melissatwa's Journal, 28 Dec 19

First, stop beating yourself up. Sometimes it's good to step away from the regimen. You're going to be fine. During our trip to Italy, I never tracked or worried about what I was eating and drinking. Sure, I gained a little, but it came right off. And we're talking two solid weeks of vacation. Take your time and don't "do guilt". ♥️😘♥️  

You also may be feeling what some call the post holiday funk. We are all so busy and energized going into the holiday season that when it slows down we often see a bit of a blue period where we have nothing to do so we feel a bit lost. Try to embrace this as a time to sit back and enjoy a job well done, spoil yourself a bit with no recrimination. There is also the problem of less sun/vit. D. 

Weigh yourself- face it- and get back to it. That's my advice. You don't have to record it for the world but you should know where your at. Then maybe go back and read some of your journals that were most inspiring- like the horseback riding one or wearing your daughter's skirt. Read back through all your compliments from everyone and get your motivation back- or say screw it and wait until the 1st- take a break. As long as you restart! Soon! Good luck! 

Like DP said weigh yourself and start easing back into your WOE. It's been hard to accurately track & log everything I've eaten over the holidays, what with resteraunt meals, eating at other's homes, eating multi ingredient dishes etc. I just logged the best I could & tried not to go totally crazy. I've still eaten over my calorie limit for a couple of days but I showed a loss. You will, too...no matter what you may have gained. You were at a good weight before the holidays started. With just a little effort you can be again. And going 100 miles an hour taking care of guests and even doing fun stuff you want to do can wear you out. Take some time to recoup and you should get back to normal. 

Smart advice ladies! I second all your comments. 

One of the keys to the sticktoitiveness of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is that whatever you chose it must be sustainable. If one can't sustain what they are doing it will never work. If it is too difficult it isn't sustainable. There are ways of maintaining health without being a health nut, albeit you may not have the chiseled body some seek. Consider where, body wise and health wise that would satisfied you. I could eat a fairly clean diet and do little exercise other than what I do around the house and my health would be fine. My issue is I like personal challenges and when there is no one else to compete against I'll compete with myself. Please don't just toss in the towel. Consider speaking to a nutritionist and your doctor to see if there is a more sustainable way than what is plaguing you now. You'll find your way; you care too much about how much it's bugging you.  

It's the holidays and there's so much more tempting food then normal available and it seems like it's all at your house! It's gotta be hard. But it's normal for this time of year. I wouldn't worry about it, just take care of yourself since you've been feeling sick and take care of the hand. Things will get back to normal. I feel bad that you feel so bad about it! Like DP said, I would weigh myself. I often do what you are doing, I just don't want to see the damage on the scale. But eventually I do and then I know what I am dealing with. Chances are it won't be as bad as you think. 

I’m with you Melissa....been feeling super depressed and sluggish. Definitely a case of the post holiday blues. Haven’t been enjoying my usual activities and overeating everyday. I also have been sick of working so hard this year. But Ive been suffering instead of enjoying honestly. I made a decision to take my son to the trampoline park, drink lots of fluids, start tracking again, and lift weights yesterday. I can report to you that after one day I’m already feeling like myself again. I reminded myself of all of the strategies that have worked in the past, and only required myself to think about getting through one day of sticking to it. Currently just trying to make healthy choices for today☺️ 

I can totally relate !! I know it’s just a phase and it does pass! I was so afraid to get on the scale and actually when I did I hadn’t Gained any! It was mostly In this head of mine. Good luck and feel better !!!! 

Oh, friends, thank you so much! I have told people when they asked me how I lost weight that I could not have done it with out FS. The reality is it is not the app but the people. It is so easy for me to panic and have the fear I will fail. Erquiaga, your example gives me strength. I'm a week off, and if you can come back after two, I know I can. Rainey, I think you are right in a lot of points. I hate the dark and the rain and having all the fun stuff of the holidays growing to a close is rough. There are some sorrowful issues I am dealing with, so emotions are tied in here pretty close. I do need to get some Vit D into me. That can't hurt for sure. Princes, I will do what you say. I will weight tomorrow and try to focus on the good places I have been and the encouragement that has come. Thank you for your example and your encouragement. it helps so much to be understood, and I know you understand even when you are doing so well. You remember!  

Sherry, Thank you for taking the time to share and for your encouragement. I have gone pretty crazy, but I know if I can just pull it in I will do ok. I was trying to be so careful and for a while I was holding it together... then I just let go. I will work and get things back. This is a good time for restarts. Adam, I too totally believe what you do to sustain must be "sustainable." I didn't do anything crazy when losing, and I think I can keep going as long as I get back to what I know. I was trying to see how I could do eating more "intuitively," but I am not there yet. It is back to the logging and measuring for me. Someday... I will hopefully be more capable of keeping my balance. Frizy dear, Thank you for caring. I know you get it. Your vulnerability when posting about your own journey has made me know you truly understand. I will do everything you say. I want to feel good gain. LeiLei, I really appreciate what you are saying. Sometimes I feel if I can just have a single good day to reset that it helps. That is today. I haven't gotten any exercise today because it is a really busy day, but I am on track with eating and I am drinking a lot of hot water as per suggested on Keyten's post a while back. One day at a time! Thank you, Runrgirl! With the help and accountability here, I do feel this is just a phase. Thank God for you all! 

Here for you, just like you are for us, Melissa. The holidays are hard work for us all (and usually extra for the ladies of the family, that’s the truth) and it’s an emotional time for most of us, me included. The advice below was good, and good for me to read too. Be kind to yourself! Glad you’re feeling a bit better today! 🦖💕🌈✨ 

Currently twinning you on so many levels. Definitely back to it soon. I say soon, because I am sick right now too and so I will ease back into doing this the way it should be done. XOXO ❤❤❤ 

My message disappeared... OK again! Thank you, adultosaur, so much for always supporting. Together we are all stronger for sure. I'm thankful for some very special people here who care and really are friends. 🤗❤️ Becc dear, I'm sorry you are feelng under the weather. I do think the holiday habits are so tough. Ever since I needed to watch my weight, I still always gave myself freedom to eat what I wanted at Christmas time. Not a good choice to eat as much as I want. Anyway... Back at it we go! ❤️❤️❤️ 

Difficult to keep up with the counting and regimen when you the cook and host. I know this well :) You are doing amazing and will continue to do so. Enjoy the holidays 💕 

sometimes things just are. you'll get back to it. 

You're not alone in your thinking for sure. I've gained 50+ lbs because I got weary of caring! There has to be a balance...a way to make living healthy not such a chore at times. Its all in our mindset I'm sure...🤔 

Shemaebrag and smee, thank you! None of us would be here if this was easy I guess. Bill, thank you for always being supportive! I am glad to be back to "normal" again. Being on plan even today feels better. Happily, tanks for your comment. I know giving up is not an option... Not even a thought. We just all have to remember the joy felt when we are in control and making positive choices and changes!  

There is a lot of good advice in these comments. The only thing I will add is what’s done is done, there is no going back in time to change it. So don’t dwell on something you can’t change. What you can do is concentrate on how you be moving forward, get back to what got you here! Diet breaks are often recommended for those of us eating at a deficit for a while. I have faith in you, you will be fine! 

Saving for tomorrow