Sorting it out in my head (long)

[Lyn2007]

Thanks This really is mostly mental, I think. Well, and that exhaustion trying to find what works. I am on plan today with Medifast but really concerned not knowing what I will do instead if I cannot stick with this. The binge eating gets out of control when I am stressed, if I don't have a solid plan, and right now I am STRESSED!! I try to remember, "the one thing I CAN control is what I put in my mouth!"

[peanutt]

Lyn, I have to comment because I've been a reader of your blog for almost a year now. I am a binge eater too.

I know it's tough to get an accurate read from just a blog, but I really think that you need to focus on smaller bits of the overall picture. Your posts often read as overwhelmed by the frustration of not sticking to plan or gaining back a certain number of pounds.

I was often overwhelmed by it all at the start of my weight loss too. But what I did was focus on the smaller victories or challenges. Instead of looking at a whole week, look at one day and celebrate the success of eating on plan or staying binge-free for that one day. Track those achievements in some way too....whether it's a ticker or a gold star chart or an app on your phone (that's what I used). It can be so motivating to "keep the streak going" or even just to look back and say "Look at me go! I ate well for three whole days!"

Recently I was burned out from tracking and counting and weighing and measuring. So I loosened up on my tracking, but found that I was more likely to give in to little binges. So instead of tracking the food I ate every day, I started tracking the food I didn't eat but had wanted to. If I had the thought of wanting a bag of Doritos, I added those Doritos and their calories to my daily food log. Seeing it in black and white would almost always hit me with what a bad idea it would be to consume that. Then you can look back and see the successes of all the poor food choices that you said no to. Amazingly motivating! One day I said no to over 1000 calories of poor food choices. That just cemented for me that I could continue to say no to anything that I knew my body didn't really need.

One day at a time! You've done this once and you can do it again. I just really think that you need to find a way to create and focus on the successes that you do have everyday and I hope that some of my suggestions can help with this!

[Lyn2007]

Peanutt, very good ideas, thank you. I used to have a siggy on here with red and green X's for every day on and off plan. It was very motivating. I may do that again. I also need to start giving myself stars or something in my planner every day. I do get overwhelmed. I think my high stress level is the main contributor to my regained pounds. Like today, my little girl is throwing up, the power is out in part of the house, the dog is driving me INSANE because she wants to go out for a walk and I can't take her with my daughter sick. Trying to wash all the pukey sheets, clothes, etc and do everything myself is very overwhelming. It makes me want to eat for comfort but so far, I am just hanging in there. It is very hard to just sit with the feelings of being overwhelmed.

[Lyn2007]

I have done some sorting.

I blogged about it, and I am starting over. I am going to weigh tomorrow, post my weight, change my ticker, take measurements, and get this thing done. I just want to get back to 175 before I focus on maintaining, if I need to. My weight right now is just not acceptable to me. It is starting to affect my activity level and I can't wear 90% of my clothes.

[Elladorine]

While I haven't gotten as near to my goal as you have, I've also felt like I've thrown something away by gaining back 20 pounds when I'd lost well over 100. I think I just got tired of pushing myself so hard for so long just to maintain a 110-pound-loss when I only wanted to lose more and maybe get closer to my goal for once in my life. I managed to make it a 120-pound-loss before something in me snapped. There were a lot of stresses in my life these past six months or so and I think I just kind of threw up my hands. I really wish I hadn't now . . . heh, I just found out I'm pregnant so it'll be a long time before I can even think about losing weight again.

Anyway, I hope the recent sorting you've done will help you out. I'm rooting for ya! Take care. You'll be in my thoughts.

[BornToFly]

Originally Posted by Lyn2007

I have done some sorting.

I blogged about it, and I am starting over. I am going to weigh tomorrow, post my weight, change my ticker, take measurements, and get this thing done. I just want to get back to 175 before I focus on maintaining, if I need to. My weight right now is just not acceptable to me. It is starting to affect my activity level and I can't wear 90% of my clothes.

Many many I know exactly what you are feeling at the moment. Never stop Lyn!

[Lyn2007]

Congratulations Sirenity!! Babies are a joy

One good day down. Lots more to go!