Hello everyone...My name says exactly how I'm feeling. I am so distraught. I just can't do this anymore. I have been on this weight rollercoaster for 22 years now. Before age 25, I could eat whatever I wanted and never gain an ounce. I was a shapely 36/24/36. Size 3. Once I hit 25, something happened. I struggled to stay in the 150 lb. range from age 25-30. By 35, I was 200 lbs. By 36, I needed a hysterectomy. By 37, I was 225. Now at 47, I am 236. My highest was 248, so I am thankful that after so many years, I was able to move back down to 236. But I have been in the 220's and 230's for about 10 years. I just gain and lose the same weight over and over and over again. I am feeling like I will NEVER lose. I do diets for a month or so, then fall off the wagon. I feel for me it is more psychological than a hunger thing. I really don't know what to do. I'm needing support. I don't really know where else to turn except to those that are in similiar situations. I feel helpless.

Hi WitsEnd47. I have been in the same situation, over and over, like you. Lose a few pounds, then go back to my previous unhealthy eating. I am 57 now, and I am trying to look at this a different way. If you read the posts from people that have lost and maintained, you need to change your mindset. This is NOT a diet! It's learning to eat healthy and cutting out the things that are bad for you for your lifetime. Sure, you get spontaneous pleasure from that food that tastes so good, but think of all the ingredients that it is made of. Probably has refined white flour, or too much sugar, fat, or salt. I am glad I am on the South Beach plan, because the foods that are good for you are listed and the foods you need to avoid or limit are on another list.

aww... you are not alone in this. Many here feel overwhelmed and struggle.

Posting is taking a big first step. You need to sit down and make a plan, plan for meals and plans for activity. Look around this site there are many support topics and lovely people to talk with. Good luck

WitsEnd47. You sound like me a few years ago. I had yo-yo dieted for years until I decided I could not count one more calorie or point! Then I found my diet, which incorporates a day each and every week when I can eat anything I want. And I don't count a thing. I just watch what types of carbs I eat for 6 days a week, and I stop eating when I feel full. Because I am eliminating the types of carbs that cause cravings on those 6 days, I no longer feel hungry all the time. And having one day each week when I can eat whatever I want (last Saturday I had cake for breakfast AND lunch, lol) keeps me from feeling deprived. Plus, I no longer feel guilty about "cheating." I'm not cheating because eating what I want is part of the plan. Although I started this plan a couple of years ago, foolishly I went off it for no good reason last year, and just started back up on it again in May of this year. Once again I love it and I don't ever intend to go off it again. This is going to be my way of eating from now on. I'm tired of yo-yo-dieting! If you'd like to know exactly what I'm doing, I've outlined it on the first post of this thread: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/othe...hread-2-a.html. If you think it's something you might like to try or if you decide to do any diet plan that has you watching your carbs, feel free to join us on that thread! Whatever diet plan you settle on, I wish you the best!