How did this happen?!?
 

Sorry to be such a downer but I need the most support I have ever needed....I can't stand myself right now! I can not even believe I am back up to 185 lbs?!? How did this happen? I KNOW I need to restart and I am going to....just ordered more food today but, with that being said....I have restarted before on my way back up and was NEVER successful. I was so incredibly strong last year and my strength is GONE. PLEASE HELP ME FIND IT AGAIN....I BEG YOU!

My clothes are cutting off my circulation! My waist is the same measurement it was when I started at 195 lbs....I could sob....this is awful.

You have taken the first step. You did it before and you can totally do it again. One meal at a time. Start chopping those veggies now!

It only took you 14 weeks to hit goal last time. I sometimes think that in that short a time you haven't always had the chance to really make some of the longer term changes that others do who take longer to lose. We have that many more opportunities to practice restraint during special occasions, more time to alter our taste buds and start to get into a pattern.

Full speed ahead. Don't dwell on the past. When you get some confidence back you can reflect back on what you might do differently this time but don't worry about that now.

Well this is a great place to come for support so welcome back -- lots of us "re-starters" here so you're in good company of people who understand your frustrations. ChipnDip gave you good advice: One meal at a time and full speed ahead. You know this works and you know you can do it. Start with that. As you'll see in lots of posts, we're all working on the "mental game" more this time and Lisa has a great book lots of people are reading "The Beck Diet Solution" (I think)... Keep an eye out for her daily tidbits from that book.

Hi Erica,
Speaking as someone who has been in your shoes, struggling to get back the momentum, willpower, determination, etc I get what you are saying. It took me many attempts to get back in the groove, but I'm here, solid into 100% mode for over a month now. You can do it too.

I think what worked for me this last time starting over, was the information that I would be traveling for work on some long flights, (several months from now) and how miserable I am flying so heavy. I was getting up into my starting clothing from 2012. I took a mental inventory of how things were at goal, and how they are with the weight back where it is. I should write down that list. I am big on planning mini goals. Just hitting 10 lbs lost was a celebration, then 25, now 30 (ROCK ON!). I don't even need a trinket or a new pair of shoes - just knowing "I've done it!" or telling hubby of my success - it's a win for me. I don't know if mini goals help you but you might give that a try.

Don't beat yourself up. You are where you are regardless of the reasons. For me I realized that "tomorrow" to do something never got here. I would diet again, tomorrow.... When I restarted IP this time it was a wake up and just do it sort of deal. No last night of indulgences - heck I had a whole year of those. I just decided that "now" was the time. I jumped back in on Phase 2, as I had that food already here in the house.

Take care of yourself. You are here amongst friends.
:hug:

Thank you all so much! I need to take it day by day, your right....my strength...that strength I remember was what I had a couple weeks in. I will get there again! I'm so sick of being disgusted!

You should be proud that you realized you need to get back on tract. I know how hard it is to restart I tried many Monday's but, I did it when I was fed up with how awful I felt. You can do this. I agree one meal and one day at a time and soon it will just be routine. You know it's possible because you've done it successfully before.

Erica6700 - :hug: to you! You'll get your mojo back, give it time. Hooray for you for re-starting. It's not easy but you know what to do and how to be successful. Remember, it's not how many times you fall - it's how many times that you get back up that make you a winner.

We're here for you and you can do this!

Erica -- Hooray for you for already setting the wheels in motion. You've ordered the food and you've come back to this forum. You're on your way. Just don't get in your own way with the negative self-talk. Don't put energy into beating yourself up. Try to make a mental effort to put that energy into re-motivating yourself and soothing yourself. One step at a time -- and from where I sit, you've already taken 2 huge steps -- and you will be to your goal in no time. :hug:

Hang in there. I'm a re-starter too. Gained it all back except 10 lbs. Still need to lose 19 more lbs. to get back to where I left off the last time. I'm not going to lie, it sucks. However, I'm approaching this from a different perspective this time. I know now that every day (regardless if I'm losing weight or trying to maintain) that I have to be vigilant. I lost the weight and then went back to eating the same way before I went on IP. It seems so obvious that you can't do that but yet I did. So, keep your head up, know that you made an even tougher decision than the first time to start because it's the second time and that this is it. You will be successful. :)

YOu are not alone. I know the frustration, I lost 40 lbs in 2011 on IP and gained it back and I am flabbier than I was before at this weight. grrrrrrrrr.

