Okay, so I did JC before and I lost a bit over 40 lbs and kept it off for awhile. This was when I lived in California. I moved back home to Michigan and started gaining some weight... eventually 15 lbs! I came back to JC because it worked for me before. I lost 6 pounds my first week and then two more... but then I gained a pound back for NO REASON. I worked so hard just to gain a pound and I got really frustrated. On Valentine's Day I drank a whole bunch and then proceeded to eat everything around me.

I am really upset and annoyed with myself. I work really hard, but then seem to just get screwed over. Then, if I ever make a small mistake, it seems to affect me in big ways. I hate it and I am literally scraping up money to pay for this. It's just upsetting and I feel like I want to quit.

Also, I feel like I am constantly depriving myself on JC. I feel like there is no room to enjoy anything I used to enjoy. It is making me angry and really depressed.

First of all, take a few deep breaths. One pound is nothing to get this upset over. It's perfectly normal and natural and may be completely meaningless. You lost 40 pounds before... you know this doesn't happen over night. There are natural, unexplainable blips in the scale from time to time that do not reflect any of our efforts. Just get used to that fact. The scale is the LEAST reliable measurement of your success. Honestly, I'd toss it out... at least for awhile. Weigh only at JC and even then, take it with a grain of salt. Find other ways to measure your success... there is a multitude!

Ask yourself more about why you gained weight with a move? I know that living in Arizona, it is FAR easier to be healthy than it was for me in Florida and that Indiana (where family is) would be the end of me! What behaviors have changed for you with the move? What strategies can you incorporate to deal with those issues AND successfully maintain your weight? For example, Sunday dinners with family would be very difficult for me on a weekly basis. If I were to live there, I would have to either limit my exposure to once a month OR make changes in the family's menu and cooking styles OR host all of the dinners myself where I could control the menu.

Your reaction to the blip in the scale was normal, although obviously not healthy nor something you want to repeat. Binging does nothing to solve any problems, so work on developing coping mechanisms for the next time you're faced with bad news. Also, work to keep things in perspective. Have straightforward and honest discussions with yourself and/or your JCC about what could have happened and how you should react.

Your feelings of deprivation are also normal, but something you'll need to work at getting over. No one is forcing you to do this. It's YOUR CHOICE! And what a wonderful and freeing choice it is... if you chose to see it that way. I don't deprive myself of anything that is truly important or wonderful. What you once viewed as a "treat" is probably really a detriment to your health. Try reframing how you view treats and indulgences. It's true, you will not be able to "enjoy" the things that you used to when you were gaining weight. Sorry, life's not fair. You can't have everything, even though some people seemingly do. You will have to find new ways to enjoy life... ways that support your healthy body.

Re-examine your priorities and why you want to lose weight. If being social and enjoying life like you used to are very important to you, then maybe you need to make peace with those 15 pounds (or 10 of them or 5, whatever). Also re-examine your goal weight. Is it really your healthiest weight? Or would you have more balance in your life with an extra 10 pounds. IT'S OK! I believe in having a goal weight that is maintainable in the long run... that includes vacations, special occasions, office parties, happy hours, etc. The key is balance. How much of those things can your body tolerate before needing to assert control again?

I'm sorry you had such a bummer of a weekend. It sounds like you're still spending a lot of emotional energy on it, even days later. Work at forgiving yourself, being compassionate, and moving forward. Every experience is a learning opportunity. What you take from it is up to you.

Best of everything to you.

Don't feel alone. I just came on chat because I can't get re-motivated. I lost 35 pounds in 2008 and the last six months have not been able to get motivated and had remained the same weight until lately...and I've gained five pounds! Where is that feeling I had when I first started Jenny and why can't I get there again? I am seeing my counselor tonight and thinking of starting over on Week 1. Wish me luck. It's so frustrating! I still actually have 50 pounds to get to my goal/ideal...

hi there katiecometrue, i've been on jc since oct 08 ihave lost 30 so far am very happy, i have been having ups and downs since i started, don't get discouraged life is full of ups and downs tomorrow will be better. keep it up.

I also came here today looking for some motivation and encouragement. I was doing great - lost 22 pounds- then recently have just had some horrible days where I haven't stayed on Jenny at all and now I'm paying for it - up 9 pounds this morning. I just can't believe it!

LesterLou - I really was encouraged by your post and something you said really struck a chord with me. It's MY choice! I can choose to feel deprived or I can choose to look at this as a good thing and feel blessed that I can do Jenny. Instead of giving up foods I think I want - I need to realize I'm actually gaining foods that are yummy and good for me - like the beautiful fruits I buy for myself.

I really am feeling bad about myself today. I will definitely be back because there are so many of you that have been there and done that and you're there to reach out to. I want to get to that enthusiasm that I had when I started Jenny. Any encouragement or thoughts from others are most welcome!! I need it!

Blessings - Julie

Thank you guys for everything you said. I think this week isn't going to be great, but I'm trying to pick myself up and just try my very best to stay on track.

Sometimes it just sucks, but I know it's worth it.

Thanks again!

Something that struck a chord with me was when someone put it in terms of - in the long run, many years from now, you arent going to remember that party you didnt have cake, or pizza. But you WILL remember the day you got on the scale and saw your goal. Sometimes changing our verbage, like lester said - reframing things - changes everything.

Not only does it suck sometimes and I know this "journey" is worth it - but IM WORTH IT. And I know your worth it too.


Z