55 year old newcomer needs buddies!

Hi Everyone... and happy new year!

I'm new tonight and really overwhelmed about the 40 pounds I need to lose.  I feel awful... I look awful... I have nothing to wear...... and did I mention I'm feeling overwhelmed?!?  Can anyone out there help?  I feel like I don't really know how to begin.  Of course I know about choosing better foods, exercising, etc..... but where to start?  I could almost cry..... I can't believe I've let myself get to this point.  I feel ugly.....

p.s.   I also don't understand the burn meter... is this my goal of calories to burn each day? 

The burn meter is how many calories it is estimated that you have burned for the day. If you eat that many calories you will maintain where you are. The eat meter says "daily goal" on it, that is what you are shooting for.

It is not the most perfect time to come in as a newbie looking for individual help. The board will be overrun with New Year's Resolution people tomorrow. Just hang in there, read the forums, (lots of your questions are going to be the same ones that have been asked) and try to have patience if your personal questions aren't being answered right away.

Hi ngreene925:

I too have 40 lbs to lose and I intend to do it one day at a time.  First by getting rid of bad habits, making smarter choices, by reducing the portions, and eating more often but less in order to be less hungry at the next meal.  Drink more water and exercise, even if it is only walking on a regular basis.

I also believe that I have abused my body by pure ignorance for too long and took my health for granted.  It's highly time to treat it as my best ally.

I'm sure that there will be some good days and bad days but with mutual motivation and encouragement, nothing is impossible.

I wish you a Happy New Year and will be happy to hear from you!  Loumi2

Happy New Year. I think this is a good place to start. Tons of information and support. I get up ...very very early....3 am and have found that I've used my 1200 calories by 4 pm. Guess it will be easier when I go back to work tomorrow. So far I've stayed around 1400=1500 cal which is a great improvement. I can only imagine how many calories I use to stuff into me. The food jounal alone has helped me to accountable. We are not ugly or bad. As best of all we are here to change our bad habits. Good luck to you.....and me...lol

Hi Cherlyn!  Thanks for replying...   what are you doing to use 1200 calories so early in the morning?

Original Post by loumi2:

Hi ngreene925:

I too have 40 lbs to lose and I intend to do it one day at a time.  First by getting rid of bad habits, making smarter choices, by reducing the portions, and eating more often but less in order to be less hungry at the next meal.  Drink more water and exercise, even if it is only walking on a regular basis.

I also believe that I have abused my body by pure ignorance for too long and took my health for granted.  It's highly time to treat it as my best ally.

I'm sure that there will be some good days and bad days but with mutual motivation and encouragement, nothing is impossible.

I wish you a Happy New Year and will be happy to hear from you!  Loumi2

 

Hi Louim2!

 Good to hear from you!  Maybe we can help each other through this!  40 pounds is a lot, isn't it?  When I think of all that, it seems impossible.  I think I may have to set smaller goals... per week, or whatever.  I have a lot of weaknesses... obviously, or I wouldn't be here.  I just love food!  Sweets are my biggest temptation, and I have to cut them out.  I can't eat just a teeny tiny portion... I always go for too much.

I haven't done anything yet today... I slept in too late.  I'm going to go for a walk.  That should make me feel better, emotionally as well.

How 'bout you..... how's your day going so far?

Thanks for the advice!

I started by baby steps. I first started tracking everything I ate. Then I started making little changes, like adding more veggies to a meal, or make a meal a little more healthy, whatever you wish. I'm a vegetarian, but my weakness is potatoes and sweets. I get a sweet tooth and... well anyways.

I just kept making little changes, making them habits for this new lifestyle of mine. It doesn't matter where you start really, the trick is starting, then pick the thing that really jumps out at you, without trying to take too big of a bite out of things. If you get overwhelmed, it's too easy to say "aw, screw it" and quit. Also, I had to change my attitude to the fact that this is a lifestyle change. Therefore, if today didn't go how I hoped, oh well, what does it mean, a day or week out of how many days or weeks out of my lifetime? The trick is to say "it was what it was" and that this is a new day to work on it some more. I also tried for a smaller weight goal to begin with, saying 40 pounds sounds so huge, but I bet you can do 5 pounds?

