Aaaah, trying to lose weight can be such a frustrating thing to do!!! I keep looking at my weight loss ticker which I so happily installed a year back, and it moves down a notch occasionally, and then it surely moves up again. After Christmas and New Year, I am right back to where I started now. I have to wear my “fat pants” (you know, I am sure everybody who is trying to lose weight has at least one pair of them in their wardrobe – the only pants that are still comfortable after you reach a certain weight, the pants you wear when everything else just feels too tight), and I feel really not good. I don’t want to admit that I might actually have to start buying more pants that size, because I sure will fit back into my size 12 pants, eventually???? 
Yeah dreaming!
The problem is, I think, that the more we think about having to lose weight, the more we think about eating, and the more we seem to crave food and to eat. If we could stop ourselves from thinking about food all the time, and about diets, wouldn’t we all be much happier (and thinner)?
Many, many people who are trying to lose weight are actually stuck in the same rut – the diet yo-yo effect. Losing a few kilos (hooray!!!) and then putting them straight back on. I still tend to step on the scales at least twice a day (yes, I did not end up throwing them out, I should have!), and sometimes I am successful at losing a kilo or two, and then I am so elated that I go straight to the fridge to celebrate! How sick is that!
Emotional eating is the killer of every weight loss plan. No matter how prepared you are, if you are dealing with your emotions with food, then the emotions will take over your sound mind every time. Because they are stronger. A lot of us will have to deal with their emotional issues that make them turn to food, and find something else that will comfort us if things get tough.
Looks like I have not dealt with my emotions yet….
Best way to avoid emotional eating is to only keep good stuff in your house. Stock up on carrots, celery, apples and brocolli to munch on. Of course this doesn’t taste as good as cookies, but it doesn’t have bad calories either.
Hi Dave,
I fully agree with your comment. No matter what your resolve, if you have comfort foods like cookies in your house it is almost inevitable that you’ll reach out for them and overindulge when an emotional challenge comes.
I even try not to have too much of the foods around that I really like and that are healthy when eaten once in a while.
Petra,
Good post and I think that you are right that emotional eating is a problem for many people.
I don’t think that it has to do with emotional problems though. It’s using food for comfort and it’s just a very strong habit that has been ingrained for so long that it’s extremely hard to get rid of.
Some people who smoke reach for a cigarette when similarly challenged, others may reach for a drink.
I think what Dave said in his comment is what will work for you and anybody at least partially.
Of course if you eat too much even the healthy food will tend to increase your weight but it will be much less detrimental than the comfort foods like cookies etc.
Vance
Vance@Healthy Weight Loss´s last blog ..Healthy Diet Weight Loss, Green Tea
Could I really be First Commenter?? Whoo-hoo!!
It is so true that when we stop thinking about food all the time and just have fun living, the pounds come off. For me, at least. And now that I am wearing my jeans instead of sweats, I am eating less.
Good luck on all. Be happy.
Loosing weight is never easy. Especially just like what you had mentioned being an emotional eater where you crave for foods to make you feel better…. these comfort foods that we usually take are very high in calories. Whew!
Anyways, if you are really very eager to loose weight you would really need self-control and discipline. You better start dealing with your emotions now.
Have a great day!
Yep, you are right! I am trying my best…
Keep up the hard work!
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Hi, Petra! I just found your blog through Twitter and it’s my first time dropping by. I blog about cellulite, so identity with what you’re saying here. I know there’s a big difference between cellulite-fat and fat-fat, but a lot of the principles are the same. I just started reading a book called Eat Fat, Lose Fat about losing weight with coconut oil. Have you heard of it? I’m excited to see how that goes. In chapter one, the authors already mentioned a great cellulite success story. I’m off to nose around your site a bit.
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Melissa, I actually did try to lose weight with coconut oil a year ago or so, and I wasn’t successful. But I wish you all the best and much success!
Great post petra. Real inspiration.
