September/October weight loss challenge

[DonnaS]

Count me in too...time to quit lurking and start participating . My current weight is 136 and goal for the period is 130.

[Susan Otcenas]

I would like to join for this period's challenge as well.

This post is hard for me to write, but here goes:
I'm pretty disappointed with myself. I've struggled all my life with my weight, but 2-3 years ago, I finally managed to drop it off and I felt amazing. I've backslid some, especially lately, and I'm a bit disgusted with myself over what I perceive as a lack of discipline.

My history:
November 2008 - 165 pounds. Decided to get my *** in gear, start seriously training again, and set a goal of 130.

May 2009 - Made my weight goal off 130. Felt amazing!

July 2009 - my lowest recorded weight of 126.5. I'm 5'4" and I looked (and felt) really good at this weight. Not skinny, but trim, firm and muscular.

Sept 1, 2009 (2 yrs ago) 129 pounds.
Sept 1, 2010 (1 yr ago) 136 pounds
This morning: 139.5 pounds, though I've been as high as 143 in the past 2 months.

Sigh.

I really want to get back to under 130 pounds. But even more, I want to find that sense of discipline and purpose I had between Nov 2008 and June 2009 that allowed me to accomplish those goals. It seemed then that I was able to maintain a sense of discipline because I could override my cravings/food urges by focusing on the bigger goal. But now, I too often give into the short-term desire to satisfy a craving. (and then, hate myself for giving in. Vicious cycle!)

Soooo, I'm hoping that putting all this out there, and looking to the group for some support will help me in my moments of weakness.

Anyone else struggling with this stuff?

Susan

[Veronica]

Anyone else struggling with this stuff?

Susan

All the time. That's why I posted this.

For me it's all about trying to balance my sweet tooth - fortunately I want nothing to do with fast food anymore! - with my desire to be as lean as possible. I do weigh myself every day. It helps me stay on track and if I'm up a pound, I eat REALLY clean that day. At 5'5" and 120 pounds of lean mass, I'll never be light. That's a real issue when you want to be a good triathlete. Right now I'm at 143 pounds. I'm making some small changes to drop to 139 by April. That will put me at 14% body fat, which is about as low as I want to go.

You might think about doing some weight work. Muscles do use up more calories and they look good.

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

Thanks V. I appreciate it. And I hadn't seen your previous post, so it was good to read. Sometimes, when we struggle like this, it's hard to remember that others around us have been in/are in the same place and that we shouldn't feel like failures when we aren't perfect (which is how I feel at times when I get down on myself about this.)

[Veronica]

.....it's hard to remember that others around us have been in/are in the same place and that we shouldn't feel like failures when we aren't perfect (which is how I feel at times when I get down on myself about this.)

OMG - you should so totally NOT feel like a failure! You just completed PBP. Do you know how freakin' awesome that is?! You just have to apply that same sense of failure is not an option. Trouble is, unlike PBP, maintaining a healthy weight is a lifetime commitment.

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

OMG - you should so totally NOT feel like a failure! You just completed PBP. Do you know how freakin' awesome that is?! You just have to apply that same sense of failure is not an option.

Yeah, which is why it's pretty messed up, eh? GLC pointed out to me that I don't lack discipline; it's just that I focused my discipline in a different direction this year (ie. putting in the miles for PBP).

Now, if only I can make myself truly believe it.

Susan

[Tri Girl]

I struggle with it ALL the time, Susan. I lost 35 lbs in 2005, and have since gained back 45. Ugh. Talk about disgusted with myself!! I'm now 10 lbs heavier than when I joined WW the first time. You're NOT alone! Granted, I train WAY more now than before when I was barely working out and just doing WW, but still. I would love to drop 15 and still be a tad overweight, but healthier. Am going to try and will join the challenge- but not until after my Ironman in 3 weeks.

And yeah, you just did PBP- you are AMAZING!!!!!

And GLC is right. I was super disciplined before on losing weight. Now my focus is on IM and the training that goes along with it. Too hard to do too many things at one time that require extreme focus.