Over 200 club

I want to start a club for those of us who have a lot of pounds to lose.  Anyone interested?

Hello my friends.

Im matt never been small but going to university and eating alot of take aways did nothing for me at all. ive always been sporty but at uni i spent most of my time playing computer games eating and drinking, going out and more eating. i put on alot and at my height was 230lbs ish.

i split from my girlfriend over, weight and motivation issues about 2 years ago, at that point desided to loose weight get healthy and start my life again.  I got some free weights at home, and strated working out most nights.

i lost 14lbls and my life got so much better. unfortunetly having people say to me you look good etc had the opposit affect and i stopped dieting and started enjoying life again and stayed at 210lb for a while. 

Last summer i started playing badminton again after 5 years of not playing at all due to lazzyness. I really started enjoying it again and i felt 100% fitter than i have in years. Mentely i told myself that it was ok to eat a take away because i have played badminton for a few hours.  

Well its no wander my weight has stayed the same and ive not lost any more.. so after finding calarie count i desided to go on a major diet.    Im restricting myself to around 1200 calaries a day, spread accross 5 meals a day, breakfast, midmorning snack,lunch,afternoon snack, dinner. 

My typical day is 2 slices of toast in morning or a bowl of spechal k, an orange midmorning, soup for lunch (no bread, bread is evil), fruit afternoon, and a proper dinner with the left over calaries from the day usualy around 600.

I started this on the 2nd of Jan and so far im sticking to it. The hardest time for me is the weekends because i have little structure to the day as im not working and when im bored i like to eat.

As of now i weigh in at 210lb but my body shape is not all fat my arms and legs are now quite strong, its just my belly i wanna tone up and loose a few lbs from. ive set my goal to loose 30lb by june 11. which will hopfully give me a more toned body.

I look forward to going below 15stone which is somthing i have not done in about 4 years

Hello everyone - been crazy busy the last fews days.  I have read most of the posts, just not enough time to post myself.

I am truly inspired by how many of us there are and how we are all on the same journey.  I weighed in at 241.5 today and I would like to be down to 160 by Dec. 31st 2007.  I figure that is about 1.5 pounds a week, so doable.

I have struggled my entire life with weight issues and the self esteem issues that come with the weight.  I turn 39 this year and would really like to go into my 40s with a new way of life and all that come from it.  My goal, besides the weight loss, is to really master my impulses when it comes to the eating - no boredom eating, no eating because I feel fat, no eating because everyone else is!

Well, I hope everyone has a FANTASTIC Monday!
Kat

I'm actually glad it's Monday, because now I can get back on my healthy eating schedule. I have lost 3 pounds since the 3rd and I'm down to 207. I want to hit 200 by February 1st. The weekends are the hardest for me since I am often out about or just watching TV. Either way, both activities lead to unhealthy eating for me. This past weekend I strayed slightly on one meal... but I made up for it by exercising and cutting fat the remainder of the days. I didn't gain any weight, but I would've liked to have lost 4 pounds by now. I cannot complain though, because I am still on the right track to where I need to be.

I feel so much better about myself. I was excited to go grocery shopping and discover just how much I can still eat. There are so many wonderful healthy options these days that it is possible for me to eat more than I was before. But now I don't feel bogged down and bad about myself.

Everyone sounds like they are doing great! I doubt I would be this determined if I didn't have access to such an organized site and wonderful group of people. Once again, best of luck!!

Well, at age 36 it is time to get real. .. at 5'9'' and 215, I  am overweight.   I am not sure when I got fat. All through HS and college I was wearing size 8-10, ran track and never thought about weight or food. Unfortunately,  bad eating behaviors continued while my physical activity decreased.  Now I am in a fix! I am tired of pinning my button blouses so they will close, having multiple sizes in my closet, and avoiding certain social situations because I do not want old friends to see how I look. 

2006 was a rough year, and I had a lot of "excuses". I now realize for 2007 I need to be a little selfish and focus on myself.   My struggle is how to juggle a full-time career,  a darling 5 y.o. son, a beautiful 16 mo old daughter, a loving husband and lots of "close" family.  Exercise is a must! I have to either give up sleep (that I so desparately need) or work out late - after kids are asleep. 

I am glad for this thread, because I need the support. I have never posted before or even admitted my problem out loud to myself or others.  I guess this post is the beginning of a contract with myself to loose the weight.  I am now a size 16-18 woman's size but want to be a size 12 by January 2008.

Sounds like a group that I can join.  297 at 5'10.  Ready to cut down.  Have been on here for about a week now.  I'm think that I am down 2 pounds.  My goal is 175. 

Hi there!  I'm a 43 year old stay at home mom with three children - a 4 year old son, a daughter that will be three at the end of april and a daughter that will be two on wednesday (before you get out the calendars, the middle child is adopted!  the girls are exactly 8 1/2 months apart!  so much for believing doctors who tell you that you can't get pregnant again!!!)  Anyway, I'm 5'3" and weigh 270 pounds.  I've always been heavy - weighed about 180 even in high school - but was always pretty shapely until going through two pregnancies.  I didn't gain but a few pounds with each one but the saggy skin on my belly that has now been filled with more fat has gotten just horrible!  I can't hide the rolls anymore.  So I am going to try to lose the weight and exercise and if I reach my goal weight of 140 pounds, I am going to have plastic surgery to remove the excess skin!  So, away we go....

those who are believers, please pray for me as I go through this - I find that prayer helps everything go a little easier!  I will put all of you in my prayers also! 

