After Losing a SIGNIFICANT Amount of Weight, I Am Just Too Damn Tired to Keep Go

L., you are my herro! I've been trying to lose 20 pounds and I can't. By the way when I started gaining weight it was because I couldn't stop eating sugary things. My doc recomended taking 5HTP, you can find it in any pharmacy, and places like Rite Aid have them "buy one get one free" almost every other week. It really helped with the cravings. Way to go, girl! Wish you the best luck!

L., I hear you loud and clear.

I'd like to introduce you to some of my friends:
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B.
Family Wellness Coach

Have you looked at Spark People? It's free -- no fees. No hidden fees. No "premium membership" that costs extra.. and its basically Weight Watchers online plus so much more. You can track what you eat, log your work outs, get at home work out ideas, recipes. They even have message boards and "groups" for support -- all online. Again -- all FREE.

The focus is about getting healthier and making healthier habits.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/

I think it could be just what you need to get motivated, share your successes and frustrations, and get past your plateau. Good luck!

Edit:: Also, if you haven't. Put some "Before" pictures of yourself and get some recent pictures taken -- keep them around the house. Make yourself SEE how far you've come. Your mental picture of yourself probably doesn't realize how much you've lost like you will if you look at pictures of yourself side by side.

Ok, L.-Do you realize how well you have done for yourself? You have lost 100 FREAKIN POUNDS BY YOURSELF....give yourself some credit girl! That's amazing! Weight loss is like this, you will have some plateau's, just keep pluggin along and the weight will come off. Also, don't think of it as a diet. Otherwise you will always feel deprived. Think of it as fuel for your body which is turning into an athlete...don't you want to give your engine the best fuel there is? And give yourself a day a week to indulge...don't go crazy-but have one of the favorite foods in a small portion size. Also, with the working out...you have to find something that you LOVE. No one LOVES to run on a treadmill, its boring...you have to find something that you love doing that is also active. For me, initially it was swimming. Like swimming laps, I didn't get sweaty, it was very peaceful and relaxing (I know, you think relaxing workout?) but its true...once you get your aerobic capacity up, its relaxing. Then it turned into endurance sports (triathlons, marathons, etc) as long as I had an event coming up, I was motivated. (probably out of fear at first of making a fool of myself!) But maybe its water aerobics, or hiking, or just walking at sunset...you have to find something that is fun for you, you won't think of it as a chore anymore, you will look forward to going.
One tip I have for an indulgence item: Fage greek yogurt, you can find it at any health food store. Get a plain one and add some honey (or some actually come with the honey alongside it)-you will feel like you are having a totally rich dessert...no joke. It's heavenly.

You're doing awesome-don't give up. Everyone has moments of weakness, its just who gets up after falling down and who doesn't that matters.

YOU GOT THIS!!!!!!!

wow L., you are amazing!!!!!!!
Overeating is an addiction, just like anything else. I am a recovering food addict. I too can not have just one cookie,one piece of cake, one ice cream. If I have one, I feel guilty, say what the heck I already failed anyway so I go for the whole box. So now if I crave something sweet really bad I get a kashi bar. It is not bad for me, so I do not have guilty and able to have just one.....funny how it works.
Keep doing what you are doing....YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!
Also check out video "Food matters"(you can find it online) it's an eye opener. PLEASE watch it.
Check out this link to the DR Neil Anderson(you can listen to the message) great info on overcoming addictions
http://www.gethope.net/this-weekend/past-messages

One thing I have learned is that dieting does not work, and as you said it is a lifestyle change. Realistically we will never go the rest of our lives without eating the foods we love so I do two things that work for me. Give myself one day a week to treat myself to what I love, and two I measure my portions. So u can have the things you love just in a normal portion size. If we have pasta I only have 1 cup instead of a huge plate and I will have veggies or a salad to fill me up. Don't give up now you have come so far. Give yourself a treat and get right back on track. Good luck

L., I've been cheering for you from the sidelines. And having fought excess weight my whole life – I think that "yo-yo" thing may have started with me ;-) – I have had to acknowledge that I was born with the metablolism I've got, and I will never see "slim" again.

