Well, I whined a lot about the cold over on the chat threads, and that and the darkness have certainly put me in a funk this winter, way more than normal. I'm afraid I'm not handling it as well as many of you - too many little "treats" finding their way into my food choices, and too many "it's too cold to go to the gym" and "I'm too busy to exercise" or just plain giving into the "I don't want to " Sigh. I just need to give my self a

It sure does help to have people here who understand how hard it is....

Mindi and WaterRat...I'm wondering if it isn't the weather? It makes things hard, doesn't it? Thank you for sharing my feelings...it really does make it better to know we're not alone in this...

Amanda, my first inclination was the weather, too. I know you're not in the part of the USA that gets a lot of snow and super cold but you do get some inclement weather up there. Maybe a walk on a sunny day will do you some good. I know it does wonders for me. Other than that, all I have to say is that we're all right there with you. I think I've finally gotten over my funk, but it took a 20 pound gain to really kick me in the butt!

Amanda, thyroid problems can affect HR but they don't necessarily. Symptoms are highly personal -- one of the reasons my own hypothyroidism went undiagnosed for so long was that I didn't have some of they signature symptoms, like fatigue or dry skin. But gaining weight magically while doing everything "right" to lose weight could potentially be thyroid-related. I know PCOS can cause weight gain too though but getting your thyroid tested couldn't hurt.

I am with you on the "you're thin so shut up" bus too. Sometimes I feel like I don't have a right to complain about my weight, since I lost so much and I'm a normal weight now. I remember when I was fat getting upset at hearing thinner people complain about their weight. Still, the first time someone told me, "Why are you worrying about calories, you're thin!" I was pretty shocked and surprised. It felt like, of course I'm worrying about calories, or I wouldn't STAY thin. Nobody think about maintenance.

Sometimes you just have to roll around in the muck for awhile. But, you do have to reach a point where you say "Either I have to accept this, or give up". Which choice do you really want to make?

Obesity is a disease, and we all get the "why me" thoughts when seeing other people indulge without seemingly having any consequences. That's our lot in life.

I go through those emotional ups and downs, too. You'll come out of it; it just sucks while you are going through it.

My wife is really pushing me to go on Metformin for the PCOS, she thinks it'll help. My gyn recommended it, my PCP recommended against it, and I'm really hesitating to go on a "lifetime" medication that controls blood sugar when, for right now, my blood sugar is fine, and my eating habits are such that it is likely to stay that way. Still, lots of PCOS'ers have better weight control on Met.

If this persists and isn't just a weird body funk (my body does that sometimes, just refuses to budge), I'll definitely get the thyroid checked.

Fiber - I accept it, I accept it. But I can still not LIKE it sometimes, right?

Hi, I practice mindfulness meditation. this was in my in box.

Changing Like the Weather

The first noble truth says simply that it's part of being human to feel discomfort. We don't even have to call it suffering anymore; we don't even have to call it discomfort. It's simply coming to know the fieriness of fire, the wildness of wind, the turbulence of water, the upheaval of earth, as well as the warmth of fire, the coolness and smoothness of water, the gentleness of the breezes, and the goodness, solidness, and dependability of the earth. Nothing in its essence is one way or the other. The four elements take on different qualities; they're like magicians. Sometimes they manifest in one form and sometimes in another.... The first noble truth recognizes that we also change like the weather, we ebb and flow like the tides, we wax and wane like the moon.

--Pema Chodron, Awakening Loving-Kindness

mandalinn82 : I've learned so much from your posts and learning again now as a new maintainer. So true about not liking it. Thanks for sharing.

Manda, as a woman who has recently resolved to stop sounding and acting like a whiner somewhat regularly (read: monthly, Yaz does NOT control my PMS brain twistedness) I am sort of pleased to hear you having a funk. I am not saying I am happy that you are feeling poorly... just happy to know you are human.

And you are human and it is okay to have a funk. And I am glad to hear you reach out for some assistance. We all need it some to most of the time.

I would, after these 9 months on this board, say it has been rare or never that you are anything but gung ho and unfaltering in your maintenance plan and mind set. You are a kind leader in weight loss and healthy living. It's good to know you are still vulnerable. That's a human trait. (can you tell I recently read twilight??)

Anyway, again, I thank you for being real and I know that this bump is a small bump.

Cie - I really like the idea that we don't even have to call it "self-pity" - it's just the normal waxing and waning of life. Thank you for sharing that, and for your compliment.

Kitty - I'm FAR from perfect. I'm really good at encouraging others, and telling people to keep going...not so good with myself! Which is part of WHY it's hard for me to reach out...because I try to be an encouraging, perky little force in the weight loss world. Thank you for encouraging me to reach out...that's something that I'm working on.

Amanda - loved your post, and I concur with the others - it IS a cyclical thing. The weight gain is cyclical too. to you for recognizing it NOW and wanting to keep it in check even though you are frustrated.