I have health problems and it makes it difficult to excercise regularly, but I do the best I can. Since last summer, I've lost 15 pounds, but I've hit some road bumps right now and have been at my current weight for a little bit. Oh well, keep making healthier changes! Even though the last two weeks I haven't been doing as many of those healthier changes, I have been tracking my foods. What good is it beating myself up about it? Things are tough right now!

For me, I must work on smaller goals, cuz otherwise, the big ones just seem to overwhelming and impossible, then what's the point of the small drop in the huge bucket? Today I'm doing a little better and I plan on adding more healthy veggies back in.

Each person is different, but you'll find your grove. There are some fine people on here who are so helpful and supportive.

Hi!  I just joined today and saw your post---I,too, have 40-50 lbs to lose and am feeling totally overwhelmed!  I am tired of shopping in the plus section, tired of feeling "matronly", tired of the belly and butt fat, tired of stretch pants or too-tight jeans, and tired of feeling tired.  I am here to offer support and camaraderie, and hope you would consider adding me as one of your friends.  Here's to a happy, healthier 2008, one step at a time.   God bless!   Karen   ps I am turning 50 in April and am menopausal, so my weight loss is usually a pretty slow, discouraging process, so any support out there would be much appreciated!

I too am overweight, I finally decided to get myself to a weight I will feel better about myself. Not for my husband, not for my kids, but for me. I feel as a mom and wife we tend to put everyone in front of ourselves.

Hi Ngreene925!  Don't stress over the 40 lbs.  What you need to do is focus on making life style changes that will ultimately lead to weight loss that stays off for good.  I had 20 lbs to lose last year around this time.  I hit my goal in May and have maintained my weight since then.  If I can do it, you can too.

Here are some tips to get you started:

When you go grocery shopping, only shop on the outside isles.  You want to avoid as much of the processed food as possible.  Stick with veggies, meats, dairy, whole grain breads.  If man was involved with making it, avoid it.

Eat 5-6 small meals a day (about every 2-3 hours).  If you do this, you won't be as hungry when you eat and it will be easier to eat smaller portions.  It might be wierd at first, but after a week you'll notice your body starts letting you know it's hungry about every 2-3 hours without you having to look at the clock.  Doing this also keeps your blood sugars steady throughout the day - avoiding the dips and rises in energy levels.

Drink nothing but water.

Start some form of activity.  Once you get moving, try building some weight lifting into your routine.  Lifting weights increases your muscle mass, which burns more calories than fat.  Once I started lifting weights, my body became more tone and I had to increase the amount of food I was eating.  You don't want to be a skinny "fat" person, so definitely work in the weights.

You will have days that aren't as good as others.  Keep up with your journal and when you have an off day, just get back on track the next day.  Once you start to see the pounds drop, it will be easier to stay on track.

Best of luck and if you have any other questions - don't hesitate to ask!

Hi NGreene925:

My goodness what a great tip from bonnyneale!  That's what I was thinking the other day: manufactuers will produce all kinds of products laced with sugar and artificial ingredients and sell them only to make a buck at our health's expense.  So let's ban those expensive  unhealthy and unnatural products.  That should help us right there.  I love her line If man was involved with making it, avoid it!  It should become our motto!

Just go by it one day at a time.  I have 40 lbs to lose as well but I try not to look at the number but rather at each day.  Try to make it as enjoyable as possible and stay positive.  When I take the time of tasting a good orange, clementine or apple, I say to myself, why don't I eat those delicious fruits more often instead of having chips.  It is amazing how many natural foods we simply ignore!  You have to set it in your mind first, then it is much easier.

You're not alone!  We're all in the same boat and yes, together we can make it happen!  Cheers!  -  Loumi