[ScrappyJay]

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[nationalparker]

GOOD LUCK with your goals - sounds like you've done some solid thinking and know what you need to do to reach your goals. It's very hard to focus on a healthy lifestyle sometimes when away at college... but maybe hit some of the athletic events there - your student fees usually pay for it so you have free admission and that might be motivating ...

[Onederchic]

Hi and welcome to 3FC.

Good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

[EvilGidget]

Hello and welcome! Lot's of great support here as you know... and yes... it does really help. Good luck with your journey!

[JanetJ]

Hey Sarah,

I just stumbled across your post and read it with great interest. Sounds to me like you're on your way to livin' the healthy life.

Your awareness of what is healthy -- and what isn't -- is so important. And, I think you're doing the right things, although I can't tell how much or what you're eating.

I love the fact that you're drinking lots of water and exercising regularly, however; don't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes when we push too hard, it can backfire. It's just too much pressure. It's not a "normal" way to live.

You don't necessarily have to workout everyday, and, especially, twice a day. Only seasoned, elite athletes do that to their bodies. You may be pushing too hard!

You need to determine what your fitness goals are. Is this the life you want to live forever? Then relax and take it one day at a time. If you're truly too tired, listen to your body (it's trying to tell you something), take a break, and start fresh in a day or two. In time, and with practice, you'll find your own rhythm. What works for you. (Remember, you're not like anyone else!)

Also, (and, I'm speaking from experience here) the reason that we look to change is because we're unhappy with the current situation.

But when we try to change, there's a strong, subconscious pull that continually draws us toward the unwanted behaviour. That's normal. Change is difficult. That's why simply wishing to change doesn't work. We have to repeat our new, healthy behaviours over and over until they stick.

Only when I finally understood this did I stop my incessant binging and purging cycle.

Until our new habits become part of who we are, and, really, that should be our ultimate goal -- not short-term weight loss -- we won't have peace.

When you say "... I'll just want to eat nonstop!", as a recovered anorexic/bulimic, I so get that. It still happens, but I know how to correct it before it gets out of hand.

Restricting yourself of the foods you love is one way to incite the unbearable urge to binge.

What worked for me was to stop focusing solely on the weight. I focused more on a feeling. On eating healthy and moving my body.

I taught myself to eat when I was hungry, stop when I'd had enough, and to eat healthy, whole foods most of the time, allowing myself a treat every now and then. I still eat pizza and ice cream and drink wine, but I now know when to stop. And, by allowing myself the odd indulgence, I don't feel deprived all the time. Which, by the way, leads to obsessive thoughts about food. Not good!

I wish you the best of luck on your journey. You are so young yet, and have a long life ahead of you to live in any way you want.

Cheers!

Janet

[DhaniCauldwell]

Welcome and good luck!

Dhani

[aasshhlleeyy]

You've come so far already good luck reaching your goal... you can do it!