[SarahFairhope]

I want to preface this by saying, I haven't found a silver bullet. I've just found an amazing tool that has made it actually seem POSSIBLE to lose the weight I've wanted for as long as I can remember.Thank you neuroscience!

I went to a therapist to talk about my "out of control" eating habits. I soon discovered that my childhood diagnoses of ADD (which I never really embraced) was still affecting me. With both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as ADD meds from my Internist, I am making changes in my mind. And, quite to my surprise, my body is slowly shrinking. Right now, I don't spend much effort working on weight loss directly, but instead my efforts are focused on improving my mental health.

When I'm ready, I'm sure I'll add more focus to actively losing weight. But right now, I am so happy and proud of my efforts to address a healthier state of mind. And wow, what a great reward to see that scale heading downward to boot!

Here is a pretty great article on weight a neuroscience if anyone is interested: http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-libra...h-neuroscience

[melfitstar]

Awesome, I feel the same way actually. My coworker and friend kept insisting I go to counseling and I insisted I already knew what all of my problems were. It took a while for me, but I finally searched out some cognitive behavioral therapy which I think has already helped after a couple months. I've posted about this before, but my therapist taught me HALT, (hungry, angry, lonely, tired-there are more of course) which I consider when I go to overeat. It's helping me understand why I want to eat, then II can consciously address those issues... it's not always just about food!

Another friend told me once these healthy decisions build up in our brains making it easier and more reflexive the more we practice which I think must be true, I mean don't you think that's how we got here in the first place?

[Trazey34]

I'm a hugggge fan of this, and not just because I'm a psychologist. I had all the tools at my disposal, but until I actually sought out therapy, I never applied them to my own life.

Coping with the spoiled brat child who lives inside me was the turning point. I'd lost/gained 50 pounds about a dozen times. But this time, 160 down for 2 years plus, I think I found the answers for ME.

Just so everyone understands, therapy isn't the same for everyone. I almost resent the idea that every fat person was abused or that we all sit alone in a closet eating frosting from a can LOL

I had a nice life, spoiled and indulged to be sure, and getting a grip on THAT was what I needed.

[Arctic Mama]

I'm so glad you found what worked for you. The head work, however it comes about and whatever the specifics may be, is THE most crucial for maintenance as far as I've learned. If you don't deal with the habits, behaviors, justifications, and underlying coping/mismanagement issues, they WILL inevitably pop up again. Some people just deal with them more quickly/less aware than others, some of us must specifically ferret the issues out because habit changes, alone, don't dig deep enough.

And ditto Trazey, huge ditto.

[linJber]

Ditto here, too.

Lin