I understnad you so good! Last year I managed to loose 10kg, but here it stops since months, I can’t loose more. And I have to loose far more then you do, looking at your ticker. Just let me say that when I have reached the weight you have now, I will be a happy bunny! So my hope is now in Spring and the longer days that animate me to go out more often and to exercise more. In the end there is only one way to loose fat, “more calories burnt, then eaten / day” SY
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Good luck, and a strong will! I am back into trying the “eat mostly protein, no carbs (or low carbs)” approach, we’ll see how that goes…
This is a great article and it applies to everyone. I have those fat jeans as well and whenever I am in a bad mood I reach for them right away. I’m starting to think i should get rid of my fat pants and maybe that will help. The emotional eating is killing me. I have joined a gym and I have a physical trainer, I am hoping that helps me out.
I think this is nice information. I think it is true that when we stop thinking about food all the time and just have fun living, the pounds come off. So getting more exercise is the best wayout.
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Some very true facts in your post, and it was an enjoyable reading. the number of us struggle with weight loss just because we tell ourselves we can`t is unbelievable, however this is natural – try telling a child not to touch the sweet on the table, how long can they last!!! It is all about self discipline and determination!
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I usually take a cheat meal a week. So it helps me to stay away from cravings. Taking a cheat meal a week has worked very well for me.
Yes, I agree. Loosing weight is really difficult especially for people who really loves eating. But, for me, eat in moderation, know the foods you eat and exercising regularly could be the best way if you want to lose weight.
Exercise but pick one or two that you like so you won’t give up half way. Continue your exercise even you have slim down. It will be good for your general health and you will tends to gain back the unwanted pounds easily once you stop
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I would like to give a free tips if you think that it is beneficial for plz use it there is not side effect of this. In morning after getting fresh take two lemon juice in a glass of water and little salt according your taste, just mix it and drink it every morning. You can do it after taking a morning walk. It would definitely beneficial for loosing weight.
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I think one of the best ways to lose weight is to keep looking at your weight everyday and check how much weight you have gained on a daily basis, also if possible take a picture of yourself and look at yourself in the mirror and check how fat you look and where you need to concentrate. Most people fail to lose weight because they don’t accept themselves and fail to check their weight and body shape regularly. Accepting yourself and knowing where you are is the first step to start losing pounds in my opinion.
I have my tight jeans (refuse to call them fat jeans); but, I am trying to stay out of them. Hopefully, with spring coming and the motivation of having to wear less clothing I will not need them!
Hi Petra,
Your blog has really struck a chord with me. You’re being so genuine and putting your personal story on the line – I wish you all the best on your weight loss journey.
I read about your take on emotional eating a little further down your blog – this will sound very strange but when I thought I had weight issues as a teenager (actually I was perfectly healthy) I used to clean my teeth when I felt an emotional trigger to eat. It’s something else to do, plus when you’ve just cleaned your teeth you don’t feel like eating. Your mouth is all clean and food tastes funny anyway. Not that a little trick like that really deals with the root problem of emotional eating, but at least you might get 10 minutes to think about it before you head for the fridge
I think you’re spot on about people getting their minds so wound up around food that dieting becomes obsessive, and then counter-productive. I try to combat that effect by setting positive health goals to focus on, so that instead of thinking about losing weight I’m thinking about getting stronger or fitter or more alert.
All the best.
The best weight loss advice I ever heard was to begin with the end in mind. Picture yourself at your ideal and everytime you have a decision to make that will effect your weight loss ask yourself how it will effect your future self image. If it will have a negative effect think long and hard about which you’d prefer, the short-term joy of the food or the long-term joy of looking exactly how you want to.
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I went for years thinking I just had a sweet tooth and a love of all things carbohydrate! But, it turns out that those intense sugar and carb cravings were actually candida yeast. Candida is a yeast we all have to some degree but our good bacteria in our guts keeps it at bay, but when we feed it sugar, white bread, white rice, and even certain fruits, it grows into a weed. Here is a list of some of the other major symptoms of candida:
http://www.candida-guide.com/common-symptoms-of-candida/
So, check to see if this may be causing your “rut”, and don’t be so hard on yourself. Weight loss is difficult, but candida makes it almost impossible.
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Petra, I hope your are out of your rut. Emotional eating is the hardest thing for me too. I have found that if I buy some new clothes (a few) in the size I’m in now so I look better, I feel better and work harder to get to the next size. It’s hard to take that step, but there is something psychological about knowing you look good no matter what your weight is. Love your blog!
being healthy is my first mission in life… as i believe I need to be healthy first before I can do anything else which include time and love to my family.
