[Beach Patrol]

I've yo-yo'd my way from 126 to 192 & everything in between. It never feels good to see a "re-gain" on the scale. After all our hard work, all the sacrifice, etc. to get where we want to be, then to just blow it! - ARGH! -no matter WHY we blow it... holidays, life set-backs, getting too complacent, etc - when we blow it, we get angry at ourselves! - And really, it's no wonder we get aggravated with ourselves & down on ourselves. We worked hard to achieve a goal & then ... just... UN-achieve it. ARGH!! But of course all that "whining" never does us an ounce of good. And yet, we do that too. ~sigh!

I'm currently in my 7th attempt at losing weight. I've succeeded in losing weight SIX TIMES already. So I know I can do it!! - what I DON'T KNOW if I can EVER do is MAINTAIN. Because I've never done it (obviously.) And that's kind of scary. Because I really am very tired of the lose/gain/lose/gain crazy cycle. But I know it's GOOD FOR ME to be at a lesser weight than I am now (or especially have been!) I'm healthier & feel so much better, not to mention look way better & have an easier time with fitting into my clothes or climbing a flight of stairs or painting my toenails when I'm 140 or below.

But even tho I know there's the possibility that I won't meet my goal weight this time... or that I will gain it back after I've met that goal...(OMG I sooo hope the tips/tools I've learned THIS TIME will stick!!!) I still refuse to give up trying. NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!! That's the only thing I've ever done that helps me. So I will continue trying, continue learning, continue making myself a little thinner day by day by week by week by month by month... DADGUMMIT it ain't easy!!! But it's definitely WORTH IT.

[beachlover86]

Wow! At least I am not alone (so many similar stories). At least I am taking control before I gained it all back. I have been on plan food wise and exercise and for a week and just taking it day by day. Good luck everyone

Susie-I would love a group like that. I think it would be very helpful!

[susieyarb]

How is everone doing?? I was pretty happy with my week one loss of 5 pounds.

I can already see a big difference in myself getting rid of all that bloat! My jeans are fitting better.

Trying not to look back is hard but every time I start it, I stop myself from negative talk and turn it positive by thinking of something I learned from the first loss and then what I learned in regaining it.

I'm going to try and make a support group for those of us who are losing again after a re-gain. I think it's a big need! If you all know of one already in place please let me know!

[beachlover86]

Wow! 5lbs that's great! I lost 1.5 last week which I'm happy with. Since I recommitted I've stayed within my calories and been exercising 5 times a week. Hope everyone else is doing well!

[Eliana]

Your story sounds a bit like mine. I got within 10 pounds of my original goal of 135 and then started dating my now fiance. I never gave up! But somehow I've gained 20 pounds. I was still exercising and professing this healthy life style. However, there's just something about our significant others, especially when the relationship or situation is new. It's sabotage, and I can't really say why. My fiance is very supportive, but he NEVER says "no". That is completely up to me, and I've struggled with that. Also, when he wants something like a Sundae, if I say "no", I feel like I'm denying HIM something. I've had to rethink that.

It has taken me months of denial and underestimating my situation to finally be where I hope I am now. I have to hope that returning to eating 6 mini meals a day, all healthy choices, is going to work. Eating only protein shakes and chicken did not work. Eating all the Christmas cookies I wanted definitely did not work. Starving did not work. Exercising more did not work. I have to hope that moderation will work if given time. At least the scale is no longer going up...

[pattyhues]

As a woman your body undergoes stress, your metabolism changes to adapt to the what your body is going through. Are you increasing your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables? Drinking 8-10 glasses of water each day?
sometimes we need to step back and then make few reps forward and so on.

[susieyarb]

Drinking lots of water has a HUGE effect on weight loss. Eliana, with your new lifestyle with your Fiance, are you eating more salt? Just remember what you did to go from 235 down to 145 (that's awesome!) and just do it again!!

You can definitely do it!

[susieyarb]

Yesterday I was a little down about how FAR I have to go to get back to where I was before I started re-gaining. I was only 7 pounds from my goal! So I made a decision to re-think my goals and break it up into 3 phases. My first desire is to get back to One-derland. So I've changed my tickers to reflect that one chunk of the goal. When I reach One-derland, I'll adjust my goal to get back to 181 which is the lowest I got in 2010. When I reach that second phase I'll adjust my tickers to show my original goal of 174 which is what I weighed when I got married.

Mentally seeing that I have 22 pounds to go instead of 47 just seems so much more doable!

What "tricks" are you using to help yourself get back to where you were before you re-gained?

[JudgeDread]

Well we've all been there. I at my max was 195...I dropped 50 lbs in one year just by changing my eating and adding exercise. But then keeping it off was a challenge in college! I got back up to 160..then went to the academy for my work..dropped down agian to 145...and now here I am 2 1/2 years later up to 157

My best guess as to why it happened was lifestyle. Once I got out of the academy I was really active and kept running..until I had a hip injury. So I still went to the gym..got a boyfriend...cooked more, drank alcohol more..gained some.

Well single again for a few months..met the love of my life...gained a few more pounds going out to eat..cooking to impress..and still drinking far too many calories (don't worry I am not a lush, but those delish dark beers pack on a LOT of calories!)

So usually I work shift work..it changes evey 6 weeks..making it HARD to keep a normal schedule with fitness. My folks are in town and I haven't worked out since before they came a week and a half ago...my temp work detial has kept me on my butt ALL day since last May (going back to the field again this may..yet my duty belt is TIGHT!! )

So when it comes to changes into your lifestyle (work schedules, boyfriends, clubs) you have to find a new groove. It is so easy to get lazy. If I didn't watch what I am eating 80% of the time I would be screwed...but still slowly been packing on the lbs.

I am going to start P90x next week with my BF (so he says) and hopefully I can stay modivated since I don't have to drive 2 blocks to the gym haha! (yes I get THAT lazy).

I think designating a time, every day is important. I plan on doing it after work until my schedule changes again....I am way flabby and out of shape compared to 2 1/2 years ago..I could even do 2 pullups! NOT ANYMORE!

It is depressing...but ladies its easier to watch what you eat than modivate for exercise at times...do at least one to keep up with yourself. Don't give up and make goals here...we can all keep each other accountable!

[kuchick]

Well, guess I need the support group for those back after a regain! I lost 70 lbs and have regained 15 since March. I'm not counting calories anymore and just got back to exercising. As of today, I'm back to counting and I've logged 55 minutes on the elliptical and weights! You can't fail unless you quit.

[susieyarb]

How did everyone do over the weekend? I'm excited to see the teens again this morning. Just keep going, one day at a time and we'll get back to where we were again.

I'll never say never but this is definitely teaching me a strong lesson that I DO NOT want to do this again! Once it's gone, I'm going to work so much harder to keep it gone!

[OhThePlaces]

I got within two pounds of my goal this summer and have gained back 13 lbs since my husband came home from deployment that same month. It is such a bad feeling to know that I worked so hard to get the weight off, and then I just decided to throw it all away and eat whatever I want. I feel so uncomfortable in my own skin now. You are NOT alone! All any of us can do is pick up and keep going down the right path!