Hey Guys...
How´s everyone doing ?

Ok, so I´ve been back on the healthy bus for about 3 weeks, I was doing alright, but lacked the exercize, so I added that this week, and was doing great, 45 min jog mon & wed and a spinning class on tuesday ... I lost a little the control of what I ate once I got home at night, after the gym, but was still on my daily limit of intake, so that was cool...

But then, this has been a hactic week, I´ve been working 14 hours/day, a guy I went out with for about a week, and broke my heart, started calling again (he lives in Mexico, on the other side of the ocean, so no hopes there), I was up for a promotion that was decided yesterday and have heard nothing from my boss (not good) and to top everything I weighted myself this morning and haven´t lost an ounce this week... so, hello chocolate and bye bye lettuce ...

I´ve been on this journey to lose weight for about two years now, I´ve accomplished a lot, and am happy about that, but I´ve fallen off the wagon many many times during the process, and I have learned to forgive myself, pick myself up and start over... but everytime that happened, it was because of an (or several) emotional distress...and come on, we all know that there is no perfect life, if we live in the real world and not la la land... so, how did you guys learned to eventually deal with the stress ? Any tips ??

Thanks guys !!
Cheers,
Carol

I've struggled with my weight ever since I started having kids 7 years ago. Gaining and losing 80 pounds-for the third and hopefully last time right now. I think that once you've been overweight the hardest part about maintenance is the mindset. It's very easy to fall into the trap of tying together food and weight with emotions, and all too hard to climb back out once you do. Even after I got back down to 120 pounds before, I still would feel guilty when I indulged in a craving, and quite honestly I still felt self concsious about my weight. I think that for some of us the best we can do is live in that middle ground, where there's atleast moderation. You've done so well and come so far with your weight loss.....just keep that in mind whenever you have a bad day.
The only thing I can say that works in the meantime is distraction. The fact that you recognize what causes you to fall off the wagon is the first step. Now you just have to find the way to deal with it that works for you. Eating is an activity that we use to deal with emotional distress-so replace it with a different activity. Mine is different depending on what's bothering me, but for the most part it's cleaning my house like a crazy person. When I find myself reaching for the fridge when I know that food issues, and not hunger, are the cause, I just have to MAKE myself do something else, like call someone, surf the net, clean the house, etc., and it doesn't take long for the urge to be forgotten. You've already proven to yourself that you can do this, and should be so proud of what you've accomplished! Like you said, nobody's life is perfect, and we all have some kind of stress. We just have to make up our minds that those bumps along the road aren't going to sabotage what we work so hard for.......

All I have done is accept that there will be days like this. Forgive myself if I screw up and move on. Try to focus on my success instead of the occasional blunder. (Believe me, I've had some). There are times that I overeat. Times that I don't exercise and should have. But, there are some days that my exercise and food are so perfect that I could have written the book on weight loss. A positive mindset always works best.

Lilybelle is so right. I would also like to add something I read here somewhere before that just really clicked with me. When you do slip don't let it become the end. If you have a flat tire you do not then slash the other 3 tires. If you spill a glass of milk you don't dump the whole carton. Something to think about next time you want to eat the whole carton of ice cream!

You have been in this same place before and it is great that you recognize it. So think about what you have done in the past to get out of the relapse. I always find that going to do something with some friends is the best thing for me and this does not mean go out to dinner or drinks somewhere. That means going for a walk or a weekend getaway, just you and some of your closest friends. Remember your journey is a journey that will last your whole life and look how far you have come so far!

I agree with all the ladies. Distraction, distraction, distraction. Also, I think it is very important that if you slip up, you don't let your old habits tell you, "Well, since I already slipped, I might as well go full on." That was one of my biggest hinderences. I also clean like a mad woman. Last, but not least, we all have those battles in our minds where we fight over whether we should give in to our cravings or not. I found that when I just thought about it, I gave in more often than not. Lately I've started talking to myself out loud. I will really get in to it with myself. I will say in a very stern manner, "What do you think you are giving up for this? Nothing is for free, especially this. Is it worth it?" As silly as it may sound, it really works for me! Not 100% of the time, but often enough to make a difference.

You have recognized that your eating habits tie strongly in to your emotions and stress. What other outlets do you have? Do you draw, write, sing, dance, yell, run, clean, read, etc? Use your other outlets. So often we do forget about those. And there is a lot of self satisfaction in a job well done, whether it be one of the above mentioned, or something else.

Good luck. And be strong and vibrant. Keep close to you those/that which motivates you. Take the rest out with the trash

Thank you ladies ! You are great !!!
I took your advice, straightened up for the rest of the evening and went crazy in my flat, cleaning the dishes, doing the laundry and moving the furniture around (something I´ve been wanting to do for quite some time ! )

I feel much better ! Ready for a new and hopefully great day tomorrow !!