But check out the Heller Diet. It's much like the Atkins, but it does allow you ONE HOUR per day in which to eat the foods you like. The husband/wife doctors who designed the diet lost tremedous amounts of weight themselves, and as of the publication of their book, had maintained the loss for a number of years. (Who knows how skinny they still are…).

I hope you'll remember that every few pounds lost and kept off works for your long term health. I became diabetic a few years ago, and lost about 35 pounds. That was less than half of what I needed/hoped, and since then I regained a little. But I decided to hold the line, so I eased up only a little on the diet, so that I could have a favorite meal once or twice a week. And after 5 years, many of the "diet" foods have become more agreeable to me.

Good luck, stay strong, be good to yourself in every way. If that means a combination of diet and some favorite foods, hey, that's better than no diet and all favorite foods.

Try finding a support group, really. For extra incentive.
I'm sure there must be a weight loss support group somewhere, or even online.

Food for some people, are emotion based. Thus it is another type of issue, beyond just exercising and losing weight.
Or try asking your Doctor for suggestions.

But, I think, finding a support group, would provide a great incentive and the feeling that you are not in it alone.

all the best,
Susan

Hey there sister, I am there with you. I had lost about 180 when I was in my younger days, and after the twins came it got much harder....so the trick is to give your self as much love as possible during this time...yes you lost a LOT and that is a tremendous feat without having a gym or diet program...way to go girl! you are doing great! You have just hit what is called a "set point:" where your body is used the amount of calories going in equalling the energy you are extending....you have metabolised your metabolism! This will be a hard time...just take it easy on yourself....and remember what you have accomplished and that you may need a little break from going to hard on yourself. keep yourself distracted from eating those "goodies" (the more you eat, the more your body will crave them) and keep in mind where you want to be. if you feel a craving coming on, then allow your self a moderate amount and think of all the hard work you have already done as you eat...it will help deter you from wanting to eat more...fill up on other stuff first like baked chips and hummus or fat free "refried" beans (mooshed) I have been through what you are going through...and still fight it all the time...but that weight is not hard to creep back if you are not careful...watch every step you take carefully and calculatively. YOU CAN KEEP DOING THIS, you just need some support! I do too....maybe we can get together for walks and talks...I'll message you, blessings, S.

Have you gone to thebiggestlosser.com? They have some great books, exercise dvd's and cook books on there. You can also find all sorts of tips and ask questions. On the show I have seen Bob help the contestants make desserts. Granted it isn't going to be what you are craving but maybe it will be enough to curve the desire to go buy those cookies!

It sounds to me like you just need a little change in your routine.

You really are doing an awesome job. I can't imagine loosing that much weight. You ovbiously have the determination and strength. Keep us all posted on how your doing. You will hit your goal before you know it!

Wow! That is something to be really proud of! My husband and I are in a similiar situation. We keep trying to "diet" but it doesn't work. So, here's what I do- and I lost over 30 lbs doing this (still trying to lose more too)... I eat whatever I want for my meals, but it's measured. If I want spaghetti, that's what I eat, but I look on the box and measure out one serving. Another thing that helps us is that I don't put all the food on the table. I fix our plates by the stove and that's all I set on the table. We don't go back for seconds. The weekends we splurge. We eat whatever we want whenever we want. Sometimes, when you've dieted for a long time, your body slows its metabolism. If you've gone back to snacking for awhile, try cutting back again, but splurging (NOT binging) on the weekend. For me, I find it helps keep my metabolism up. I hope this helps... And, I may not know you, but wow! Be proud of yourself!!!!!

Hi L.,

First, congratulations for coming so far! That is such a fantastic accomplishment. What came to my mind as I was reading your post was something I just got for myself. It's a book called "Breaking Free from Emotional Eating". I heard about the author, Geneen Roth, on Oprah. She has a newer book out now that is also along the lines of this other one, but the one I mentioned has gotten significant praise from critics (check Amazon, it was $10). If losing weight was just about eating healthy and exercising to lose weight (duh!) then there wouldn't be so many obese people in the world. Yes, making good food choices is a simple concept, but oh so difficult to actually do. There is so much temptation out there. This book tackles the "why" part of why we make the food choices we do, and I thought could be of some help to you. I also have a significant amount of weight to lose, and you have motivated me! Keep your chin up and think of how cruddy are you going to feel if you go back to your old habits and regain all the weight you have just lost? Keep your eye on the prize and best of luck to you!

