Hi everyone

Sorry, but I need to let this out, have been reading posts here mostly and not replying, dont feel like I have any advice because Im so messed up inside. Ive got about 20lbs to lose, was doing the cambridge diet and had lost 4st on it, now can't seem to get back on it and follow it, keep picking on things, especially the kids leftovers and the evenings are horrible when everyone's in bed and I sit and just eat loads in front of the telly, its the only time I get to relax and I cant get out of the habit

I tried the Paul Mckenna golden rules, didnt lose anything but felt better, clothes felt a little loose, but Im so used to quick results that I just started bingeing. I have serious food issues, if I decide Il start a diet, for example next monday, Il just eat like a crazy woman until then. Im fed up of feeling fat and ugly

Its really getting me down, I want it to stop, I hate myself.

Sorry, just had to let it out, why cant I just do the diet again and get it done and move on?!?!?!

I've got no experience of any other diet plans, but maybe you need a new direction? Like, a completely new start. Remember how exciting and on-plan we all are when we begin our plans, maybe you could apply that mentality to a new beginning so close to your goal.

I find calorie counting to be really easy, and an easy way on keeping myself accountable day by day.

I know its always disillusioning when nothing seems to be happening... but just keep going. You're getting so close now, you should be so pleased with yourself!

Well done on the weight you loss . CD and other gimmicky diets are not a good way to lose weight.

Can I suggest you draw a line under before and start again with a sensible plan such as calorie counting and exercise. Yes it's hard work but if anyone promises an easy way to lose weight even if their method works chances are it will be too easy to put weight back on.

You aren't a failiure - stop thinking like that. You are a person on a weight loss journey. The only failire in weight loss is when you give up (and generally the lbs come back on then too).

Have a read of people's success stories, look on the other forums here there's lots of good advice. I suggest you work out the number of calories your body needs with an online BMR calculator. Due to your weight and height you will find weight loss is slower for you at this stage than at first and certainyl much slower than someone who's 300lb or above. I'm finding at 5 foot 5 and 183 lb weight loss has now becaome even harder and is taking a lot more effort.

The last month I also maintained and didn't lose - does that make me a failiure - no I normally put weight on in February so big improvement.

You can lose the last weight to get to goal with determination and hard work. If you've been doing CD and not exercising (I'm sure exercise isn't recomended on such diets from what I've heard) be aware your muscle tone may not be so great and if you are able a sensible plan along with muscle strengthening exercises will really benefit you now. Building muscles helps more fat even when you aren't doing anything (I don't know the whole technicalities of it but have a good read on all the forums and you wull find helpful information of where to go from here).

You've done so well to lose 4 stones - don't put those back on by binge eating now.

I always used to sit in front of the telly or computer and stuff my face and not even notice. The only thing that has worked is to literally ask myself out loud "Do I really need this ice cream, cake, choccy whatever?" "Am I really hungry?". You do sound like a complete melon talking to yourself but it does make you think for a while about what you are doing. I do listen to Paul McKennas CD too. He does sound a bit creepy and while I am listening I have got other thoughts whizzing round my head BUT the next day I have felt more energetic and willing to move more.
So far in four and a half weeks I have gone from 15st 3lbs to 14st 9lbs. And I am still eating chocs and cheese but not as much as before!
If telly time is the only time you have to relax maybe get an exercise bike so you can ride that while watching telly and you won't have time to eat? My other half does that but that could just be to pee me off when I am trying to watch a good programme!!!

Try to contact your consultant to get some advice. I messed up my CD results as well so I know how you feel.

I COMPLETELY know how you feel!! I've lost almost 30lbs so far and have 25more to go.. just over half way and I should be pushing as hard as I was at the beginning. I just find it sooooooo hard to be as good as I was before, and to exercise at the same intensity.. it's getting boring and to be honest I get those feelings of it just being so bloody unfair that I always have to watch what I eat and work my butt off with little movement on the scales!
I don't know if I have any advice for you either as I'm also struggling with this, I just wanted to let you know you are NOT alone..

Don't beat yourself up about it, because you felt bad and responded to it in a way that we can probably all understand. It doesn't have to be that way all of the time in the future. If it happens today, it doesn't have to happen tomorrow - everyone has slipups every now and then and the best thing to do is just forgive yourself for it and gently steer yourself back to eating something healthier.

Never tried CD, but I think with any diet it's worth asking yourself some questions and seeing how you feel about them. Is it helping me learn to eat a healthy balanced diet long term? Does it have a maintenance plan? Could I imagine living with that maintenance plan permanently or does that seem incredibly grim? Does it make me feel huge feelings of denial when I'm on it?*

It may be that CD has served its purpose (well done on the 4st lost) but doesn't suit you at this stage. Only you can decide that, but if so, that doesn't mean that all diets are going to be that way. I'm of the slow-but-sure persuasion where dieting/exercise is concerned. Even then, sometimes I'd rather say sod it and go out to eat 4x a week like I used to and not bother to count everything that goes in my mouth, but on the whole I can live with it, because I'm not really eating anything I dislike and nor am I starving all the time.

Needles, I go through those 'so bloody unfair' feelings at times too. But I look at pics of myself at 16st or go up a couple of flights of stairs without getting totally out of breath, and then I try to remind myself that a bit of effort on the food/exercise front is worthwhile.

*I think with denial, sometimes going on ANY diet can bring out our inner spoilt brat who wants it all and wants it now. I think there's a balance to be had, sometimes you'll decide to eat it, sometimes you'll decide it's really not worth it - even if that brattish appetite doesn't like it. But the more restrictive the diet, the bigger the struggle might be.

You're not a failure. You're an inspiration! You've already lost 4 stones and that is an amazing achievement. You're just being too hard on yourself at the moment. Let yourself have a piece of chocolate; just not the entire bar. After such a massive weight loss things ARE going to slow down, the last few pounds are always the hardest.

Why do you have to start your diet on Monday? Why not NOW? Why not allow yourself one day a week where you can eat whatever you like?

You CAN do it. You've done it before. It WILL happen for you again.

Remember; nothing tastes as good as being slim feels.

Don't undo all your hard work. Just get back out there and push yourself like you pushed yourself before.

Don't be so hard on yourself - 4st is amazing! One thing I've learnt this week is that you must eat a minimum of your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) otherwise your body goes into starvation mode. Look up your BMR (loads of calculators on the internet) and then you need to eat little and often. I'm also doing Chalean Extreme which I am really enjoying and I've never stuck to an exercise programme before.

You'll get there, just take a look at how far you've already come!