Feeling pathetic here - need help

Hi all

These last 15 pounds (feeling more like 20 these days) are just the worst.  I have gotten to a point that I have lost the motivation to continue.  I feel as though I am constantly choosing the food over the weight loss.  I know how much I should eat and once I get home at night I just ignore counting and just eat and eat and eat. 

I have even found that I am sneaking cookies in my pocket so my husband doesn't see.  All I think about is how much I weigh and how grossed out I am about myself in workout clothes (muffin top)  but instead of eating less, I just eat more.  on a side note I do work out a ton, it is the eating that is a problem...

I don't know if I lack the motivation to make this happen or if I am depressed and food is the only thing that makes me feel better......

How do people keep going when faced with social pressure and really good food and sweets.  I would get the sweets out of my house, but my husband buys them...   

I'm having trouble with this last chunk of weight too. I want the weight GONE, but I'm running into more and more days where I feel like the food is worth sacrificing my weight loss for.

I think it's my depression. The only thing that makes my brain release the good chemicals right now is eating. So perhaps you're depressed or stressed about something as well?

I think the important thing is to try and start fresh each morning. If you overeat one day, don't use it as an excuse to overeat the next day. Don't tell yourself the whole week is shot to hell. That's what I've been starting to do, and I can already see I'm losing my momentum.   :(

I see in your journal you're training for a 1/2 ironman - that's awesome!  My first thought was you're probably not eating enough. You need to feed your body well AND frequently (every 2 - 3 hours).   Spread your calories throughout the day to "keep the tank topped up" - never let yourself get ravenous. Check your CC settings to be sure your calorie allowance takes into account your high activity level.

Hopefully g.i.jane will see your post and offer some nutrition advice - she's very wise.

Another thought...have a small break - take a couple days off and set a "re-start day".  You can also let yourself have an occasional treat.  If you PLAN it into your routine, whether it's daily or weekly, you won't feel like a failure.

You ladies are not alone - we all go through our ups and downs, right?  It's easier when we accept that it's happening and plan to "get back on the horse".

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" - Confucius

Thanks for the encouragement.  Today has gone well so far and there are notes on the cookies to not eat them.  I just need to keep my head up and keep trying. 

Don't feel bad.  It happens to all of us.  There are days when I seriously think the effort isn't worth the end result.  I feel like I do soooo much work only to lose a few measly pounds.

Food is my vice too.  I spent the majority of my marriage keeping up with my husband's eating habits only to gain 20+lbs while he barely gains 1.  It's depressing and it sucks.

There is nothing wrong with you wanting to snack.  I am the queen of snack foods.  Just try to pace yourself as best you can and not get too down on yourself.  If you overeat on the cookies, maybe you could take a walk to make yourself feel better.  At least you will have burned a few of the calories eaten.

I try to always keep something healthy yet sweet in my house.  Don't get me wrong, I still have Little Debbie's and such (I have 2 kids) but I'll make, say, chocolate frozen bananas or buy Skinny Cow ice cream bars.  I'm an addict when it comes to ice cream so I can eat these, still get every bit of the chocolate taste, and not come out too bad on calories.  Another thing I recently discovered is frozen grapes.  They are really good and comparable to a popsicle texture.

Your best bet is to find a healthy way to make all those bad for you foods and in doing so not sacrifice any of the taste.  Face it, I don't care how healthy something is if it tastes like a grocery sack.  Then even if you eat too many in one sitting, at least you're not getting as many calories as if you ate too much of the real thing.

It just happened to me. So don't feel bad. I dont know if this will help you, but what I did is take a 15 minute jog knowing after I could have a snack and not feel bad.