L.,
Alicia just said what I was going to say, but I'll reiterate - if you can go to your doctor and get a thorough exam you should. After losing nearly a whole person your hormones are having to learn how to control a completely new body! (I'm an alternative/homeopathic medicine supporter, but the MD can at least tell you what's going on in your body and then you can choose what to do about it.)

I see there are a lot of posts below, and each suggests another diet, but I hear that you have done this yourself, and the right way - eating right and exercising! Good for you!! You already know that this is a lifestyle change, and you can't expect yourself to change a lifetime frame of mind and habits so quickly. If you can find a support group or some type of affordable counseling, I think that would be key to not falling back into your old patterns. Even online groups are great because you can talk when you want to, to people going through the same thing. When you learn why sweets and junk food is a comfort to you, then you can choose something else to give you that comfort.

Pray for help and know that you are a special individual, you have a reason and purpose for being here, and by realizing that you can remember that doing the best for your body will keep you around this earth long enough to live out that purpose!!! Blessings to you, and congratulations for doing such a great job already!!

I have no advice, but wanted to say WOW! CONGRATULATIONS! Try to remember where you were and where you are now!

Wow! That's all I can say. Be proud of yourself!

Congratulations!!! You should be extremely proud of yourself. I'm proud of you. Losing weight is not easy, it's a very long and slow process. I've been doing the same as you and I've lost 35lbs in the past year. I still have another 50 to go.

What keeps me focused when I just want to eat 1/2 a pan of brownies is to focus on the fact that I feel much better overall, I'm healthier for my kids, I can go for long walks with my family without getting tired and having to take a break.

Do you watch "The Biggest Losser"? If you notice at first they are dropping 8 to 12 lbs a week, then after 10 weeks they're only loosing 4 to 8, after 12 its 2 to 6. It's easy to get discourage when you work so hard and you don't see the results that you want.

You can get over this hump, hang in there. YOU KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Good luck.

Do you have pictures from before you started losing weight? Take one now and post them in a place where you can see them every day (the frig, your mirror, whatever). Then as you continue to lose, take pictures every 50 pounds or so so you can continue to see the change. What an amazing accomplishment! I now you can contnue to win this battle; stay strong!

Hi there,

First off, you have done an amazing thing! Wow! loosing 100 pounds is no easy feat! Congratulations! It's major. You don't want to give up now. I'm nearly 60 years old and know how hard it is to keep on keeping on with discipline in all aspects of life. But it is the best or you.

Maybe you could consider having one day a week where you allow yourself a cookie or small treat you like. As long as it doesn't interfere with your overall program, and you don't start eating every goodie in sight. The balance of activity and calories is what counts, as you well know. Sometimes the psychological aspect is helped by knowing you can still continue to loose weight, but have a little treat now and then. Also, maybe some different foods which are within your calorie intake quota would help? Sometimes boredom in eating the same foods can be an issue. Dr. Oz has some good recipes on his website and his program can be an encouragement for those wanting to loose weight. Also, a new interest or helping others can be a great benefit, so you don't find yourself thinking of food as often. Hang in there! You are doing an amazing thing and it's normal to get discouraged now and then. God's blessings to you.

J.S.

Congratulations on your huge weight loss! It takes a very dedicated person to do that.

I have had food cravings (sugar and white flour) all of my life and found the book The Diet Cure by Julia Ross to be so helpful. It helps identify how you can use supplements to help with cravings. I highly recommend it.

That is amazing!!! In weight watchers, they do encourage to reward yourself. Enjoy a dessert after every 10 lbs lost (or something like that). Just remember all food is good, as long as you eat it in portion. I am still working on that lesson too. I too have to start losing weight for a wedding this summer. I will try to follow this too. I love my junk food too. Continue to work on your goal.

