Hello ClassOf06! I too have experienced the same difficulties with weight loss.

Just last summer I was near my goal weight and had kept it at that for a good amount of time. I have gained most of the weight back (I was at 176) and it has taught me that I have to watch what I eat if I want to be "normal." I see others who eat what they wish and I just have to tell myself I wasn't born with the same genes...

I've taken a diet and fitness class at my university and my professor had the same advice. Whether we like it or not some of us were born with slower metabolism and we just have to learn how to work with it. I have decided to eat healthfully once again and to work out more...Another word of advice, we can't put it in our minds that we are "dieting." We have to make changes that will last a lifetime.

This time I'm not going to reach my goal weight and then go back to eating "normally." I will just find myself in the same place if I do.

Don't be miserable about it, just know that you did it once so you can do it again. You know what it takes for you to be at your desired weight, so don't hold back...I find myself depressed when I give into my cravings and eat like crazy. It's time you look at yourself and smile because it's just a short time before you reach your goal. You know it's possible, just go through with it...

And who ever said normal is being able to eat whatever you want??? I think it's more normal for people to watch what they eat. You are normal, you have a body that gets affected by what you put into it, just like the rest of us here!

You can eat "normally" ever so often. Only you know your body and how often it can take that.

I hope you stop being so hard on yourself and stop worrying!

Yeah I think a lot of skinny people who you would think eat all they want tend to eat a lot in public but can go for ages without thinking about food if they're on their own. My bf is like that, first thing in the morning I wake up thinking about food but he doesn't really get hungry until lunch time and he doesn't often snack unless I suggest it. Again I have a really slim female friend with a room full of chocolate, but when I was at uni with her I noticed that it was the same chocolate all term!

Extreme dieting like that leads to one of two things: either anorexia or gaining it all back and more just as fast. No one can keep that lifestyle up for a long time without complications, because our bodies weren't built to handle that. This time I suggest you talk to a nutritionist to work out a plan.

If you got it off before you can do it again there may be some ups and downs but that is life. No one is perfect. I am here for you anytime I will help with the downs to make them into the ups just let me know if I can help.