Don't want to eat my way back to 200lbs

Hello,

I am 33 and right now weight 157, 5'3. About 3 years ago I weighed over 200 lbs, getting to the lowest weight of 139. I lost the weight and have kept it off by eating well and exercising. My weight has gone up and down some over the last while, but by keeping a close eye on things I have not gain back much... until these last few months. I have really let some old habits slip back in... eating junk food, not exercising consistently, and just eating way to much of everything.

I don't want to gain any more weight. Actually, I want to take off 25 lbs. I am looking for ways to help me do that. Like so many of us, I KNOW what I should be doing... but keeping motivated to actually do it is another matter completely. I have been using CC for about 2 weeks now. I really like being able to record my food log and have feedback on my food choices. I am keeping my calories between 1300 - 1600. But with two "bad" days, one over 2000 and yesterday, over 3500 calories. I do work out, and in the last couple of weeks I am trying to strength train and interval training.

Things that I really think are holding me back.

1. Whenever I am dealing with difficult emotion I want to eat.

2. Everything is either good or bad when I am trying to lose weight. Bad choices make me feel guilty and guilt is a difficult emotions... and I want to eat more... which is bad... guilt...eat... bad

3. All or nothing attitude. After I realized I hit 1000 calories around 11 am yesterday the day was a write off for me. I ended up with a calorie total of 3500 for the day.

That's me. Would love to talk to and share experiences which going through this process.

I can so relate to some of your frustrations and have realized that changing behaviors is really hard.  I think it's really good to acknowledge what triggers your overeating and decide ahead how you will deal with these challenges.  Try not to beat yourself up when you over do it, as you pointed out- that just makes you feel guilty and then you're back in the cycle.  Good luck- you've done great in the past so you know you can do it. 

Seeing foods as good and bad is not going to help your dieting efforts.

Try to surround yourself with healthy foods...and dont isolate yourself from food. Learn to co-exist with it, even in tempting situations. Plan out your meals as well as you can and stick to your plan. If you are hungry though, allow yourself to eat....I allow myself unlimited amounts of raw fruits and veggies. I also started a "piggy bank." Everytime I crave a food that I would have to go out and buy or order, I put the amount of money that I would typically spend on it in my piggy bank! Only after I resist buying it of course! :)

Get enough sleep, work out (even if you have to force yourelf) and drink lots of water. It will curb your appetite and you will look thinner for your efforts. Much luck!

Knowing when and why you eat is a good start.  It'll help you to avoid eating at least some of the time.  If you can recognize that the emotional roller coaster is coming, you can head out for a walk instead of the heading to the kitchen. 

OK, so you've over eaten, and it's only 11 am.  Big deal.  Relax a little.  Instead of shooting for your weight-loss calories of 1300 - 1600, aim for your maintenance level instead.  That'll give you a little more room/time to eat without doing any damage.  You won't lose weight, but you won't gain any either.  You can also do a little exercise to counteract the extra cals. 

By noon today, I was at 1200.  That still gives me 500 to get to maintanence.  That's a lot of veggies!  Then I exercised, so I get to add a few hundred more to that.  Good thing since I'm having veggie chili and cornbread for dinner.  You know I'll go back for seconds.

Main point:  Don't sweat it.  Do the best you can.  When you mess up, start new the at the next meal or the next day.