Hi,
As someone who has been through all kinds of obsessions, I am finding that some of the diet plans and programs frighten me a little. Yes, I was skinny at times in my life, but not healthy, simply obsessed and filled with self hatred about any fat on my body.
So, I am not progressing, at least not by what the scale says. I tried low carb, but found my brain just wants to go overboard and obsess. In the process of trying to be more active, first I twisted my back (longstanding back problems), then my knee.
I read others posts on here, and for some weight/food/exercise seem to be the focus in their lives, kind of like AA, focused on recovery, and if that works for them, great.
What I am working on is a positive mindset. After so many years of being in denial and defensive about my weight/size, then trying to face up to things and then seemingly being hyper focused on the weight/size thing, I am trying to find a workable middle ground, for me. We are all so different and need to be responsible to ourselves about what works, not just for the weightloss, but for our peace of mind, lifestyle, etc.
I am not really looking for a program, like so many with lifelong weight issues, I have a wealth of knowledge, but we all know, knowing what to do/eat is not the battle. Mindset is.
Just some thoughts.
I have no doubt there are many on here who have dealt with the same issues, OCD or no, and would love to hear about others' mental journey.
Thanks!

Pick one thing you know will improve your health and do it. When that success is under your belt, add another one, repeat as needed.

Because you're right. At our age, we know how to do this, it's implementing that's the hard part. But you've also had life experiences where you've taken tiny bites out of projects that eventually add up to big results.

Thanks

I've lost my 85 lbs on Geez, maybe half a dozen "plans." More if you consider each individual "tweak" a change in plan.

I like exchange plans, because I'm the most familiar with them, and they're nearly as flexible as "straight" calorie counting (and a lot easier to do memorize the exchange counts for foods than the calorie counts). They also can be adapted to almost any other diet plan (in terms of what foods you choose to use to meet your exchanges).

I've been dieting since age 5, and was a Weight Watcher's member at 8 years old. For most of my life, Weight Watchers was my default plan, and until 1997 WW had always been an exchange plan (for me that's 22 years of exchange plan dieting, right there - not counting the other exchange plans I've done such as Richard Simmons and TOPS).

I like exchange plans also because even when I change plans, I don't feel like I'm completely starting over with something entirely new. For example, at various times, I've followed the food selection guidelines of Atkins, South Beach, Volumetrics, and (currently) Primal Blueprint -but used an exchange plan to do so.

For me, the consistency and continuity of the exchange plan (even if I'm using it differently than I did last year or last month), means I don't feel like I'm starting from scratch if I decide I need to make different food choices - for whatever reason.

I've tried other plans and I keep coming back to just counting calories and cooking low-cal meals. I'm also diabetic so I HAVE to watch my carbs too. I don't do well with programs that make me eliminate certains foods like bread or pasta etc. I don't mind trying new dishes...do that all the time in fact, but I don't want to have to eat foods I don't like or that my dh won't like. Fortunately I have always eaten fairly healthy...like at least 80% of my foods is healthy, probably more. I don't want an extreme diet. What I DO want is to be able to eat anything I want with moderation. Being moderate consistently is my biggest difficulty esp in the evenings. I find that having a written plan for the day helps me. Some might find that too obsessive but if I don't have preplanned meals and snacks, I will quickly go off my diet. The plan is something that I can go by, almost without thinking once it is written/typed out. I know what I will eat, how much and how often. I do have to adapt it a bit with our schedules but I try to keep close to it and when I keep to my plan I do well. Now and then though I will get it in my head that I don't have to stick to it and that's when I will binge on something just cause it tastes good! Usually that's in the evenings.

I subscribe to an online program called PeerTrainers. I don't use their online site but get the emails with links to download the recordings. It is very helpful and one of the things they stress is Diet Fusion. They also say that most of us know how to lose weight, it is implementing it that is hard. Diet Fusion is when we take the things that have worked for us from other programs and put them all together, just using what WORKS for us. Like I take things from WW and Prism and from some low-carb programs I have read about or tried briefly, along with the eating plan my diabetic nurse created for me which limits me to 1400 cal and a certain number of carbs, fats and proteins. This is what seems to work best for me. So my advise is to think about what you have learned and what has worked for you and put it all together in your own plan...this is Diet Fusion. And then the trick is to just do it.

Thanks to all, there is so much help on this site, I am working on very small changes, a few exercises, a few food attitude changes, after all it's not a race, is it? It took a long time to get this way, and am learning more all the time about things. I have learned big goals, big changes, big plans, long term thinking doesn't work well for me. Shooting for 10 pounds, the weight I gained will dating this guy a while back (the way he kept pushing food on me even though I kept telling him I was like an addict, I think he wanted me to gain), glad he is out of my life, glad I didn't gain more than 10. Thanks!

Oh, one of the reasons I am only making small changes by choice, is that my life has changed by necessity, taking classes, doing a lot of walking (to get the bus, across campus, etc) compared to what I had been doing. So, changes are actually more than what I listed. Afraid of getting worn out and whipped and feeling too bad to get to class and actually pay attention, which I really need to do, getting good grades is harder at this age!

I can relate to your post. I have a lot of negative reactions to being on a plan with rules. If I were in a controlled environment like The Biggest Loser's "ranch" I would probably do okay, though. But in real life the thought of eating exactly this and that combo and carrying it to work every day just bums me out. I DO appreciate and do not deny that making a commitment is necessary. I worry too about just having to obsess about food and weight all the time. Where I work there are some people who joined a WW group and talk about it all the time, loudly. All the time. I am in awe of that. They have lost and aren't embarrassed or annoyed with talking about it publicly all the time. But that would just drive me nuts. And I would be embarrassed. I guess it would keep you accountable. But people are always looking at what the WW people eat, and make comments, "Can you eat THAT?" "Are you supposed to eat THAT?" I guess this 3FC community is really on to something, because we can get support here, but kind of on our own terms....

I think I am ready to start this. After this semester starting and so much going on, being exhausted with all the extra walking, getting a handle on homework, the weight loss thing has been in the back of my mind. What I know, I need it quick and easy (food not the loss), calorie counting works for me, but hated looking things up, writing it down etc etc. Also thinking long term gets me discouraged. Oh, and I have been skipping meals, some days don't eat a thing til 5 or 6, then eat all evening. So, PLAN I have in my kitchen easy things (soups, frozen vegs, a whole bunch of chicken). Rather than counting as I go etc, I have a week planned out, so no thinking, counting etc. And I am shooting for two weeks of this, no weighing (I get happy then disgusted, can't resist weighing several times a day once I start). So, two weeks from yesterday, we'll see. I think I can manage this.

stress healthy eating. You've tried all the diets and found that they work, short time, before you just say "forget it". Anything too hard, is just that. too hard! Concentrate on eating healthier foods and getting more exercise into your daily life. Sounds like you've already started that. Remember, if you buy it and bring it into your home, you'll eat it.. so concentrate on just bringing in healthy stuff. Don't think long term, think "what can I do today to make myself more healthy". You'll get there!!

AuntBea, I so agree about the support here on our own terms. As busy as I am (homework, papers, tests at this age!) there is often not much time to interact, go someplace, etc. Sometimes I will come on here to just read a bit to keep reminding myself of several things. Thanks to all!