Looking for someone in my same situation for motivation Topic

Kay_bear52 10/21/21
Hi all. I’ve been using this app for a month now. Not to the T but I’m trying. 4 years ago I lost to my goal weight. Then my husband was diagnosed with cancer. He can no longer work so I’m working full time as well as running a part time business. As of today I’ve gained 35 lbs back. Over the last four years I’ve tried everything. Literally. And the scale just keeps going up. I no longer feel good about myself and get frustrated every time I look in the mirror. I start thinking about this quick fixes but know they don’t last. I can do this. Ive done it before. I’m just feeling so discouraged. Plus a huge birthday is three weeks away and that doesn’t help me feel better about myself. Would really love to find someone that has been a caregiver and struggled with these stresses and weight.

Yelf 10/21/21
I’m in the same boat . Gained almost 40lb back but the way I lost that weight was due to doing Keto.
It’s a lifestyle change. Only thing that I understand now is . If my lifestyle of food doesn’t change it’ll always come back. We can reward ourselves here and there but if you want to look good n feel good n lose weight we have to change the way we eat. I’m going back on Keto today.

Kay_bear52 10/22/21
I think Keto is the only thing I haven’t tried.

LJB 10/22/21
Don’t be disheartened- you’re doing so much. I found there are some podcasts that have really helped me be compassionate to myself. Dr Deb Butler (go back to the first 10 or so), Jody Moore, Brooke Castillo (again, from the really early ones), Brenda Lomeli. Be kind to yourself. I’m not a caretaker, but blessings to you.

Dietician 10/22/21 replied to Kay_bear52
Hello Kay_bear52-
What incredible stress you have in your life. Being a full-time caregiver and working full time is a lot! Any time you can set aside for yourself each day is a success. Even if it is 5 minutes, you will find small bits of time helpful to re-center and stay on track.
Weight regain happens and the most important thing is that you are not giving up. You can do this!

-If you don't have the time or energy to track your entire day using the app, try tracking what you eat/drink only in the evenings.
-If you don't have the energy to do a full workout, walk outside for 10 minutes.
-Perhaps neighbors or co-workers could help with a meal train and sign-up to bring dinner once a week. Sometimes asking for help can be the hardest part~
-Here are some resources others have found helpful when managing stress and taking a bit of time for themselves each day. https://www.mynetdiary.com/healthy-ways-to-deal-with-stress.html
Any little thing you do will help create momentum! You can do this!
Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

SkyeGirl63 10/27/21
I’m very sorry to read about all the stress in your life. I understand how stressful your life is right now, and how frustrated you feel not being able to get weight off. It’s like you have so much to deal with everyday, why does the weight loss have to be so difficult on top of e everything else?? It’s seriously unfair and you have my deepest empathy and sympathy.

In the past 9 years, I have been both the cancer patient and the only caregiver to my daughter who developed serious thyroid/ heart issues. I lost count how many times we’ve been to the ER, the hours spent on the phone scheduling doctors appointments, diagnostic tests, surgeries, etc.

I gained 35 pounds and have tried literally everything to get it off, and nothing has worked. In other words, I really do understand how things feel right now.


After reading countless websites, buying every diet book on the market, I was ready to give up. But this week, finally, I’m having some success. I decided to go back to the basics. Count calories while also incorporating the nuggets of advice I picked up that make the most sense to me and my situation.

I have come to realize that my 58 year old cancer-survivor self is much different than before I was diagnosed, and the stress of the past 9 years dealing with both my illness and my daughters’ has impacted me greatly both physically and emotionally.

My hunch is that with all the stress you’re going through, all the worry, all the “holding it together” it feels literally impossible to focus too on a diet. That’s how it was for me anyway. Some attempts would last 2-3 days, others just 2-3 hours. The more I failed, the more stressed I became, and thus more down on myself. It’s was/ is a pretty vicious cycle.

Just this past Sunday, I decided to get a journal and just write down what I was really truly willing to try…I realized I just can’t do one more “diet”. Just can’t. So I focused on what I could do. It wasn’t much. Just 3 things:
1. Set 3 small goals for each day.
2. Journal what I’m eating.
3. Take it one day at a time.

I promised myself I’d try this until Thanksgiving. It’s just been three days, but It’s been the easiest and most helpful approach I’ve tried yet.
I’m down 2.5 pounds which is such a huge success for me and I’m now highly motivated to keep at it.

Maybe, if you have time, you can give the journal a try? Just to figure out what works best for you and your current situation? Read thru the various options here, and see if any feel right to you. I really do think that what works for one person doesn’t always work for someone else. It’s about finding the right fit for you.

I wanted to create a customized plan, so I calculated my TDEE, and utilized the calorie counting plan option but set my own protein/ carbs requirements that I know work best for me, the rest is fats. I do log everything I eat.

In three days, this has been the biggest eye opener and helped me realize why I probably wasn’t losing on the other programs. I was eating wayyyyyy more than I realized!! Seriously, like twice my allotted maintenance calories.

I wish you all the best. I will keep your family in my thoughts during this very difficult time.

Dietician 11/01/21 replied to SkyeGirl63
Hi BiggieBee503-
Strong work on taking time for yourself and making tracking an integral part of your health journey! You have been through a lot and the wisdom you have gained shines through in your response to Kaybear. Wishing you the best with your weight loss. Please keep us updated on your progress. You've got this! Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

U1190928141 11/02/21
For years I have always put my kids , my husband first , now i have come to the conclusion to now take care of myself i lost 10 lbs so far kind of stuck a little right now for couple weeks i need to get back into the excercise routine i was doing but its hard on my feet , i have been diagnosed with RA so its been hard to exercise some days. But I am really trying . I have about 20 lbs to go to get to the weight the doctors have said i need to be at to help with the RA. Weight puts alot of stress on your body. i know i can do this , so i know you all can do this as well !! Keep at it and keep telling yourselves this is to better yourself and will help in the long run !! Wish you all luck and the best !!

Em3141 11/20/21 replied to Kay_bear52
Hi Kay_bear52
You are a true inspiration to have got through all you have and to have held your family together, please know you are an incredibly strong person. I’m truly confident you can apply that strength to this once again and achieve what you want to with your weight loss journey.

I too have struggled with a lot of stress in my life over the past few years and as a result I have lost a lot of weight and am struggling to put it back on as I’m underweight and suffered physical symptoms because of it. I’m determined to get back to a healthy weight and lifestyle though, I too know I can do it.

I know our journeys are different but I still feel we could support one another so feel free to add me as a friend if you wish. Good luck.

Emma x

Looking for someone in my same situation for motivation