Advice or support... I'll take whatever you're willing to give! Thank you!

I really need some help....

The long of the short: I've done exceptionally well at losing weight over the course of the past 2 years (about 30lbs). I've been diligent about eating healthy, watching intake and exercising as much as possible (I bike, weight train and go to spin classes, yoga etc). However, for a very personal reason I have a goal and an extremely important event in exactly 2 months time (first week of Nov.). And now that it's nearing, I have been completely sabbotaging myself. I don't exactly know why. For at least a year I have been so, so dedicated. But over the past few weeks now, it's almost as if I am a completely different person; I've been eating extremely large portions of really unhealthy "food". I can't believe I'm going to admit this, but just as an example: I consumed 2 liters of ice cream this weekend in one sitting. Polished off 7 pieces of pizza today... on top of breakfast and snacks.

This is completely out of my character and it's almost scary. It's as if I am intentionally trying to derail all of my efforts. To make matters worse, I have gained about 10lbs back. Now, I need to get a grip and get back to basics, but I guess my questions are this:

First, has anyone else experienced this? If so, what did you do? It's like I feel as though each day for the past couple of weeks I have "one bad day, and I might as well eat as much as I can because I won't be able to anymore afterwards". It's gotten out of hand. Really.

My second question is if you think it's conceivable to lose 10lbs within a 2 month time frame. I mean 1-2 lbs a week is ideal, right? But realistically?

I thought I was doing so well. This is so, so disheartening.
I'm sorry all, I don't mean to be a downer but I could really use some help.
Have a great day!

its coz deep down you fear failing and so it is easier to create the failure you fear, rather than reaally try 110% and then fail. try to stop putting whatevers on in Nov on such a pedestal and assure yourself that you will be happy either way.

i know you dont like me, and i havent got much time for you. but thats my 2 cents

It's tricky. Once you sabotage yourself, you tend to think "may as well..." If you had the whole pizza for lunch, you think'may as well', and polish off the cookie tray and the Ben and Jerry on top of that.Been there, done that.

I probably don't have anything life changing to say, except for this: it's always a good time to jump back on the wagon. You had pizza for lunch--great, hope you enjoyed it, now stop beating yourself up, and have something light and healthy for dinner (plus loooots of water to flush out that sodium). When you have the munchies on TV, do pushups, get on a stationary bike, or if you don't have one (as myself when I was a student), just run in place and walk in circles. Keep a huge glass of real cold water next to you to sip (or cold herbal tea-no sugar). Chew gum (not too much). Most importantly, you need to show yourself who's boss. Do not beat yourself up, because guess what--it happens to everyone, I mean everyone. But you need to remind yourself that there is only one person who can stop this, and that's you. Keep healthy snacks at home and do NOT keep chips or cookies. You want one cookie, you gotta get out of the house to the bakery. Buy JUST ONE. Or bake a tray and freeze a few and give the rest to the neighbor's kids.

As for your goals, be realistic. If you cannot loose 10 pounds by your deadline, that doesn't mean that you cannot loose *some* of it. And you will feel a lot better. Hope this help.

Thanks, both of you.

It's really, really hard to stop tonight. I don't know why. I'm down 4 more pieces of pizza and a pumpkin scone.

What do people think about the scale? Should I avoid it for a few days, or get right on it ?

I might recommend staying away from the scale for a few days just so you can have a few days to get back on track and in the swing of things before you start looking at numbers again.

Like everyone else has responded.. It is ALWAYS a good time to get back on track. Even if you don't get rid of the whole 10 pounds before November, you can definitely get rid of some of it. If you're motivated enough, you might be able to get rid of more, who knows! Just don't let your bad days get you down and know that you have done so well for so long and that you can still do it!

Thanks again everyone.

So, I did it. Bit the bullet and got on that scale this morning. I officially have 8 lbs. to lose in 8 weeks. It's going to take some serious dedication. So off I went this morning, spin class... my nemesis....

Thanks again everyone. It's always the worst in the midst of it. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

I sabotage myself too. I want to warn you to look out for re-gaining the weight after your event. By tying your goals to a specific event (for me it was my birthday in July), you risk losing momentum after the event ends.

After my birthday passed, I wanted to take a break from dieting since the function that motivated me was over. But my logic of "a few weeks of maintenance calories" turned into "a few months of just-above maintenance calories". I ended up gaining three pounds.  :(

It doesn't sound like too much, but it's like 1/7th of my progress so far, and it could have been even worse.

So if you fail to meet your goal by your event, don't give up, okay? :(

Original Post by 10bysummer:

It's like I feel as though each day for the past couple of weeks I have "one bad day, and I might as well eat as much as I can because I won't be able to anymore afterwards". It's gotten out of hand. Really.

I think you have fallen into a dieting trap.  If you have lost 30 pounds in 2 years by engaging in healthy habits (exercise and good food choices) why would you even consider trying to lose 10 pounds in 8 weeks?  I mean, your rate up until now would have you losing 2 or 3 pounds in 8 weeks.

I agree with fidget -- make up your mind to enjoy whatever is happening in November at today's weight.  Stop dieting which is leading to your all or nothing mentality.  Say to yourself that "I can enjoy 1 piece of pizza and maintain my healthy lifestyle.  I can have another piece another time. " Continue to make exercise and eating healthy foods in appropriate quantities with occasional treats your first priority, and you will gradually get to the weight that your body is meant to be.  There are no deadlines.  There is no completion.  It is a lifestyle that you are after.

Is that 8lbs/8 weeks a hard target set for you (for example, an athletic event?)

Or is it something you've set for yourself?

I ask this, 'cos I got married recently, and I was meaning to lose some weight. I didn't. It didn't stop me feeling great, and it was a really wonderful day.

if your target is not set in stone, I'd take it a bit easier!

I can tell you from experience that if you don't find the source of this desire to "self sabotage" you will do it again and again.  Perhaps it's related to this important event in November and you don't really want to do it, or perhaps you feel you are not worthy.  It could be many reasons, but I think that if you want to succeed with your weight and health in the long run, you should find the source of this issue and deal with it, or I guarantee it will come back to haunt you....