weigh gain after one and half years....help

[Jo Jo 2]

I did so well and it's been a year and half and I've gained twenty pds. The emotional eating has not changed. Can I stretch my stomache or have I already?

[DivaNurse 171]

I did so well and it's been a year and half and I've gained twenty pds. The emotional eating has not changed. Can I stretch my stomache or have I already?

What I would do if I was you is go back to the basics. Cut back on the carbs, increase your Protein and veggies add a shake a day. And seek some counseling on dealing with your emotional stress. I wouldn't worry about stretching your pouch at this moment you need to focus on your emotions so you can get that under control because once you do that you can focus on losing that twenty lbs and maintaining.

[Jo Jo 2]

thank u. You are right. I'm trying but it's so hard. I'm more depressed now that I gotten in my size 10's and now Im pushing out of my 12's. I deal with depression anyway and anxiety. ugghhhh it sucks

[rosehips 121]

Yep, Diva has said it. Very good words of wisdom.

Maintance is a challenge that each of us it up to. You can do it. We have worked soooooo hard for this, now is not the time to quit. (I know you did not say u were quitting, I'm reinforcing it for me!!!!)

One of my tools I PLAN to use after I hit goal is to NEVER buy bigger clothes when pounds creep back on. Maybe there it's a forum on here for people in Maintance & how they are reloosinging the small amounts that they have gained. I am not at goal yet.

Also the fact that you told on yourself is the next step. Have you gone to OA ever? I went one time a month ago, it helped.

[Quiny 15]

Wow, you are going thru my only fear, gaining weight. I've been on antidepressants for a while now, but I do have to get some one on one counseling. I've just began this journey and people keep asking me, "what are you going to do once you reach your goal" i say, keep loosing, even if I don't loose anymore. I've gotta keep my routine. Good luck, but thanks for your honesty. Fiva and Junior are right. you've come a long way, don't stop. this is a life journey.

[LifetimeLoser 208]

I got this from my a NUT: a handout she gave me stating the key points for those already in the maintenance phase. They basically took those who were successful a year or more out and found things that were similar in all these people.

1. They weighed themselves every day and knew what they weighed...for accountability.

2. They ate 3 meals a day and it took 20-30 minutes to eat each meal

3. Their nutrition consisted of half Protein and half vegetables

4. they drank at least 64 oz of Water a day

5. They made an effort to be more active and kept an exercise log.

6. They took their Vitamins

[Lisa :) 231]

I'm almost a year and half out and spend about 4 months gaining and losing the same 5 lbs. I still have 40 pounds to lose and knew that if I didn't take control now, I may continue to do this forever!! I started tracking my food daily in MFP (myfitnesspal). I can't tell you how important this is to my success!! Not only does it hold me accountable to what I'm putting in my mouth....it helps to change my behavior.

I also cannot stress enough the importance of daily exercise. Find something that you really enjoy doing and get out there and do it!! I had a dream to do a triathlon and I ended up doing 3 last year and got hooked. If it weren't for all the training I do, I'm sure I would have gained weight over the past 5 months.

Lastly, to get back on track, try lil miss diva's The Basics Boot Camp. It can help you get back to where you started without making you feel like you're starving yourself to get there. Here's the link:

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28139-the-basics-boot-camp/

Good Luck!! Keep us posted!!