New To The Group

Hello - I've just joined the group.

I was SKINNY all through elementary, junior high & high school.

Over the years I've gradually worked my way up to over 200 pounds.  (5'7").

I LOVE to eat and I don't like to exercise.

If I can get to the gym, I feel SO good, it's getting there that is the problem.

Also, I'm an emotional eater - at work when I get frustrated or irritated, I eat - cookies, candy bars, etc.  Not celery & carrots.

My husband & I don't really cook anymore - we either go out or do tv dinners.

I've read all kinds of advice, been a Weight Watchers member, but just can't get motivated.

Help!

Hi and welcome to the group.  You say that you can't get motivated and we have all had that time in our lives and then one day it just clicks and it all becomes as clear to us as ... well, mud. 

Everyday, every week and every month we all struggle with this and you are not alone.  Some days are better than others and we just have to keep our eye on the goal at the end. 

Let me ask you a couple of questions and see if this will help you get started.

1. Do you want to get healthy or just loose weight?

2. How much weight do you need to loose to be healthy?  Have you checked your BMI to see where you need to be?  What is your ultimate realistic goal weight?

3. Are you really ready to make some serious changes to your lifestyle?

It is going to be hard but only if you make it hard on yourself.  For me, the key to loosing weight is pretty simple, but again I am human and like I said before, I have to push myself to do these things everyday.

1. Consume less calories.  I know where I have to keep my calorie consumption every day and I record everything that I put into my mouth.  That way I am being held accountable to my actual calories consumed and not just guessing.

2. Drink more water.  I was never a water drinker and I always had at least 1 litter of soda every day, if not more.  I personally had to quit drinking soda cold turkey for me to stop this bad habit.

3. Exercise more.  Again, I was never one to exercise but I started out walking everyday and each day I pushed myself to go a little bit further and before the month was over I was walking 4 miles in an hour. 

Remember, you have taken a big step by finding this site and posting a question.  It helps when you know that you are not alone and can find others with the same struggles.  We are hear to help and encourage you.  We all have those times we need a little boost to our self confidence and other times we celebrate amazing successes.  I hope to read one of your successes very soon.

Thank you so much for responding.

Saturday I did really well.  I set calorie & fat gram goals, weighed & measured my foods and wrote down everything that I put into my mouth.  I incorporated more fruits & vegetables and was really proud of myself.

Sunday wasn't horrible, but I didn't do as well and today I'm off to a rocky start.

In answer to your questions, I think I just want to lose the weight because I don't know how to dress this body and I don't like how I look.

However, I also NEED to lose the weight - I have high cholesterol, breast cancer runs rampant in my family, etc.

And I WANT to lose the weight because I like to travel --- at this weight I'm finding it more and more difficult to enjoy myself when traveling - my feet hurt, my legs hurt, I'm get out of breath, etc.

To be healthy, I need to lose at least 60 pounds - preferably 72.  My BMI is over 40 --- don't remember exactly anymore, but NOT healthy.

Just knowing that someone cared enough to respond helps a lot.

I'll get back on track, starting now, and again thank you SO much.

You are right, today is a new day and you just need to forget about what happened over the weekend.  That is great that you logged everything that you ate over the weekend so that is a positive.  What are you doing as far as exercising goes?  I was walking every night but since it is cold and most day's rainy I have moved indoors to an elliptical machine.  I try to do at least 30 minutes a night but even that has been hampered with a foot injury.  I still try at least a every other night as much as I can and that helps.  I am really watching my calories this week too to make sure that I don't go crazy.  I started out with needing to loose 92 pounds in July and as of this morning, I have 53 to go.  It has been a roller coaster of emotions and that is to be expected but I am back on a high this week and looking forward to my weekly weigh in on Wednesday night. 

I too have a lot of the same issues as you do and for me it is about getting off daily medications and just feeling better.  I have noticed that since I have lost some weight, I am sleeping much better at night and it is easier to run around with my kids.  I can't wait until all this weight is gone and I am able to do the fun stuff with my family when we travel. 

Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.

Today I had a really good day.

I logged everything I ate, and ate well - oatmeal, a Healthy Choice tv dinner, no candy bars, etc.  I'm going to make a fruit smoothie here in a minute for dinner.

Two of my biggest downfalls are a "foofoo" coffee every morning (large mocha) and pop all day long.  Today, I made my own coffee & put Coffee Mate in it, and switched from pop to iced tea - had to put sugar in it, but it was still a LOT less calories than the pop!  I feel so upbeat and proud!  I know it's not perfect yet, but it'll get there.

I haven't incorporated exercise yet - trying not to overwhelm myself.  I think the best approach for me is to change a couple of things at a time.  If I try to change EVERYTHING, it won't work.

39 pounds is FANTASTIC --- you should be so proud!

How did you do today?

That's great.  I found that logging the food made a huge difference.  It sure makes you think about what you are about to eat and question if you really want to see it in black in white when you know that the choice may not be the best for your body.  I think you are doing fine and baby steps are the best.  You have to learn to crawl before you can run and if you try to do everything at once, you might get overwhelmed.  Make gradual changes to change old habits and it won't be such a shock to your system.  You will get there and you will be very successful if you do it in moderation.  Nobody should expect to make radical changes and expect it to stick for the long haul. 

I have had a pretty good week this week and I am very excited about the 39 pounds.  I have 4 pounds to go to make it to my halfway point and I am really looking forward to it getting here very soon. 

Hi Indyquilter88,

I am very similar to you---right now my health is scaring the bejeebers out of me, I do not want to end up like my aunts or my mother w/complications from diabetes.  I have to keep telling myself, "keep your eye on the goal and YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!"  Self talk really helps me to get past those moments of "I don't want to go to the gym", or "I will just eat this one candy bar".  

Right now, this program caloriecounter.com is my accountability partner.  I religiously put down everything that goes in my mouth.  I am also using Herbalife Protein Shakes for two meals a day--surprised they actually fill me up, and I feel great all day.  I want to move more, I don't want to sleep and watch tv as much.  

I hope you feel encouraged--YOU ARE WORTH IT--AND KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE GOAL!!

Biolaval828