Hopeless

Can you think of it as skill-sets? You're ahead of most people in that you know how to lose weight. You just don't know how to keep it off yet. I found it helpful to read the success forums and maintenance forums. This sounds like flip advice but I do understand how %$#@ hard this is. I felt the same desperation and helplessness. I now just keep telling myself it's about skills I have to learn and I'm open to trying all sorts of stuff. I just got a book by beck recommended on the forums about thinking like a thin person. I've loaded the Libra app to check my weight loss trends. I'm going to add extra protein in the morning. I've got a lowcal meal in my slow-cooker. If I keep on keeping on, I'll get there. Just start again with a small step.

This is my first post, but I felt as though I needed to respond because I can completely relate. I've been aware of being overweight since I was 9 years old. I exercise diligently (spin, elliptical and weights) and I eat healthy, well-balanced, properly proportioned meals, but I continue to gain weight. I'm currently approximately 50 lbs overweight. Why? Because I am out of control with snacking (at night, weekends, when I'm bored, etc). I love and crave junk food all of the time. I've always wished for more "willpower".

Two weeks ago, I finally did something I never thought I would do. I signed up for 3 sessions with a hypnotherapist. I've read about success with hypnotherapy but was still very doubtful. I read tons of articles and searched for someone in my area. I was asked to complete a questionnaire, sat down and talked for 90 mins, and then went through my first session. The hypnotherapist planted suggestions regarding junk food (cookies, candy, chips, brownies, etc) being very distasteful to me and he reminded me of how much I love berries and lean protein. I truly didn't think I was "hypnotized" because I was aware of everything and even while I was under, I questioned why I was doing this.

Immediately following the session, and consistently, for the past 2 weeks, I could really care less about junk food. I've been to 3 social events, complete with all kinds of desserts and it's not a matter of summoning up "willpower". It simply doesn't call to me like it used to. I don't have that nonstop struggle between "I want it so badly, but I really shouldn't".

With the junk food addiction sidelined, I'm able to focus on proper planning and nutrition, and I have the control that I have always, always, always struggled with. You likely know what you have to do, but until you can get your mind to support you, it will always be so hard. I've always envied the people that wouldn't give into food temptation. I've never been one of those, but feel right now as though I am.

Consider what additional help you need. The associated cost may be very difficult to absorb, but after struggling for years and years, I temporarily took on a part-time job in an effort to save money up for this therapy. I was feeling that desperate.

I wish you luck.

Yes! I felt that way from age 9 to 59. Then I had my "aha" moment and said "enough." It took me 1 & 1/2 years to lose 95 lbs, but I did it. I've kept most of it off for an addition 2 1/2 years. I'm still trying to lose some "winter accumulation" but I know I'll always have to log, weigh and measure all my food as best I can and forgive the slip ups (after all, I'm human). You are soooo worth good health and only you can choose to give that gift to yourself. You CAN do it!

I am right there with as well. And my body just seems like it doesn’t want to let go the extra pounds. I have tried so many things and as quickly as I decide to this a week later the motivation to do it is gone.
This time I’m starting in stages. And telling myself everyday that this change will take time. I am human skip ups are going to happen. And to just do the changes I tell myself each week.
I can do this

YOU Can do this

It sucks. Just plain and simple, but it is what is is. As unfair as it is, some of us just have to work a hell of a lot harder than others just to get to the starting point. But if you can make it there, and figure out how to stop punishing your body for not being as beautiful and healthy as you'd like, you'd be surprised at how much easier it becomes.
Here are some of the things that have really been helping me. Take whatever works for you...

Break things down into individual behaviors and habits. Instead of looking at this as an all at once, or all or nothing proposition, find ways to break things down into smaller and more sustainable habits. That makes it much easier to pinpoint where something is not working, and fix it, rather than staring at the whole jumbled mess of NOT WORKING. Plus, when you do backslide, you are less likely to drop everything, just one or two habits, that can then be fixed again. Otherwise, trying to everything at once, means that you are likely to leave out something important (like weighing food), and pay excessive attention to things that aren't. (Like fiber drinks and vinegar)
Don't demonize foods that don't actually make you feel bad. Obviously if you have food sensitivities avoid those things, but don't cut out all your favorite goodies because they are not "healthy". Think of your calories as a type of currency. You should purchase the nutrient rich stuff first, budget for regular treats, and don't waste any calories on stuff you hate, even if it is theoretically good for you.
Log EVERYTHING.
Don't JUST weigh (with a scale is best) everything you eat, also write why you are eating it (i.e, lunchtime, hungry, kind of bored, out with friends, watching tv) and how you are feeling right before, right after and an hour after (hungry, comfortable, normal, full, very full bloated, drowsy, OMG I am so damn sick of this crap I want to throw the whole plate out a window, etc).
This gives you a baseline pattern for your normal habits and routine. From there, it's just a matter of experimenting. Are you very full after dinner? Cut back on a few things. Does lunch leave you bloated and gassy after an hour, try less or no mayo, and see if there's something you don't mind dropping each meal (fries, or cheese, or maybe only 2 tacos instead of 3).Are you starving an hour after dinner?Maybe more fats during.
It's amazing how quickly these small and easily sustainable changes will add up to big calorie cuts. Only cut one or two things at a time, until they become habit instead if trying to do everything at once. That way they become individual habits instead of one big "diet".

Have you tried making mini goals (like 10 lbs lost)? Maybe that would break things up and make it seem less daunting? Write your mini goals down and post them somewhere you will see them everyday and can cross them off as you achieve them. Add in a reward or treat for yourself that is NOT food related (pedicure, new shoes, whatever makes you happy!) for each mini goal you reach.

Her is the thing. Willpower and motivation are easy to lose. So set yourself up with good habits.
Spend 3 weeks doing something and it will be a habit.
Start with logging everything before you eat or drink it.
Then a few weeks in add eat no more then the calories mfp gives you to lose 1 lb a week. Keep going. Make it a habit so it is your default and then willpower does not come into it.