How to get back on track

Hello,

I lost 90lbs, and a good bulk of it I lost last year.  The last 5 months, I have put 20lbs back on! I am no longer able to spend time at the gym due to scheduling 3 kids and my own busy work life, and I seem to be in this self destruct mode, I have been stress eating big time.  I really want to get back on track, I am so upset that all of the beautiful clothes I bought last year are hanging in the closet unworn because i have jumped 2 sizes...... I am disgusted with myself........ so, here we go again......................

I am right there with you!  Trying really hard to get back on track.  I had lost 108lbs and have gained back 25lbs so darn fast.  and the clothes, same, new clothes that fit for all of 2 weeks i swear, are in the closet.  I will wear them again!!!

I'm with you too, I lost 90 and gained back too many over the past year.  I've tried and tried to get back on track before it got too awfully bad.  Finally I sucked it up and went back to my TOPS meeting and let everyone see how much I'd gained.  Now it's not biggy, I'm back on the way down.  For me, I need the accountability of a support group.  TOPS is inexpensive, but I'm guessing that weight watchers would work too, or even just a diet buddy.  Those don't work for me because I need someone there forcing me to get weighed, charting it, etc.

I am in the same boat as well. I have been doing this for the past year and a half and the past 6 months I have been at a standstill. I am now up 15 pounds from my lowest. I decided two weeks ago to start fresh the day after Labor Day. I did not log food or look at this website for two weeks. So starting today I am back on track.

But after setting the new date to restart I am still lacking the drive to keep this up and not eat the bowl of ice cream I am craving right now. I had joined a group looking for some more support, but it just kinda fizzled and nobody talked/encourage each other. I found that frustrating.

I will say one thing that we have in common, We have all lost weight and know that we can do this. Since we all seem to have the same/similar issue, Maybe we could all help each other along with this. Anyone one interested?

Thanks, its nice to see I'm not the only one.  Just so hard, and it is so hard to maintain the low weight once you get there........again.

The phrase I heard once which stuck with me went something like "don't do anything to lose weight that you can't see yourself doing for the rest of your life".  And it's absolutely true because once you stop... counting the points, counting the carbs, hitting the gym or simply getting bored with all the deprivation... that's when the weight tends to creep back.

Bearing that in mind keep asking yourself this time... 'am I  enjoying what I'm eating and the exercise I'm doing enough to keep it going for many years ahead?'   And if the answer at any point is 'no' then change things around until the answer is 'yes' again.  

Best of luck

OP you are definitely not the only one.  I lost 38 lbs last year, the weight came off fairly smooth with little cravings or hunger.  Now I've gained back about 8lbs and am so frustrated.  My loose clothes are starting to pinch! grrrrr

And thanks for your post, Gi-jane - very insightful, as usual.