I am my own worst enemy- diet wise.

I'm just wondering if any of you do the same thing.....

I start a diet and do great for the first two weeks.  I am careful to eat the right things and stick with my exercise plan.  And I'm always very happy when the scale rewards me for my good behavior.  But then rather than stick with what's working, I fall off the wagon.  Today I'm looking at my food and exercise log for the past month and realizing how I am gradually giving up.  My entries are incomplete and I miss entering for days. 

Tomorrow is a weigh in day and I'm scared to death to see what it says.  Either way I'm doomed.  Even if I've lost something, I'll still feel like it wasn't enough.

What is wrong with me that I can't stick to this plan when it is working?

Hi NewMeIn2010,

I have found the way to success with weight loss is that you don't give up. We all fall off the wagon and eat more than we should, or skip the exercise for a week. The thing that will spell success for you is if you just get back into the routine and continue on. Don't give up. This should be a lifestyle change that will help you to maintain good health for the rest of your life. Don't beat yourself up for having slipped up, just accept that you will have times when you aren't doing your best, but just keep at it.

I find myself doing the same thing.  But this time I am staying focused and trying my best to be aware of my downfalls.  I am a junk food junkie.  I like my afternoon snacks.  I have now converted to looking at the lables.  I think about how I want to look and i refuse to look in the mirror right now.  With this site, it is great to have others to encourage you to do your best.  Everybody falls off the wagon....but the good thing is....you can get back on it.  You will reach your goal.  I have faith in you.

I have always done the same until this last 12 months.  I love food (I actually just like eating!) and I have often turned to food when I am bored, as a way to fill up some time.  I also love to eat while watching TV or reading.  Now, the good news is that I have gone from 196 pounds to 149 pounds in the past 11 months (I am a 5'8" woman, 57 years old).  I never really thought I would be this weight again.  I have used Calorie Counter almost every day (sometimes I skip entering some foods).  I mostly use it to watch how many calories I have already consumed that day as a way to keep me from just eating unconsciously.  It's been a huge help.  I'm not much for exercising, although I do a little more walking than I used to.  Recording my weight and food lets me be thoughtful every day rather than just turn to a snack.  I seem to be able to eat most of what I want, although I have become more careful about portion size.  I also stopped drinking soda (I hated the diet kind, and real sode is about the same as eating a candy bar, but less interesting!).

I do the same, but the key is to keep trying. Every little change we make is important. One day at a time.

Thanks for your post!  You and I are the same age and you give me inspiration that age doesn't have to be a factor when losing weight!  I have dieted all my life, sometimes with success, only to gain it all back, now I want to do it for ME and for my health.  Reading your post is encouraging me to not let little roadblocks stop me from becoming a healthy mature woman!

I do the same thing.  I actually think I am my worst enemy too!  I get on the treadmill just about everyday and then on the week ends I don't even think about my goals and how much I am overweight. 

I drink water during the day also.  I am so good and yet so bad....

I am giving it a new try though.  TODAY IS IT.   I am making a promise to myself to loose 20 lbs by Christmas.

Please chime in every so often remind me of my goal.

Pat D

You hit the nail on the head. Portion control. If you eat all your calories in one meal you WILL BE hungry. That is way 6 small meals are important. I learned that the hard way. Up.Down,Up Down.

My problem is not being able to find protein without fat. Is there such a thing.

My husband and are like Jack Spratt. He's Jack and I'm the other one. He needs to gain weight. He bugs me. lol

I find I still have cravings....I travel almost every day, and am a sucker for airport candy.  My latest trick is to give in and get what I want -- it almost never tastes as good as I think it will, and I end up eating less than I buy (wasteful, I know, but better than on my waist).  I also try to remember how I don't feel well when I feel full, and how much better it feels to be a little hungry.  That's a huge change for me, as I used to worry about feeling hungry.  A little mind trick to keep me from eating too much.  I never thought someone 57 years old could really lose more than a few pounds, but watching calories has really done the trick.  By th way, for those like me who have a sweet tooth, lifesavers are a terrific compromise (10 calories each).  Good luck to everyone...it can happen, even in us "post" women!

I know what you mean. After dieting for a couple of months, I find that even if I eat a low calorie meal I feel overly full afterwards and that translates into scale anxiety.  But I've always lost something at the end of the week.  I'd rather feel a little hungry as well. Just makes me feel I'm on the right track.

And you are so right about what you you want never tasting as good as you think it will...unless it's pasta :)

Sugar free Werthers are awesome and 5 cals a piece. 

I hear you girlfriend.  Get back on track.  You kin do it!  I found myself over doing my intake after Labor Day.  The only way to do it is start over from the place you left off.  Don't give up on you.

Thanks for the post!  Believe it or not I was just going to post a comment along the same lines when I read your post. 

I started Calorie Counters at the end of August after my summer of excess added another 10 pounds to my already stretched to the limit wardrobe.  At first it seemed easy.  I was so shocked to learn how much I had been over eating  and by the tools provided on this site it was easy to keep track of my calories.  I started walking 5 days a week for 45 minutes to an hour at a time. Each week I had a loss of 1 or 2 pounds however over the past week I seem to have lost my determination or mindset or whatever you call it.  I gained this week.

So what made the difference?  I fell off the wagon, had a bad night didn't record it or the next 3 days!  Food is like booze to the alcholic for me.  So like attending an AA meeting I plan to start recording my intake again and use the support system of this site to get back on track.  I know it works and so do you so let's keep on keeping on!

I think it almost has to be a 24/7 conscious thing.  If I am not constantly aware of what I am doing or putting into my mouth, I fall too.