Insight needed on yo-yo dieting

cb1924

cb1924

Cathlete
I have been gaining and losing the same weight for years now. I just start feeling good, then something comes up. This time it was Thanksgiving, finals, christmas, kids home from school. I have gained 10+ lbs since thanksgiving. I feel disgusting but have not been able to stop eating. Every morning I wake up and tell my self I will eat healthy today, but by mid morning I'm eating cookies, protein bars, or whatever (not really hungry). I was starting to look good, now I set myself back about 3 months. (always takes much longer to lose than to gain) I never have actually gotten to my goal weight. I usually get within 15 lbs of goal then I blow it. The sad thing is I go to a nutritionist. I am supposed to go friday. She is going to yell at me. I am so frustrated and depressed for doing this to myself yet AGAIN! I have tried hypnosis, therapy (5 years now), a nutritionist, personal trainer, WW, nutrisystem, BFL, and BFFM and the cookie diet (800 cals a day). I have just about every diet book out there. I lose weight only to get off track and gain it all back. It is like I can't have any treats or the taste triggers me to eat. But my nutritionist told me if I deprive myself, eventually I will binge.
What is really sad it that I am currently getting my masters in exercise physiology. I love it, but I don't feel like I fit in because of the extra 20-30 lbs I carry around. It is hard enough being 15 years older than everyone else in the program, let alone overweight.

Has anyone overcome this? If so what helped you. I know it is not the type of diet I go on, it is all emotional. Sometimes I feel like just giving in, I'll never get to where I want to be. Then I change my mind and tell myself I refuse to be chubby the rest of my life. But I am not doing anything to get there (except working out). I turn 40 this year and I feel like my life has been in a holding pattern since I was 20. I was kinda hoping to look great by the time I hit 40, because that number alone is scaring me.

Sorry to babble, but if anyone has any advice or insight I would love to hear from you.

In my latest attempt I just ordered precision nutrition. ( I seem to have no problem spending money on my problem -lol)

Thanks in advance
chrissy
 
I say it all the time

Two podcasts that have really helped me deal with my food issues are "Inside Out Weight Loss" and "The Reasonable Diet" it sounds to me like two things, one you may need some good fats to help with the wild munchies, and two you are not connected with what your body is doing. I think you may just need to connect with your body. Also, can you substitute munchie stuff with lower calorie/lower carb options? Most binges start with a carbohydrate and end with a combination of protein and fats. Thats a powerful tid bit of information and it has helped me a lot. Also, one other thing you may wish to do is start to realize that food for the most part is something you have had. You know what it tastes like. Its not like you haven't had it all before. So, you are basically stroking an addiction in your brain by going for the easy pleasure response you get from food. So, feed your brain with good stuff and connect with your body. Its not simple or easy but it can be done. The other trick I use is that I remind myself that its not a treat if I eat it all the time.
 
Augh, Chrissy- I know exactly what it feels like! I just want to be fixed and be done with it, but it's like a never ending struggle, isn't it.

I have no good advice for you, but I'm hangin' in there with you! The ladies here gave me some good advice on the thread I posted.

Don't give up!

Susan L.G.
 
Chrissy/Susan: I have lost and gained weight for a loooong time- close to 20 years. (Ack I'm getting old- I'm 36). This last time was after my second baby was born in March 2007- something clicked in my head. I lost about 70 pounds. I knew I never ever wanted my kids to think that being heavy and sedentary was how you should live your life. So I do it for me, but I also do it for them.

I don't know if I've broken the cycle this time, but I believe that I have. Maybe that is half the battle. I eat very clean and tend to avoid "trigger" foods, because I do exactly what you do Chrissy. I start early in the day and just keep going and going, even when I'm not hungry. I know that indulging in moderation is OK but I have trouble with that so I mostly steer clear of refined baked goods- gets me every time. I still get off track here and there (believe me, it happens) but the major change from the past is that I don't get off track for long AT ALL. I just get up and start the new day- I imagine all of that sweat and hard work being for nothing if I continue the cycle I'm in and workout first thing. It tends to get me back on track.

I hope this helps. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. Even though I am at my goal weight now I still have to think about it- I still over eat sometimes and gain 4 pounds back. But I don't let it go any higher than that these days.
 
I would like to propose you stop thinking about a "diet" per se and also trying to find someone else/something else to help you lose and keep off weight.

