Hello everyone! Some of you may remember me and I do see a lot of new faces here! It's a great place to come to!
Well, I started my weight loss journey in January 2005. In 9 months, I lost 126 pounds, going from 286 pounds to 160 pounds. I looked and felt fabulous. But, then I became OBSESSED. I was barely eating and I was exercising like a mad woman. I was neglecting my husband and my apartment. All I cared about was EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE. My husband did everything around the house. I would throw FITS and cry if I couldn't exercise. Finally, he said "Enough is enough". It was seriously unhealthy behavior. I finally noticed it and I eased up a bit. I gained 20 pounds back, but I was happy and still looked great.
Then, this past July, my psychiatrist (I'm bipolar) put me on Lithium. It made me ravenous and lethargic. I tried to keep up my good eating habits, but before long, I was eating HUGE portions and a lot of bad food. I went back to eating entire pints of Ben and Jerry's. Chips and dip, TONS of cheese, you name it, I ate it. I can't blame it entirely on the Lithium, but it gives you cravings. You always feel the need to eat. It's like smoking...you NEED a cigarette! I stopped working out COMPLETELY. I kept telling myself that I would start again, but I never did. Low and behold, in a matter of 8 months, I had gained over 80 pounds back.
I'm very disappointed in myself. I PROMISED myself that I would NEVER get fat again. I did though. But, it's ending now. I'm tired of being fat. I'm tired of of being physically uncomfortable in my own body, carrying around an extra 80 pounds of fat. I'm tired of getting out of breath from just walking up the stairs. I'm tired of wearing fat clothes. I don't want to look in the mirror anymore and be ashamed of what I see. I don't feel attractive or desirable and my self esteem has gone down the drain.
BUT, I'm changing my plan this time. I'm not going to starve myself. I'm not going to limit my eating. My husband LOVES to cook and LOVES to go out to dinner. Though, he does cook healthy meals. I'm going to limit my food intake, eat smaller portions, and not deprive myself. Though, I will be cutting out all the "bad" foods except for special occasions. As for exercise, no more Tae Bo, kickboxing, or HIGH impact workouts. I just can't keep that up. It's just not something that I can do for the rest of my life. So, I plan on doing low impact, lighter workouts, walking, and strength training. I know that my weight loss will probably be slower now because of this, but I know that this is the type of exercise that I can stick with in the long run.
Welcome back!!! I remember you from when I first joined. You had and still do have a very inspirational story, despite the weight gain. It's such a common story (re-gain) and I think we all need to know that if you do gain, you can lose again.
Sounds like you have a good plan -- for life! It can be hard to balance everything, but as you know, it's important to find something you can stick with!
Please jump back into posting! Don't disappear again!
Siren, in many ways, coming back a second time is harder than the first go 'round. It takes courage to do so, and you've shown you have plenty. I am one of the 'new faces', particularly since I just signed up yesterday! I look forward to getting to know you. (Picture a dancing carrot here! ;-)
Hi Cemetary! Good to see you again ... I've thought of you often since you've been gone. We'd love to have you join us in the Maintainers forum if you'd like -- you're still one of us, you know. It doesn't matter about the regain; most of us have lapses and relapses in the process. It's all part of the neverending journey! You are definitely on the right track this time, focusing on maintenance and keeping the weight off for the rest of your life. Take care and like Heather said, don't leave, no matter what!!
I remember you! Your user ID had always been one of my favorites! I'm sorry you didn't maintain, but like Heather said, it's all too common. And the fact that you have come back here says a lot about your determination. I think most re-gainers who made goal on here don't ever come back. If they did, we'd have a forum for them Nice to see you back!!
I just joined yesterday after having regained 10 lbs. in the past few months. I was on Nutrisystem last year and did well with it, losing 27 lbs. I am glad to see I am not the only one struggling with losing weight a second time.
I agree it is so much harder this time. I've decided to count calories and make wise food choices. Like cemetarysiren said, I won't be losing it as fast, but I will be something I can stick with!
Welcome back I was wondering about you a few days ago. I does take a lot of courage to come back and face doing it all over again. I'm sorry for your regain, but your new approach sounds like a sustainable lifestyle.
WOW!! Thank you all for the wonderful welcome back!!! I was shocked that most of you remembered me and thank you for all the kind words! I will definately be posting a lot more and this time, I'm not leaving. We all need support!!! You guys really are wonderful!!!
I'm Back After Over a Year of Maintaining
back! 
Hi Cemetary! Good to see you again ... I've thought of you often since you've been gone. 
It doesn't matter about the regain; most of us have lapses and relapses in the process. It's all part of the neverending journey! You are definitely on the right track this time, focusing on maintenance and keeping the weight off for the rest of your life. Take care and like Heather said, don't leave, no matter what!!