I bought jogging shoes, weighting machine and other weight loose motivator but weight loss will still be a long story
You know what!? I will never give up until I get my ideal weight.
that is a self promise.
That’s the spirit!!!
Yes, I agree. Loosing weight is really difficult especially for me now. A year or two ago I didn’t have that problem and didn’t really have to worry about what I eat as I thought I would never gain weight…but boy am I wrong!
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Anyways, if you are really very eager to loose weight you would really need self-control and discipline. You better start dealing with your emotions now
I gotta be honest here…..when I was in medical school and tried to lose weight, I could not stop thinking about lasagna or cheeseburgers. It was almost as though I was addicted. Anyways, keep up the great work with your health.
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Motivation help please?!?
Ive had issues for the last year on getting anyting done. I know that when I do get things done I feel very fulfilled, but it doesnt seem like enough incentive for me to do anything. I cant get a job, Im not gettin my school work done, I long to get a girlfriend but when Im in situations that could possibly lead me down that road I back out and make excuses for myself. I feel stuck in a rut with nothing and no one to make me feel good about things I do so I dont do anyting. Any advice would help…that,s spriit:
i think weight gain has alot to do with “habits”, those daily “habits” are the “rut”. replace those old habits with new healthy habits the weight will melt away
I think it takes 21 days to change a habit (roughly). So, whatever you want to change in your habits, do the “new” thing for 21 days and you should have a new habit!
I think it’s a matter of discipline, if you have decided that have to look thinner and loose weight it’s only your will power that can take you through. Most dieters fall for the ‘yo-yo’ rut but I have seen many who lost weight and have stayed that way. Consult a good dietitian, many don’t even change your ‘diet amount’. They just change the timings and patterns and you see a difference.
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I have the same problems as you do. The last time I lost 3 lbs I gained it back in a week just because I was so proud of the loss that I allowed myself to cheat- and then cheat some more. I’m an emotional eater as well and I also eat out of boredom but I’m working on it. Keeping busy seems to help a lot.
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Willpower is simply not enough.
I completely understand what you are saying about trying so hard to lose weight with no or minimal success. It seems like I go through the same patter every year: a few months before summer I will start working out like a mad woman working to get ready for bikini season, and then once summer is over I will gain back the weight and have to start the process all over again the next year.
And, as I get older, each year it is harder and harder to get rid of those excess pounds. You just have to keep your good attitude and keep at it and you will eventually succeed, hopefully
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Katy, I am hopeful, too! I am just trying to relax about the whole thing now. The more I think about losing weight the more I seem to put on.
The holidays always put me in for a lot of future exercise. It’s so hard to hold back especially during a time when everyone else is eating so many good things. On the bright side, the summer is coming up and it will be a lot easier to get outside for those in the “snowy states”.
“Emotional eating is the killer of every weight loss plan.” – I am such an emotional eater, I need to overcome that problem!
The problem with most people is they don’t have the discipline of not achieving their goals. They easily succumb in temptations that’s why the diet is like a yoyo. Before going in to a diet, people shoud have disicpline first so that the determination of losing wieght is there.
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It is very true that losing weight can’t be achieved as swiftly as you want. You have to undergo a lot of fitness training. But, if can’t afford, try walking every morning and also biking. This is effective, believe me.
weight loss and more importantly sustained weight loss is a problem that begins and ends in the kitchen, unfortunately the temptations are all around and keeping on the right track is very hard!
Hi Petra,
I like the way you create your blog. It’s like just talking a friend face to face and pouring out something. Anyway, you are right when you say that “the more we think about having to lose weight, the more we also think about eating & crave for it more”. Proper mind set is also the key in achieving a certain goal. Thanks for reminding me to avoid emotional eating. You’re right, emotions are stronger that our will.
The best way I’ve found to get off the yo-yo is not to fight your patterns but to adjust them incrementally. First is to start replacing your favorite foods with lower calorie versions that are just as tasty (hopefully healthier). Lower fat cheeses, ice creams, lower fat turkey dogs instead of hotdogs, there are some really delicious products out there. The next step is to slowly work on portion size but the main thing is to do it slowly so there isn’t a behaviorial shock. You don”t get the immediate results but over time, they last longer.
