Not doing well

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2001
Not doing well
13
Thu, 01-29-2004 - 9:10pm
Ladies, I am not doing well AT ALL with my food intake.
Nancy

"Make Choices that bring you joy"  cl-Patty


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2001
In reply to: midlifegal
Thu, 01-29-2004 - 9:35pm
Nancy,

I'm sitting here mulling over what to say simply because I've been down this road so many times before. Sometimes it's the eating problem, sometimes it's lack of motivation in the exercise department but I've been there and done that. I can only speak for myself but I've been writing in my journal every evening. It's been so theraputic. I start off writing what I've done for myself for fitness, then how I've done with my eating for the day including what I've eaten. Then I just start writing...if I've had a particularly bad day or a good day I write that down and then when I look at what I've eaten it helps me realize why and what motivated it. I truly believe the weather has an effect on how and what we eat. I'm so tempted by all the goodies and comfort types of food during the winter.

I wish I had better words of wisdom for you. Just know you are not alone in this struggle and I'm thinking of you.

Hugs,

Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2001
In reply to: midlifegal
Fri, 01-30-2004 - 6:20am
Nancy, I'm so sorry to read you post and hear your unhappiness.I know how it feels to have the food just seem to take over. You want to do better but just can't seem to get on track or stay on track.I don't know, maybe we give way too much power to food.We eat if we're stressed, we stress if we eat too much. Between food and those numbers on the scale we can make ourselves crazy.I have decided to take it one day at a time.And I'm trying to find a healthy food plan that works for me.Somethings I know I need to cut back on, some things I know I can't cut out completely.

You are such an incredible woman who has triumphed thru so many things.Give yourself credit for all you do.Don't let that 10 pounds determine how you feel about yourself.Do you think you've set a realistic goal as far as weight?I've had to let go of the weight I used to be and realize my body may not do that any more.Or at least it may not get there and stay there without having to cut back more on food than is realistic.

I hope you're feeling better by now. Please know I'm thinking of you.

Miss P




 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: midlifegal
Fri, 01-30-2004 - 7:06am

You're not alone, Nancy. So many of us go through this, and I think it's going to be a constant struggle for most -- sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. I'm a firm believer in the seasons affecting our need for heavier, comfort food. It's programmed into our systems as a survival mode, so it's not something we can just get over. The hormone thing doesn't help either.

       ~~Rhonda~~


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Avatar for bootywhompus
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: midlifegal
Fri, 01-30-2004 - 7:34am
Nancy: I think we all feel the way you are feeling from time to time...especially this time of year. You work so hard and try hard and still end up feeling a failure. I know I do. I wish I had some magic words to make it better, but I don't think I do. Some days when it's really bad for me, I just go from one craving to the next trying to distract myself with other things or have something healthy. Some days I do better than others...here lately not so good all around. Some days it's better to just give in to that craving and have a little of the thing you really want and really focus on it while you eat it and enjoy it. And then do NOT feel bad for having eaten it. Food is here for a purpose. We enjoy eating because it keeps us alive and serves as a common thread even among strangers. There's an old saying that says 'nothing tastes better than thin feels.' I don't buy it. If that were true, we'd all be at our perfect weight.

I think Patty is right. We try to set our goals too high. There is nothing wrong with aiming for the best you can be. But if you make yourself crazy to get there, is it worth it?

I don't know if I'm helping or hurting the situation, so I'll shut up now. Just know that I'm thinking of you and I feel your pain. Go ahead and have that cry if you need to. It might make you feel better.

Hugs

Lori

Lori

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2003
In reply to: midlifegal
Fri, 01-30-2004 - 8:17am
Oh thank goodness I'm not the only one feeling like I have to start all over again. I've been feeling really embarrassed at how many excuses I've made over the past two months about exercise and how poorly I've been doing on eating. In Sweden last week, I feel like I really went overboard...

