Hi Ladies!
I've come to a point where I think I'm losing my battle to lose weight. I've gained 5lbs rather than losing it, but the biggest thing is that I cannot control my carb cravings, I'm tired and so exhausted that working out is just so hard. I've had other hurdles, but this is one that I'm not certain I can get over. Burnout? Maybe, cause I just don't care anymore. Medical, possibly I'm seeing my doc about possible PMDD. I feel that I should be able to handle everything that I need to do, school, homework, full time job that now includes a transfer to another dept, gym 2x's a week for 45min, turbo jam once a week, the cooking and cleaning of it all. I know that I need to get back to weight training, but I just can't squeeze anthing more in. On weekends, I can sleep for close to 10-12 hours!

I'm starting to feel as if I'm never going to achieve my goal, which is now 15lbs away.

Any ideas on how to get back into it? I was counting calories but have decided to focus on making choices from healthy food groups on weekends and count calories on week days when I'm busy and likely to under eat.


Jenn

First I would think of how far you've come and maybe look at some before and after pictures to remind you what you've accomplished.

Then maybe ask yourself do I really need to lose these last 10 pounds or am I actually pretty happy where I am? Maybe you could try maintaining at your current weight and see how you like it. If you really end up wanting to lose those last ten pounds then perhaps you'll find it easier to be motivated when the pressure is off.

My .02

Hey!

When someone is under stress, carbohydrate cravings are very hard to control. I would say you have a rather stressful life! I mean, school, homework, full-time job etc.... is a lot! Why do you feel you should be able to handle all this?

Are you eating enough protein? I'd say that you should be aiming at 70-100 grams per day, especially because you're under stress.

Are you getting enough sleep during the week? 10-12 hours on weekends won't make up for much of a deficit during the week.

I'd suggest cutting back on something--can you drop a course? Can you let the cleaning go a little? Can you simplify your cooking routine to spend less time at it?

Are you taking vitamins?

Do you have any time for recreation--taking a walk, doing something just for enjoyment?

Just a few ideas-- it's no wonder you're having a hard time-- you're trying to do an awful lot...

Jay

Jenn - you are doing so great! It is hard, and getting to the finish line, so to speak, can seem even less attainable the closer you get.

I would go ahead and speak to your doctor and maybe get some bloodwork done. It certainly can't hurt, and there may be some underlying metabolic issue that you have.
Other than that, it's just a matter of planning and taking it one meal at a time.

I find that the worst culprit for carb craving is...eating carbs. Vicious, vicious cycle. While I am a calorie counter, I have learned that controlling carbs is a very good way not to spend all day thinking about potato chips. So start eating protein until it is coming out of your eyeballs. Carry protein bars, have cheese sticks around. Make sure EVERY meal and snack includes some protein.

You CAN do this. No matter how busy. It is possible, and look how good you feel now and how amazing you look. Focus on your accomplishments...almost 100 pounds! That is truly amazing.

Now get back on the horse and get to it!!!

Jenn,

You have already won the fight! Look what you have achieved - and be proud of yourself. Maybe you need to take a little break for a week or two (but keep eating sensibly) and then return to the battlefield. You are so close!

I agree, take a break and then return to the battlefield refreshed. This is a life long battle, it's okay to take a break to regroup! Good Luck!

Hey Kiddo...those next 15 just very well be the hardest! But the good thing about it is there is no time limit when you need to have it gone!

You may need a re-focus. Take time to look for something new and fun to do to burn those calories. Take time to "budget" those carbs in!

Take a few minutes...OK an hour...to do my next 5K! The Turkey Trot!

I know you can do this!

I agree with both Jay and Schumeany.

And I especially agree that you need to see what you can cut back on ... you don't have to be superwoman. There are things that can be let go.

Also, I don't know what your budget situation is like, but if there's anything you can pay someone else to do, please think about it. Last year when I was working 3 jobs and traveling a lot, I hired someone to come clean my house. It took me a few weeks to not feel like I "failed" because I wasn't doing my own housecleaning, but it really saved my life.

.

I never thought I'd give up chips, potatoes, sweets, and a lot of other things. But I did on South Beach! It was easier (for me) to give it up cold turkey. And now, my energy level is SOOO much higher!

I will say, if you try it, the support here is really an necessary key to success! As well, I tried it once before, but it just wasn't the right time for me (and I didn't have good support).

No matter what you choose, I hope it all works out!! Best wishes! You've come a long way already!

Omigosh, I am so right there with you!!! I actually need to change my ticker back to 145 because I've been up there for like a week now but keep thinking it's going to go back down. Just getting really tired - posting this between chopping stuff for tomorrow's lunch and would really rather to skip lunch all together. Got the stress thing happening too - about to become unemployed - been trying so hard to keep the positive attitude going but wearing a little thin at the moment. But you know what? I've got to admit that I'm still a bazillion times happier than I was this time last year. I do go back and look at my progress pics once in a while but mostly I remember what it felt like to be 200 lbs and miserable. 145 lbs and stressed isn't nearly as bad (even though I'd rather be 135 and stressed )

Hi Guys,
First off thank you so much for your support! I've got alot of great ideas for some changes.

1. My goal weight of 160lbs is the lowest I'll go, I'd rather settle a little higher, but be leaner. My BF% is too hight at 30% and BMI of 25 also has to drop. It's just not healthy. I thought they would drop with tons of cardio, but maybe not. I need to figure out how to add some weight training back in, maybe while I'm watching TV or at the laundramat as the laundry is doing it's thing (lunges and squats, calf raises)

2. Yes I do take a vitiman. I'm semi-vegetarian these days (only eating chicken and turkey cooked healthy.) So I take a multi formulated for vegetarians.

3. Not spending so much time cleaning and cooking is gonna have to happen. Maybe cook some big meals on Saturdays and Sundays and eat through out the week. Maybe a big pot of soup this coming weekend, minestrone is pretty much a complete meal just cut back on the amount of pasta I add. I made a 7lb oven stuffer over the weekend, that's a good start.:

4. I can't drop a course. I'm only taking one class at a time, but it does meet twice a week. Right now it's not difficult work, but it's time consuming.

5. Reflecting on how far I have come is something I need to do. My personality by nature is very Type A, overachieving perfectionist so that's why I feel like I need to do it all. I'm working on easing it up. A good part these days has to do with being hasselled by "frenemies" about being single at 34. I'm picky, I'm waiting to find that one guy who who will treat me right and will love me for me regardless if I gain 5lbs, don't have the same amount of time to weight train and/or what my BF% and BMI is.

6. The stress. You guys are right that it needs to let up. I do know that at lot of my carb cravings are tied to it. Fortunately the stress is temporary. This is my last week in my current dept, Monday I start my new job in a new dept. Currently I have 4 more days to do 1 month of work...no wonder I'm stressed!

7. I need to get my mind clear. The only thing that will do that these days, is getting to the gym and not leaving till it is. So maybe for the next few Saturdays that's what I do. I'll get in some lower body weight training and cardio. Friday's I can do some upper body weight training with my dumbbells at home.

8. Oh yeah, I'll be focusing on more protein and less carbs. Lean poultry, Morning Star products, Almonds, low fat dairy and proteing bars.

A million Thank You's for helping me get my head straight! I'd be lost without you guys!

Violin--you are beautiful and have no reason to despair over weight--OMG! Good for you to know what to do and move in that direction. Let us know how it is going. You will hit your goal in no time.