Maybe posting about this will help me....

Connie12

Connie12

Cathlete
I'm posting these thoughts and feelings in hopes of finding some support and motivation. About 2 years ago I completed a 2 year process of losing 75 pounds. I did it by controlling portions, eating cleanly and exercising at least 5 days a week. I didn't follow any single food plan, but did alot of research about healthy eating and living and applied those principles to my life.

In the past year I've regained about 5 pounds due to bad food choices that stemmed from high stress from various sources. I need to lose at least another 60 pounds.

I just can't seem to get my eating back on track 100%. I just can't seem to get away from stress or emotional eating. I can eat cleanly for a few days in a row, but then some stressor comes up and I can't and I stop myself from indulging.

One of my lifetime goals is to eat and live cleanly and healthfully- for the positive health benefits- and also to be an example to my family. Inside I feel healthy and fit, but don't look so on the outside-- yet.

Morally and ethically I have a problem with fast food restaurants and processed foods. I want to be part of the food "revolution" that will bring whole and fresh foods back into the American mainstream. Yet I feel at war within myself as I feel drawn to those kinds of foods at time of stress or PMS. It makes me question my willpower....

Thanks for listening, and offering any support or advice.

Connie :)

edited to correct grammar error :+
 
There are some good choices that can be made at "fast food" restaurants as well as there are bad choices at other restaurants.

As far as breaking down and having lapses in your eating plan, you could take a "catholic" approach and assign yourself "penance" for your breakdown. Add an extra short workout, put a dollar in the jar that is going to a local food bank, do some hated chore you've been putting off...

You'll make it, the fact that you're concerned will rule the day

dave
 
Connie,

we are in the same boat... I have about 60 to lose, and everytime I go to Cinnabon, I vow that will be my last time going, but I always find my way back needing my cimmamon roll fix... I have recently bought the "Eat to Live" book that was recommended by someone here on the forums, I am still on chapter one, but hopefully I can adapt to this way of eating or similar to eat, just knowing that a lot of things we eat affect our health and energy levels. WE just need to have the determination to do this, eat healthy, and exercise. Keep us posted on how things are going with you. :) :) :)
 
Connie,

Maybe you're burned out and trying too hard? I mean, maybe while you're going through this more stressful period in your life you need to just rest on your laurels and try to maintain your weight for awhile. 75 lbs. is a VERY major weight loss and you should feel great about your accomplishment. Give yourself a break, don't worry about calories or portions, just eat nothing but healthy stuff, STAY FAR AWAY from simple carbs (which cause uncontrollable cravings), and keep enjoying your exercise. Enjoy your accomplishment. Enjoy being 75 lbs. lighter. You say you still have 60 lbs. to go, but maybe you can attack that next year. (Sometimes, when you stop trying so hard, you can see surprising results. ;) )

Best of luck,
Nancy
 
First off.....CONGRATS on that weight loss. With your history girl, there is NO WAY you have a motivation problem!!!

I know everyone can tell you what to do...what to eat....strategies to eat clean.....but you know as well as I do that you already know that but it doesn't keep you from breaking down in that moment of high stress. If you want to change, you just have to find some way to do it. I know it is very hard, especially when your self esteem is eroding as the scale is climbing... It is not a "motivation" issue. It is a stress issue and like Nancy said, maybe you are just under more stress right now. But I know that doesn't matter to you either. What matters to you is that you are gaining weight back and you feel like a failure.

I never used to be a stress eater. I do it now ALL THE TIME! It is not necessarily bad foods (most of the time it is) but it is huge portions of food. It is usually when I come home from work. I need food to "calm me down". I notice I do it more when I don't work out because I think that nervous energy builds and I have to have some outlet...I have tried anxiety medication but those just put you on the opposite end of the spectrum where you can't even stay awake!! My baby step has been eating really good for breakfast and pretty good for lunch. Dinner (and the after dinner splurge) is another story and that is what I have to get in check.

I know your pain, but you have acheived greatness before and you will again. Have hope. I never lose hope. If you did you would not be here!

Maybe we could check in together. Maybe we could create our own check in group like "The Anxiety/Stress Eaters Check-In".
 
Connie -
Congratulations on your weight loss! You've accomplished a lot through very good decisions and a healthy lifestyle.

I understand what you're saying about stress eating - I'm having some issues there myself. It makes you feel bad at the same time that it makes you feel better. And I have the same views as you do about fast food.

I just want to remind you NOT to exclude all treats. If that's your goal, take it slowly and don't try to eliminate them all at once. What I do is to set one day a week, usually Saturday, as the day I'm allowed to eat a dessert. Maybe you prefer twice a week, or once every other week - do what feels right for you. And if you like the kinds of foods served at fast food restaurants, try making them at home instead of visiting the restaurant. Set aside one day and plan to grill your own hamburgers, for example. It'll help you with your moral and ethical beliefs by keeping you out of the restaurants, and it'll be healthier, because you can choose the type of meat and how much fat it's cooked with.

