Why am I feeling hopeless?

[cutecourters]

I've been about 98% on plan in the past 3 weeks, and also exercising around 6 days to boot. Last night I was just feeling totally let down. I don't know what triggered it. I made chicken and mashed cauliflower for dinner, and for me, it felt like a HUGE meal. My brain just kept sending me all these strange thoughts that made me feel hopeless... "You will never lose weight when you eat big meals like that," "You aren't supposed to be so full," etc... Maybe this comes from years of starvation diets I've done where I've felt like the only way I saw results was when I was hungry all the time. To top it off, my weigh in on Monday actually showed a half pound GAIN, probably due to TOM, but it definately fed my thoughts of failure. Can I really lose 60 more pounds? I have never seen a "slim" image of myself my entire life, so its a very hard thing to fathom sometimes. I try to visualize myself as thin... it just seems so alien. Sorry for my depressing post, I'm not giving up but just needing some encouragement.
Courtney

[*Emma*]

Hey! stop being so down on yourself!!

Ive never been slim either, but! we're gonna be able to see what we look like slim if we stick to this WOE 100%!! not 98 or 99! its gotta be 100 % stick to it and you will notice the difference!!

Dont worry so much about scales, did you take measurements when you started??

I weigh myself once a month, heck - no i dont thats a lie, i weigh myself when i can find some scales i refuse to buy any! I did however buy myself a tape measure, which is much more fun, nobody can see your pounds, unless you tell them about them, EVERYONE! sees inches! so less worrying about the pounds okay?

Picture/imagine what you COULD look like, everytime that 2% off plan arrives, imagine dream and think about it!

You can do it!

[SandyL2002]

Originally Posted by cutecourters

I've been about 98% on plan in the past 3 weeks, and also exercising around 6 days to boot. Last night I was just feeling totally let down. I don't know what triggered it. I made chicken and mashed cauliflower for dinner, and for me, it felt like a HUGE meal. My brain just kept sending me all these strange thoughts that made me feel hopeless... "You will never lose weight when you eat big meals like that," "You aren't supposed to be so full," etc... Maybe this comes from years of starvation diets I've done where I've felt like the only way I saw results was when I was hungry all the time. To top it off, my weigh in on Monday actually showed a half pound GAIN, probably due to TOM, but it definately fed my thoughts of failure. Can I really lose 60 more pounds? I have never seen a "slim" image of myself my entire life, so its a very hard thing to fathom sometimes. I try to visualize myself as thin... it just seems so alien. Sorry for my depressing post, I'm not giving up but just needing some encouragement.
Courtney

Courtney.. I had chicken and mashed cauliflower last night too...lol YES You can be slimmer You have to imagine yourself getting that way... You can do it girlie

[cutecourters]

Thanks girls! I think tonight will be better. I was probably just having an off day. And, yes, I have been keeping measurements. I have lost about 5 inches total so far, but I know I must be gaining muscle because I've gained about a half inch on my thighs and calves.

[owl48]

Courtney!

Hey....we started on the same day!

You're off to a great start! I know all about negative self talk...I battle with it all the time.
Just talk back to your "other" self when you start hearing that negative chatter. Tell that side of yourself thats feeling hopeless to shut up, you're not gonna listen to it!
If no one is around do it out loud (unless you want people to stay away from you )
Seriously...it works for me.

They'll be some rough spots...any path worth taking will have them but you can do it!

By the way, I didn't loose anything my third week either...I'm going back to my original plan of weighing every two weeks.

Hang in there!!

Greg

[obkbbby]

Originally Posted by owl48

Courtney!

Just talk back to your "other" self when you start hearing that negative chatter. Tell that side of yourself thats feeling hopeless to shut up, you're not gonna listen to it!
If no one is around do it out loud (unless you want people to stay away from you )
Seriously...it works for me.

That's funny! A bunch of us were talking the other day in another forum about talking to ourselves to get through a particularly rough moment - or day. And some of us said it didn't matter if anyone was around!

It's good advice. And always know that there is someone online here that help you talk through things, too. Many of them have pulled me through some rough spots. We are a family here!

[MorningGlory]

Hi there~~hope you're feeling a little better with all the encouragement from the posters previous to me. What nice people hang around here!
We all need encouragement from time to time. As long as you're on-plan, you'll get a wooshie before you know it!

[dreamof145]

Everyone's already given you great advice. I've been where you where last night and I understand the frustration of your inner self telling you its impossible. Thats why the ADBB is so important to each of us. Everyone here understands and is great at giving each other encouragement. On other 'diets' we didn't have a support system and carried the burden alone. Utilize the awesome strength of the other members and come here at times like that when you feel alone and drained.

Do you have a journal you write in, either here or a hard copy? Thats the time to look back and see why you want to lose the weight and how it makes you feel to drop pounds and inches. These good vibes are important to keep us motivated. I put photos in my hard-copy journal. I have re-read my thoughts and feelings over and over on this journey. Cut out pictures, phrases, quotes, and relive the beautiful moments that give us encouragment.

You will be thin. You can do this. You have an army of people here who are cheering you on. Post when you need reassurance...go look at the success stories and photos, go for a walk to boost your spirits. You aren't alone...we are all here for you!!

[guekjian]

I can't really add anything else to the other encouragements! Keep it up...and remember, TOM is evil (LOL) always puts me down in the dumps...then I feel so much better when he leaves with a couple of pounds as well!

[apple]

Originally Posted by cutecourters

Thanks girls! I think tonight will be better. I was probably just having an off day. And, yes, I have been keeping measurements. I have lost about 5 inches total so far, but I know I must be gaining muscle because I've gained about a half inch on my thighs and calves.

Woot woot on the inches lost! That's great!