Ho hum! Here we go again. ;-)

H there ;-)

Well here I am................now what?   Does a moderator press a button and the fat just melts away? Do I get some sort of cyber alter ego to go jogging while I munch away losing lbs?

NO???

Ok then,  I suppose I've got to do this myself.  I've got to take control of my own habits.  Accept responsibility for my own weight and health.  Thats so easy said though, and so difficult to do.

I'm 46 yrs old, male, and as of day 1 yesterday am 21st 4lbs,  to our cousins across the pond thats 298lbs and to our continental neighbours 135 kg (ish).  Whichever way its written or counted thats a lot of fat.

I've always gained weight easily.  I've always eaten too much, but I used to be fairly active and got away with it,  but over the last 10 years or so I've become lazier and lazier until ...........well until 103lbs too damned much fat.

I've tried (half heartedly) off and on over those 10 years to do something about it,  but I DO like to eat, and (another clue coming Sherlock) I do enjoy a pint.........................or 12.  But I really havent wanted to change my lifestyle enough to make a real effort. 

I've always known that for health reasons I should do something,  but didnt want to give up anything.  To be honest, and I am, even now I don't really want to change anything .........except my size,  but thats not really possible is it?   IS IT???   Please someone say it is,  please, please, please.................  No ??   Ho hum  :-(

Ok then, so its not.  I don't WANT to make changes,  but it's got to the time when I've GOT to make changes.

This feels like a crossroads.   I either accept who I am, as I am, and that bit by bit I'll expand and as I expand my future shortens and my health deteriorates and limits me more and more.   Or I get off my backside, and do something about it.

I know I have to do something about it, and NOW.  103lbs to go,  at best thats a year of not eating enough (ok so thats maybe not how it is, but thats how it feels) followed by a lifetime of eating less than I do now.

103lbs.  365 days.  How am I gonna do that? 

Well I suppose theres only one way.  And thats to start again.  Every day I have to start again.  I have to make myself start every day afresh, disciplined, focused. 

103lbs 365 days

Thts a long way to go,  but if I only promise myself I'll maintain focus for now, for today,  then I only have to last one day at a time.

So thats it,  one day at a time,  one pound at a time and start afresh tomorrow.

Even I can be disciplined for one day!!!!!    Can't I???

Now if theres anyone out there I apologise for this self indulgent ramble,  but I just typed what I was thinking, as I thought it, less a post, more a (slow) thought process in action.

One day to push ;-)

Welcome, MickV! :)  Don't be discouraged.  You didn't gain that extra weight overnight and you won't lose it overnight. 

You're here - you've acknowledge that there is a problem that needs addressing - that was your first step.

This is like alcoholics annonymous - take it one day at a time. 

Go through to the TOOLS page and check out the expenditure and allowance tools - they'll help you get the basic information as to how many cals/day you burn on average based on your current weight, height and age and lifestyle.  Then the allowance tool will tell you how many calories you should consume in a day to loose x amount of lbs by x date.  That will help get you started. 

Read some of the articles in the library - they helped me immensely!

Then go through the foods that are in this sites databases and check out some of the things you can munch on. 

The key is portion control  Rather than 12 pints - just have 2 and go with water. 

Also - what helped for me is avoiding sodas.  I'm a Mountain Dew or Mellow Yellow junky and I can't just have a little bit - I could down a 2 liter in an hour or less. 

Try snacking on things like broccoli, carrots, bananas and apples instead of potato chips, pizza etc. 

I know your pain - I started on 4/12 at 245lbs for a 5'7" tall 25yr old woman, I should be at 140-150 lbs.  So I started off at 100lbs to lose too.  In three weeks i've dropped 11lbs - my first goal is to be at 175 by Christmas - we're visiting family I haven't seen in years so I want to surprise them all with the new healthy me.

I can still have things like pizza, a burger, chocolate or like this morning, a chocolate glazed donut.  But I have to stick with portion control.

You can do this!  We're here to support you! :)

Good luck! :) *hugs*

I'm oh, so glad you posted this!  I think getting your thoughts out as they come is a wonderful, if not the best, way to really dedicate yourself!  And posting it on a public forum here?  There is no better place. 

I know the way you feel completely.  I don't have much to lose, but with my tiny stature every pound makes a big difference.  And I don't WANT to change the way I eat, drink, etc.  But at the same time, I do.  I know that for me, until I get healthier eating habits (I eat very healthy foods, just too much and I tend to binge eat) I won't be fully happy with myself.  I can't stand to keep letting myself down.  I must stay focused and motivated.

I've been up and down since I joined here last November.  I've lost a little bit of weight, but not enough to really satisfy me.  I got to a point where I was getting really happy with myself, making noticable progress, and just needed some toning.  And then I let myself go and have gained at least 3 lbs back and lost much-loved muscle.  :/

As you said, though, we must take it one day at a time.  I try not to let my "bad days" bring me down, but it's hard to do. 