Good luck, and stay happy!!!
 
Thank you so much for your kind, supportive and understanding post, Janice!! What you said really hit home, and I appreciate being understood.

I love the idea of a Anxiety/Stress Eaters Check-In!!! I'll start one today and see if we get any more "takers". :)

Even though I do very frustrated at times, I never lose hope. My general committment to healthy eating and living stays in tact most of the time. Like you, later in the afternoon and evening are my stress eating struggle times. Having a check-in would help me through, I think. ;)

Thanks again,
Connie
 
Thanks for your post, Dave! I'll think about what my penance could be. I think that's a good idea to help me get back on track. I can think of lots of chores I don't like! lol ;)

Connie
 
Thanks, luvmylabs! I have a chocolate lab, and just love him to pieces! :) My weak spot this month is McD's. If there were Cinnabons here that would be my other weak spot! Whenever I fly somewhere, which isn't often, I treat myself to one and savor the heck out of it. :9 }( I empathize with you! Janice and I are going to start a Stress Eating Check-in, maybe it would be helpful for you to "join", too? The more the merrier!

Connie :)
 
Thanks for your post, Nancy! :) I've actually done what you're suggesting during the planning months of one sister's wedding and other sister's pregnancy- though I didn't do a really good job of staying away from simple carbs all the time. Perhaps I jumped back into weight loss too quickly instead of easing back into it.

You make a very good point about enjoying being 75 pounds lighter. I need to appreciate and celebrate that more. Great advice!!

Thanks for your kind words and advice!

Connie :)
 
Connie, I didn't read the other responses (sorry, no time), but I wanted to say, my therapist has always says there is no "can't" - there's only "won't" or "don't know how." So you need to figure out, is it that you don't know how to stop this behavior? or you won't stop it even though you know it is in the way of your goals? Only you can figure that out. :)

Hang in there. I am also an emotional eater but have found myself much more at peace lately. I have been exercising more and that seems to help me when I am tempted to head to the cupboard. Oh, and also keeping the stuff I really like out of the house!

Good luck and hang in there...
Marie
 
Connie,

I have a black female lab and a yellow male lab, yep they are my babies too, right along with my 2 kids. I think everyone should have a lab!!! (JMHO) We have to put my yellow lab on a diet, he now weighs in at 116 pounds, vet told my husband he needs to lose about 20 pounds. :) :)
 
First of all, stop and be proud of yourself for a few minutes! HUGE accopmlishment!

I will say this, just my opinion...sometimes after such a huge accomplishment, I like to "level off" for a while before moving on to lose the rest. I just eat normally (like a maintenance stage rather than a strict diet phase), exercise regularly but not hard core and try to relax a little on the stress that dieting and exercise can promote. It is sort of a rest from the strictness of a plan that I normally follow. After a few weeks of that, I try to get back into it. The frist week is hard but just after, it is easy again & I feel ready and refreshed to work hard and make gains. Maybe this will work for you...

That said, a 5 pound gain is nothing in the grand scheme. Plus, you know that you can do it once you put your mind to it. Perhaps a new workout rotation or adding a new exercise (add a cardio machine or a new class at the gym or a new DVD) to pump you up a bit. Even try a new motivation (new little black dress?). Something will get you there, I am sure!

Good luck :)
 
Connie- first off, congratulations on the journey so far! I know from personal experience that it's not easy!!! I, myself, have yet to get to that elusive 70#.

Something that I found that I plan to get and try to use is a new book that's coming out in January. It's called, "The Eat Clean Diet" by Tosca Reno. I was able to pre-order from Amazon for only $11.53. Granted, it's not coming out until January, but I am also planning on getting Oxygen Magazine's new Clean Eating issue that went to shelves yesterday.

I hope that whatever tools you choose to utilize, just don't forget the forrest for the trees (look at the big picture, not just the little numbers on the scale!). We're here for you!
 
Connie,

I've found myself in your situation not long ago. After loseing 35, I started to feel the loss of motivation as well, because of a particular stress in my life. I decided to talk to a councelor, and right away I'm back on track, and more so. Just that little push, made me get up off my buns and do it again.

Sometimes, just talking to someone so out of the picture, and knowing they are professionals, does the trick. I told her my concerns, and right away she said to get back on the healthy life, that it will make you think more clearly, and help in make better choices and decisions.

I also read, that fast foods are very addictive, as well as some of our foods at the grocery store, once we are off these foods (you can almost guess what they are) we become better at our food choices. As always, the best foods to eat are fresh fruits and vegies, whole grains, and natural fats, such as nuts and avocodoes.

See someone, you are just stuck a little bit. You can get past this. Continue to let us know how you are doing.

Janie

The idea is to die young as late as possible.

www.picturetrail.com/janiejoey
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top