How do you get over being scared to eat....

[square pond]

Regular food again?? It will be 2 years this march since I started the Low Carb diet. I have lost about 60 pounds and I am about a size 6. My original goal was 130.00 but I have to admit I have actually been as low as 118.00 right before the holidays. I felt like if I didn't lose some extra weight I wouldn't have any buffer if I gained over christmas!! I am pretty strict Monday through Friday and if I am up a few pounds I stick low carb on the week ends too. But even when my weight is at it's lowest and I let myself have a weekend off I get so worried about the weight coming back I can't enjoy anything I eat!! Also I don't know if anyone who does low carb notices this but my weight will actually jump anywhere from 4 to as much as 12 pounds at least temporarily when I eat carbs for a day or two!! Is this normal. I have never been as thin as I am now and I love being able to go out and enjoy shopping for a change but I spend all my time worrying the weight will come back. Is anyone else in the same boat??

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Congratulations on your goal! I am thinking the fluctuation on the times of higher carbs may be tied to the added water that will be retained with those carbs. I think it is normal. That you are concerned about the weight returning I am thinking is a good thing. Keep on with the healthy eating and wise choices. You want to maintain and not go back to old bad habits if you can. That seems to be the biggest downfall after all the hard work is keeping it off. Good luck to you. Seems that even though it is a battle you have won this one!

 

[Pugdog007]

I have this problem also. I've lost a little and would like to lose another 20 and am terrified of eating too much and gaining. I had been doing about 800 calories a day from Oct to current, but hit a plateau and know I probably need to increase to 1000 but I'm terrified of gaining. The only time I've cheated was on my birthday when I had one slice of cookie cake. It made me gain 2 lbs! The scale hasn't moved since and it's been 2 weeks since the cookie incident. So frustrating.

 

[square pond]

Thanks for the reassurance about the water weight and carbs. My sister said the same thing but only people who struggle with weight get how freaked out you get when you get on the scale and it is up!! I still only feel safe when I am eating low carb. But GOD I love those carbs!!!! I am just trying to maintain but it isn't easy!!

 

[luvsgrumpy]

Great job! Your problems sound like one that I have learned on my diet (Curves). After reaching your goal or hitting a plateau, they suggest starting to eat 2000-2500 calories/day and every few days, diet for a couple of days, stretching the "eating periods" longer each time until you only diet maybe 2 days a month or so. Apparently this helps to build your metabolism and the weight fluctuations are probably not much more than water weight. They do suggest though to only let yourself gain as much weight as you can loose in 2-3 days of dieting. Does this make any sense? Let me know if not.

I haven't tried this part of the plan yet since I have a ways to go yet but I can see how it would be scary to eat anything after putting so much time and effort into losing the weight in the first place.

Good Luck!

 

[square pond]

luvsgrumpy ..Hello and thanks for your reply, Sorry I just read your post. My name is Lisa too by the way! It does make sense about building your metabolism through some regular eating. It is just sooooo super scary! I am still in the experimental phase of trying weekends off and dieting during the week. So far so good but it has only been about a month. I am sending my wishes and some extra strength your way to help in reaching your weight loss goals. I have never been through anything so challenging. I love food and all the fun socializing that goes with it!! I am hoping I can keep my weight off for life but It is a challenge!!!