Trying to loose 20lbs for over a year, heeelp

[Weisabunny]

Hi all,

I'm really hoping you all can help me get out of my own way.

I'm 5'7", 36 yrs old, 2 toddlers. I weigh 160 and want to get to 140lbs. (I know I shouldn't focus on a number, but 140 is a goal and I've been there and would be more comfortable). I have been trying to loose 20lbs of "baby weight" for over a year now. I just realized as I'm typing, I spent a lot of my 20's at this weight.

I successfully lost weight after each birth with weight watchers. We since moved and I'm starting to realize I just had a really great group of women in that old meeting. It was like therapy each week and I learned a lot about myself. However, I've been to about 4 different meeting times (so different leaders) and it just ain't happening at ww.

I tried South Beach, recommended by some women on this forum. I LOVED the emphasis on veggies but saw it as a diet not as a lifestyle. I lost about 6lbs in two weeks and gained it right back. I 'feel off the wagon' with this because I got over confident and tried one of their deserts - whipped cream, chocolate pudding (or something like that) and peanut butter. I had enough for 5 adults.

I even, (GULP) did Jenny Craig which I NEVER thought I'd do. I felt desperate and wanted to take the 'thinking' out of it. I LOVED not having to plan my meals or think about it. The food was sooooo gross. I lost 8lbs in a few weeks and gained that back.

I eat emotionally, I know that. I'm over tired all the time (trouble sleeping). I find it hard to take care of myself (no good role model so I have to teach myself this one). My mom (single mom, I'm an only child) was/is super critical, so I'm pretty hard on myself.

I want to see this clearly, why I'm not sticking with anything long enough to reach my goal. I feel pretty stuck. If anyone knows how to smack me out of this - please feel free!

[wendyland]

I've been trying to lose weight for over 10 years now. I don't know what has held me back so far. Fear of change? Addiction to carbs and sugars? Laziness? I guess it's been all of those for me. I haven't felt bad enough before to really put the motivation in me. I finally have so many aches and pains and issues to finally do it.

I have mainly been trying to lose weight by reducing calories. I'm finally admitting that it's just not working for me. I'm on day 6 of reducing sugar and grains. I'm down to just having a little honey in my tea once a day. I already feel better and have lost 3 lbs (of water, I'm sure). Eating too many carbs makes me hungrier. Right now, I'm having to make myself eat to even get over 1200 calories a day. I'm just not that hungry. I"ve also been following marksdailyapple.com.

[Violet2]

If you're tired you may not be able to lose weight. I would focus on just eating healthy food and resting with some mild exercise and maybe doing some vitamins.

Get to where you aren't so darn tired all the time (I know the feeling well!) and then pick a plan you want to follow.

It's hard to stick to major changes when we are stressed out by the status quo kwim?

Also, I would disagree that South Beach is a diet. It is a great healthy lifestyle at maintenance levels. If it worked for you, maybe reconsider.

V

[Violet2]

Originally Posted by wendyland

I've been trying to lose weight for over 10 years now. I don't know what has held me back so far. Fear of change? Addiction to carbs and sugars? Laziness? I guess it's been all of those for me. I haven't felt bad enough before to really put the motivation in me. I finally have so many aches and pains and issues to finally do it.

I have mainly been trying to lose weight by reducing calories. I'm finally admitting that it's just not working for me. I'm on day 6 of reducing sugar and grains. I'm down to just having a little honey in my tea once a day. I already feel better and have lost 3 lbs (of water, I'm sure). Eating too many carbs makes me hungrier. Right now, I'm having to make myself eat to even get over 1200 calories a day. I'm just not that hungry. I"ve also been following marksdailyapple.com.

Only you know for sure if you've been lazy for 10 years, but if you've really worked 'the plan' (whatever plan it was) with no results, I would encourage you to check in with an endocrinologist for a thyroid workup and to rule out PCOS. And continue to pursue a low carb/low glycemic diet.

I went to the doc for 10 years saying I couldn't lose weight and was poo-pooed. It wasn't until we ttc that all sorts of problems were discovered. Imagine this! I was not some lazy loser who couldn't stop stuffing her face!

When my endocrinologist told me I would lose weight on a low carb diet, I laughed in his face. What could low carb do that 10 years of low fat discipline and exercise couldn't? But the doc was right. I did lose weight.

V

[madskye]

Do you have time/the will to exercise? It will help you feel better in the long run.

Counting calories and exercising worked for me, I lost ten lbs this year that had been clinging to me the last five years. I bit the bullet and joined a gym, had a session with their nutritionist, and also did five sessions with a trainer so I felt comfortable actually using the gym.

I feel so much better than I did a year ago, but for me, I needed help to make changes.

Lots of gyms are offering deals and packages now-I spent less than $300 dollars on my initial package (signed up for 3 months, plus nutritionist, plus trainning for $249) and it was worth it to me. I learned a lot.

Another great resource is http://www.sparkpeople.com --they have an online calorie counter, plus it's just a really nice supportive community.

Good luck!

[RosemaryS-F]

Ahh. The just above normal weight zone. I am so familiar with this! Your bmi according to the mayo clinic, is 25.1 (24.9 is in the normal zone). Oh, it's so frustrating when your body seems to want to cling to the weight, and you can't stop yourself from backsliding or binging! I just gained back 5 lbs over the holidays that I'd kept off for a year. It was rough coming home and seeing the scale, I'll tell you. Well, what has worked for me in the past was weight watchers and sparkpeople.com. I can't follow any diet plan that tells me what I can't eat. It's not my personality! I guess I don't have any specific advice, just hugs and confidence that you'll find your way. The boards here on MDC are great motivators, though!

[Weisabunny]

Thank you so much for the posts! Off to get some rest now. Will re-read tomorrow. Thanks all!