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Very good point! Any extreme changes are likely not to last very long (we are all creatures of habit, after all!), so slow changes are looking much more successful.
I hate the weight scales!
I am sure someone has been messing with them – especially when i go on them!
I have been trying every method under the sun for the last 3 years and every now and again i lose a small amount but then a week later it is back on again.
I just wish there was a miracle tablet we could take!
If your going to start taking supplements for weight loss first get a free sample of it to make sure it works for you everyones body is different and some supplements will work for some people and not work for others thats why you should order a free sample at this webpage called freesupplementfinder just google it before buying a over priced bottle i found a business that gives away free trial samples of any supplement all you have to do is pay for shipping from $0.99-$6.95 and you will get a free trial sample of the product.
From personal experience I can tell you that the “emotional eating” as you put it is truly the biggest killer of any weightloss plan. Keeping yourself busy and focusing on the positive…and the positive outcome of the diet…is key to your success. I finally realized this last summer while taking part in a biggest loser contest. Having accountability and encouragement, and seeing results kept me motivated and happy. And the weight is gone now and has not come back!
I find having a daily routine is a great way to keep motivated and continue to eat healthily and exercise. Have some goals and treats to look forward to when you reach your goals. Sarah.
Going on a diet is the worst method to lose weight quickly. Our body needs to be adapted to any changes in the daily routines to give the desired results. It is a fact that if you replaced a 20oz bottle of cola soda with water, you could lose up to 50 pounds in one year . What one needs to understand is that we need to substitute those fattening foods with the healthier ones. Coffee should be replaced by green tea which is very effective in making the skin healthier. Following this substitution method, one can achieve the desired results without any side effects on the body.
I would like to question the seriousness of the persons who wish to lose weight. In my opinion, it is not at all difficult to lose weight. Maintaining the regular schedule of exercise and diet regime enables weight loss. Additionally, one could resort to herbal tea to facilitate the process. What is required is MOTIVATION and DETERMINATION.
Great post! Love the content you have on here. According to me to lose weight in a healthy way, you should just eat when you are hungry and eat consciously, this will make you eat less than usual. Eat whatever you want to, as long as you stick to healthy food and good amount of exercise. Indulging in any form of exercise like dancing, sports or swimming helps the body to keep fit while having fun at the same time. Thanks for the information, it was quite helpful.
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Regarding this emotional eating issue, my brother is like this when he gets stressed. I don’t know but he felt satisfied after eating a lot. Because of this he cannot bring back his old not-so-thin body before. That’s his biggest problem now, he cannot even stop himself of eating every now and then.
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Eat less. Workout more. Forget everything else.
I know exactly what you mean about the whole thinking about weight loss makes you think about food which makes you eat the food, which makes you gain the weight thing.
A little over a week ago I found out just how bad soy is for me (I’ve known that it suppresses the thyroid for a while, but I didn’t know that it negatively affects fertility), so I decided to cut soy out of everything (with the exception of when we go out to eat since there’s no way even the cooks would know) that we eat. But it’s in EVERYTHING. It’s the #1 ingredient in mayonnaise and my salad dressing, it’s in every bread in the grocery store (including the bakery), it’s even in my usual spaghetti sauce!
The funny thing is, for all of my attempts at better nutrition, nothing has worked like this one thing. In removing soy from my diet I’m removing almost every processed food (except Kraft Mac & Cheese which doesn’t contain soy and which I’ve now designated as my guilty pleasure) from our menus. Now, if that doesn’t help me lose weight, I can’t imagine what will!
(BTW, if you don’t mind soy in your food, try banning high fructose corn syrup if you’re in the USA- that’s in nearly every processed food as well).
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Losing wait sucks. It can be a real challenge. I remember wearing plastic bags with duck tape rapped around the edges so no heat would get out. I also used to chew gum and instead of swallowing, I would spit out the juice and saliva. I swear I lost a few pounds just spitting alone.
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I think your 2nd to last paragraph hits the nail on the head, its the emotions connected to food, and the food we like to eat which causes us to eat too much and yo-yo dieting. Crack the emotions and half the battle is won!
I like the sensible and obvious approach to not keeping comfort food in your home. That is so simple yet the perfect solution. This site will be a great resource I can point out for some of my readers.
Thanks
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