Starting ... again. Sigh

I do this all. The. Time. But the thing is, you’re starting again, you’re giving it another go. Way to go!!!

Focus on getting in the habit of logging everything accurately.

And figure out a way to avoid what happened before. Try to find a way to think long term, so the short term weigh ins do not get you down. Personally I get on the scale most mornings but I only 'count' my most recent 'low' weight. So if I weigh 149 on the 10th but then the scale shows 149.9 on the 12th: I still consider myself 149.

Essentially this comes down to trusting the science, accurate logging, and understanding that water weight will cause fluctuations. The way to keep this mental strategy in check: compare weighins over 30 days. If last month on the 12th I was 153 and this month on the 12th I'm 149.9, things are moving in the right direction.

It can also help if you make fitness goals. If you focus on making your body healthier and more fit, and also eat at a reasonable calorie level: weight loss can be a byproduct. If weight loss is your only objective: it can drive you crazy.

In my personal experience, I can not be successful at losing weight if I am not in the right head space. What you describe, being “on the verge of tears” is not a good place to start. I have to take the time to get myself into a more positive, hopeful mindset. That way I can focus on my goals and my actions rather than my feelings of failure and inadequacy. I don’t have any deep seeded trauma in my background, so this is something I’ve always felt I could do on my own.

One thing I’ve found helpful is to not compare my present self to my past self. I know that is easier said than done, but I can’t expect my body to perform in ways it has in the past when I have not yet put in the work to make that performance possible again. I have to forgive myself for not living up to my own expectations in the past, and work within my current capabilities.

So the question becomes, what are you currently capable of? If weighing yourself is traumatizing, maybe skip getting on the scale until it doesn’t feel that way anymore. If counting calories is too much, forget about it until it feels comfortable again. Start where you are. Can you take a walk every day? Can you stop eating massive quantities of (insert food name)? Can you drink more water? Can you cook dinner instead of getting takeout?

These are the things that no one else can tell you about yourself. Unfortunately, you have to figure it out on your own. In my experience, it sometimes takes longer than I would like to get myself back on track, but I always manage it somehow. Because, like another poster said, “In reality, we will never stop.”

Hey Jess - first and foremost, I think it’s awesome that you took the big step to post on here, it takes guts to recognize the need and seek support.

I’m a “big loser”, having used MFP for something like 2185 days in a row, and intermittently ahead of that losing 115lbs in total - I yo-yo’d for yeeeaaarrrsssss before I got my poop in a group, so I understand where you’re coming from.

The first thing I’d suggest is to start simple. Log your water and breakfast. Build confidence in your basic habits - you can’t eat an elephant all at once - so one little bite at a time! After a week or two, build on that. Hold yourself accountable - discipline is the ultimate form of self respect and love. (You’ve got this!!)

Your health and wellness don’t have to be all or nothing. There’s no “end game” to losing weight and maintaining health - so my second suggestion is to create a long term plan for your health and wellness and then break it down into micro goals that you can achieve and celebrate as you go.

Words matter. What you say to yourself matters. Be kind to yourself and invest the time into your journey.

Creating sustainable change takes work and personal commitment. Remember - the night oak was once just a nut that stood it’s ground.

You can do this.