Your attitude is so right-on.  You may be just beginning this new attempt at a healthier you, but from the way you've written your train of thought, I have no doubts that if you keep up with your current attitude, you will be uber-successful!  I am working on getting my mindset back to where yours is.  One day at a time.  Changing ourselves progressively, until it truly becomes our way of life.

Eating less doesn't have to mean denial or struggle.  We'll get used to it.  And we can still have our treats and special foods, just "use sparingly".  And I don't know if you plan on exercising, but I highly recommend it because it helps in so many ways...not only with weight loss, but physique, mental happiness, and overall well being.  Plus it allows you to eat a little more!

This was a bit of a ramble and I apologize for that, I just really loved your post and wanted to speak up about it!  Best of luck to you!!!  We can do this!  :D

    Hi ladies and thanks for the responses ;-)


Darkest,  I think portion control has always been a big problem for me. (HMmmm,  why is everything big, why not a slim prob;  lol) 

I think thats the place I need to start.  Cutting down the quantity.....and the frequency  lol.  I can't face the thought (certainly not yet) of snacking on carrots and broccoli,  and definately not going into a pub and having water (perish the very thought  lol),  solid advice,  but I know its not me and theres no point pretending to myself or pushing myself to do something I just wont succeed in, but I can cut down to more realistic quantities.

There is a lot of good info on here.  I'll read it regularly and try to use it, and the obvious support to keep me focused. 

Also I've got to say that 11lbs in 3 weeks sounds tremendous.  You must feel so proud of yourself.  Brilliant achievement ;-)  If I do about 1/2 that in the same time I'll be over the moon,  well done ;-)
 

plm0187,  it sounds like we share the same confused feelings what we want to do,  and what we know we should do are pulling in opposite directions.  I binge too,  and to be honest, I actually enjoy that full feeling. 

But I do realise that I have to avoid it.  Maybe mentally recalibrate so that the full feeling doesnt feel good and that slight gnawing feeling I have now (after only one day  lol) does feel good..........because believe me,  right now it doesnt!!!

I'm not going to have bad days though. They are banished, barred, banned, gone  ;-)     I think I may start a "no bad days allowed" club. 

I'm certain there'll be days of.....shall we say " over indulgence ".  I'm hopin the secret to getting beyond them is to just enjoy them for what they are,  a day of overindulgence which was nice,  but gone........and then without guilt, get on with the next ONE DAY.   

I don't want to add too much strength of emotion or power to hurt by labeling them "bad".  They aren't good or bad,  they just were!

Well thats the semi plan anyway,  we'll see what reality brings though.


Thanks again for the kind words  ;-)

Mick ;-)

excercise.

If you can't bring yourself to drink water (or diet soda, or plain fizzy water) at a pub, at least drink water before you go--you may find it easier to stick to one or two if you don't arrive thirsty.

I also second the exercise suggestion (hint--it lets you get away with eating more (not unlimited amounts, though!))  than if you are sedentary while still losing weight.

All the best, and good luck!

    Wise word Jen   ;-)



I know its important,  and will...........probably (lol).............do some............eventually..........in the fullness of time........... I'm sort of just building up to the idea   lol

Welcome!  I thought you might find this article interesting

Eat more - Weigh less

Hey Micky.  Stop drinking to good beer and order something horribly awful!  Make yourself drink that.  Don't they sell Budwiser over there? ;0)

Mickv..welcome and your post was so sincere. I am a 5'8" UK female and weighed in at 21 stone 7 two years ago. I overate to the point of absurdity and dealt with the emotional problems I had at the time by eating around 5,000 calories a day sometimes! In July of 2005 I decided enough was enough and I needed to sort my body out. I was suffering from aching joints, breathlessness, chafing...the lot. My BMI was 45, my body fat percetage was 52%...URGH! I could not continue to live like that and I reached my crossroads at that weight. My doctor had warned me my health was in jeaopardy and my blood pressure was through the roof. For a 26 year old I was in a mess...and wasting my youth.

So...I made the decision to lose weight. It has taken around 21 months to lose 152 pounds and 74 inches from my body. I have worked and worked...exercised the whole time and I am training to take part in my first triathlon and run my first half marathon. I weigh in at around 149 pounds now and am a size 10 UK (formely a size 24/26!)

I was pretty strict with what I ate but have increased my calorie intake because of the exercise and my energy needs. You can do it Mick...def take it one day at a time but you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. I cherish my new lease oflife and my new body. Good luck with it.

Hi Micky... don't do what Beachwalker suggests re beer... Yuk!  What I do is have a beer (one i really enjoy... after all life is to be enjoyed)... anyway, then the next drink is a WATER... then a beer, etc.  that way, even if I over-indulge... it's not too much. 

An important thing that I keep in mind is that this is a "lifestyle change" ... not a punishment... if you make it hard on yourself, you won't continue...

I'm back after being away since January... have gained about 8 lbs back.... but now i'm more determined... i've seen that writing everything down and reading the posts, keeps me focused... you can do it too...

good post -- if only the moderators could push a button to melt the fat off us!  = )