowly isn't ideal, but it's better than not having tried at all.

    For me, a lot of the issue is having my routines messed up. Maybe look at patterns that help you keep your calories under control?
  • gabbyo23
    gabbyo23 Posts: 100 Member
    Well...I crashed and burned again today. I actually binged. Why can't I pull myself together????

    I'm so upset that I'm failing NOW when I'm SO close!!! 11 more lbs and I'll be a healthy bmi. Another 6lbs after that and I'd be my "happy weight".

    Why is this happening now?! After 4 months of success. I know only I can change it. I am responsible. But every morning I wake up ravenous, craving everything in sight and feeling completely unmotivated and miserable and not at all ready to try hard at anything.

    I tried eating maintenance...failed.
    I tried going back to my deficit as normal...failed.
    I tried switching to 5:2...failed after 2 hours!!!
    I even tried 16:8 but I couldn't make it the full 16.

    I'm just so fed up now. I don't know how to get myself back in a good place.
  • gabbyo23
    gabbyo23 Posts: 100 Member
    CynthiasChoice wrote: »
    I'm laughing at myself for giving you advise because I've been in your shoes more times than I can count.

    My latest trick to get me back on track is to "binge" on protein for a few days. I start my meal with a large protein serving and then eat some veggies, but no grains or potato or sweets or anything high glycemic. I don't count calories. I treat myself to steak and rotisserie chicken to my heart's content.

    This way of eating is just temporary and helps me recover from feeling out of control with my eating. Protein and lots of water and the fiber from veggies heals my system somehow, and gets my cravings back under control so I can be at ease with what my wise brain wants me to eat. My childish brain stops it's tantrum because my blood sugar isn't continually spiking and plunging from eating the wrong foods.

    Put all the treats left over from Christmas in a box and put it on a high shelf in the garage. Or give it all away or throw it out. You don't need the temptation right now. It's not that you can never have it again. You just can't have it now while you're healing.

    Thank you this is helpful. I will try upping my protein tomorrow. X
  • SingRunTing
    SingRunTing Posts: 2,604 Member
    Today's a new day.

    I've been doing this for 3 years and I still need to take it one day at a time. I focus on what I can do today and that's it. Yesterday is gone and I'll think about tomorrow when it comes.
  • prettygirlstorm1
    prettygirlstorm1 Posts: 721 Member
    I feel your pain. I went overboard and before yesterday had not been to the gym in two weeks. One of the instructors at the gym told me yesterday she thought something happened to me because I had not missed that many days in the four years that she has been there. I will be turning 50 in less than a month and need to get back into the swing of things. Hopefully this is temporary for both of us. Today is a new day let's start here. Good luck
  • grenachegirl
    grenachegirl Posts: 19 Member
    Oh I hear ya!!! I too had a 3 weak break over Christmas, if it wasn't nailed down I ate it!!! I haven't weighed myself just yet as I'm trying to stay optimistic and hopefully drop some water weight however I know I've gained a fair few pounds. I've lost just over 4 stone in 9 months but want to drop another stone, I'm back logging, weighing my food etc but I've been so hungry it's just not real!!! Hoping it's just my body recalibrating or something and the hunger subsides cos I'm seriously struggling to say on the wagon!!! Good luck x
  • farrell16
    farrell16 Posts: 49 Member
    Yes the holidays can be especially tough.... especially with the sugary treats. Studies have shown sugar is as addicting as cocaine, so having hard time getting off the treats isn't surprising. But you have to look at it in that fashion its a drug and you are trying to get clean. It isn't easy but once you eat clean for 2 to 3 weeks you'll be back on track. As a competitive person I always look at it as a 4 week challenge post Christmas.... I make a bet with a friend to not eat any refined sugars in the month of January.... once I've completed that 4 weeks I have no interest in going back because I feel so much better.

    My approach is looking at it like an addiction and having pride in the fact no food is the boss of me lol. My competitive nature usually helps me push through the tough transition. Hopefully something similar can work for you
  • XXcookiepussXX
    XXcookiepussXX Posts: 19 Member
    I too thought I would be able to just jump right back in, no problemo. I am struggling a little bit more than I would like.

    Right now, my goal is just to do better than the day before. Even a little bit.

    Yesterday, I pre-logged at a deficit. Schedule changed mid-day, got stressed out, ate a huge snack that put me at maintenance. Then, I HAD to indulge "one last time" in candy and finish off the last of the holiday wine (so it wouldn't be there to tempt me, duh). Boom, way over.

    Today, I pre-logged a deficit, but if I go over and hit maintenance, that is at least a little better than yesterday.

    If I hit maintenance calories tomorrow, but hit the gym, that is a little bit better than today.

    It's life. It's messy. We are creatures of habit. It takes time to get back into the swing of things.
  • fifijoaney
    fifijoaney Posts: 21 Member
    U say u have lost 3 stone in four months is that correct?
    I think this is pretty common when losing weight too fast. This just stood out to me as a possible cause.
  • dearcassandrab
    dearcassandrab Posts: 145 Member
    Same thing here. It's been a process but I have slowly got back on track. I'm still dealing with hunger but it's getting better! Just keep at it! You'll get back on track! Just give it some time!
  • NewGemini130
    NewGemini130 Posts: 219 Member
    Whaaa-- baked potato with hummus?!? Two things I love but have never even remotely considered together. I know that was not at all your point but had to comment! I have both a leftover baked potato and red pepper hummus in my fridge....will see what happens tonight after work :)
  • NewGemini130
    NewGemini130 Posts: 219 Member
    Oh yeah- the struggle yada yada- yes, me too. Did happen to pull it together as of yesterday. For me I just need one full day on track. Meal prep + walking helped me, plus a few transition days (more than I wanted) but you'll get there!!
  • Stella3838
    Stella3838 Posts: 439 Member
    I had to go through the fridge, cupboards, and pantry and clear it of all the junk. It's hard if you have others in the home because you might not be able to get rid of everything. I created an "off-limit" shelf. :) Then I went to the store with a clear plan for healthy meals. If I don't have it in the house, I won't eat it. I fell off the wagon a few months ago and really got myself into an unpleasant place. Workouts are back. Cleaner eating is back. And sadly, the beer is out for a while. (I'm highly motivated to bring that back in!) I also created a rewards system that isn't food. Just have to take it one day at a time. Everyday, do it better.
  • crosbylee
    crosbylee Posts: 3,455 Member
    tress29 wrote: »
    It's a lot easier now that all the Christmas candy has been consumed!

    I literally threw the rest out in the garbage. If I can't keep myself out of it, it cannot be in the house.
  • folgers86
    folgers86 Posts: 84 Member
    Right now I'm avoiding the grocery store and ordering health food from a local chain 'cause I can't help myself in the chip/candy/ice cream isles LOL. The struggle is real. I have healthy food at home - frozen veggies that I need to eat and what not but the binge potential is too great if I step inside a store at the moment
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