Basics - please help

So I now weigh 4 pounds more than I did a year ago! I weigh 15 pounds more than my lowest weight. I cannot let this trend continue because I REFUSE to go back to where I came from. It is NOT an option. So what do I do? Back to basics...so what are the basics for you? I feel I am searching around for the illusive magic formula that works for others - a certain number of calories, or % or protein, etc etc. but none of those works for me. Truth be told, I have no idea how I lost the weight I have. It certainly wasn't any magic formula that I found. It felt more like guess work and luck rather than doing the right things. I cannot remember what I ate the first year when I was losing. So ANY advice on what your basics are/were will be helpful. Thanks guys...

I too, am finding the weight slowly creeping back. However, I rarely exercise and am a big snacker. I am sure that is the major reasons the weight is creeping back. I am still in a managable area, not too much has come back, a few pounds, no more than 10. I can't remember what I ate in the beginning, the weight just seemed to peel off no matter what I ate. So, I just ate whatever. I am considering looking at my old Weigh****chers stuff and trying to follow that. Or I may just divide my meals up to 3-4 a day (smaller portions) with a small snack or two in between. Yesterday, I tried to go a certain period of time without putting food into my mouth. It was like 12:15 and I decided to try to wait until 2 to eat anything more. It was HARD!!!! But I did it. I think that may be my problem as well, just randomly putting crap in my mouth without thinking. I bet I would curtail a lot of calories by just doing that. And of course....adding exercise on a consistant basis....that is sooo hard for me. Good luck Ruth....just being aware is half the battle and I know that you will be successful in the long run. Amy

I am gonna keep trying to do the lean meats/cheese/low carb thing...pretty much the South Beach way of eating and see how that goes... Did fairly well last week and lost a few lbs BUT...over the weekend I ate "normally" whi*****luded pasta (yum) & cookies (yummy!) and it all came back and more...funny how my body just holds onto the the bad stuff. Wish there was a magic formula but I think our bodies just suck!

Yep, our bodies suck! They inhale the bad stuff and just will not let go of it without a fight grrrrr........... I'm trying to eat more regularly this week. I tended to just have protein shakes and not eat anything all day then eat once I got home from work. So now it's proper meals throughout the day, with protein snacks if needed once inbetween meals. I'm also guzzling water each time I want to put something in my mouth. I'm in and out of the bathroom like a ping pong - my co-workers are going to start wondering what I'm doing in there soon!!!!! As long as we keep hanging around here, we'll get there in the end - we keep each other accountable and give each other the incentive to keep going.... What would I do without you guys.....

Hi Ruth - I'm right there with you. I have regained 28 pounds, and gone up from a size 8 to a size 16. I need to get back on track. I find myself eating carbs, and not getting enough protein. Anyway, I totally understand. I need to get back on track too. Take care, Heather