Bump for some of the new IP folks who are struggling - and because I want to know how everyone who has chimed in here is doing on their journeys! I have tales to tell as well, but for right now, I am going to recommend that all the wonderful IPers who are struggling with the emotional side of weight loss check out Dr. Tran's most recent book, "Ideal Protein...Because it's your life." He talks a lot about the emotional & mental journeys of gaining/losing weight and does it with a level of insight & empathy that I find AMAZING!

thank you very much for the thread! I had no idea that all these emotions would surface and was not prepared to deal ro face them. I did get the Omega 3 and will take 3 a day as perscribed. I have learned that when we loose fat, we release the stored estrogen from this fat. This surge is causing mood swings and by taking the omega 3 the estrogen can then attach to the oils and move on. I will let you know if it make a difference! thank you again.

GemIAm,
Thank you for the recommendation - Dr. Tran's most recent book, "Ideal Protein...Because it's your life."

I'm a newbie (I haven't even done my 1st WI yet)! So, I'm not even sure that this first posting is going to look right LOL.

I'm very interested in this book. I looked on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and couldn't find it. Can you give the ISBN# off the back or tell us where you found it? Thanks.

I think for me, the bigger I became the more invisible I felt.:(

Thank you for starting this. Like many I have been a yo yo dieter since I was a teenager, but adding to that, I am a binger. I remember in elementary buying like 6 chocolate bars and eating them all in the same day, after going to get burger and fries for lunch at the local restaurants....not o mention the other little candies I purchased. My dad was a binge drinker, so I don't get it from any where strange. I had lost 50 lbs thought I would "be fine" because I was"happy" with myself......not. The binging has been way worse, I guess because I went so long without carbs, once I started I couldn't get enough. It is embarrassing to think of how much I would eat if I let it happen, and couldn't control it. I remember one night saying...I will just eat til 8 pm....couldn't even stick to that. I hate feeling deprived, I am sad when I think of not binging again, but I hate that I let food on troll me. Wow I feel like a mess.
I am back on phase 1 doing mainly alternatives but think I am going to back to my clinic and restart......I am going to hate to see the site of that scale....admitting to my coaches that I failed quickly at maintenance. So depressing. The weird thing is I know what 135lbs feel like and being 148lbs.....I feel like a blimp:(.

I got my copy through my IP coach. The ISBN is 2-84928-092-5 but searches resulted in the French version.
I found an English language version for sale online here:
http://store.anideallifestyle.com/re...6/category/19/



I think that is a pretty common feeling. We live in such a visual culture with such restrictive perceptions of "attractive" and so much fat prejudice. After shedding 93 lbs of my "fat suit" I am having to deal with the opposite...instead of getting OUT of my space (as if fat were contagious), now that I am "average-size" - I am hyper-aware of when people get too close "in my bubble," particularly men. I was at the thrift store the other day, cornered too fast and almost bumped into someone (about a 60 year old man)...I pulled up short and blurted an apology. I was floored when he then reached out and "petted" me on the arm and told me it was ok. I KNOW he didn't mean any harm, but even as a size 14, I have a size 22 "bubble" of personal space, a la, "I may be little & cute, but DON'T touch me - you don't know me!" So yeah, I am having issues with being "visable" again. I guess you pick which one you would rather struggle with.

You DID NOT fail at maintenance...you need a re-boot and you need to re-frame the way you think about food. A couple things that have helped me are constantly reminding myself of my sig file quote, "If hunger isn't the problem, then food is not the answer" and really looking at what purpose the overeating was serving in my life. I handle the urge to binge by ALWAYS having pickles & kale chips on hand in my house, so if I just need to CHEW...then I chew something less damaging. I have also re-discovered jewelry-making...it keeps my hands busy while watching TV, feeds my brain, and makes me feel creative and good about myself. I highly recommend a craft or hobby to "replace" the food - sub a healthy addiction for an unhealthy one.

Have a beautiful IP day! Love yourselves!

Feeling vunerable
 

This really hit home for me. In the past couples of weeks, I've been aware of men "taking notice", and am embarrassed to say I feel awkward and don't know how to respond. I don't want to come off as a snob, but I just want to put my head in the sand than to acknowledge them and smile back. (But I really want to smile and engage them, but I lack the courage). I feel so vulnerable now. Never thought of my weight as a bubble, but I guess it was...I didn't have to worry about awkward moments like these. I want to become that confident friendly gal who isn't fearful or threatened by the opposite sex.

Hold your head up, meet their eyes & smile. Just think to yourself, "Oh yes, I am all that, & more!" Remember, when men "acknowledge" a pretty female, they probably do not consciously know they are doing it - just like people are not consciously aware of NOT acknowledging heavy women. Make an effort to square your shoulders and walk like you OWN yourself. There is research that "acting as if" actually tricks your brain into "feeling as if." If you project a strong, self confident image/posture, people will not see you as "fearful or threatened." No one says you have to talk to them - just smile back & move on through your day feeling proud of yourself.
*again, something I have struggled with & have finally figured out at age 42 that I do not have to be "thankful" for any/every guy who finds me attractive. Yup, I had REALLY bad self esteem in my teens/early 20s & would up dating complete losers because they were interested in me - never mind what I wanted.*

Thanks for bumping this thread. I've assumed many of the emotions that have surfaced in the last 2 months have been related to the hormonal changes of this weight loss, which has also caused libido changes and irregularity in my TOM. I've started feeling like I'm going a little crazy, though, as I'm feeling more attractive than I ever have, despite having another 60 pounds to lose! :) I think it's just all about newfound confidence... in my ability to control this part of my life and in my results. (And as I mentioned in another thread, making a coworker trip over the carpet when he saw me was also a great compliment and confidence booster... :D )

I did the same thing and now struggle to get back on plan again.

everybody - thx so much! I thought I was crazy having all of these feelings and now I know I'm not (or if I am I have lots of company! hahaha) I guess its just going to take time and learning to adjust to everything. There is support here online and that helps so much

You are definitely not alone :dizzy:. The mood swings and the mental retraining to not use food as my cure for everything ( and as I am slowly learning about myself alcohol can't be my backup either.) I am feeling half crazed all the time. I know the plan is working and physically I feel better then ever but training my brain is going to be a continuous process and I hope I am strong enough to do it.
I offer what support I can to anyone here who needs it like I do. :dust:

Hey cscape! Congrats on making your goal! :) Yah, I'm still working on my goal, I had those "awkward" feelings and emotions too. Now, I just roll with it, and actually smile an joke back! Works for me! shoban:)

Wow..what terrific insight..its going to take A LOT of practice with this one. I will be undoing 57 years of unconscious behaviors stemming I think from being born blind in 1 eye, and my eye "crossed". Your reply is a keeper..I'm adding it to my motivational file.
Would you say you've overcome the low self esteem or is it a work in progress?

Hope I get there...itt would be awesome to put the insecurities behind me and not carry them around (both physically and emotionally)!