Why do I always seem to sabotage my weight loss acheivements?

[Ivegotaheadache]

I lost about 14lbs over a period of 10-12 weeks which was great!! I went to weight watchers and it wasn't easy to lose that weight!

But over the last two weeks, I've just ate and ate and ate, not counted points just ate what I've wanted, loads of chocolate and take aways and all sorts.
So I'm putting the weight I've lost back on, not all of it but enough so that the new jeans I bought in a smaller size are now tight.

I'm determined that today I'm going to get back on it but I have to now spend a few weeks losing weight that I'd already lost before.
I've noticed that I always do this, it's like I don't want to be slim or something (but I do, I do!) and I haven't reached my target weight ever in the last 8 years that I've been trying to lose the baby weight. Although I had 2 more children in that time so good excuse!

I try to think of it as 'healthy eating for life' but I just don't, for me I'm eating healthily to lose weight.
I try not to be too restrictive in my eating so I don't fall off the wagon, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

I calculated that losing 1-2lbs per week would take me about 6 months to lose all the weight (just roughly) and all I thought was omg I can't do this every day for 6 months!

Does anyone else do this? Or is it just me......

[KatieDD]

I agree I got in fantastic shape before my holiday in May, personal trainer, diet the full celebrity treatment but then i stuffed my face for 2 weeks and haven't stopped since i got home, it's like i need some sort of target to achieve anything, saving, dieting whatever and without it i don't want to know

[Fanella]

Ok, this is my experience. I do this, it comes and goes in waves, I'm nearly 2 and half stone less than I was but it's taken me seven months. I will never be as big as I was again (hopefully)

Console yourself with the fact that you are not as big as you were before you started.

Ask yourself when reaching for the chocolate/biscuit/chips "do I want this, or do I want to lose weight, cos I can't have both".

The truth is you actually can have both - but everything in moderation. Have one day a week that you allow yourself chocolate or whatever.

Drink water - I know it's hard but it's amazing the difference it makes when you get used to it, in so many ways. Eat lots of salad, fruit and veg. Exercise - just a 10 minute walk every day.

And there will be times, whole weeks maybe that you do go overboard, believe me I know. But if you're heading in the right direction then give yourself a break now and then.

And it's ok to eat healthily to lose weight - remember when you've reached your target weight you will be able to eat more - to maintain your weight rather than lose it. The eating healthy bit is to get your body used to enjoying other foods as well as chocolate or whatever.

I've still got a way to go but I'll get there. So will you. good luck

[Candlewax]

This has happened to me too. I was 13st 4lbs. I got down to target of 10st 10lbs and today I weighed myself and I am 11st 10lbs so a whole stone back on! But, I am going back to Slimming World tonight as I DO want to lose the weight again and keep it off. I am also taking my DH as he has at least 5st to lose and he has decided to commit himself to the programme! So, we are going to have a little competition between us and see who loses the most percentage of weight each week. I don't care if every week he wins as it will be so healthy for him to lose even one or two stone.

I also find my weight gain goes with my moods. At the moment I am very stressed and depressed so that makes me comfort eat. I need to get more exercise as I do find that when I am more active, I am happier.

[Ivegotaheadache]

I do try to drink water, well I think about it a lot but never actually drink any as I can't stand plain water.
I know it makes a difference to skin ect, but does it have an effect on weight loss? Apart from flushing out the excess water and you lose 'weight' in this way, or filling you up so you're not hungry or mistaking hunger for thirst?

Actually I think I've answered my own question! I will drink at least 3 cups today.

I did tell myself that I want to lose weight more than I want this chocolate and it worked for a while, but then I seem to go into 'I don't care' mode, I really want that chocolate bar and nothing will stand in my way.
The problem seems to be that I don't stop at 1 bar, I carry on eating for days sometimes weeks.
Either I'm on a diet or I'm not. And when I'm not - I EAT!

I'm determined to get back on track today, as i@m going away in 19 days so hope to lose 7lb before then.
I'm just really annoyed that even if I lose 7lb, I'll be heavier than if I bloody well stuck to it and didn't put weight on again in the first place.

[Fanella]

yep - water fills you up, can take the edge off your hunger. It's made a huge difference to me.

You sound so like me, the 'I don't care thing'. It's just so much easier to say that and have another biscuit (or, in my case, three )

I'm also off on hols in a few weeks and would like to lose quite a few lbs by then. Keep coming on here and posting. I've done that on a couple of threads and it does help - it makes you think about what you've eaten and what you're going to eat. It's supportive and you realise you're definitely not the only one.

You could also try the oldest trick in the book - find a photo of yourself at your worst (in your opinion) and stick it to the fridge door/biscuit barrel/cupboard!

[Vulgar]

You're not alone. i'm just the same.

Mine seems to be linked with my monthly cycle. Just before me period i cannot resist food. All the wrong things like choccie and cake!

