Yoyo-ers support group anyone?

[morningtoncrescent62]

I'm a pretty classic yo-yo dieter. I'm almost 50 and I've spent the last 35 or so years pinging between about 9 stone and 15 stone. You name it, I've tried it - low carb and 5:2 are my most recent attempts, but nothing has resulted in a permanent change. I'm currently about 11 and a half stone and I've just started another round of calorie counting which is the only weight loss method that really works for me, and this time I want to get down to about 10 stone and stay there. That's hardly skinny, as I'm 5' 3", but any lower triggers major binges. Anyone else with a history of ups and downs who wants to join me? All weight loss methods/WOEs welcome, just looking for support in maintaining long term.

Im sorry you didn't get any replies morning. I know how you feel. Its definitely much harder after 40 and it doesn't come off as quick as it did when you were younger. The thing that works for me is mindful eating. Eating only when truly really hungry and stopping as soon as I am satisfied. Eating whatever I want. Anything and checking in with each mouthful I have to see if I am genuinely satisfied yet. When you eat this way you tend to feel satisfied after only about 4 mouthfuls.
I found the Paul McKenna thread on here about 3 years ago and that has been lovely support. We don't diet anymore. This way is more of a body led calorie thing I guess as you only fuel your body when it really needs it.
I have all the wonderful foods I love in my house but they never bother me. If I want something then following the rules, I have it.

I have been a yo-yo dieter for about 13 years now. My highest weight was 16st3, my lowest weight 8st7 (skeletal for my 5'7, very large frame).

Now that I have children, I tend to yo-yo between 11st and 14st. Everytime I am in a weight loss phase, I do great, don't even feel deprived, and suddenly, when I get close to the 11st mark, it is as if someone flicked a switch in my head, and I cannot stop eating. I binge non-stop, put on all the weight back until I have another lightbulb moment and start another starving phase.

I am so fed up with it. I am fed up with having clothes in all sizes from a 12 to a 20 and never being able to build a decent wardrobe because I never remain at the same weight. I am fed up with setting a bad example for my children. My dream weight would be around 9st but I would be happy if I could remain at 11st for the rest of my life.

My latest starving phase started on July 28th. I don't know what triggered it - I had my usual breakfast of baguette with Nutella and suddenly, at 10 in the morning, I was back in weight loss mode.

I track my calories on MFP. I try to limit my carb intake. 90% of my food is homemade from scratch. The hardest part is baking for the children and only having a tiny portion of cake.

I think that dieting usually triggers bingeing because you deprive yourself and then you give yourself permission to eat whatever you want. With mindful eating (aka Paul McKenna) you don't diet anymore. Never ever.
I have maintained my weight for years and stayed roughly the same because I have changed my relationship with food.