motivation? Just not meant to lose weight

I"m feeling like a major failure right now, and just wondering if anyone can tell me if they were in this situation and able to succeed. I need to lose about 30-35 pounds. I've never really fully lost my baby wieght from about four years ago...and I hate it. I used to have a LOT of confidence, loved buying clothes, loved the way I felt, loved taking photos but now I am really uncomfortable I hate the weight I am. I have gotten down about 15-20 pouinds before but have gained it back due to eating terribly. I feel very out of control sometimes with my eating and think I've become an emotional eater--I never was pre-baby. I seem to go to WW for a week or two and then just not stick with it. I have a great support system at home DH is always encouraging me and I still always seem to go off...I've stuck to a really strict crash diet a few times and had success but then the weight comes piling back on. I'm thinking of trying WW online AGAIN and attempt to start working out consistently, I used to love t owork out and exercise but that was years ago...meetings are just not for me, I am a computer person.....I guess I'm wondering if anyone has been here and able to really succeed, I just feel like I can't stick to anything....

Re: motivation? Just not meant to lose weight

Losing weight is not easy...especially for women...especially after you've had children.

It's even harder to keep the weight off. There's where exercise is key. Diet is so important for losing pounds, exercise will increase muscle mass, boost your metabolism and allow you to keep the weight off (if you continue to follow a reasonable diet).

Have you ever tried working with a personal trainer? I felt best about myself inside and out when I was working with a trainer. She gave me direction and pushed me to a point that taught me how to continue to be successful on my own. She also held me accountable and was a great support system for me.

Re: motivation? Just not meant to lose weight

It is such a huge struggle to lose weight, so you are definitely not alone. I think most people find it tough!

I LOVE food, wine, cooking, and entertaining, but I have successfully lost weight in the past and kept it off. But I recently recommitted to WW again because my weight has crept up over the last couple of years when I transitioned from a law career into real estate, and became less conscious of what I was eating and portions.

I think the main things that have helped me are:

1. Breaking things up into realistic goals/pieces. I am not someone who loves to exercise, unfortunately. And I do think the majority of weight loss is done through diet changes. So I would focus on the food piece, first, and then add in work outs after you get into your groove with food. And try to set small goals (like losing 5 lbs), and then you will probably find your motivation will increase as you have small successes to celebrate. Weight loss can be very overwhelming, so you should try not to look at the big picture or end goal, but break things down into smaller goals you can tackle and feel good about achieving.

2. Don't be a perfectionist! I always want to do things perfectly, but weight loss is definitely an area where you don't want to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. If you have an "off day" where you eat more than you planned, don't let it throw you off track and send you downhill. Just get back into your weight loss program the next day and move forward. One day of overeating is not going to make you overweight, but doing it day after day will. The same thing with parties, bbqs, etc. There will always be events -- good or bad -- in our lives that make it harder to stay on track. But I always let myself indulge a bit here and there, but stay strictly on track in my day-to-day eating (or try to).

I think you have to be flexible to achieve long-term success with weight loss. Too many gimmicky diets are overly restrictive and therefore not sustainable as a long-term lifestyle. One thing that I like about WW is that you can eat just about anything if you watch the portion control and account for it in your total points. But it just can't be an all or nothing thing -- if you have a slip up or go overboard one day, forgive yourself and move on with your plan. Don't convince yourself that you can't be successful in the long run because of a short term set back. My old WW leader used to say "it's a marathon, not a sprint."

Also - it's defintely hard when you are juggling kids, work, etc. But losing weight does take an investment of time (shopping, meal planning, cooking, exercise). So you need to make yourself a priority and believe that you are worth it!

Re: motivation? Just not meant to lose weight

When I had my second child I started to chart everything. I bought a nice big calendar and would tally my morning and evening weight. I would monitor how it responded to my menstrual cycle plus I began running and monitored my caloric intake. Myfitnesspal app helped me succeed. It helped me become accountable by recording my food. I put a weight goal and each time I entered the food at the end of the day it would tell you how much you could weigh at 5 weeks assuming that you kept up with the same routine. It helped me to my goal. The best thing is it is free. The are support pages on their website if you need input for others. Also although I really no longer use it...if I feel like I over indulged and need a kick in the right direction,I use the app for a few days now just to make sure that I maintain my goal,weight. Hth

Re: motivation? Just not meant to lose weight

thank you all for your advice and input. I am definitely going to check out that app and for now started doing WW online. Planning tonight to go back to the gym as well, we'll see if it sticks. I think I need to take small steps rather than looking at the big picture, I don't want to give up!!

Message edited 5/1/2012 1:59:20 PM.

Re: motivation? Just not meant to lose weight

my best advice

change you attitude

of course you can lose weight

of course the gym with stick

if you say negative things- you will get negative results

my biz coach just sent me this article- I think you could use it

http://rismedia.com/2012-04-24/watch-your-mouth/

Re: motivation? Just not meant to lose weight

You really need to find what works for YOU. It's different for everyone.

I've tried the gym. It's just not for me --- the commitment is too long each day --- drive there, workout, drive home, shower, get dressed ...
So I wake up, workout 1st thing in a timefeame that works for me, then shower and get dressed. All before my kids get up - because thats what works for me.

WW System didn't work for me --- I need to understand the info ... so I use myfitnesspal app and understand the calories, fat, carb, & protien in each food. In addition, WW was to carb centric for my lifestyle. I can't eat those WW bars because of the sugar. Or pretzles or whatever. I need my sugars to be low, and everytime I tried to do the points I was always over because I eat a ton of protien. Now when I eat out I can make choices because I know what each food is instead of guestimating the points ... that works for me better.

It took me years to find what works for me. And it was frustrating because I never stuck to anything.

I hope you find your 'thing'

Re: motivation? Just not meant to lose weight

Also, don't stress about the way you feel. Stress alone can add to problems with weight management/loss.

Re: motivation? Just not meant to lose weight