I left for awhile to get my head together in the meantime I completely ruined my weight loss, deserted my diet, and my exercise regime went out the window. Not only have I been severely depressed about it..I avoid all mirrors that I walk past and cringe at the thought of even brushing my hair/teeth in the mirror because that involves looking at myself. After getting down to 127.6 (the lowest I have ever been in my teenage/adult life), I am back up to my beginning weight 183.6 (not the highest I've been but still extremely unhealthy for my height. I never realized what an addiction to food I truly have until trying to get back on the right path of eating. Since gaining the weight I feel miserable not only because my self-esteem has been on the downs but I didn't realize how little walking can make one person so out of breath!

So here I am, 20-somethings group. Back again and bound & determined to lose every last bit of this weight I have gained plus more! I am ready to be the best person I can be. Thanks for listening to my cry and moan and groan. Time for me to eat a healthy breakfast and be accountable.

Happy to have you back! Ive fallen off as well. It happens. You got this, woman!

You can do this! Good luck!

Thank you ladies!

Hey JL,

I'm not around the boards much anymore either but I just happened to see this post. I've been maintaining near (still a little above) my goal weight.

I was just wondering what you've learned about your "food addiction" over the last few months and if you will approach this weight-loss effort differently from the last time. If I remember correctly, you were a calorie-counter? Have you considered following a formalized diet plan?

Best of luck getting started again.

ERHR

I agree with this post completely. I found that weight loss has been such a life changing experience. It has to become integrated into your every day life so you are naturally healthy. Counting calories is good, but I think it can become quite an obsession in some people that makes them stress when they feel they've stepped over their limits. Perhaps this is why people tend to eat more in bad times because they've felt like counting the calories has created a type of pressure?
Exercise should also be something you love to do, whether it's competitive sports, running, swimming, dancing - you really need to find your niche and want to do it all the time. I think this is such a great calculator for daily nutrition and caloric intakes:
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/myplate/index.aspx
You might want to check it out and see what your results are?

The important thing is to pick yourself up, brush yourself off and try again. There's no reason why you can't do it again and maintain, you can do this! Welcome back!

Welcome back I too am back after quite a while gone. You did great in the past, look forward to seeing you around!

EPHR: I have learned a lot...before I ever even started dieting (lifestyle change) I knew I had a problem with food..but in the past few months I never really truly realized how bad my addiction was until I was out of control..My approach will be the exact same except I will not deprive myself as foods such as cheeseburgers..and candy and stuff that I love ..I will probably just portion it a lot differently. The one that I will deprive myself of is Coca-Cola beverages..and that is because I can't stop at one. i will continue to use spark people to count calories and I will increase my exercise slowly as I lose weight instead of going into few blown 30-40 minute workouts. I also will switch up my exercise regimes monthly instead of doing the same ones constantly...

JLNichols, I had actually just been wondering how you're doing! I'm glad you came back here and are ready to get healthy again. I have regained some weight too and fallen off the exercise wagon. I believe in you - just one day at a time, making good choices, and soon you'll be well integrated into healthy habits again and not afraid to look at mirrors!!!