It sucks! We're surrounded by all this delicious food that is horrible for us, and I just want to eat it! I TOTALLY will drive to the store just to buy that cookie, too! I'm a sugar addict. Sounds like you might be one too. I will ferret out the one tiny morsel of sugar in my house at any time. I can't even keep baker's chocolate in the house, for crying out loud.

Do you like to read? I'm trying to maintain a 35-pound weight loss, and maintaining is HARDER than losing it. Read Michael Pollan's An Eater's Manifesto. It's helpful to learn about the nutrition and mechanisms (not to mention corporate profits) behind the American food system.

I get angry, too. PMS time is the worst for me. Be good to yourself, okay?

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE join a support group. You have been doing great so far! It makes all the difference in the world to have those who have experiences just like you to help you through these difficult times. If you don't know of any near you, call your local hospital or doctor and explain that you are looking for a weight loss support group and they can give you contact information. Good luck!!!

Congratulations on your terrific weight loss. First step you have to do is GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT for the amazing progress you've made. Next thing, keep your sights in check like you did at the beginning. Small goals and then move forward. You had the right approach to start with and have just gotten a bit off track.

Check this book out of the library -- The Beck DIet Solution -- and use the techniques in there -- the two I describe above come from there. Good luck and I know you can get your enthusiasm back -- and congrats again on all your progress.

Hang in there L.!! You have to remember that you have been eating the other way all of your life, and now you are undoing that habit, and it could take many years!! It may be hard right now, but aside from the weight loss, you are teaching your body to love the healthier stuff more than the unhealthy stuff...kinda like re-training your mind/body :) If you stay the course it will pay off. I was very addicted to sugar, desserts have always been my weakness, and I was used to having a dessert or sweet after pretty much every meal! But then I started having really bad yeast infections, and my doc said yeast loves sugar, and that if I wanted yeast infections to stop, I needed to quit eating sugar altogether....so I did! One of the hardest things I have done! But I did it for 6 mo-a year and now my cravings for sweets is only like 25% verses 100%!! Discipline never comes easy, but the rewards are great :) You are stronger than you think! Don't give up when you are frustrated, put all that energy into exercise :) I hope this helped you a little! You are not alone in this struggle.

Also remember that as your body changes, your hormones are too. Keep in mind that emotions are simply chemical reactions - you don't need to give in to them. If you've already lost 100 pounds, YOU ARE in control. Keep doing what already works. You don't have to enjoy it, but you're nearing that threshold where your body will accept its new balance. You're nearing the top of the rollercoaster...hang on for the coming thrill of the ride!

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First off, let me say I know what you are going through. I have now lost 177lbs, without a gyy, without weight watchers, without a gastric bypass. Take your vitamins. Especially B-12.
Go to www.foodaddicts.org, find a meeting. There are even phone meetings if you can't find one in your local area. It helps with all those cravings. I promise you.

Yay you!!!! You are doing a great job! I know it's difficult. How do I know? I am on a diet that I have to stick to or get horribly sick. For years I cut out sugar because I thought that was what was making me sick. It was so hard to go anywhere and say "no" to so much food, drink, etc... Now I am Gluten Free and can't have wheat, rye or barley. I really miss bread. Some days all I want is a sandwich. If I were to cheat a a little, I would suffer for nearly a week, sometimes longer.
You can do it! You've done so great so far. It's going to be hard but a lot of things in life that are worth it are hard. (Giving birth, raising kids, marriage..) Don't give up. Find a support group of some sort. Isn't there something like AA? When you feel a craving coming on, call someone in your support group. Talk about it, ask questions. Then be proud when you get through it. You've come so far, you are more than halfway there!