I've been eating the weightwatchers chocolate bars but after a few months the thought of them makes my stomach turn.

so I minimise the damage by having a curly wurly or finger of fudge instead.

I eat more chocolate than ds (age 9)

[FloriaTosca]

You are not alone. I lost 4.5 stones over 9 months and kept it off for 4 years (it was hard work but the effort was so worth it...I have never been so fit and healthy or looked so good) but marriage and ttc and (after 4 yrs) finally a baby, (but they are all just excuses) I'm only 1 stone away from the starting line again and though I keep promising myself "today I'll get back to it" I know I can do it (Fanellas good advice is exactly how I did it 8 yrs ago)but something seems to stop me...... a recent article in Slimming World magazine might cast a light on it for me(or might be another good excuse)it says that lack of adequate sleep basically makes the brain crave energy and we feed it calories when we cant give it rest...it certainly fits in with my 9mth old inducing sleep deprivation. I hope you get to the root of your mental block and achieve your target easily. Good luck.

[CountessDracula]

How are you losing the weight?

I find restricting calories doesn't really work for me

You need to the right things at the right time of day
ie
oats for breakfast
(i have bircher muesli - soak some oats overnight in apple juice, mix with low fat yoghurt and fruit, I stir in some grape nuts just before eating to make it crunchy)

This fills me up til lunchtime

At lunchtime eat plenty and buy a banana or apples or something for mid afternoon slump

Then no carbs in teh evening.

(Alos I find skipping the odd meal helps though I realise this is bad)

[Kewcumber]

my doctor recommends 1-2lbs PER MONTH He says thats the speed you probably put it on and thats the only speed that your likely to take it off and keep it off.

Very samll changes and stick to them.

[CountessDracula]

yes I agree with Kewcumber
if you lose 2lb a week it will all go back on in no time

[lizandlulu]

ivegotaheadache, you could have been me writing that! i am exactly the same.

[bonnibaby]

Me too,if i could just have everything in moderation it would be fine but i cant,it either a diet day or not a dietday!
If i know im going out for a meal or having a takeaway its a licence to eat rubbish ALL day whereas if i just had the meal or what ever it wouldnt do much damage ARGH!
Then i will be really strict with myself to try make up for it.

[Ivegotaheadache]

It's like I decide that I'm going to have an eating day (or something) then I eat everything because in my mind tommorrow I'm back on the diet, so I'd better eat all I can today.... only problem is I don't go back on it the next day probably because once I've eaten it my body starts to crave it.

I do eat much more when it's the time of the month, but actaully I'm not sure if it's real cravings or that I know that my period's due so I start to eat more.

I don't have an eating disorder, but I read something about disordered eating and I think I have something like that to some degree because I'm not sure these habits are normal!!

[Ivegotaheadache]

Actually, sorry to those who are like me, obviously it is normal

[CountessDracula]

IMO diets are a waste of time
You need to address the way you eat in general

If you eat rubbish you will crave rubbish. Why not just start by making some small changes in teh way you eat and ensuring tha tyou eat enough so you aren't hungry?

If I go on a diet (which I do occasionally for about two days) I immediately feel starving and do nothing but think about food!

Tell us what you eat on a diet day and on a non-diet day currently maybe we can make suggestions

[Kewcumber]

Agree with CD - I don't need a diet. I need a lobotomy.

[sfxmum]

I think that eating the right things at the right time is wise
also exercise and relaxation, I think the food- emotion link is hard to break

whenever I am miserable/ anxious I eat breaking that link is very hard indeed

[CountessDracula]

I stuff my face when I have pmt or I become vile

[Kewcumber]

I stuff my face when I have pmt or I become vile or to celebrate or becasue I'm bored or becasue its Sunday or becasue I'm going to diet tomorrow or because the sell by date is nearly up or becasue I'm cross with someone or becasue I'm cross with myself...

I have a very odd relationship with food.

[CountessDracula]

Do you have a therapist?
(assuming it bothers you, if not then obv ignore previous q)

[Kewcumber]

yes it does bother me. Therapy costs money I don't have and I need a whole heap of therapy.

Actually I have a pretty clear idea of why I do it, just no idea how to stop and GP's generally pretty clueless (though generally sympathetic)

When you are skint food is a cheap and easy way to self medicate.

[sfxmum]

go for cheap online CBT learn some tricks pretend you did not know them already

it is a vicious cycle a form of rebellion
of controlling something bordering on self harm

[CountessDracula]

can gp not refer you on nhs?

[Kewcumber]

nope - you can talk your way into drugs at a push but you have to be morbidly obese to get counselling. Annoyingly my bro who is got CBT and laughed about how he'd "fooled" the consultant into thinking he was better . Stupid twat my bro at times.

[sfxmum]

should have said free online CBT I think it is useful ad as it is free it is worth a look.

nothing earth shattering happens but hey