hungry and depressed!

OK I'm still bf but my DD is 14 mos now and sure she nurses less now. But I feel hungry every 5 minutes. Not only this, but I have food cravings in the sense that even if I try to fill up on veggies and fruits I still have a strong urge to eat what I "really" want, not just eat.

Now before baby I weighed 154 lbs. And when I decided I'd go on a diet after I delivered I was 176 lbs, and then I went down to 165, and  man!!! I'm now back to 171. yeah! I ate crap again after losing some of the weight!! I can't believe I've actually done this to myself. I always thought that it's somehow difficult(but sure) for me to lose weight but its VERY EASY to me to keep it off. I'm really down.

I actually go around looking at myself in the mirror and say "hi fatty, ur disgusting". I'm really disappointed with myself. I'm kinda losing hope I'd be back in shape once again.I want o cry.

any advice???

Thanks for listening. I'm sorta venting

It is the looking in the mirror and really criticizing myself that is keeping me motivated.  I'm about 4 weeks into this ultra healthy mode of eating.  I have made great progress, but do hate the feeling of endless hunger.  Even after filling up totally on a salad or such, there is an underlying hunger crying for something incredibly fattening.  My babe's only 4 months, so still nursing a lot.  Last week I actually got my pre-preg. jeans to go over my hips.  Couldn't wear them, but still a great reward.  Just look for little goals along the way.  Look closely at yourself each day and know that you are ultimately in charge.  I have a daily treat of two miniature Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  I figure the calories into my total, they are only about 40 each.  I savor those candies and look forward to them every day!

aww-  i'm so sorry your down!!!!  hey-  you lost 5 pounds which is great-  you're doing something right!!  can you add a walk in with your DD?  Would you be able to separate your cravings from real hunger?  Is there any way you could savor a bite of what you're craving in order to get rid of it and not eat as much of it? 

This will sound crazy-  but Yankee candle has been such a help previously when I lost weight.  If I was craving chocolate; i burned a chocolate candle.  If I craved cake; I burned a cake batter smelling candle.  Actually smelling the things I was craving made the cravings go away!  I'm not sure this would do it for everyone; but it worked for me.

Also; instead of adressing yourself as "fatty" in the mirror;  do you think you could calx your mind to turn over and say-  oh my face looks thinner today or; that's a good color on me-  something to help pick yourself up?

We are all here for you!!!!!!

Thank you both very much!I really needed the vent, a weight off my shoulders!!

  I was just talking with a friend who's in the same boat as me and we decided we'd be weight loss buddies. wish us luck!

But for you, things would be much harder.

Hugs