I am very discouraged!

You are MORE than able to go at it alone. You don't necessairly need someone to be there beside you, cheering you on or working out with you to push you--push yourself and they will cheer you on from afar when they comment on your posted workouts! You might just need to set some personal goals.

I have a personal experience with this: I have been on a weight loss journey for 4 years and I started ALL by myself. I realized it was up to ME to go to the gym and get the workouts in--my friends weren't going to workout FOR me and I'd lose the weight from them... I had to do it myself. I set a personal goal that I not only wanted to lose weight, but I wanted to be HEALTHIER--when I started my journey, I was having digestive problems (indigestion and heartburn) and REALLY bad anxiety attacks and depression. When I talked to my dr, I was handed a perscription. I didn't want to be someone on perscription medications for the rest of my life, so I turned to exercise and now, ALL of my listed health problems have gone away. Also, I am pursing a career in the medical field-I didn't want to be that nurse telling patients they need to lose weight, and I, myself, am overweight--where's the credibility in that? Doing this by myself has taught me A LOT about myself--I am not only more confident because I've lost 50lbs and kept it off, but I'm confident in knowing WHO I am and what I'm capable of doing--I HATED HATED HATED running as a kid (I was a chunky kid as well) and if you would have told me when I was 253lbs that in 4 years I was going to run a half-marathon--I would have looked at you crazy, but I completed my first one in March of this year and am registered for a 2nd and 3rd and am proud to say that I can keep up with my SUPER atheletic sister now! And have inspired people around me (people who would complain when I'd skip hanging out with them to hit the gym) to begin their own healthy journey.

So maybe you just need to look inside yourself and figure out WHY you want to begin this journey and make a/some goal(s) and just take it 1-ONE-1 day at a time...don't think about tomorrow or the next day, just think about TODAY and doing what's right for you and your health TODAY! You have HUGE support system here on MFP, so if you don't know something- ASK! And just start small-- "Doing SOMETHING is better than doing NOTHING". Like today: I'm going to eat a healthier dinner or this week, I'm only going to eat out once, or this week, I'm going to walk a mile a day...whatever you think you can do, but just DO IT!

You CAN do it alone- without your friend being next to you! Hope this helps!

I have not been doing so well here lately. I haven't visited this site in weeks. I have a very supportive friend, but we live far apart and it is not as easy to stay on track as it would be if she lived near me. I just feel like a complete failure. Anyone ever feel this way?

I think we all get down on ourselves from time to time. My recommendation is to try to change your mindset. Hold yourself accountable and you alone. Treat your fitness lifestyle just like you would a job. What happens if you don't show up to work? Don't make excuses just go out and do it. That's my two cents anyway.

Awesome advice! I know it's hard but sometimes we just have to make ourselves do it...trust me, it took me a lot of talking to myself to drag my booty out of bed at 5:00 this morning to run...BUT I feel so much better that I did! Ultimately, it's up to you to do what you know you need to do...but some friends, whether in "real" life or on here are nice to have around for support and encouragement--honestly, my favorite friends on here are the ones who give me a swift kick in the rear when I'm not doing what I know I should! Good luck!

THIS

Discouraged is not even close to how I feel. I am sad and disappointed with myself. I have flunked out of weight watchers like five times - the last time I joined I watched the scale go up (and my pants get tighter) while my husband dropped 35 pounds. I am in my last semester of graduate school - so daily exercise is not always possibe - though when I am done next month daily exercise is a promise to myself I am not breaking. I used to be a runner but knee surgery and arthritis now limit that to 2 miles once a week on the treadmill (ok - thats better than no running - but hard considering I used to run 25-30 miles a week). Last year I was diagnosed with hypothyroid - which explained why my hair and nails were brittle and why my weight seemed to go up on a dialy basis. I am also so very tired of hearing people tell me "you look fine" -- I may "look fine" but I do not feel fine. I am very shy so even writing this is taking a Herculean effort for me. I would appreciate a few friends to share help and support - and maybe even a kick when necessary...thx

I don't mean to come off as preachy but I wouldn't waste my time with Weight Watchers. They are fad diets and most people fail them and constantly stay hungry. I don't consider my eating habits a diet and I never go hungry and yet I still lose weight. Instead, of Weight Watchers use the free tools here on MFP and develop a healthy eating and exercise lifestyle. Make friends on here with people who are encouraging and uplifting. There are plenty of people on here including myself who have succeeded and you can too.

I don't mean to come off as preachy but I wouldn't waste my time with Weight Watchers. They are fad diets and most people fail them and constantly stay hungry. I don't consider my eating habits a diet and I never go hungry and yet I still lose weight. Instead, of Weight Watchers use the free tools here on MFP and develop a healthy eating and exercise lifestyle. Make friends on here with people who are encouraging and uplifting. There are plenty of people on here including myself who have succeeded and you can too.

This is just SO right on the money - such great advice - if more people realized diets just do not work and it is about lifestyle change, I am convinced more people would succeed. When it comes to delicious food I am a champion weakling - but changing my outlook now to eating healthy, satisfying, nutrient dense meals - I NEVER feel hungry deprived or frustrated - I still eat many of the foods I love (just healthier versions in the correct portions). I feel good that I can LIVE this way - it's not just a short term way to lose weight. It's like a light bulb went on for me!

Right on! I think people have gotten so programmed into thinking that eating right has to be difficult. It doesn't. Like you said, I still eat things that bring me joy. I am just a little more educated about when enough is enough and I know what foods are going to make me full and satisfied without making me fat.

Your friend might not be nearby, but we're all right here. Make a habit of logging in and staying connected to all of your MFP family. I've never been more motivated than when I interact with like minded folks here! You can do this!!!

^THIS

Totally this! I couldn't be doing this journey on my own. Thanks you MFP peeps!

It is not unusual to become discouraged. We are a society of instant gratification. Just remember, you didn't gain the weight over night and you won't lose it that way either. Approach each day as a new beginning and do your best, that's all anyone can expect of themselves. If you fall off the "food wagon", get up, climb back on and keep attacking this terrible foe we call overweight! There are many people here who will be a sounding board for you so come back every day and chat with all of us! :flowerforyou:

I have been discouraged lately as well. Mostly because the scale is not cooperating even though I feel like I am doing what I should.

In the past I would have given up. But I know deep down that is not what I want. I keep asking myself "what is the alternative?- being unhealthy and FAT!"

I will not give in. It is time to take control of food- not have food control me.

Your friend might not be nearby, but we're all right here. Make a habit of logging in and staying connected to all of your MFP family. I've never been more motivated than when I interact with like minded folks here! You can do this!!!

^^ditto!! :flowerforyou:

I have been feeling that way myself lately. When I joined MFP I lost a lot of weight and really got in shape. I have since gained it all back and then some. I decided that it was time to stop this yo yo dieting and make a lifestyle change. It is all about being confident in who you are and knowing that you will feel amazing when you can accomplish your goals. A 20-30 minute walk everyday will be very beneficial! You can do it, I know you can!

That's the one issue with this site and any other diet. It is so important that people make changes that are sustainable for them personally. I worry about what will happen with me when I get rid of my last 5-6 lbs. You never know how your body will react when you try to go into maintenance mode but you hope that you've picked a lifestyle that is sustainable.

For the original poster, you can't change the past so all you can do is pick today as the day you're ready to move forward again.