Hi all..I'm new to this site. I lost 130 pounds almost 3 years ago. I live in constant fear of gaining weight. It consumes my daily life. Is anyone else out there experiencing this? Sometimes I wonder if it was worth it. When I look in the mirror, I still see a fat person even though I know I'm underweight. Then I see the wrinkles and bags on my face and get angry at myself for not being able to do this when I was younger. I am finally thin and could wear sleevless tops now. Something I always wanted to do. BUT my arms are so saggy from the loose skin I could never do it! I can't afford that expensive surgery....

What do you do to keep you enspired and want to continue on this journey?
I run and work out 5 days a week, but I have this thing about always having something to nibble on. I use gum and sugar free candies, jello etc...I need to break this constant nibbling cycle. Sometimes I wonder why I bother ....
Does anyone have suggestions?

lulubella,

Congratulations on losing so much weight & keeping it off. That's a great accomplishment at any age.

I'm not sure I have any suggestions, but I can surely understand what you are going through. It took me almost 3 years to lose the weight, although I did lose the biggest chunk the 1st year, & I have many fears about regaining as well. I'm 65 & loose & baggy all over, but I feel so much better than before. Along the way I have learned to eat healthier. I still do everything I did to lose the weight, except allow myself more food (calories at a maintenance level).

No matter how much we get angry with ourselves or regret things we haven't done, we can't redo them. Please don't let all your great success go. We can just go forward from where we are. Could you also be going thru one of those "just throw caution to the wind" periods. Every once in a while I feel like a 2 yr. old & just want to throw a food tantrum & eat whatever I want regardless of the consequences. Sometimes it passes & other times I eat more than I should. But thankfully, I've been able to go back to the program right away so far.

Whatever is going on with you, remember that it will pass. And, regardless of how you handle your current situation, you'll learn from it & can survive it while staying in your maintenance weight range. Hang in there & let us know how it all works out for you.

Thank you for your response. As I read it I realized that I'm in that time of year when I start to feel the funk of winter descend upon me and cannot find anything positive! Then as the weather improves, so does my outlook on life. TY-

Hi Lulu,

Posting every day on the Golden Girls thread keeps me inspired. Come and join in the fun.

Lynn

Don't be too hard on yourself. You've lost the weight and kept it off for 3 years. That is fantastic! I would love to have your success! I've only lost 20 pounds so far, and I did that by eating lots of fiber. That's the only thing that makes me feel full. You must up your intake of fiber gradually though, or you will be bloated and miserable. I'm speaking from experience when I say that!

Congratulations Lulubella on your weight loss!

I also had a problem with snacking and it took me quite a while for me to break the habit. I was especially bad while watching television in the evening. Now there is one rule in my house, no eating after 7 pm for anyone in the house. No exceptions. That way I won't be tempted.