[gypsierose8]

Hello all!
I've never really been part of a message board before.
At this point, I am willing to try anything!

I have been struggling with my weight my entire life.

I really thought I had changed my lifestyle and was on a good track when I graduated from college 2 1/2 years ago. At that point I was at my lowest weight, 180.

I then got a desk job in a call center. Its very stressful, and I've never been one to exercise much, but now I basically sit on my butt all day.

I have have now gained 60 lbs in the past 2 1/2 years.
I have tried so many different approaches to eating healthy and exercising, but the harder I try, the more I gain.

I feel like I am destroying my life.
I go through the same cycle every time. I do great for 2-3 weeks, then I binge eat for a week and gain back everything I lost.

My boyfriend, who is normally very supportive, is also getting so frustrated with me that we seem to fight all the time if I bring up anything about weight loss or exercise and he gets angry every time he sees me eating something unhealthy, which makes me feel even worse and want to eat more.

The added weight has caused my back problems to get so bad that I feel like I cant do anything.

I just feel so lost.

I feel like I've tried everything and I dont know where to go from here.

[faiora]

Hello, and welcome to the forum

That's got to be tough, working in a call centre and trying to lose weight. You've got the stress of your work and the sedentary days to work with. I work in an office but I'm not chained to my desk...I get up for the photocopier sometimes, or to deliver things to other floors.

Is there any way you can just stand up every hour for a few minutes? Maybe walk in place? There are apps for your phone or computer that can remind you to get up and move at regular intervals.

Sorry to hear about your troubles with your boyfriend.

I ran into some rough times with my husband before I started on my current plan. However, the issue in my case was that I was unwilling to diet at the time, and he wanted to do it together. He's very supportive, but I just wasn't on board, and honestly I was terrified of losing weight, for fear of regaining it with interest like I have after previous attempts. When I formed a real plan and started calorie counting, he jumped on board and we've been helping each other keep on track since then.

So, perhaps if you outline a healthy plan to your boyfriend, he will be able to be supportive again, so you feel reassured?

I think it's important to note, it's not bad to eat "bad" foods sometimes. I eat plenty of "bad" foods, but I plan for them and eat reasonable amounts. It's completely okay to have a big huge calorific meal sometimes! Just not for every meal of every day.

[Mrs Snark]

Welcome! <<<hugs>>> You're not alone, battling weight issues has been a lifetime issue for many of us. This is a great forum where you will find lots of support and many different approaches, surely you will find one that works for you long term and gets you out of the terrible cycle you're in!

You CAN do it!

There is an active low-carb area, a great group of people supporting each other through Intuitive Eating principles, Intermittent Fasting support, Calorie Counters, binge eating support, etc., etc. Poke around and hop on the threads and start chatting!

I don't know what kind of plans you've been trying but when I read the cycle you describe (2-3 weeks "doing great" then binging until you've regained) I always wonder if you were really over-restricting your calories for those first 2 or 3 weeks.

I think often people in their enthusiasm to make BIG changes and to FINALLY GET STARTED and SEE PROGRESS really drop their calories down hard right when they start their new plans. They then suffer physically and emotionally, because it is such a drastic change from the free-for-all way they have probably been eating leading up to this big moment of change.

So no matter what plan or approach you take, my advice to you is to be gentle with yourself. Begin to lower your intake more slowly so you have time to adjust and not feel all crazy pants about the drastic changes. Just my opinion!

[bbarber62]

You've got this! Just start by making small changes. Go for a walk after work. Swap out one unhealthy meal for a healthier one. Do smaller portions. Drink more water. No need to overwhelm yourself