One thing that I have noticed points back to Jay's first post. Whenever I am "stressed", my weight goes up, and I get in a funk. It becomes a spiral if I'm not really careful. And I use the term stressed very liberally - it can be from work, weather, frustration, post-holiday blues, too much physical stress on my body (are you working out TOO much, or lifting TOO much?).

I find that what turns me around the fastest is:
1. Balance - make sure I am playing enough, praying or meditating enough, and ENJOYING all aspects of my life as much as possible.
2. Indudge that sweet tooth - but be smart about it - healthy, sugar free banana bread for example. Life is too short to not "enjoy the journey". What are some healthy things that make you feel good - you know - really good. Thiings that make you feel like you are cheating on your plan? Indulge in a few more of those.
3. Remember that life ISN'T fair. No, I can't ever eat like a normal person again. Then I kick myself hard and remind myself that - like you - I have many, many blessings in my life - things that OTHERS struggle with. We all have things in our life that challenge us more than other people - but their challenges are just different. Our's happens to be food. But, in the scheme of things - we are very, very blessed. We get to eat food every day - we don't have to give it up. We get to choose what we want (we can afford the luxury of choosing from so many, many healthy things). We are really blessed indeed!
4. Vary my exercise routine for a bit - that usually jump starts the weight loss (not necessarily more - just different) Add in some variety - yoga, dance, balance ball, sports - anything that challenges your body in a new way.

You WILL get through this, and your body WILL respond.

And for that changing shape (mine was from menopause), I found that making sure my diet was balanced (plenty of healthy fats - MUFAS, and protein - really keep those carbs in check) and the right balance of many different exercises eventually helped me reshape those pesky areas (including my enormous backside and hips).

And for how long, pray tell, will we be looking at ads for Carl's Jr. hand scooped shakes? Grrrr. I haven't had a milkshake in years, and I really don't want one, but I keep looking at those and I start

I know Suzanne went in and tried to block it...I am off to investigate!

This is a zone safe from milkshake related food porn.

CountingDown - thank you for the solid, specific suggestions. The mixing up of exercise I've definitely been doing (my elliptical broke, so I'm making things up...getting that cardio in, though, for sure, and strength). It IS possible I'm pushing too hard, but I feel like I can't EAT less, and am afraid that if I EXERCISE less without eating less, I'm going to gain MORE.

I may also need to start looking at my proportion of healthy fats. It seems to me that I am pretty low, in that area...

Amen to both the above statements!!

Try to look at the positives of maintaining - as I said in another thread elsewhere - rather than thinking of it as having to maintain forever, think of it as "Yay - I get to be slim forever!"

When you find a positive thing about being at goal, write it down, then you'll end up with a little booklet of positive affirmations.

Here are some of mine:
1) Being able to pick the smallest size the shop sells off the rail and have it fit perfectly.
2) Being the slimmest woman there (by a LONG way) at a recent party to meet the bf's family.
3) (As of yesterday) Being able to run for 20 minutes nonstop.
4) Having a nice new bf who adores my body, and not being embarrassed to parade around sexily in front of him.

You get the gist!

Robsia - I think the problem is that I'm doing everything RIGHT and my scale is not reflecting it...it's a water retention issue (I THINK) but it's really frustrating. It can be hard to remember that I'm still slim when the scale says "hahaha, sucker!"

I keep trying on my skinny jeans to reassure myself. They still fit, so i know the scale is lying. Still, it can be frustrating!

Hi! I'm just starting, so I hope it's ok for me to post here. I lurk often, and someday I hope to be a member

Anyway, I just wanted to say that what you're doing is really hard! Maintaining is every bit as hard as losing it. Maybe even harder, because you don't get the "highs" of losing.

There's a lot of good suggestions/support here, I hope it helps you!

It sounds like maybe you need a break. Not a break from being OP, but maybe a break in some other ways. Maybe....(and maybe none of these will help, but I'll just put it out there) maybe...

Could you put away your scale for a little while, and use your skinny jeans to measure where you are? Or maybe weigh less often?

I think I remember reading in your story that your wife doesn't cook, that may have changed by now, but maybe she could cook dinner once a week? Or maybe she could take on the grocery shopping for a while? Is there anything you're sick of that you could "outsource"?

Is there some way you might be able to get that "Yay! I have a strong body and I work hard and it makes me feel AWESOME" feeling back? Maybe do something you think would be fun that you've never done, like rock climbing?
Or something you could plan to do this summer, like an overnight bike trip? Or something else that you could look forward to.
Maybe it doesn't even have to be anything physical. Anatomy coloring book for adults, and it's really given me new appreciation for my body (WOW bodies are amazing)

On the treat front, can you have splenda? I've experimented baking with it, and can't tell the difference (esp. the brown sugar is really good). I know artificial sweetners aren't good as a regular thing, but maybe if you need a treat?

I know you'll find your way through. I hope you feel better soon.