Have you ever lost control of your eating habits?

[zortil]

I've been a Weight Watchers Lifetimer for 3 years and for the first time, I've really fallen off the wagon.

I weighed 189 when I joined WW in April 2002 and at Xmas 2005, I weighed 138 (I'm 5'5"). Since then, I've gained 12 lbs. Ever since Halloween 2005, I've been addicted to sweets and Chili Cheese Fritos. I can't stop eating them.

I'm a smart woman. I know I'm eating badly. I know that I need to get back to exercising; before the fall, I used to exercise 5-6x/week. So why have I become my own saboteur?

I wish I understood the psychology behind my actions. Telling myself to stop isn't working. This total lack of discipline is scaring me. I haven't weighed this much in years. I used to be proud of my weight loss. Now, I'm simply disgusted with myself and with my body. I've been maintaining for so long that I can't get myself into weight-loss mode.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[wutherhi]

I don't have any suggestions or advice. Just wanted to say I've been there, too, and I'm sorry you're going through a hard time.

Shari

 

[gidget1978]

Everyone as moments where they go off the deep end.Sometimes it is longer then others.I for one, only get like that every once in a while, but I workout harder.If I eat poorly, that night or the next day I will exercise harder which in turn makes me feel better, physical and mentally!

Do you have any pics of yourself lying around when you use to be heavier? Maybe you could look at those and they may snap you back to reality.
Also, try doing a new rotation or something like that.That always gets me motivated.
I hope you figure something out.I have bad days here and there (like today so I now I have to run 10 miles tomorrow)x( but I have never had a long stretch of anything, its mostly just a day! Good luck!
Lori

 

[gettingstrong]

Almost the same thing happened to me. Bought some clearance chocolate after halloween and put it in the freezer to use in the kids stockings. I just kept eating a piece here and there. Before I knew it, Christmas was here, the candy was gone and I weighed 12 pounds more. Here's the real stinky part: I turned 40 and now going back to the usual diet and exercise ain't workin'! Ugh! I have finally had a real talk with myself and know its a whole different ball game now! Got to tighten up that diet more and not let a little backslide go for 2 months ever again! Marnie

 

[tillard]

You described me to a tee after giving birth to my second son two years ago. Grant it I had a newborn and a 13 month old...but really it's no excuse. I ate TERRIBLY!! Dinner would be 3/4 of a frozen pizza with a double scoop ice cream cone before I went to bed. That doesn't include the two pop tarts I'd have for breakfast with a bowl of fruit loops following behind as a mid morning snack . In no time I was almost 40 pounds heavier than I had ever been in my life.

I think a lot of it is once we start eating that kind of stuff for any length of time our bodies kind of take over because we get such horrible cravings for more junk...aka refined sugars. The hardest part is just deciding to break the cycle and cut it all out and suffer through the first couple weeks of cravings. But as I'm sure you know given your history as soon as you cut it out for a while your body doesn't really crave it as much. I wish you the best of luck getting through this point. I think someone above gave you great advice in maybe trying something different with your exercise to remotivate you...because I'm sure you know as soon as you start investing all of that blood, sweat, tears, and time into the physical part the mental seems to follow right behind.

Deni

 

[sparrow]

I understand what you are going through!! Usually when I get like there's an underlying emotion: I feel stressed or unhappy or forgotten. So maybe examine that angle? Also I would try to take one thing at a time. Try to put some exercise back in, and that may inspire you to get ahold of your eating.

Good luck!

Sparrow

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage

 

[truton]

Hi Zortil. I too am a WW lifetime member (been 2 years this past November) and there are still times when I struggle with food. During my two week vacation this past September I gained 10 pounds. Yes it was depressing! It took me around 8 weeks to lose the 10 pounds that took only 2 weeks to gain. I still want to lose a few more but it just isn't happening now.

Perhaps rather than trying to get yourself into full weight loss mode right now, how about trying make small modifications to your lifestyle instead of trying to tackle everything at once? Maybe you can work on getting regular exercise back into your routine. Once that's in place, then work on your eating habits (or vice versa). Remember how it was when you first went to WW? They didn't even talk about exercise until you were several weeks into the program.

Also have you thought about going back to meetings? I realize they aren't for everyone but they seem to help me when I feel like I need a little extra motivation.

 

[fontanic]

I am right there with you. It is disgusting. I went on a short vacation to Vegas with my girlfriend in January, and overate as expected, but since returning home, I have just kept eating. I typically eat good food, but the amounts are enormous. What is going on? I am so frustrated with the continual weight gain. I think I finally hit rock bottom, so hopefully I will get myself back on track. I am just sick of a lifetime of weight struggles. It never seems to end. I just want one set of clothing that will always fit; and not have to have jeans in 5 different sizes because I can never steadily maintain my diet. That is my vent. Maybe we need to form an internet buddy group to get ourselves back to where we want to be. I always work better with a buddy.

 

[hokypoky]

Hi Zortil - I really feel for you, because I've totally been there.

I'm a Lifetimer, too, but while I was losing weight I always knew something wasn't quite right. I'd eat bad 1 week, then kick it into gear the other 3. When I weighed in, they would say, "You're doing so well!" And I'd think, "But this isn't normal!"

Finally there was a point when I'd just keep eating and eating and eating. Usually junk, high fat, high carb, high sugar foods. I tried reading books, leaving post-its in the pantry, e-mailing a friend my daily menu...it just got out of control.

Last fall, I started seeing an eating disorder therapist, for compulsive/binge eating. After 2 or 3 sessions, I learned that (obviously) I wasn't eating because I was hungry. I was eating because I wasn't expressing my emotions. Rough day with the kids? Eat. Husband said dinner was not that great? Eat. Parents making me feel like a teenager (I'm 38)? Eat. If there was ANY emotion, good or bad, instead of just feeling it, dealing with it, saying it, I ate.

Now if the slightest thought crosses my mind, I express it. "Honey, it bothered me when you didn't help with the dishes." It's an amazing freeing thing.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like!