You are never alone, this food addiction is a real challenge, since we have to eat to survive. Other addictions you don't need to survive, like you don't need a small amount of heroin or beer to live, but you do need food. So, the ONE Day at a time is the only way I can handle the mountain & I have refused to give up, even with a pain in the neck (no pun) thyroid. Stay on these boards, I don't post often, but read a lot :)

I feel your pain as I am a restarter too! My "skinny" clothes are all tight and I can't stand it! I have tried MANY times to restart but I never stick to it. For me, it is all about staying accountable. If I try to do it on my own, I'm not accountable. So this time I am going back to the clinic. Honestly, the only thing that keeps me on plan is knowing I have to go there in a week and step on that scale in front of someone else. It turns into a challenge for me to prove to my coach that I am successful. Otherwise, when I just weigh myself, I think "eh, ill do better tomorrow". So, I know I will be successful again this time around by making myself accountable and having my scheduled weigh in with my coach. I hope one day I can do it on my own, I will definitely need to learn how to be better on maintenance.

Erica...you could be anyone of us. So glad you didnt give up. You will do it I can feel it in your cry for help. One day at a time will turn into weeks and months of success.

I'm right there with you. I thought I had only gained about 5 pounds, but when a pair of capris wouldn't fit, I got on the scale & saw 10-15 had creeped back on b/c of my neglect of following the P4 directions. I have a wine problem & was only drinking wine on the weekends since December, but then it went to every evening. So, I purchased some packs from Nashua Nutrition...wasn't seeing anything melt away, but suddenly 3.3 pounds has melted. I even made my teen a birthday cake yesterday - I had a shake for my "cake". I knew the hard part wasn't losing it in the first place for me, the hard part for me is maintaining. I also quit visiting this forum...I need the support from others to help keep me on track. Erica, you can do it!! :)

I could have written your post! We have very close stats! It took me about 3 years to gain mine back, but I am almost back to where I started :( My body looks somewhat better than it did when I was previously at this weight, so I think that is why I have somehow justified my weight gain....

I have "re-started" many many many times before but not seriously like I am now. I needed to go back 100% IP. I tried alternatives and while I like them and loved saving money, I was having little cheats so often, the weight wasn't coming off as fast as 100% IP, so I decided, if I want to really do this, I have to mentally be accountable. It has been working, I am very focused.

You can do this!!!! You are not alone!!

Erica - I tried to restart several times and couldn't make it past the first few days. No matter how much willpower I thought I had, I gave in and would pig out on a meal, blowing the progress I had made then crying and hating myself.
I have been back on plan (loosely on plan) for a week now and finally able to stick to it. Instead of going 100% on day one, I followed the Atkins plan - all low carb veggies and meat/eggs/cheese. I did this for the first 4 days, dropping the water weight and getting into ketosis. When I was hungry, I ate (usually deviled eggs) but I also went out to dinner and had chicken fajitas with zucchini, avocado and sour cream. I can now follow IP after the initial break through, and my hunger levels are way down and cravings are gone.
I know this isn't IP, or 100% but it was the only way I could get back on plan.

(edit) Oh, and I lost 6 pounds in the past week, even with the extra low carb food I had!

I swore that I was not going to gain my weight back. Lost 30 pounds and have gained 20 pounds over the last 4 years. I am very upset with myself. I am on day 1. Too many excuses. The party is over. Back to reality.

Hi everyone...unfortunately, my story is the same. I just have to question....what are we doing wrong? It's concerning to me that so many of us have to restart after gaining the weight back.

