new n scared

Possibly stop being so strict, and seeing it as a diet.

With MFP counting your intake and expenditure, a little junk food can be worked in, accounted for, guilt free.

I really want this time to be different because my weight is really spoiling my life, but and this sounds so stupid, Im really scared about tomorrow (new years day) because it will be time for me to start again and I really dont know what will be so different this time........... and i cant bear the thought of being like this forever

With a little help from your friends (here at MFP and in person), there is absolutely no reason for you to feel that you will be like this forever. The site is a tool to help you with your goals; the wonderful, positive people give you encouragement in the forums (and your friends will sometimes give you encouragement on your "wall"). I'm with rachelrox81...you can do this!!

I may have not taken this as seriously as I should have.

I've been yo-yo dieting all of my life. Each time, getting even bigger, until 4 years ago.

Did I stop yo-yoing? No, not really. But each year I lost with a program too strict to maintain, inevitably failing to maintain, but still showing a good loss and improvement in fitness. What changed was that I realised I was on my way back up, and I needed to start again before I undid all of my hard work. Each year, my top weight and my bottom weight numbers became less.

I've now found a way to consistently keep my weight down by not being so strict.

Even if you can't stop yo-yoing, there's still a way out. Over the last four years, I've lost 60lbs, but never more than 30lbs without going back up.

Keep in mind, I did this without even a calorie counter. MFP is so much easier.

I just need to say one thing...please do NOT think of this as a diet! Incorporate the things you want "a little of" in your day...then you won't feel deprived! You cannot eat tons of sweets, but it's not wrong to have a handful of M & Ms now and then...just work out and you will always see results.

You've already taken the hardest step. You're here! That's whats important. I am new here too and find that there is a lot of support. We are all trying to accomplish our own goals. Stay determined and know that your not alone. Feel free to add me if you like.

I've done the Yo Yo thang for over 2 yr. In April of this year I found out I was diabetic and had to be placed on meds (no shots TG). This really changed the way I was looking at things. I was always 20-30 pound over weight (according to charts and doctors) 15-20 if you asked me where I was happy...LOL. In April I was 150+ over just by my standards....OMG! I don't know how I got here but I'm ashamed to be seen and I hide from the world like some kind of troll. I'm SICK of it! In April i took control and rather then "Diet" I decided to change my way of thinking....I see sweets for what they are...POISON to my body! Now now...I like my sweets but I cut more and more each week and today I can eat 1/2 a candy bar and then be sick from how sweet it is....LOL! I have lost 43 pound since April. I came to a stand still about 2 months ago and when I came across this site the other day....WOOT WOOT...Maybe it will help me get back on track and it has already made it easier to keep track of things rather then guessing my way through it all.

HUN....I know your SCARED.....several of us are! Promise your not alone! I want to be able to go in a Walmart and bye something to wear....I'm sick of having to order my cloths and pay an arm and leg just so they fit and don't show all the fat I've packed on the past few years. Ugh! I want my kids to be proud of me when they see me and are out with me. I don't want to feel like people are starring at me everywhere I go (((Beached Whale)))....especially when I'm eating out....the shame really eats at me. I use to talk about .... well ME....When I was thinner! I never judged anyone by the way they looked BUT I couldn't understand how ANYONE could allow themselves to get like "THIS".....Now here I am....I'm here to tell ya - It's not hard! Ha! Talk about putting your foot in your mouth, I DID! Can I have a little salt w/ that? ha ha

I make myself get up and move everyday. I stopped asking my kids to fill my glass...I get my butt up and do it! I started push mowing the yard....a few strips at the beginning and then finally I could get over half before my heart was busting...LOL~ I mop my floors everyday - twice a day...need it or not...I NEED IT! Gyms are fine...don't get me wrong....but is that a real option for you? For me....NO! #1 I don't want to be seen in public especially in a room full of fit or healthier people (I have issues..ha) #2 The ($$$) Cost of it. Wish I had the money to throw but I have 2 teens (we have 3 together) and life is expensive as it is...PLUS if your doing the shopping you know eating healthier is more expensive on it's own. #3 I don't have the time....for me I have to drive 45 min one way just to get to the nearest Gym. That 1 1/2 hours drive time and then another hour there. Ha. I'm heading back to work and between that and my responsibilities at home...I'm lucky to sleep 5 hours.

