Is anyone an ex-serial dieter that finally cracked it?

[Goldorsilver]

I'm mid-twenties and have been 'dieting' in some form on and off since I was about 16. I have been overweight since hitting puberty and weight issues have constantly been on my mind this whole time. At my biggest I was 16st, and my slimmest since I was a teen was this year at 12st 2. I am 5ft 4 just for info, and currently hovering between 12st 8 and 13st and a size 14 clothes.

I've not really thought about it until now, but it's quite depressing to think I've been trying to get down to a healthy weight for so many years and I don't really know why I can't do it. I think because I was almost 16st and a size 20 for a long time, I get down to my current weight and dress size and I'm still unhappy but don't feel half as awful as I did at 16st, so I just lose motivation. I feel a bit more 'acceptable' at this size even though it's still very much overweight.

Another thing which worries me is my DM is around a size 24, and has always been big and worried about her weight exactly like me. I don't want to end up the same way in my fifties. I can't imagine another 30 years of feeling this way. I have a dd who is almost 3 and I really want to break this cycle as it kills me to think she would ever be so unhappy about her size. I want her to have a healthy normal childhood/teenage years and adulthood.

Is there anyone else who can relate to this? I would be really interested to hear if anyone has been the same in the past then finally managed to lose the last few stones and change their ways. I think my main problem is sugar but I find cutting it out completely extremely difficult.

[HaveYouSeenMyHat]

I can really identify with your post OP. I was an overweight teen and obese young adult. Over 15 st by age of 19 and 5 ft 4.

I lost about 3 st at uni and then hovered around 12 st for years, going up and down. Lost 2 st for my wedding but unsurprisingly put it back on afterwards when I returned to my usual eating habits.

I felt like I could lose weight fairly easily when I put my mind to it, but couldn't keep it off. Although I never went back to the heights I was when I was a teenager.

These last couple of years I've read a couple of books which helped change my mindset. "Brain over binge" and "Say goodbye to over eating". The things which have helped me maintain a healthy weight are:
Not weighing myself anymore.
Eating 3 decent, good sized meals a day and trying to avoid snacking.
Making sure each meal contains plenty of protein and good fats (natural ones).
Not beating myself up if I slip up but just getting back onto my usual routine the next mealtime.
Making exercise part of my week, it makes me feel good and want to eat well.

This has all worked for me, but it's a very personal and individual thing. I have 2 young DC and understand the desire to set a positive example around food. My mum has always struggled with her weight and went from fad diet to fad diet throughout my childhood. I'm desperate to do things differently.

to you for wanting to make a change. Sorry for the essay!!

[Goldorsilver]

Thanks so much for the reply Hat. I will definitely look up those books to read. Some very good tips too.

I seem to go through cycles of being really motivated and doing really well for a few weeks, then I just get fed up and eat too much rubbish for a few weeks then I'm back to the start again. I've also always been crap at exercise and hate it all. I've started uni this year and I'm already sat every night once dd is in bed doing coursework so I don't know where I can fit in the time to do anything. I did start C25K in the summer but ended up with plantar fasciitis and I'm worried about it happening again if I re-start. It took me weeks to be able to walk without pain again

[HaveYouSeenMyHat]

I always hated exercise too but I've recently found a couple of things I love. Never thought I'd be the type of person to look forward to working out .

I used to be exactly the same in terms of being "good" for a while and then "falling off the wagon". One of the things that's also helped me reset my thinking is just trying not to restrict myself. There is no wagon to fall off or get back on. There's just the desire to be kind to myself and eat the things that make me feel good. Restricting myself too much seems to eventually trigger over eating. I can sustain it for a while but it always ends the same way!!

[Goldorsilver]

Yes that makes sense. At the start of this year I lost almost 2st (have gained about half back again) and I kept it up for quite a long time. It was calorie counting and I got in to the habit of not restricting anything and just making allowances if I fancied something or knew I was having a heavier dinner etc. I think I need to get back in to that same mindset.

[Blerg]

For me Overeaters Anobymous worked. It helped me identify problematic foods and behaviours and to step away from using food as a crutch emotionally. This might not be an issue for you, but it helped me put food background in its place. Years of yoyo dieting had led me to a difficult relationship with food.