I restarted on June 26th...then fell off after 2 weeks. I lost 11 lbs & 13 inches in that time...but I was bummed that I didn't lose more. (I'm now kicking myself for feeling that way!!). Last Friday...I thought that I would just do one of the Beachbody workouts while doing the alternative plan...just maybe that would help me lose faster. Nope...after 1 day I was starving. So, I commit one last time to get this weight off using 100% IP. I will MASTER maintenance this time! :) for me, I think that means NO cheat days. I will not incorporate sugar, anyway. Once I did that, I lost my battle on that roller coaster ride. I can't wait to be in the 140's...I can't seem to break free of the 150's. I guess that's my 1st mini goal!

Looking forward to feeling great again!!!!!

We're pretty close in our stats...and restarting at the same time! I'll be starting tomorrow... We will do this!!

Way to go on losing those 6lbs!!! I know I'll have to do the 4 packets a day to start.

Restarters, I can only suggest posting & reading the Home of the 100% (No Cheat Zone) because the IP plan works to lose the weight, and works to stay at goal in maintenance plan. If we deviate from it, why shouldn't we regain? We are going back to old habits. It's a lot about the mindset and how we approach food. Successful IP'ers have changed their view of food and its link with emotions and control over our lives. Lurk on the maintenance threads for more to prepare yourself for healthy ways of eating in maintenance once you have lost the weight. If you fall down, get right back up again. The next thing that goes in your mouth should be Phase 1 compliant again. Don't justify a binge by saying that you might as well, you've blown it already. You can always pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep at it! If you take a step backward, just make the next one forward. :yes:You CAN do it!:yes: We have faith in you! Just follow the plan.

This message was sponsored by your drill sergeant, lol :drill:

Day 4 of my reboot. Doing well and feeling like I am in control.

Almost 2 weeks in restart and doing great! Lost 4.4 lbs my first week, and hopefully another good loss this week. No cheating which is really good for me. I almost feel like I'm not eating enough sometimes. The last few days I have not been hungry and almost feeling sick when I do eat my IP food. I think, or hope, it is just ketosis and not anything else. How is everyone else doing?

I'm not a re-starter, but I have one small suggestion for the original poster Erica. If possible, change up your signature and ticker. I only say that because every time you see your posts, it sits there like a subconscious judgement or accusation. You CAN get to the point where you are happy again, but being gentle with yourself during the time when you're trying to regain momentum and strength might be the right thing to do.

That's awesome! Stay strong and keep pushing forward!:carrot:

Michelle

I'm three weeks in and I sometimes feel that way. I switched one of my meals to a grape drink from Nashua and that has helped a lot. Keep with it! You can do this!

Michelle

I agree you need to put the past in the past and start fresh. Think of every day as a brand new day and you can do it one day at a time!:)

Michelle

Been there, done that....
 

Hello, I am new to IP, but not new to this dilemma. I lost 50 on WW back in 2002. Slowly but surely it came back.

I have to believe where there's a will there's a way. First we need to be willing to accept where we are, and the only way out is change.

Change how we look at food. Food should be sustenance for our body, not a punishment or reward.

We must realize that destination diets never work.

For years I have said "losing is the easy part (yeah right), but keeping it off is the hard part.

If it were easy, we would all be rich and thin!!!

Know that you are not alone, together we can fight this battle and win the war!!:)
Hang in there, because you are worth it,,, we are all worth it!!!:D

Attitude is everything........keep on keeping on!!!

erica... breathe.

then change your signature. and fill it with new goals.

maybe you have to try a new way, one you can stick to :). set a new goal, be positive, and move on. do not blame or hate yourself. like yourself for all you have dealt with besides that one weight loss thing.

it reall is just ONE THING in life.

I hope you can read us still and come back to read us :)

patpatpat

Erica, I know exactly how you feel. I lost some of my weight last year for my son's wedding. I could get into a normal size dress, by March the same dress did not fit me. I restarted Ideal Protein again. I keep trying and reading this sight. I find it does help. Good Luck

Ericca, how are you doing? Everyone else?

I just had my 3rd weigh in and I lost 3.4! 9.6 total in just 3 weeks. I feel like I have done better this time around than the first time. Although I still allow a few minor cheats here and there (cheese, a bite of something to taste it), I am not cheating as much as I did before, and I'm not tempted either. I think my determination comes from the desire to get to my goal weight as quick as possible so I can begin maintenance again, and do it right this time! Hope you are all doing well!