Posts by ddugan

Just here to wish all of you well on your journey.  Keep coming back here for support and information.  It DOES help. 

I agree with the above posts.  It sounds to me like you have put yourself last on the priority list-understandably.  That, combined with the low calorie intake you were on prior to this has probably caused your body to "grab"onto the calories you are consuming, thus the weight gain.

I think you are just baby steps from being in a healthy lifestyle.  First, forgive yourself for your change in routine.  We all get into a rut sometimes, and eat things we know aren't the best for us.  We are human.  The difference here is that you have to put that behind you and move forward. 

Try fitting in some walks into your day.  They are relaxing and help boost your metabolism.  I think you will find as you start making better food choices, a little at a time and incorporate some sort of movement back into your lifestyle, you will start to feel better.  It should get rolling from there.

Of course, check back in with us here for motivation.  That's what CC is for! 

Feel free to add me as well, if you like.  I have been on this site for 2 1/2 years now, with great personal success.  I have lost 140 pounds, down to 169.  Still have a bit to go, but find the success stories here and the people really helped get me through.  You can do this!  Good luck!

I also have a Polar F-6, and I really like it.  It does have the chest strap, which after buying and returning a few different cheaper models, is the way to go. 

The way it has helped me is at the gym.  I found myself on a severe platueu, and I couldn't break it.  It turned out that the gym machines over-estimated my calories burned anywhere from 20-30%.  That's huge when you are down to your final pounds to lose, and you are trying to balance calories burned to calories eaten.  Also, when I plugged in my actual numbers from my HRM into calorie-count, the numbers also differed a bit from what the CC calculator would have predicted.  This I attribute to body differences and how hard I actually worked out.

I hope this helps you.  Good luck!

I buy a dress or pair of cute jeans and "work" my way to them.  Sometimes, it can take several months but when I put that item on, and it fits, it's a really great sense of achievement for me.  Plus, I get to look really cute that day!

I agree with the above, that jumping rope would not be good for someone who has pain from arthritis.  Have you thought about swimming for exercise?  Highly aerobic and very low impact, it would help you to lose weight without stress on your joints.  Also, make sure you are eating enough in relation to your exercise.  Your bike riding sounds pretty intense, and if you aren't taking in enough calories, you may go into what we call here "starvation mode".  In other words, your body will hold onto all of the calories you are expending because you aren't taking in enough to fuel your efforts.

Hope this helps a little. 

Miket53 nailed it-start SLOW!   Walking is a great, low impact way to get your metabolism fired up and get your endurance gradually built up.  30-40 minutes at a moderate pace (3 mph, approx.) 3-4 days a week is enough to start seeing results.

When I started losing weight, I couldn't even walk around the block without getting winded.  It was so defeating.  But I kept trying.  Soon, I was going for 2 mile walks with my family.  And loving it!

Today, I go to the gym 3-4 days a week as well as walking.  I participate in fairly high intensity work outs.   I have made it a priority, because it is just as important as diet to the success that I have had.

Start slow-that is my advice.  Walking is free, and if you want to add intensity down the road, carry light dumbells with you to tone arms.  I promise, as you feel better, you will want to do more and challange yourself.

Congratulations on taking the first step with diet!  Now, go out there and move!

Just some thoughts from one who used to binge.  I would call this closet eating, just like a closet alcoholic.  You want everyone on the outside to think that you are just like them, and eat healthy.  When you are home, all heck breaks loose.  You say this is breaking you down emotionally, but perhaps you are trying to "stuff down" how you are already feeling.  What is REALLY bugging you?  What are your fears, and why do you feel the need to fill the void with food? 

These are some of the questions you will have to ask yourself before you can begin to break this cycle.  It's hard work, I'm not going to tell you otherwise.  When you begin to eat like this, ask yourself- Am I really hungry, and is this worth how I will feel after?  Try to call a friend or otherwise distract yourself from the food and see if the impulse will pass.  Often, if you take a few minutes it will. 

I hope you find the insight you are looking for here.  There are people here who know exactly how you feel.  You are not alone.  Good luck.

Hooray for you!!  Working in a food environment and having the results you have truly shows what an accomplishment this is.  You have a lot to be proud of!  Realizing you can have that healthy relationship with food and still loose weight is much of the battle.  Congratulations!

We all have days that we aren't happy with ourselves.  I bet even those who are not dealing with weight issues have the same kind of days.

Try to focus on the positives.  You are here, which is one positive.  You must care about yourself enough to be here.  You have also lost weight and inches, which is fabulous.

Love yourself, and take it a day at a time.  You will see the difference.  I agree with thermal.  Take those pictures and post them.  It really helps.  You can look at mine and see the journey I've been on.  It does come off.  Slowly.

Original Post by charleet:

Congrats!!!!  You've done a great job!

 

I got a double yesterday...Went to Ross's,  tried on a pair of size 22, (down from "laying on the bed to zip `em 28s) and they not only fit, they were only six bucks! 

Charleete, Congrats!  That's a huge accomplishment.  I am a big Ross fan, too.  And an even greater fan of a deal.  Hope you enjoy the pants!

lbh said it all!  Forgive yourself and move on.  We all have a day where temptation wins us over.  That is just human nature.  Like lbh said, drink lots of water to flush the sodium out from the chips, maybe go for an extra long walk today to get the system moving again.  You will be fine.  You can continue to have success.  You just have to say yes.

Good for you!  I hope you enjoy the remainder of the day. 

I am not going to tell you that you are crazy.  What I will say, however is that our minds tend to play games with us.  Many times, when we have lost alot of weight, we have put ourselves into a fairly rigid routine to do so.  When we break that routine, it feels like our security blanket has been yanked away from us.

DO NOT FEAR-you will still fit into that dress by the weekend.  In fact, your body probably needs and will appreciate the rest you will give it while you are getting better.  You may even see a slight weight loss after.  Regardless, you MUST honor your body and health first, or when the weekend comes, you will not enjoy the wedding because you will be too sick to be there. 

I hope this helps.  Try to take care of yourself.  Drink lots of fluids and rest.  You will look fabulous by this weekend!

This is really impressive and you should feel so proud of yourself!!! I am so glad you have been able to find a kind of exercise that excites you and keeps you motivated.  Don't forget to mix it up a little as time goes on, though.  Our bodies become acclimated to one type of exercise very quickly, and for overall weight loss, it is important to incorporate light weights and other cardio.

I think you are going to do very well here,tangibletangerine.  Congrats on the first 30 pounds.  Can't wait to see where it goes from here!