Utterly depressed.

Lately, I've been just completely depressed when thinking about this weight loss thing. I don't know how in the world I lost 23lbs already, because thinking ahead to losing another 22 is the most frightening thing ever. I just don't feel capable of doing it anymore for some reason. I feel like the outlook is totally bleak and I don't know why. I am in such a bad bad mood.

 

I know this is due to water weight or something like that, as there is no way I've gained this amount of weight in 2 days, but I went on a trip for orientation for my university yesterday and the day before, and we ate out the whole time, and even though I watched what I ate, filled up on salad, didn't use dressing, etc, etc, I definitely ate very very bad (think... greasy barbeque chicken sandwiches and fattening cream sauces and things like that) and I'm feeling such GUILT over it. I also had ice cream, which I never eat anymore, etc. I was seeing 152.00 on the scale two mornings ago and now I'm seeing like 155.00. I was congratulating myself before on being so close to getting myself into the 140s and now I just feel so pushed back. I know it's probably not a big deal at all, but I can't help how much this entire thing is depressing me.

 

Anyone have any advice to get my mood back up and my motivation going again?

#1 There is no way you ate enough cals to gain 3 lbs if fat in two days. You would have had to eat over 10000 additional cals to do that. So, you probably just are holding on to some extra water because your body isn't used to all that junk anymore.

#2 You need to stop feeling guilty about food. Food is fuel, plain and simple. Some types of fuel are better for your body than others but there is no "bad" food.  Forget about what you ate the past 2 days and just start again with your regular eating plan with your next meal. 

#3 My guess is that you are scared of losing the additional weight because you are afraid you will fail. I have been there done that and done it again :)   You need to stop thinking about "what if" and just live for today. Focus on the things you have accomplished. Focus on how good you feel when you eat well and give your body the fuel it needs. Believe in yourself!  You can do this... you already HAVE done it. 

#4 Eating well is about a lifestyle change and shouldn't make you feel like you are totally deprived. Next time you are scheduled to go somewhere that you know will have some junk, try to plan how you will handle it. Example, I went to my step-sister's b-day dinner a couple of weeks ago. I decided ahead of time that I wanted to have some cake and I have given up sugar so I was totally cheating.  But, I ate a healthy, balanced dinner at the restaurant and I had one good sized bite of the cake and that was enough for me.  I had that taste, it was good, I planned for it and I didn't need anymore than that one bite and I felt absolutely fine about it. No guilt....nothing and I still lost weight that week.  I also allow myself some type of treat every couple of weeks (a square of dark chocolate/a glass of wine).  I just plan it into my week.

So, I am stepping off my soap box now. I hope that what I said will help get your motivation back.

 

 

You do not need to lose 22 more pounds!  You look fine already.  You are going to be anorexic if you keep it up.  Think about being healthy and enjoying life.  That includes eating.  You should have fun at times like this, not stress about your weight.

I think you're right about the being afraid of failing thing. I don't know how I'd cope with trying this hard to do something and having it not work out, especially when it comes to my own body, which I should be in control of above all other things.

I am very proud that I have lost the weight I've lost, because I've never lost this amount of weight before. I've lost 5, 10lbs before and wound up gaining it all back, but never this much, so I feel a little more confident that it's for good, but there is still this nagging feeling in the back of my head that I'm goign to screw up somewhere along the line or my body is going to do something weird and I'm just magically going to gain it all back.

I ate like a LOT and like CRAP for years and for some reason maintained that weight that I was stuck at, and I'm not sure why. Is it silly to feel like that's just the weight my body wants me to be at? I'm afraid of that.

for what it's worth, i'm proud of you. i've lost a little bit less than you have and i know how hard it's been. so anyone else who is in the same boat, well, i totally empathize!! i agree with clharr that you look great now. i'm not going to tell you that you shouldn't lose anymore weight, because that's a personal decision, but i can definitely tell you that if you decided that you DIDN'T need to lose anymore weight, you wouldn't be missing out on much. 

you have to get over the guilt of eating unhealthily for a day or two. we're human. there will be days when we eat more than others. there will be days when we eat less than others. a couple of pounds of fluctuation in the scale (either up or down) won't hurt you. and i guarantee no one will even notice except you. 

try doing something that you don't do on a regular basis. go rollerskating, bowling or hiking. something fun and out of the ordinary. before you know it, you'll be so caught up in how much fun you're having that the last thing on your mind will be the couple of pounds of water weight you put on. 

and seriously, be proud of yourself. you've accomplished a lot, and that's no joke!!

Don't worry about a 3 pound gain. Everyone has ups and downs and pretty soon it'll be dropping back down as long as you're working to maintain it (which it sounds like you are). When you feel guilty, just make a plan to go to the gym or go for a long walk the next day- when you do it, you'll really feel healthier, not to mention thinner. Aside from this, you look like you're at a good weight to me :]

ps- Weight actually fluctuates a few pounds each day. for example you weigh a little less in the morning because you haven't eaten for like 10 hours.

hmmm.. looking at your pics, your age, your gender.... 1 thing comes to mind

eat some steak and pick up heavy objects!

Joking aside at your age you should probably worry more about lifting weight than gaining it.

Hehe, I don't eat beef or pork and I actually have no real desire to be particularly muscular, sooo. Hehehe.

I know a little bit of weight lifting might help me burn fat more efficiently, so that has appeal for me in that way, but I'm not really quite sure how. I have very little money and cannot buy weights.

If you take your mind off the traditional look around your house. A gallon of liquid weighs around 8lbs. (think paint cans, milk jugs, etc.)

Pick up a large box and put it on a scale. Push-ups pull-ups and squats are great non-equipment cutting and toning techniques. As far as meat goes there's beans, broccoli, and a huge host of other protein rich veggies.

Lifting weights isn't always about bulk. I would love to stay at my current weight (175) and shrink my waist. replacing fat with muscle is always good and makes it easier to lose fat later!

 

Aaron

wow.  I have to agrea with most everyone here.  You are looking perfect right now.  You should start to stop trying to loose it so much and keep yourself where you are at.

Congrats to getting where you are today.