L.~ You are AMAZING. You have lost ONE HUNDRED pounds!!!!! Way to go girl!!!! It is hard and it is frustrating to hit a point where you might be stuck, but it is okay. Once you hit that set point it takes time to get out of it. Try incorporating different exercises into your routine. Work different muscles. When you start to work different muscles, the set point will change. You probably know that muscle burns more than fat, so increasing your muscle will help you to burn more.
I have a hard time too just eating ONE of something. What helps me is to allow myself to have a little something daily. Make sure you don't deprive yourself of the things you want because you are more likely to binge!! I too am in the obese category, but I do workout and I try and eat healthy. I remind myself that those charts that tell you if you are fat, obese and so on are made up for insurance company's, they really don't know your body or body type. You have done so much girl!! I have struggled with my weight all my life and have never been "skinny", and I don't want to be.. I want to be healthy and beautiful from the inside out!! I have been struggling just to lose 20 lbs these last 2 years and had lost 10( that took a whole year!) and then gained it back when I became really sick last Nov. ( that only took a month to gain!) And today I am still striving to lost that 10 I gained..LOL
Just know, you are not alone. You are loved. You are worth everything!!! Good luck girl!!!
B.

L., I have helped thousands of smart people change their relationship with food. I hear your pain. Get in touch me me and I will give you some of my time to help you change your mind. I won't try to sell you anything. I love helping people and you certainly deserve it.

Go to http://www.LisaCrunick.com/be-a-babe for some recordings to help improve your mood.

Have you tried overeaters anonymous or Compulsive Eaters Anonymous. Those are free and supportive

I feel your pain. I hear your sadness. What you are trying to do is REALLY hard and I acknowledge and recognize your success. Keep going. I want to help you with a couple of suggestions that have helped me. Start having FUN! Not with food, but with feelings. Remember the things that were fun for you when you were a child and put them back in your life. Instead of numbing your feelings with food you will be healing the part of yourself that you use food to control.

Do you love to draw, paint or work with chalk? What about music lessons? I re-taught myself to play piano at age 48 and have reached a level I never knew about. Maybe dance lessons? Or volunteering with an organization who's message aligns with yours. Don't know your message? Having fun will bring you closer to the "little girl" inside you that knows why you are here. Mothers can heal themselves by nurturing their "little girl" right along with their own children.

Food. My best suggestion: Green Smoothies. Here is my favorite recipe: 1-2 cups water in blender, 1 packed cup of spinach leaves, 2 bananas, and 1 cup of frozen blueberries. Makes about 28-32 ounces. Drink the entire smoothie at breakfast and it will stay with you until lunch. You will love it! Lots of fiber and the incredible feeling of doing something for yourself that is loving and good. No unsatisfied feelings. Strive to find your happiness every day!

hello
do like my friend does in regards to weight watchers...
this month many are allowing you to sign up for free... find one near you that does.. then.. do the pay as you go,.. it's 13 bucks.. BUT..you dont need to go EVERY week... try it every other.. as long as you don't miss 4 in a row, then you won't get the boot..
thing is.. ONCE you have the material... you can then do it on your own..meaning.. the pts value booklet and how many pts that you personally get a day.. so technically speaking. IF you were to find one near you and they have a FREE registration going that month, then pay your 13.. get the materials and then.. you really neednt go back.. the support group is good.. but IF need be.. you can always get support from over-eaters anonymous and those meetings are free. additionally, they have ones these days specifically for those who have lost a 100 lbs or more.. (see online for meetings near you)
as for getting out of your funk... one, I would ask.. are you drinking enough water?? with all that weight loss, keep in mind that your body is breaking down fat and with it, lots of junk that your body has stored in it for years.. fat being so thick you can well imagine that it holds within it pollutants from days gone by... anything from old medication to other chemicals and because it, once you start breaking the fat up, well it releases toxins which in turn can make you feel rather lousy....... << hence the reason you NEED that water.. flush flush flush..
It's a long process to lose weight a lot of weight , even a little if one's mind is not into.. BUT you can do it.. c'mon now, you lost 100.....
you ask how do people eat just one of something? Owe, I know that feeling as I LOVE potato chips... how do combat this problem.. I simply do NOT bring them into my home... and DONT SHOP WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY... or go near the cookie aisle... I stay away from specific aisles.. I just have to or I'm a goner :)
that which also helps me is............ planning ahead.... if I let myself become famished i totally eat way tooooooooooo much.. so I try and plan ahead..
you can do this.... look at it this way, you need to do it, right??
allow yourself another day or so to sulk if you must, but then at some point, get back up and begin your program.. and DO check out WW.. as mentioned, you need only go to one meeting if too expensive, get the literature and then work the program on your own..
you can do this!!! look how far you've come... Lastly, I would ask that before you give into a craving.......... sit with that hunger pang for a moment.. get in touch with your body... check in.. ask yourself , how am I feeling.. of course that sounds all corny and psycho-bable like :) BUT I will tell you this... during the times I felt cravings come on, if I stop for a moment.. pause.. get my resonable thinking in check and away from my food addict......... then I can think clearly and you can too...

