I got down to 172 around Christmas for my wedding down south. it went great! except we were there 12 days and I pigged out most of them and gained 12 pounds. So I came back and got it off, for the most part. i think I got back to about 174.
Well, off and on I have been with the dieting, I have been naughty, especially weekends. I also lost sight of my exercise goals. I got back up to 184-185 by the time I made myself take notice a couple weeks ago.
So I got back into my diet, low fat, healthy, started exercising, walking, etc. I get on the scale today at the gym and I have GAINED, I'm back up to 190! What is WRONG with me? I worked so hard to get that weight off and now I've gained back 18 of the 70 I lost. I am so disappointed with myself. Anyone else relapse like this? What can I do to kick start my weight loss again? I am so discouraged and let down with myself. I feel like quitting it all.
Hey Kierr -
Just dust yourself off and keep trucking. One day at a time. That's how I get thru. Also, it makes it easier if you focus less on numbers and more on how good it feels to be on track. Just think, "What can I do right now to help me accomplish my goal?" I know for me, my goal weight feels an eternity away, but all of those mini-accomplishments add up before you know it even though they seem insignificant at the time (more water, exercise, try a new low-cal recipe, whatever).
I relapsed this past winter--regained 15 of 40lb lost. Fortunately I caught myself before things spiralled out of control. You have too, and you should congratulate yourself!
Ok, down to business. The way I see it, the relapse thing happens because we don't want to really commit to maintaining our weight losses and because we might be tempted to think that we are 'cured' of being fat, as though it were the flu. And because we want to test ourselves: 'how much pigging out can I do before I regain all my weight?'. You've discovered the answer.
I've actually found that re-losing the weight I had already lost has enabled me to get a *much* stronger sense of what I need to do to maintain my weight and live a generally healthy and balanced lifestyle. The last time I lost weight, I didn't so much 'reach goal' (I didn't really have one) as much as figure I'd lost enough and let my life take over. This time I took the time to lose more slowly and to figure out what works for my body and what doesn't, what I can get away with in terms of eating, and what I can't.
I suggest that you don't think about your regain as a kind of failure, but rather as an opportunity to really commit to a life-long healthy eating and exercise plan, and to getting to know your body, your limits and your strengths and weaknesses.
Dust yourself off, get back on your plan, and think of it as a lifestyle choice rather than as a diet. You can re-lose your weight and you can keep it off-- you just have to be committed and open to learning about yourself and your body.
Yes, those numbers are a shock. Should you just quit? Give up? Well, what do you think will happen when you do? Is that where you want to go?
I have lost and regained a few times in my life--I think a whole bunch of us have done that. Every time I regained it was because for one reason or another I didn't think I needed to watch anymore. I realize now that I will have to watch--either by counting calories or measuring portions or SOME way--forever! There is no going back to what I used to think was "normal" eating. That's how I gain weight. There is also no going back to a sedentary life--I'll have to be physically active forever!
I don't know why you went to 190 when you went back to your program. You didn't say how long you'd been back on program--no matter, though, because the thing you must do, IMO, is stay with your program and be accountable. 190 is temporary, and if you stick with your plan, it will change and will move downward.
Also--
Quote:
I have been bad. But not this bad.
It's funny how we can have an idea in our head of how bad "this bad" is! But you can count on your body to let you know exactly how bad it is. Just accept that you really were "that bad" and move on! You can do this!
I know how you feel, Kierr. After losing 50 lbs. and maintaining that loss for more than a year, I regained 30 of those lbs. The important thing is, though, that you got back on track (I did, and now I'm nearly 10 lbs. down). What will quitting accomplish? You'll just gain more weight and be even sadder.
I agree with the other poster who recommended that you take it one day at a time and look upon this opportunity as a learning experience. I am. The last time I lost weight (the 50 lbs.), I was exercising 5-6 days a week, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours a day. I did that for almost 2 years, but I ultimately I couldn't sustain that. So, this time around, I started dieting in April, but I didn't even start exercise until this week! And my only goal is to work out 3 days a week for a MAXIMUM of an hour each time (right now, though, I can only muster about 1/2 an hour). You see, I'm using that regain as a learning experience. I know that I could lose weight faster and look more toned if I worked out at my previous intensity, but I also know that I won't sustain that intensity. Also, this time, I'm zigzagging calories so that I can eat some of my favorite foods on certain days. I realize I need that break from strict dieting ever so often. You see, what's important is that you examine the things that made you regain the weight and try to avoid doing that this time.
Noooooooooooo!!! Don't quit!!!! I'm going to Philadelphia in a couple of months and you know what they're famous for! I'm gonna eat guilt free for 2 days. Then, back at it baby. Please, please, please don't quit! Just a minor setback-hang in there.
-Jan
What can I say that hasn't been said?? Give up??? I don't really see that as an option. I know you don't want to go back up to your previous highest weight....or heaven forbid...even higher this time!! I'm not sure why you gained after starting back on your program...maybe you were not counting calories as strictly as you thought?? Not sure what program you are using to lose weight...but know this....you did it before...you can do it again!!! It may take a little more hard work this time though. But you can do it!! I know it and you know it!! Here's alittle !! Now get out there and do It!!!!
Thanks for all your replies everyone, it has really helped. Getting back to it, one day at a time and being accountable is the plan. The one day at a time comment really hit me for some reason. I'm not going to quit. I'm going to kick fat's butt.... again!
YEAY!! That's the spirit Kierr!!! Kick butt! You did it once before- you can definatly do it again!! And it's less to loose this time! Congrats on the initial drop to 172, and Good luck on your even BIGGER goal to 150!
**BIG** sigh....
Is that where you want to go?
I'm not sure why you gained after starting back on your program...maybe you were not counting calories as strictly as you thought?? Not sure what program you are using to lose weight...but know this....you did it before...you can do it again!!! It may take a little more hard work this time though. But you can do it!! I know it and you know it!! Here's alittle 