You sound like you know what is good for you and what is not. I am thinking you may need to find out what is triggering your need to eat and figure out how to either ban it or send it packing in another direction without turning to food to "push" it away.

Have you logged your eating along with your emotional state? Maybe that will be a start. Willpower to either not eat or to just "treat" yourself once in a while is THE MOST DIFFICULT thing for me and I believe many others too.

And must I say that PLEASE don't say that 40 is old because I will be 51 in a month ! :eek: ;) :p

I have found the past few years my body has definitely NOT responded as it used to in regard to either exercise OR food. And the dreaded 5 - 10 pounds has been here to stay ever since. I added a pants size and some "fluff", but with hard work in trying different combinations of exercise and eating, am slowly "morphing" myself into a healthier looking 50 ! :D Still have a little way to go, but all in all, my willpower (which does take vacations at times :rolleyes:) and my will to be healthy have put me in a much better place than many that are 20 years younger than I am.

I hope your focus for your Master's will help guide you in the right direction. Give yourself the same advice you would give a client - and then jump on the wagon with the rest of us. We make bad choices but then leave it on the trail and start again at sunrise the next day. Try to make if from sunrise to sunset for just one day, then two, then three, then if you need a "treat", have one and start again with sunrise.

Best of luck in the upcoming year to take control of your life !

And don't forget to check out the "Check in" forums: accountability, motivation, forgiveness, a kick in the rear, new friends, etc. can be found there and have helped many of us. Find one that may suit you and join in. The daily posting has helped me loads this past year. :D
 
Me going to be 51 in a month's time too. Never felt so good before. Guess it is how we look at life. Age is but a number. Have some extra padding to let go too. Have you gals heard of Eat Stop Eat by Brad Pilon? I got the ebook a few days ago and tried the 24 hours fast.
Never was a disciplined person who would fast but after reading his simple eBook, I kinda realised that we eat because we are programmed to eat and out of boredom too and not because we are hungry.
I can never go without breakfast or if I start a diet, it would bomb because it is a diet per se. I started my fast after dinner and never felt hungry when breakfast time come.

In fact from reading up the eBook, it make me understand that it is all in the mind when it comes to eating. The 24 hour fast was so easy to do. I have to admit that by 21st hour I got hungry and broke the fast. However, Brad explained that fat burning starts to kick in at the 18th to 24th hour so if we have to break the fast it is ok. Am planning to do one fast a week for the next month.

Sorry for rambling. This eat stop eat programme is godsend to me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2AZ8Sd6e1Y
 
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cb1924 said:
I have been gaining and losing the same weight for years now. I just start feeling good, then something comes up. This time it was Thanksgiving, finals, christmas, kids home from school. I have gained 10+ lbs since thanksgiving. I feel disgusting but have not been able to stop eating. Every morning I wake up and tell my self I will eat healthy today, but by mid morning I'm eating cookies, protein bars, or whatever (not really hungry). I was starting to look good, now I set myself back about 3 months. (always takes much longer to lose than to gain) I never have actually gotten to my goal weight. I usually get within 15 lbs of goal then I blow it. The sad thing is I go to a nutritionist. I am supposed to go friday. She is going to yell at me. I am so frustrated and depressed for doing this to myself yet AGAIN! I have tried hypnosis, therapy (5 years now), a nutritionist, personal trainer, WW, nutrisystem, BFL, and BFFM and the cookie diet (800 cals a day). I have just about every diet book out there. I lose weight only to get off track and gain it all back. It is like I can't have any treats or the taste triggers me to eat. But my nutritionist told me if I deprive myself, eventually I will binge.
What is really sad it that I am currently getting my masters in exercise physiology. I love it, but I don't feel like I fit in because of the extra 20-30 lbs I carry around. It is hard enough being 15 years older than everyone else in the program, let alone overweight.

Has anyone overcome this? If so what helped you. I know it is not the type of diet I go on, it is all emotional. Sometimes I feel like just giving in, I'll never get to where I want to be. Then I change my mind and tell myself I refuse to be chubby the rest of my life. But I am not doing anything to get there (except working out). I turn 40 this year and I feel like my life has been in a holding pattern since I was 20. I was kinda hoping to look great by the time I hit 40, because that number alone is scaring me.

Sorry to babble, but if anyone has any advice or insight I would love to hear from you.

In my latest attempt I just ordered precision nutrition. ( I seem to have no problem spending money on my problem -lol)

Thanks in advance
chrissy
Click to expand...