I know you came this far..... you can continue the journey.. and to think, what an inspiration you are for other members on this board!!!
keep up the good work!

I think you're AWESOME and you certainly should be proud of yourself its hard to change a lifestyle and I think especially when it is foods that you've been eating all your life , I know exactly what you are talking about with the eating ONE brownie or cake or anything really yummy, its tough but sounds like you are winning this battle so just keep fighting, you are already winning and I'm sure that physically you are feeling better , getting around better, you have accomplished so much and I think once you get over this hump you will feel better about yourself, just keep movin' ahead and looking forward to doing the the things you have not been able to do in the past . Like I said before you are AWESOME .

Prayer has helped me change my mind about doing things or changing my attitude---when i did not want to chaned but knew I should. It been the only thing that helped for certain times. God be with You, Barb

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Prayer has helped me change my mind about doing things or changing my attitude---when i did not want to chaned but knew I should. It been the only thing that helped for certain times. God be with You, Barb

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Prayer has been the only thing that helped when I was trying to do what I should do but didn't really wanna.. helped change attitudes----helped maked consistant habits when I needed to be. God be with you --Barb

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prayer will work when other things do not

That's awesome! I'm going to throw in my "way to go!" with everyone else's!

Have you ever heard of the "Alternate day diet"? It's somewhere in between a diet and a lifestyle change. Long term, making healthy choices is what counts, but to help you lose that last 70 lbs, it might be really helpful. The premise of the book is that researchers found that when we cut calories only every other day instead of complete daily calorie restriction (which is what most diets advocate), we trigger a gene in our bodies that helps us to metabolized food better and therefore lose weight a lot faster. Not in an unhealthy kind of way, but in an encouraging "I can do it!" way. The amazing thing is that they have also found it to be anti-inflammatory as well which can really benefit many people especially those suffering from allergies, asthma, arthritis and many other inflammatory diseases. My husband & I have been doing it for the past 4 months or so (we had a major move in between so we stopped for a while and are back on now) and we have lost weight consistently and not felt too deprived. The idea is that you eat normally one day and you cut down more significantly the next day (somewhere between only eating 25% to 50% of your daily calories on the "down" day) We did the 25% for a while and that was a bit tougher but still doable and we did lose weight faster. But we have continued with the 50% model and are still continuing to lose weight regularly and it really doesn't feel too hard because we just take what we would normally eat and cut the portion in half. The book says that in theory, the gene still gets triggered even if you don't make good food choices (but just do the up day, down day cycle), but obviously, for the sake of your long term health, it is better if you are choosing healthy foods more often than not.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw it out there along with everyone else's ideas! My husband wrote a blog post about the book & our experience so far here which also has a link to the book available on Amazon: http://hazelaidreview.blogspot.com/2010/04/alternate-day-...

All the best to you!

S.
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HI L.,

My husband lost 110 pounds with the help of an absorbable multivitamin/mineral complex. It not only balanced his body chemistry, because the body was getting the nutrients it needed, but it gave him energy as well. After he lost 60 pounds he started exercising with the help of an energy/fat burning bar. I have scientific information on it. It actually uses your own fat for your energy so it burns it off. The bar is delicious. I crave nothing other than this bar before a workout. One flavor tastes like a TWIX, my favorite tastes like a mint chocolate girl scout cookie. There are other flavors as well.

He got his weight off 5 years ago and has been able to keep it off. Let me know if you want more information.....I'll be glad to help!

M.