3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community - Why do we digress/slip/lose focus?

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If only I knew the answers. I'm on the cusp of falling apart myself. Getting "back on the horse" after an off-plan weekend is getting harder, and in my case I've injured my foot and cannot run. Rather than thinking "okay, I'll eat a little more carefully since I won't have the 500-calorie deficit of a long run" I think "BREAK TIME BREAK TIME BREAK TIME" and shove cookies into my face.

Like lazylioness said, I get fed up with wishing I could sit down and eat a "normal" meal. But in order to maintain my "normal" weight I have to tread carefully. It's frustrating to be within 10-15 lbs of goal and to keep sabotaging myself by acting like a baby.

It's just not easy and it sucks to always have to think about it.

I had the same kind of weekend as you! Drank and ate too much Friday, ate like 3 pieces of my nephew's b-day cake Saturday (I don't even like cake) and drank some more, then Sunday rolled around and I was good the first half the day before being slipped up by cookie dough and salsa (separately) at my mom's that night.

When I went to bed last night I told myself enough was enough and committed myself to seven days of clean eating and exercise. Seven days seems like a lot right now, but all day as I passed cookies at work I repeated it in my head. Seven days, seven days, seven days...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunshine73 (Post 3606112)

I've been struggling over the last 24 hours or so as well and I think, for me, a lot of it boils down to habit and simple gratification. It's difficult to change any long standing pattern of behavior - it takes time and effort to learn new ways of dealing with situations and finding alternate methods of coping. I think changing eating patterns is no different in that respect.

For years I dealt with stress, boredom, unhappiness, etc. with food. Food was comfort, it tasted good, it made me feel good in the moment and, to an extent, it was a "socially acceptable" way of medicating myself. It's very difficult to change that mindset pattern.

Also, to me food tastes incredibly good. The good taste makes me happy and lifts my spirits. There is an emotional attachment to food that goes beyond just fueling my body. Which means that, when I'm having a moment of weakness, that instant emotional gratification can take priority over what my mind knows is good for me.

Exactly the same for me. I haven't learned fully how to cope with (healthfully - not with food) the emotional swings of life. I've been going through the same thing this week...overeating...binging. Fortunately, I slap myself back into reality when this happens. But, I really hate re-losing previously lost weight. I was skinny last week (I have pictures to prove it!) and from a week-long binge I'm afraid to step on the scale. I *feel* fat. Anyway, back to the grind. I will keep fighting this battle until I work out exactly how to fix this.

Because food tastes so damn good!

It really has come down to that, for me. But now, at 50, my body won't let it slide.

I think it's because of the "ALL or NOTHING" attitude most folk have. If we don't exercise for a few days...we immediately jump to the "oh well" phase and gorge on our favorite treats.

I believe the key to long term success is accepting being human and thereby inheritly "imperfect". Falling and getting back up again...that's the key. The only "failure" is "not trying"!:)

Little things start to slide, too tired to walk, don't keep track of water, don't write down food choices, a diet pop here and there then more often. I was still more or less following my WOE but some of the parameters got mushy. I need to make sure I drink my water, keep track of food, excersise (winter is making me lazy) plan, plan, plan so I can stay on track this week. I figure I have two weeks before things get really tough with the holidays. I can't blow these two weeks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joan (Post 3607517)

Because food tastes so damn good!

It really has come down to that, for me. But now, at 50, my body won't let it slide.

This is it for me. Everything, with the exception of brussel sprouts, tastes so damn good to me! Most days are a struggle for me, which has been evidenced in my never getting to goal and gaining and losing the same 10 pounds for the last three months.

i have no idea either, other than there is so much to do and so little time.

i just wanted to say thank you, knowing we all slip up is a huge weight off my mind today. Even though logically i "know", i still like to read about it. i feel less freakish!
-fm

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyfulloser (Post 3607533)

I think it's because of the "ALL or NOTHING" attitude most folk have. If we don't exercise for a few days...we immediately jump to the "oh well" phase and gorge on our favorite treats.

I believe the key to long term success is accepting being human and thereby inheritly "imperfect". Falling and getting back up again...that's the key. The only "failure" is "not trying"!:)

I agree 100% with everything you said. When I dieted in the past, I never lasted more than a week because as soon as I would go off plan, I would view it as a complete failure and just give up then and there. I think the key is accepting that you will mess up and that you will move past it.

Yep, that's me. Every special occasion is celebrated with food. It's always been that way. I think we need to have traditions and not feel guilty every time we have a slice of birthday cake but I tend to find something to celebrate all the time. And food is always included.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stacygee (Post 3606103)

Oh I have another reason I used to lose focus... special events. I would break my diet at a special event and then never get back on. oh and friends and family that aren't supportive.

Because I'm not that overweight. I mean, if I used to weigh 275 I'd be totally happy with where I am now. No need to get these extra pounds off.

But mostly it's because I love butter and bread, and unless I ration the consumption of those thing (like, I measure 1 tsp. of butter and put it on a little dish each day as my ration) I would just eat them every day and that's what put these extra 30-40 pounds on me.

I'm finding the discipline of WW very helpful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by missymckibben (Post 3608277)

Yep, that's me. Every special occasion is celebrated with food. It's always been that way. I think we need to have traditions and not feel guilty every time we have a slice of birthday cake but I tend to find something to celebrate all the time. And food is always included.

Timeless words of wisdom missymckibben.