I'm 55yrs old and fat, 245 lbs. I'm a teacher and my legs and feet ache from standing all day. The last day of school it May 23, and I'm going to start walking every day on the green way in my town. It's 10 miles round trip, there are swings and seats along the way and some hills. I need knee replacement but havent'[ been doing too bad. I want to drop some weight before agreeing to surgery. I have type 2 diebetes now, but not on meds yet. If I can control my eating and weight I won't have to go on diebetic medication . I'm also on pain meds, and lexapro . I've tried ot wean off of lexapro a couple times and all hell broke out in my life and I'm gone back on it. I've read that it cause weight gain. I have never been fat until the last 10 yrs. I weighed 125 lbs the day my son was born. I weighed 97 lbs when i went into the army and had to gain 10lbs to get in but couldn't keep it on me ,that was 30 yrs ago before ED was even talked about. I decided with school ending and being off for the summer that by the end of the summer I will beable to do the 10 miles. I dont' care if it takes me all day. I'm going to eat right and give up sodas and drink only water. I'm heading down a bad road. If I have to wrap my knees to do this or stop every 50 feet I will. Any supports out there, advise or ideas?
Original Post by mistyday56:
Hi Moonbow1,
Congrats on taking a big step in deciding to change your life for the better.
I am Dawn (aka mistyday56). I have been on CC for a few months. However, I started on my healthier journey just after the 1st of the year. I started out at 217 and am now 35 lbs lighter at 182. I have 40 lbs to go to reach my goal wgt.
You have already received alot of great information. My best information for you is to STICK WITH THIS SITE! The people here are AWESOME! There is always someone to give you support, a boost, a push whatever it is you need.
I have been away from the site for a few weeks due to computer problems and am so glad to be back. I have been slacking off and the support here is really needed and I know will help me to get back on track.
Logging your intake and exercise help you to see where you need improvement and where you are doing well. It makes a world of difference for me and I am sure it will for you too.
Increase your exercise slowly. You will feel yourself getting stronger everyday. Keep a journal and include what you are doing for exercise in your journal and you will be able to look back and see how much you have improved.
Use the CC site as much as you possibly can. Log food, log exercise, search recipes, search new ways to exercise, try new foods, get support, do posts....it will all help you on your journey.
And always remember....we are all here to help one anohter.
Looking forward to supporting you and hearing about your progress
thanks Dawn, I posted my first meal this morning. 240 calories and I think it was pretty healthy. Everyone here has been so helpful!
I started at 242 and am now 177. I am 49 years old. I lost the weight in the past year and a half.
When I started, I decided I would eat better and count calories. I did not get on the scale for about 2 months because I was afraid it would discourage me if I only saw a small loss every week. I think that helped me stay on track the most because I wasn't constantly worrying about how much I've lost. I still avoid the scale because it's more important that I stay on track.
I did not start exercising until about 5 months after I started watching what I ate. It's good that you want to walk every day. But, with a bad knee, you might want to consider bike riding. You can probably do the 10 mile trail 2 or 3 times to get your "burn" in. If the trail is not good for bike riding, you can look on line for railstotrails.org These are pathways that used to be railroad tracks and a lot of them have been paved over. They are great because there is no cars on them or at least, just some street crossings.
The main thing is to stay on track. Even if you have a bad day(s) or indulge at a party, as long as you start again you will succeed. I had a period of 3 weeks after a vacation that I kept straying off my meal plan and I finally made up my mind to just stop giving into temptation.
The road will be long, and there will be detours along the way. The most important thing is to keep going in the right direction no matter how long it takes. Best of luck to you!
Myrarobertson that was GREAT advise you gave Moonbow1. Perhaps, Moonbow1, you should also consult with your physician to make sure you don't do more harm to your knees while you exercise. You are taking the first step.....GO FOR IT!
Original Post by nycgurl:
I started at 242 and am now 177. I am 49 years old. I lost the weight in the past year and a half.
When I started, I decided I would eat better and count calories. I did not get on the scale for about 2 months because I was afraid it would discourage me if I only saw a small loss every week. I think that helped me stay on track the most because I wasn't constantly worrying about how much I've lost. I still avoid the scale because it's more important that I stay on track.
I did not start exercising until about 5 months after I started watching what I ate. It's good that you want to walk every day. But, with a bad knee, you might want to consider bike riding. You can probably do the 10 mile trail 2 or 3 times to get your "burn" in. If the trail is not good for bike riding, you can look on line for railstotrails.org These are pathways that used to be railroad tracks and a lot of them have been paved over. They are great because there is no cars on them or at least, just some street crossings.
The main thing is to stay on track. Even if you have a bad day(s) or indulge at a party, as long as you start again you will succeed. I had a period of 3 weeks after a vacation that I kept straying off my meal plan and I finally made up my mind to just stop giving into temptation.
The road will be long, and there will be detours along the way. The most important thing is to keep going in the right direction no matter how long it takes. Best of luck to you!
thanks, my grand daughter has you old bike in the garage and was going to see if I could have it, she doesn't use it anymore. I think acouple spins around the school would be a good start. Counted my cals today and and still can have a snack tonight. I'm low in vitamin c and a anc calcum so think I'll have a shake with skim milk and strawberries.
Hub is making his nightly cookies and told him I didnt' want any. One day Down!
Nycgurl - you look fantastic!
Biking is a great idea. I had a hip replacement 3 years ago and I find I'm in less pain biking than walking. I'm gearing up for the 50 mile Tour de Cure beginning of June. And, don't let hubby tempt you.....he should bake a cookie you don't like. 
@ darlene_morris Thank you so much!! Enjoy your Tour de Cure!!
@moonbow1 - My husband has knee problems, and has a hard time walking and even standing at times, but he doesn't have any problems bike riding. If you find the seat on her bike uncomfortable, you can always get a more cushioned seat.
It also helps to have your own healthy snacks on hand so that you don't feel deprived when hubby is having cookies -- yogurt, sugar-free jello (I have mine with whipped cream (Reddiwhip) a small but tasty pleasure), I also make a shake every night -- first, I put some ice in the blender and crush it up, then I add 1 cup non-fat milk, some strawberries or raspberries and some truvia -- only 140 calories and you get about 2 large glasses. It fills me up.
Thank you for all the great advise. I'm on day 2: walked this morning for 30 mins before work. NO sodas for 2 days so far, drank alot of water today. Stayed within my calories for 2 days so far.
Nycgurl thanks for the snack ideas, jello with whip sound good. I used shakes for night or breakfast too, I love them.
