Setting yourself up for failure???

I figured something out today, apparently the hard way.  I decided I wanted, needed, to break this plateau.  I've been the same weight now for far too long, like a year. LOL  I know, I know, I should be happy that I've been the same weight for one year, but somehow that just doesn't help.  I really wanted to get this last bit of weight off, but oh well, time will tell. So what did I do?? I uttered the "D" word.  I decided I was going to follow the Slim Fast approach to taking off this last bit of weight.  I got a great deal on the shakes, under $5.00 for a box of 8. Wow!  So anyhow, woke this morning and instead of my 2 hard boiled eggs I decided to sip a drink.  That was at 7 when I got to work and by 8 o'clock the lives of my co-workers were in grave jeopardy.  I would have eaten my arm if I could.  I wasn't so optimistic to believe that I might actually do this, so I had brought a nice healthy lunch. Well, I've got this whole diet mentality in my head and I am STARVED!!!!  LOL  Now, after being at this for over 2 years you'd think I learned something.  It's frustrating to feel this, even though I know 90% of it is in my head.  I'm going back to what I've been doing and what has worked. 

I still don't understand how you stay at 235 based on the number of calories you consume versus the number burned.  I'm sure you don't either.  Our bodies are really weird.  I didn't know you could stay at a plateau for that length of time, but there's a lot I don't know.  I definitely agree that not gaining any weight for a period of year is an accomplishment.  I know in my past of only one or two years that I can think of that I actually did that.  We really don't like the whole idea of the big "D" word.  Makes us think of deprivation. 

Regardless, you have done a great job and you should be PROUD OF YOURSELF!  YOU LOOK FABULOUS DARLING!  Who says that?  I think it's Zsa Zsa Gabor.  Brenda

 

I don't know either Brenda!!! It's like the worlds best kept secret. LOL  Honestly, I guess since I started at 352 pounds, my body kinda likes 235.  I firmly believe in the set point, and honestly i don't remember in the past 25 years being any lower than 190.  That was when I was 19 and before i had two children and lived at least 16 years as super morbidly obese.  So i should settle for the 235 and be happy with it.  That number on me is totally different than someone without my experience. I guess perhaps it's not a plateau, but maintenance? LOL This didn't work, so perhaps another approach in the future  I'm going back to what I was doing before, it was working!

Thanks!!!

You will find a way.... but allowing yourself to get hungry isnt the right way.... you'll just risk a binge... How often do you eat?  Would moving your meals around stimulate your metabolism?

I didn't want to get hungry.  My regular breakfasts kept me full through lunch sometimes.  I just figured I'd mix it up a little with something new and different.  obviously didn't work.   I don't binge, I'm a grazer.  So I'm not nervous about bingeing, thank god. For the most part I eat breakfast at around 7, a cheese stick at around 10, lunch around 1, afternoon snack at around 3 and then dinner at 6-6:30.  There are some times where I don't get in the afternoon snack because I'm just not hungry.  Like Neecee said, I have to feel hunger or else I feel like I can't eat and it's not working. I work out 4-5 days a week, a mixture of cardio and strength training.  I told my SO last night that I wished I were an exercise physiologist or a nutritionist so I could figure this all out a little better. For now I'm going back to what I've been doing to maintain the weight loss.  I won't do the Slim Fast again, that's for sure.

I guess I look at it different than most.  The person I talk to about my weight actually liked my perspective.  I told her that I don't really have a problem with the word diet, but I do look at it from a different point of view.  If I maintain a healthy diet, I will be a healthier person.  It's a way of life rather than something temporary to lose weight.  It doesn't mean that I won't go out on the weekend and have a treat, but my healthy diet is the majority of the time.  This particular way of looking at it works for me.  Those restrictive programs to me aren't diets-they're torture! LOL One thing that might work for you is a technique that a lot of people who used WW came up with.  The theory is that the body adjusts to stable caloric intake.  If you can vary your caloric intake then the metabolism is not usually able to adjust.  I think it was called the wendie plan on WW, but you could use the basic idea in your regular eating.  I just know that I am a creature of habit and tend to eat the same things all the time and get into a routine.  Some might call it a rut, I called it comfortable.  You can type it into a search engine and find a great deal of info on it (also this site here http://www.dwlz.com/mbguidelines2.html). I didn't really share it for the points aspect but more for the idea that maybe mixing it up a bit could help you break that wall that has got to be really frustrating for you.  Also, varying the exercise patterns helps too sometimes.  That is one I have a really tough time with.  Once I find something I like I stick with it. The same thing doesn't work for every individual but I hope you find something that helps you get closer to your goal. Good luck, b :)

I am also a creature of habit.  For the first year of my program all I ate was turkey chili for lunch.  I mean, every single day!!!!!  I really don't look at what I've been doing for the past 2 years a diet, never have.  I have just taken on a different way of eating.  I have never looked at it as anything but that.  I have really never weighed or measured my food, I relied on what I had learned in the past.  It worked well for me, obviously.

I just figured I needed to mix it up.  My body has obviously gotten used to a certain type of food, amount of food, etc.  So I figured I'd try this.  Heck, anyone can do Slim Fast for 5 or 6 days, right?  uh, no!!! LOL  I had actually tried Slim Fast back when my son was 3 weeks old (18 years ago).  It didn't work then either, I was dreadfully hungry in minutes.  I will still use them as "on the go" types of "meals".  on the weekends I tend not to eat a lot because I am continuously on the go.  Having a shake helps me to keep something in my system, without feeling sluggish.

As far as mixing up the exercise routine, I've done that as well.  I've added up to 15 minutes on the stair master and another day of weight training.  I think my body just likes where it is, it's probably tired of what I've been doing.  I'm going to focus on what is comfortable for me and hopefully one day the scale will move.

I think you've definitely got the right mindset.  Really, it is more important that you are living a healthy lifestyle.  You know your body the best and I think if it is comfortable at that weight then it is probably happening for a reason.  It's more important to be at the right size for you.

"by 8 o'clock the lives of my co-workers were in grave jeopardy.  I would have eaten my arm if I could." That really made me laugh out loud!!!!  I tried SlimFast once and was STARVING less than an hour afterwards.  Not for me!!!  I need to chew my food, unless it's a protein shake with fruit and diet ice cream in it.  YUM Thanks for the chuckle, DonnaMarie. Bren

Hi Bren, I'm glad I could make you laugh!!!  It was kinda funny looking back.  I swear to god I haven't felt hunger like that in over 2 years.  It was brutal, like my stomach was emptying out and going hollow.  A very bad feeling.   I'll leave the slim fast drinks for those on the go moments where I am not carrying food and my only selections are garbage.  Other than that, it's real food for me!