I feel like a failure

[Sillyme1]

Please be kind I feel like I look like some kind of monster (I have a picture to prove I). I dieted for a couple of years recently and went from 16 stone 7 to 10 stone 7. I’m now back up to 12.9 and feel terrible. All that effort! I’m am going to try and lose it and am swimming most days. The trouble was I had major surgery last year and could not exercise for six months. But I feel so down and miserable I feel I cannot face anyone, I look so awful.

oh my goodness you have done really well to maintain 4 stone loss, the majority of people (including myself) gain it all back and then some! You are in a really great position to get back on track now, i am rubbish at personal stuff but it seems like you are being much too hard on yourself so be proud of what you have achieved so far. Unfortunately weight-loss and maintenance is an ongoing process for some of us.

You won't look like some kind of monster, really you won't. I know you feel that way, but you have maintained a 4 stone weight loss which is great and a real benefit for your health.

Losing weight is 80% diet really, exercise is great for fitness and for the psychological benefits but doesn't contribute a huge amount to a calorie deficit.

I don’t look at you as a failures at all! You lost 6 stone and then put some back on due to circumstances out of your control. You just need to now get back into that mindset that you had in the beginning. I find just taking it a day at a time really helps, and if I slip up, I just write it off and start the next day. Every good day is so much better than eating badly everyday! There’s no race to lose it, and berating yourself is so self defeating and will only push you further into bad habits, so maybe congratulate yourself on what you have achieved and just get back on board.

You have done incredibly well to loose all that weight you must be so proud of yourself. To be honest you haven’t put that much back in if you consider you weren’t able to do anything for the 6 months and the fact everyone puts something back on after they stop. Only you will see the monster you need to look past that and remember you’ve still lost an incredible amount even after putting a little back on. I’m currently sat in the doctors waiting to discuss weight loss option so I feel your pain. Good luck

Thank you for your kind messages. I’m just back from swimming and have booked in to have my hair cut on Monday, which will lift my spirits. I have very low self esteem, but know you are all correct in what you say. In any case I have loads of dresses I need to slim back into, so onwards and upwards!