I need help and advice … please!!

LotusCass
LotusCass Posts: 145 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hi everyone, I’m back here after a long stint away and determined to do it differently this time. I’m a serial yo-yo dieter. I’ve come and gone from MFP numerous times over the last 8 years. I am now the biggest I’ve ever been and need to change my approach.

The past 18 months have been really tough, which is partly why I’ve gained so much weight recently. I hate excuses but I think I should cut myself some slack this time. I live in Melbourne which is the city with the longest amount of lockdown time in the world. We’re still in lockdown now until 80% vaccination. We did 7 months last year with a 3 week break, and we’re currently in lockdown 6.0 that’s lasted just over 2 months so far. During lockdown last year I separated from my husband and we are now divorced. That was pretty *kitten*!!! Then I moved out of the family house and have my girls only every other week. So long story short, the last 18 months haven’t been ideal for staying on track with exercise and healthy eating.

But I’m getting my head back in the game. I hate the way I look and I want to get fit & healthy again. I need to figure out though how to stop yo-yoing and maintain once I lose weight. I know it’s a mindset thing and I am an all or nothing kind of person. So I tend to go all out, really focused and lose the weight, but once I stop that intensity I relax and it all piles back on. I’ve posted my graph of weight gain and loss over the past 4 years.

I really need help to work out how to stop yo-yoing. Those of you who used to yo-yo then found a way to maintain, I’d love to hear your story. Any advice would be very welcome!!

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Replies

  • al0481113
    al0481113 Posts: 67 Member
    That's really sad that you went through all of this. Divorce is a horrible thing. I am in a process of divorce for almost 5 years already. That's messed up. At least you can start your life all over again and become happy again 🙂
    Just want to wish you to achieve all your goals!
  • LotusCass
    LotusCass Posts: 145 Member
    al0481113 wrote: »
    That's really sad that you went through all of this. Divorce is a horrible thing. I am in a process of divorce for almost 5 years already. That's messed up. At least you can start your life all over again and become happy again 🙂
    Just want to wish you to achieve all your goals!

    Thanks for your message and well wishes 🥰

  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    It’s hard not to lose it when life gets rough!

    My main tip for avoiding comfort eating during times of stress is to find other sources of comfort, and other ways to reduce stress. Super hard during lockdown with a divorce going on. Listen to your favorite music, find things you love to do (I took up bird watching in my backyard), maybe sign up for an online dance class. Anything that makes you happy but isn’t food.

    The other thing is to do the opposite of what you describe yourself as doing - instead of going all out, figure out the bare minimum you really need to do to keep yourself where you need to be. And then do it, just like you would pay your electric bill and rent even in an emergency. For example, I do 15 minutes of calisthenics no matter what, and a bare minimum lifting routine two days a week, plus at least 15 minutes of hard cardio three times a week. I prefer to run three days but if I can’t run, I can jump on my stationary bike and pound out 15 minutes and call it good. Figure out the easiest dumbest healthy meal that fits in your calories you can make when you hate your life and don’t want to cook. Is it a rotisserie chicken and a bag of frozen veg? A box of frozen lasagna? Make yourself buy the ingredients for it. Make things as easy for yourself as you can.

    Wishing you all the best!
  • BurnTheButter
    BurnTheButter Posts: 4 Member
    I am a yo yoer. I almost call trying to lose 10 lbs a hobby because I do this in my spare time. 🤣 It's not funny, but I have to laugh at myself.

    I don't know your age, I am 46, but I like this lady on youtube by the name of Pahla Bowers who has moderate workouts and a 5-0 method for weight loss (includes calorie counting, not restricting foods, no fasting, drinking water and getting enough sleep) for women who are menopausal and she does lots of mindset work and has podcasts that I have found really helpful, even for those of us that might not be at that menopause place yet.

    I don't have any real advice other than to tell you not to be hard on yourself. Give yourself some love. I am sorry you had to go through a divorce. That is hard stuff. 🤗. Weight loss doesn't have to be hardcore either I learned. It can be nice and slow allowing yourself enough to eat and working out at a comfortable pace for yourself. I like what rheddmobile said. Be kind to yourself! ❤

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