So - this week, I've re-taken all my measurements and started back tracking food on fitday. I only eat anything *AFTER* I've written it down, including how much, *AND* worked out the calories for it and how many calorie allowance I've got left for the day. Then I eat it. For me, it's been helping. Reminding me that, yeah, I can eat that "carnival treat", but that I'll be unable to eat much else for the rest of the day.

I've also made a point of scheduling snacks of fruit and protein. That also helps. And, I've "budgeted" for a sweet snack of whatever kind I want every day. So, I don't have to 'crave' things - I don't feel deprived - I get to eat it. I just can't gorge on them... (there's a *REALLY* intensely yummy fried pastry with powdered sugar treat that they make around here for the month before Lent.)

Anyways - thank you for posting about this (so I didn't feel like I was alone in my embarrassment). Hang in there. We'll get through it together.

Anna

Avatar for dmm11730
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
In reply to: midlifegal
Fri, 01-30-2004 - 8:22am
Hugs Nancy, I know how you are feeling. That is why I have avoided posting here. I feel the same way. At least you are getting the exercise in. I am proud of you for doing that. I have to say that when I have the food in the house I eat it. Bottom line for me is self control and I have none. Winter time makes it worse I think. Just take it one day at a time. Throw out those yucky donuts. Buy yourself an empty book and start to journel everything like Susan said. I have one upstairs and I think after I get Katie to school this morning I am going to dig mine out. I have such poor self esteem and I hate the way I look. I feel disquested with myself and yet I know I am the only one who can change me. Nancy maybe email someone instead of reaching for those donuts. If you need to have the sweet thing, how about some of the low cal ones. Hugs and hang in there. You are not alone here.

Deb

Debbie

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2000
In reply to: midlifegal
Fri, 01-30-2004 - 8:40am

Hi Nancy... boy, haven't we all been there at low tide, when it's hard to get motivated.

C

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
In reply to: midlifegal
Fri, 01-30-2004 - 8:55am
Nancy. I find that I do better if I have a plan. Plan out your day. Plan out exactly what you're going to eat each day. Have everything you need in the house. Let DH go shopping for groceries if necessary. You're not a failure. If you are, we all are. I will suddenly find myself half-way thru a KK donut when I didn't even remember driving to the store! I, too, am getting tired of my "failures" in this department. I do better when I journal my thoughts, cravings, failures, self-esteem issues, etc. Then I pray about it. I find that on those days that I really let go, I'm successful. When I think, "I can do this by myself" I set myself up for failure.

Not much advice here, I see. I wish I could come up with the secret formula for all of us!

Thinking about you and sending you lots of Hugs.

Sassy

 

                        

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: midlifegal
Fri, 01-30-2004 - 3:11pm

Since I am in the same boat you are in with the eating, I don't know how I can help you, Nancy. I wish I could wave a magic wand (for both of us) and get us back on track together.


Something will get you back on track. As Oprah says, we just aren't ready yet no matter how much we want it.


You are doing a great job with the exercise and maybe your body can only make one change at a time. Concentrate on the exercise and ONE other thing at a time. Make changes slowly...don't do an all or nothing program. Try drinking more water first, or cutting down on something. Small changes AND it is one day at a time. Allow yourself a treat once a week or so. Then you won't feel deprived.


You do know what your weakness is. Maybe make that your once a week treat. If you know you can have it on let's say Sunday, maybe you can get through the rest of the week.


I know I gained 5 lbs after DD's wedding 2 years ago and I am still battling it. I think that the stress of the upcoming wedding, even though it is good stress, helps keep the weight off. But, once the day is past we relax some and get comfortable again.


Hugs...I do understand! Dry your tears and look at the positive things you are doing for you! It is almost the start of a new month...a new beginnings day. Want to do it together??


Grace


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: midlifegal
Fri, 01-30-2004 - 5:27pm
You can do it, Nancy! You know what to do to get those lbs. off - if you really need to do that. You are so tiny, I wonder . . .

Katherine (Kat)

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