Starting Over

Same boat here, except I did a half marathon and that was 2 years ago. I've been yo-yo'ing 15 lbs every 6 months from overeating/ no exercise and stringent calorie counting/lexercising ever since. I get to where I'm looking good then slack off and gain it back. Get pissed to hit my high weight and kick it into gear to lose it. Problem is not figuring out how to maintain once i get there.

Starting over I suggest just doing what you did to get there the first time. You know it worked for you. The real work will begin once you get there - have to learn how to transistion from dieting to maintainence and somehow make that maintence lifestyle easy to follow.

You've taken the first step by starting over. I have always been on the heavier side until about 5 years ago when I lost about 50lbs. LOVED my new body. Kept eating right & working out for awhile. But, had a weekend where I didn't and didn't gain but, that weekend turned into a few years. And, a few years turned into a few pounds. I also had my son in the middle.

Start small & stick with it. Drink lots of water, exercise regular and include fruits, veggies, protein & fiber into your reg diet.

We can & will do it once & for all.

Feel free to add as a MFP friend

I tend to over think it as well, but if I plan things out, I'm better. Oh, and being busy always helps! Try to be creative in what you're eating and it also helps the boredom! I look up new recipes all of the time; trying at least one new recipe a week. On Sundays I cook my little heart out and plan my entire week's menu. Healthy, clean eating can be really delicious. It just takes time and practice, cooking and experimenting with the ingredients. Try The Eat-Clean Diet website for some yummy recipes. Also, here is a great recipe for something sweet. I eat this as my in between meals snack. YUMMY!

Pumpkin Protein Bars
Nutrition Facts:
Nutrition (without walnuts): 1 square = 47 calories, .7 g fat, 8 g carbs, 3.7 g protein
Nutrition (with walnuts): 1 square = 63 calories, 2.3 g fat, 8 g carbs, 4 g protein

Ingredients:
½ C Xylitol Brown Sugar Blend (This can be found at King Soopers/Kroger in the baking aisle. It's natural and sugar free)
1 - 4 oz. jar baby food applesauce (or no sugar added, naural applesauce)
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 ½ tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground clove
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 large egg whites
1 - 15 oz. can of raw pumpkin
2 C oat flour (I find this at Sunflower, Sprouts, Vitamin Cottage or Whole Foods)
2 scoops vanilla whey protein
½ cup almond milk (I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk which is great in coffee too!)
½ C chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350.
Spray a 9 X 13 Pyrex dish with non-stick spray.
Combine first 11 ingredients and mix well.
Add the final 3 ingredients (4, if adding walnuts), and mix until incorporated. Spread batter into the Pyrex dish and bake for 30 min.

Makes 24 squares. (I eat 2 squares as a snack) YUMMY!

I LOVE the idea of rewarding yourself with a massage! (I may even steal that idea). LOVE IT!

Keep up your hard work. You won't see a change on the scale everyday but you'll see changes. In fact, you might not ever see them on the scale but you'll see them in your clothes, energy level, etc. You've got this!

Let me know what you think of the recipes, if you try them out. I recently made a white bean soup recipe that turned out pretty good as well (and easy to make). I can share if you're interested in that one as well.

I never seem to drink enough water...