JUNK FOOD: I didn't throw it out. I have kids....that's just not a real option. I had to learn CONTROL....and I started buying things I could have to curb that craving....Snack Wells 100 Cal packs, Nutri Gran cereal Bars 100-120 Cal each, Popcorn rather then greasy chips, Jello, Fresh fruits....I'm also a veggie (cucumber) nut! Like I said you have to look at food different....smarter choices. It's not a diet it's a way of life! :flowerforyou:

Let me tell you what a wise person once told me. You can start over each day knowing what the possibilities for success will be like.... Or you can not and wonder for the rest of your life. Simply put, Failure is only failure if you quit trying, not if you stumble and get up and try something different. Good Luck!!

I lost about the same amount of weight that you want to lose, after years of thinking I couldn't. What finally worked for me was to focus on eating for health goals and getting lots of exercise. All I did was walk for exercise but I built up to walking a LOT. I learned to focus on one day at a time - just try to beat that calorie goal.

After awhile the fast food cravings were gone. Knowing how much damage that junk was doing to my body, and both seeing and feeling the difference it makes to eat right and exercise, I can't stomach the thought of the garbage I used to eat. Besides losing weight, my skin is beautiful, my energy level is great, and everyone thinks I'm younger than I am, even doctors.

It's worth it to take care of yourself. It's worth giving up the convenience of fast food and logging the hours of exercise. It's worth it to feel healthy. Once you've made some real progress and the compliments start rolling in you'll be craving new slimming clothes instead of old fattening foods.

I know exactly where you are coming from. I have lost and gained weight for many years. This time I have lost 55 lbs. since last January 8. I plan on losing even more this coming year. I do have days that I mess up, but I do not let that get me down. I am a 53 year old Maw Maw and I want to be proud of myself (which I am beginning to do) I went from a size 22/24 to a size 14 and plan on going down to at least a size 10 or smaller in the near future. MFP has become my best friend. There are so many supportive people on this site and it is very easy to track the foods I eat. I am sending you a friend request. I would love to help you along your journey, and let you help me along mine.

Hi Sammibob, I weighed a few more pounds than you did when i started but since i discovered this site i've been able to start losing weight sensibly. It's all about making small changes and building on them. The people you makes friends on this site with with help you along the way as we all know how your feeling.

Good luck on your journey. I know you'll have great success if you just stick with it even if life tries to get in the way.

I would say, do some self-analysis. Sometimes people self-sabotage their efforts, for underlying reasons. I can be way more complex then just yo-yo dieting and there can often be something that is going on for you, that is not so obvious that can be causing you to always sabotage your efforts. Just see if that could be the cause. As, often it can be.

Not saying that I am right here. Just another angle to look at is all. Just in case this is the case.

I had a massive blow out yesterday after weighing in at WW and having gained 1 kg in 2 weeks I decided not to worry today. I prepared a (I'm a 'clean' eater) mexican fiesta for my friends and nearly died once I logged it all in. I didn't overeat, I feel I ate until I was satisfied. But it was still 1600+ over my daily limit.
Tommorrows a new day and I'm thankful for the lesson learned. Keep tracking and be brutally honest and transparent about what you eat, when and how much. I'll even cheer you on! :flowerforyou:

Take it one meal at a time. If you fail short, don't wait until a Monday, the 1st or some other hollow calendar point; start back RIGHT away! Throw out the junk food and stock only healthy choices in your home and pack your own meals for work and outings. Find what you like to do: walk, elliptical, DVD and make that your routine (2-5 times a week). That was my weakest link, so I started out only working out 2 days a week that way I didn't let myself down trying to shoot for more. Small steps, day after day, will get you there; don't focus on the end, focus on the right now and what you are choosing to put into your body. You can do this, one day at a time.

First off, don't look at your failures as failures but rather view your past failures as a positive " this is NOT the way I become healthy and lose weight" and look for a new plan. Start with small goals for yourself like daily food tracking and committing to 15 min daily of an exercise activity you enjoy.
No time like the present to get yourself back on track...you screw up with your eating, you get right back to your plan, because starting back "next week, next month" only adds increased feelings of failure, increasing hunger, increased eating and then an increase in weight...which triggers the cycle to start again
We all have the strength inside of ourselves to stop the cycle and start a new one and you are not the exception to this
Good luck with your journey, and remember if you find yourself beginning to shy away from this site, it probably when you need it the most.