I suggest getting yourself the best talent money can buy - we spend money on personal trainers, dieticians, DVDs, gym memberships, equipment, etc. In this case, hire yourself a wonderful therapist and get to the heart of your emotional eating - I guarantee it has absolutely nothing to do with food and everything to do with the issues you have had since you were a little girl. Food is not love, it's just fuel, and therapy helps us figure out what we really are looking for and what we need.
 
cb1924 said:
Every morning I wake up and tell my self I will eat healthy today, but by mid morning I'm eating cookies, protein bars, or whatever (not really hungry).[/quote]
This last point really stuck out to me: you're eating when not really hungry.

Some suggestions:
Get into the habit of having a glass of water (or flavored water, or chilled herbal tea) whenever you feel like snacking and aren't really hungry. Both the fact that this calorie-free liquid takes up room in the stomach, and the fact that sometimes what one perceives as hunger is really thirst, will help squelch snacking.

Before you pop that cookie or protein bar in your mouth, ask yourself why you want to eat. Since you're not really hungry, it must be something else:
are you bored? Then figure out something that will be interesting for you to do, like a hobby (knitting or crocheting or any crafts are good, because they are incompatible with eating and keep your hands busy), or going for a walk, or whatever is not food related.

are you trying to avoid something else (like homework? housework?). Then think of another way to avoid it.

are you upset about something or depressed? That takes finding other ways to deal with the source of those feelings.

Also, if the cookies aren't around, you can't really eat them, can you? I know it's hard/impossible to do around holidays, especially if you live with other people. Another alternative is to keep the 'not-so-good' foods (junk) in a harder-to-get-at location (like a top cupboard shelf, or on the bottom, harder-to-see shelf in the fridge, or packed in single-size snack bags in a covered container that is NOT see-through: out of sight, out of mind). Then prep some veggies and fruits (clean and cut as needed) and keep them in easy-to-get-at locations: in a bowl on the counter, on the eye-level (or closest to it) shelf in the fridge. Then, when you feel like snacking, at least the options will be healthier and lower calorie (and will fill you up sooner).

Figure out what kind of motivation you work best with: are you most motivated by negatives (ie: If I do X, then Y bad thing will happen: If I keep eating this junk, I'll continue to gain weight) or are you more positively motivated (ie: If I do X, then Y good thing will happen: If I drink water instead of eating these cookies/go for a walk instead of snack/have a few red pepper slices instead of X then I'll continue on my way to the body I want and be fit and healthy).

In general, be concious about your eating (but not obsessive). Just don't allow yourself to eat mindlessly (which is what a lot of us do in certain circumstances, like seated in front of the TV).
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all the responses.
I am trying to get back to where I was. Sometimes it seems impossible.
chrissy
 
Chrissy - I was reading your post and I swear I could have written it. I too have a history of yo-yo dieting. I moved to North Carolina from Ohio three years ago, gained weight, lost about 25 pounds and as of yesterday, I have officially gained 15 of it back.

And like you, something always comes up. In 2008, I went on several weekend trips, broke my ankle, separated from my husband, and then the holidays came. When I visited my family back home, I went way overboard...lots of sweets, pizza, etc.

Personally, I find that the sweets in moderation is a load a crap. Quite often, I'm at the grocery store and I say, "oh I can buy that, and I'll only eat one a day." Well, it sure doesn't work for me. I think I'm finally starting to realize that.

I too am in therapy. I love my therapist and have made great strides. While I still have work to do, I am nicer to myself. But, it's time to start loving my physical appearance and take better care of me.

It may be easier for me in 2009 since I'm single (I really wasn't happy in my marriage). I had 1 piece of pizza left over from last night (my girl friend spent new year's with me) and I threw it away this morning. I never throw away food. I looked at the calories and decided that small piece of pizza was not worth the 330 calories.

So, while I don't a magic pill that I can give you, just know that there are women out there who struggle just like you. If you would like an online support, just pm me; maybe we can be there for each other.

Christine
 
Chrissy,
Wow! I'm in the same boat. I've lost 20-30pds. over and over. I am sick of working so hard and gain it back. I told myself this time I'm going to stop it at 10 pds. not 20. I started going to WW again because over the holidays I've gained.
I also am going to school. I am studying Dietetics. I am just in the beg. classes but still I should and do know how to eat.
I've always worked out so it's not that.
 
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