Quote:
Originally Posted by yowzer
I really didn't want to write this post. But I need to. I am ashamed, as silly as it sounds. I had lost almost 40 lbs from mid-summer to September. I was just above 200 lbs, and I hadn't been below that for several years. I felt almost high on life. I was hiking and I was really feeling good about myself. I came back from a work trip in September and just stopped exercising and just started binging. And now I am up 30 lbs - only 10 lbs from where I originally started. I baffle me. But mostly I disappoint me.
But, I am back again. So I ask myself, what can I do differently? Where did I start sliding backwards? Looking back, my visits to the website started falling off and that's a red flag because this is where I come for support. So Ideal Proteiners I am asking for support as the tears are streaming down my face. I wll not quit. I might have gone backwards, but I am here today and ready to go forward.
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I've mostly been a lurker, too. The support here has made all the difference for me, and I'm posting more now. I've tried many diets in the past, lost a bit and then gained it all back plus some because
I couldn't sustain the effort. Something would happen, any of life's little or big stresses, and I'd abandon the program. In addition, it was very hard for me to stick with a balanced/complex carb diet like Weight Watchers. Kind of like telling a crack addict, "We want you to control your crack intake and have just a small portion 3 or 4 times a day, lol!" With IP, the formula has made all the difference for me. I've lost 44 lbs since 8/2/12. Not as fast as some, but lighting fast for me and much more easily than any other attempt I've made in the past.
What am I doing differently this time?
1. Plan, plan, plan.
I get my protein and veggies for the week on Sundays. I roast, steam, or stir fry them in large batches. I've tried many of the recipes listed on this forum. So many wonderfully creative people are willing to share their ideas and recipes. I package veggies in 2 cup portions to quickly grab and go. I puree and freeze some in single serving portions for my IP soups. I always prepare a protein (except for fish) for at least two meals, maybe three. My husband eats the same dinner that I prepare for myself (and has lost 15 lbs. without changing anything else - wouldn't you know.)
I know what I'm eating at least a couple of days in advance, including the restricted item. I eat a restricted every day in the evening with a hot tea. I look forward to it all day, and it helps me to end the day with something I really like.
If someone invites me out for a meal, I look at the restaurant menu ahead of time, and if they don't have IP-appropriate choices, I request a different restaurant.
2. I do some things to help me sustain the effort.
I pre-purchased quite a bit of IP foods and some alternatives so I have lots of choices on hand. I don't have to eat the same breakfast every morning. If I have to put it on a credit card, so be it.
I cleared out two shelves in my pantry cabinet that are just for my IP foods, alternatives, Walden Farms foods and supplements. I can see and reach everything easily. I took out all the baking supplies, crackers, potato chips, regular dressings, chocolate chips etc. and gave them to a friend. If my husband wants cookies, chips, etc, he know he has to have it during the day or when he's traveling on business. We don't keep any of those items in the house anymore.
If I'm really struggling, I'll have an extra packet -- usually a drink made into "ice cream" using Rainbow's shake-in-a-bag recipe. Or, if I can get away from work or the house for a bit, I'll go to Starbucks and have them steam a chocolate RTD and add a shot of espresso to it. I'll sit there, read for awhile and shut out all the things that are bugging me.
I started adding some of my protein allowance to lunch. It's made a huge difference in controlling hunger.
3. I promised myself that a slip would be one incident, not a whole day.
4. This is important. For my health and self-confidence and sanity. Period. I'm not going to let anything or anyone derail me from reaching my goal.
You can do this -- You've already restarted. It's a new day. No beating yourself up or worrying about the past. Make yourself a priority and put as many things in place that you need to so that following the plan is automatic.
Cheers to you for coming back!
