Helping a friend!

Hi there.. i just had to share this story  

so a friend of mine called me this morning.  she mentioned that she had just been to the doctor and she was, again, told she needs to lose weight.  i'm not sure how much she weighs but i would not be suprised to find out she weighes more than what i did when i started out (324 lbs.).  She said she had told the doctor (who, by the way, is a friend of my parents, and i know her well too) that i had lost almost 100 lbs (we haven't talked in a few weeks.. so she didn't know i'd hit the 100 mark) since she had saw me last (at christmas time).  The doctor told her to tell me that she's very very proud and happy for me! then the doctor went on to tell my friend that she could give her a diet plan to follow OR she could talk to me about what i'm doing and how i've lost so much weight.  Then the doctor said on second thought.. just talk to me about it!  OMG!  a doctor recomended ME to talk to about weight loss!!  OMG.. that was so cool!!

so, my friend's busy season is almost over with work and she'll be taking the first week of october off to start getting her life back in order.  She wants to sit down with me for a whole day and discuss what she can do and what she needs to do to get started! 

i'm thinking of making a weight loss beginers kit for her.. like a subscription to a lighter cooking magazine, a food scale, and some measuring cups.. any suggestions for anything else would be appreciated.. :)  i'm so excited!!!!  :) 

Would I be out of place to suggest a copy of "Calorie-Count.com Diet"?
Or at least Weight Loss for Dummies? :)

-Buy a her a journal

-Some basic seasonings

-Make a list of basic groceries to keep on-hand

yeah.. i thought about the seasonings.. but her hubby and son are both picky eaters.. i thought maybe of taking her to a grocery store to show her what is good to get.. :) 

a journal is a good idea

and yes.. i'm going to hook her up with CC (at least the tools section.. i'm not sure if she'd join in on the forums.. she's very very busy).. :) 

Don't forget to hook her up with CC  and the over 100 to lose club. I think weightloss is different for folks who have a lot to lose. Like you have lost over 100 pounds since January, which is faster than the site recommends, but obviously it is right for you. (and me too, I think)

What you do for people like me is very inspiring, Ob, its good to know you are appreciated out there in the 'real' world, as well.

Just be sure to write down or discuss with her the simple things that you incorporate as part of your daily nutritional, exercise and rest habits. 

- How often you eat

- What you eat when

- How you ensure you stay fully hydrated throughout each day

- How you stay motivated, etc..

Things like this will go a long way in helping her to stay on track and get the basics down quickly.

If husband and son are picky eaters she is going to have to start by making two meals.  One for her and one for them maybe.  Making ahead and freezing some stuff would be a great idea.

I'd say the number one thing you could offer, ob, is your assistance. You know full well some of the harships and triumps she'll face, so.. having you there may make all the difference :)

Also, family can be so...you know weird about some of this stuff...

Hk's cc diet post is very useful in dealing with people's attitudes about what we're trying to accomplish.

yeah.. totally.. but she's also doing this for hubby too.. she said she's going to get rid of everything that's bad and only have good stuff in the house.. her hubby's already (well.. he is in his 60's ugh  20 years older than her!  she recomends no one marry someone that much older) had a quadruple bypass, still smokes, and never leaves the house.  she said she's going to make him eat healthier and get healthier or else!  i think she's on a rampage.. hah.. :)

i'm totally going to have to get a notebook and write down these good ideas because i'm afraid i'm going to forget something!  :)  but i have a few weeks to get ready!  :) 

thanks guys!  :)

i just can't explain how psyched i am about this.. maybe i've found my calling.. maybe i'm meant to help out my friends and people i know around me that need help with weight loss lose their weight.. i just can't wait!!  :)  watch out world!  :)  

obsydian, the new Motivator ;D

**cue rocky music**

*Falls out of his chair*

*imagines Dena, one eye blackened, climbing up the stairs, gets to the top, yells "Aaaaamy!" and climbs back down, all to "The Eye of the Tiger" *

hey!  it could happen!  hah.. naw.. i guess rocky i ain't.. but that doesn't make me any less psyched!  :) 

oh obs that's so good!!!!! i'm so excited for you, what a great opportunity for both you and your friend!

You may very well be on to something -Ob - ever consider becoming a counselor?  Just wait until you become a trainer at your gym!!

Love good karma and seeing someone pay it forward!!  I think you will do wonderfully but just remember, it's really up to her and her success is up to her as well.  You can just lead them to the water, you can't make them drink it!!  The fact that the doctor recommended you is quite the feather in your cap - you should be sooooooo proud of yourself!!  :)  I hope she does as well as you have!

kathygator- omg.. yes.. i considered being a counselor.. and was for a few years!  but i was a counselor for juvenile offenders.. hah.. :) 

roxanned- i completely know it's up to her for her own success.. i'm just excited that she's ready to try!  :)   when i was a counselor the reoffending rate was about 80%.. so i know all about having to deal with that dissapointment.. :) 

I know you're a very good cook - I've saved some of your recipes.  I think a very nice gift would be some cards with your favorite recipes.  I know you can find some that her picky family would like!

My biggest hurdle when starting CC was finding foods that were good and balanced.  I had a really hard time finding which foods were good (A's) and I still have trouble balacing my Carbs, Proteins, and Fats. 

Taking her shopping like someone suggested earlier sounds like a really good idea, then she can see what foods are good vs bad and has a place to start.  The other thing that helped me was to see other people meal plans and how they balanced out their diets.  I didn't copy them (I'm a really picky eater), but it gave me a place to start and to "customize" my meal plans to fit my tastes.  If you find out what foods she likes you can help her customize a few meals and she can go from there.

Hope it all goes well!  Good luck to your friend and great job to you!