Hi everyone,

I've been roaming around the site for a little while now, but finally decided to post. I really need the motivation and the boost. I started on optifast 3 weeks ago..and did manage to lose about 15 lbs..but i have started to binge and go off. Everyday i say to myself..tomorrow i will get back on track. Tomorrow i will get on track..but i just end up binging more and more in anticipation of not eating when starting on optifast. I feel awful and gross after eating so much but yet i CAN'T stop myself. Help a girl out. I just need some support. I want to lose the weight so desperately. I have so many events in the upcoming months thati want to look good for. I'm somewhat unhappy with my wlc because they have no group discussions and the np doens't really discuss anything. i feel the group environment would be best for me. But i can't seem to find any in ny. All the hospital programs are soo booked and crowded they won't even return calls. Tonight i'm feeling extremely awful and full. I was doing so well losing weight on another program..similar to weight watchers..but since the new yr started everything has just been shot to hell. I was hoping optifast would give me the boost i needed but it's just not going well. The way this center is..i kinda just schedule my own appts whenevr i want to go..so there's no real accountability..anyways needed to vent. thanks. :c( :c( :c(

hello,
This is just an idea but maybe it will help you. Instead of saying maybe tomorrow I will start my diet plan, start now. Like today even if you had too much to eat today that does not mean that the day is ruined. Just plan your next meal to be small and satisfying. And when you feel like binging try going outside for a walk or do some other activitey that gets you out of the house and away from the food. The first step is always the hardest. Ask yourself before you start binging"does it taste good enough to wear tomorrow?" I hope this helps :)

Get back on the horse, Girl... I KNOW you can do this! You are destined to be a healthier person and I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS!

IT ISNT over for you - YOU are worth this....

good luck!

Summer, :console: you've come to the right place for support! There's lots of great people here.

I'm in my 3rd week of Optifast and I have MAJOR issues with emotional eating and binging. So far I've been able to stick to the plan. A lot of it is your internal dialog. I keep reminding myself, conciously, that if I stick to the plan, I will lose weight, I try not to get hung up on numbers. Also, whenever I get the urge to eat (which is often, believe me), I consciously ask my body if I am truly hungry or if I am just "psychologically" hungry. It's almost always the latter so I try to find something else to do until the urge passes - exercise, play with my daughter, anything to get my mind to focus on something else other than food. You have to replace one coping mechanism with another.

But I already feel tons better than I did just a few weeks ago and I have to consciously remind myself of that and it helps get through those times.

Another key for me, and I don't know your family situation so this may not be doable for you, has been to get the junk out of my environment. For example, I have no food in the house except baby food and allowable beverages. That way I have to make a major effort to cheat by going to the store or making a phone call. Work is harder, but I hate eating in front of people so that helps.

I'm gonna think about this some more because I think it is probably so important to most of us here on this board. And I struggle with it too.

That being said, take it one shake at a time. You CAN do it. Lots of people have done it before us. How long are you doing the fast for? Mine is 12 weeks so it helps to remind myself when I am missing food - only x more weeks and then I will be able to appreciate flavors and textures more than I ever have.

Keep posting here, it is a tremendous help, especially if you don't have the group resources at your WLC. Good luck!

thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. I am going to get back on the proverbial horse today!! I had such a series of moments of weakness. But hopefully that will be the end of it. I know there will be more times like i had yesterday but i gotta try.

scorpio..i'm not on any particular amount of time..i can go as long as i need to in order to lose the weight..and i have about 60 lbs to lose..i was hoping it would take me 3-4 months to lose this weight on optifast..that's what i mean about my wlc..i feel like i pay 150 bucks a week just to pick up shakes..it's a "check-up"..and then i get the pre-made shakes..
btw..i have no control over the food that enters my house..if i lived on my own..it'd be so much easier..

anyways..i hope to be joining you all on this forum..

Hi SummerTime,

Well I came to your post a little late. I'm glad to read that you are feeling better. Definitely stay in touch, this is a great group here. If you have questions that your WLC is not helping out with be sure to ask them here. One of us will try to help you out. I'm sorry your WLC is lacking in the support department. Are they at least giving you the weekly lessons that are supplied by Novartis for the program? I hope so.

You hang in there, take things one day at a time. It really does get easier.

Nandi :rose: