Winter Blues... LONG

I am getting so frustrated with myself.

I keep losing and gaining and re-losing and re-gaining the SAME FIVE POUNDS!!

I am still 18 pounds away from my final goal. While part of me sees that number as attainable and nearby, part of my also sees that as impossible and never happening- especially since I keep maintaining by gaining and losing the same weight.

But it is so hard to workout and eat right during the winter. Does anyone else feel this way? Thanksgiving foods (cream based soups, potatoes, stuffing, special rolls and muffins, etc.) as well as holiday foods (halloween candy, christmas cookies, etc.)... these things make me break my clean eating and low calorie diet. I also avoid going outside and working out, or even to the gym because I am always sooo cold and I don't feel like dealing with it.

All of these lame excuses are starting to build up again.

I keep telling myself that I want to lose these 18 pounds, that I can lose these 18 pounds, but it is not translating into my actions and especially not showing on the scale.

I have been exercising, dieting and thinking about/living a healthy lifestyle for 9 full months now!!! I had about 25-30 pounds to lose. I figured within a year all 25-30 would be shed. I have only shed 8-12 pounds in those 9 months. I have another 18 to lose... I didn't lose it year one, but will I even be able to lose it next year??? It seems so daunting.

Any advice for beating these winter blues? Anyone want to share their own personal story as inspiration??

Re: Winter Blues... LONG

First off congratulations on losing the first 12 pounds! That is a great accomplishment.

I get the winter blues too. Its hard when its cold and gets dark so quickly. With that being said, I find that having small goals is what really motivates me. I like to run, so I usually pick a couple of races that I want to do and then start training for them. Also, I know that if I go home from work, check my email, have a snack I lost it for the day. I either need to go straight to the gym from work or go for a run as soon as I get home.

Also, try and make commitments with other people. Someone you can meet at the gym or go for a walk with.

As for eating/drinking my biggest problem is that its really social. I try to pick other activities besides going to happy hour or out to dinner. Maybe going bowling, hiking- this is hard for me because I can never come up with other activities.

Good Luck and know that you can do it!!!

Re: Winter Blues... LONG

I'm in the same boat, and I could have written this post almost word for word. 17 months later, I'm 3lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight, but I still have another 15lbs to get to my pre-IVF weight. I go up and down 5lbs, and seasonal depression hits me hard. I have a lot of other things going on in my life right now that are compounding my normal seasonal depression, and I really just want to snap out of it and start running again. Getting the motivation is so hard, especially with this weather

Re: Winter Blues... LONG

What about changing up your exercise routine to something new and exciting?


For example, I love hot yoga, but I love it even more when it starts to get crisp and cold outside.


If you go regularly (i.e. at least 3-4x a week) you will notice a great change in your body.

I always recommend this class to someone looking for something new to get out of a rut.

Most studios as well offer really cheap introductory specials, so if anything just go for that!