Thanks for the support - I know I will need it as I go through this and I hope to be of support to all of you too!

Lisa

Hello Everyone!! Just wanted to share my good news of being down 7.8 lbs my first week. "jumping for joy"!!!

Thanks to all the great posts, they are truly inspiring to me because the struggles all sound so familiar. I am making a commitment to myself this year that I am going to conquer my weight and not live behind it any longer!!!!

Help from mothers of toddlers...how do you find time to exercise?

lkfouch-I know what you mean about the belly fat after pregnancy.

Everyone have a great evening...talk to you tomorrow.

TJ

I have tagged the over 200 club and would like to be out of the club if you know what I mean.  This is my first post as well.

I am 5'7" 235 pounds and not happy about it. 

Feel the same as others in that I don't know how this happened...seemed like all at once but know it wasn't.

I think counting caloires is the basic thing I needed.  I was a member of WW but really and truly points don't mean as much to me as calories.  Getting graded is kinda fun too huh?

Good luck to us all.

Count me in!  I'm 25 and I weigh 258; the most I have ever weighed in my life.  I've done Atkins, South Beach, the grapefruit diet, and weight watchers.  I'm tired of being fat, so I figured the only thing left to do is count calories. 

Me too! 43 and 255. I hate seeing that on the screen. I got heavier after every child. (4) I got a desk job and that seemed to be the worse thing I could have done. 40 lbs in 2 years. Yikes! I can feel my body starting to revolt and I just know that if I don't get moving, this fat will kill me. I am lactose intolerant, allergic to onions (which are in EVERYTHING) and seem to have some issues with gluten. My friend teases me and says that all there is left to eat is styrofoam and water! 

Way to go to all that have lost or created a plan for loosing. I weighed in at 198.8 2 days ago! Problem is I am afraid to get back on the scale again. I want to enjoy the moment. I am thinking of skipping the scale this week. Working out with children is difficult, mine would always get in the way just when I breaking a sweat. The best thing would be to include them. They will certainly keep you active. Many gyms have sitting available (if that is an option for you). ikfouch, I am there with you about the "pouch". I am hoping with weight loss I can skip the surgery and use the money on clothes. I don't see how it will be possible from the looks of things. I am still young from what I am told so there is hope.

I am typing this wondering if I am really going to hit send or if I will just write it out then delete it before I hit 'post', like I have done many times before. I see the stories and almost every one of them have something I can relate to but my biggest problem is actually admitting I am trying to lose weight...what if I fail? Which is why I might not send this, you wont know I failed if I never admit I was trying. Not to mention I really dont want anyone to know I have a problem (as if looking at me wouldnt tell you) I am 5'11'' and weigh 225 (down 4 since the 3rd). I havent always had a problem with weight, well, not in this sense...when I married my husband I was 125...my problem was I was skinny (not because I tried). Boy, would I love to have that problem again. :) With age, and inactivity, I put on some weight (enough for me to be 'normal') but with multiple attempts to quit smoking I would put on more and more weight each time. Finally I did quit (it's been 3+ years) and the last time I put on 75 pounds...some of which I have lost but most of which I havent. I am so determined to lose this weight and get healthy, it's all I think about all day. A yearish ago I found out I had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and well, just all around was becoming at heart attack risk (at age 35) and decided then that I had to make changes. I started eating healthier and exercising but not cutting back on portions so I didnt really lose any weight. My last visit to the doctor had all my levels being in the 'good' range, except my weight so that is what I am working on now. So, let's see if I can do this. My name is Lauren, I would like to be a part of your group and I have a problem with my weight and am trying to lose weight. All in one sentence...will I hit 'post'?

You will hit 'post'! and you did hit 'post'!!

One thing I learned is that you have to forgive yourself -- if you have a rough day and go over your calories -- forgive and forget - tomorrow is another day and another beginning -- the hard part is stringing enough "good" days together to do this thing! I know you can do it! It may take some time, and I guarantee you it won't be easy - but you can do this thing!

Well, I'm a week in to my new eating habits. 1200-1500 calories, lots and lots of veggies, absolutely nothing fried, no "dessert" foods. Waist is down 1/2 inch. Weight is down 8lbs to 268.6! That's even more encouragement for me to keep resolute in counting my calories and watching what I eat, and starting this week - excersise! Reading the posts from you guys motivates me each day. The truth is, it hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be - until last night. Had an incredible urge to eat chocolate - have dark choc. M&Ms and Dove from the holidays at the house. I realized though, if I let myself do it, it would be much easier to give in the next time. Hopefully, by not giving in (eating 100 cal. pop corn instead) it will be easier not to give in the next time! Keep up the great work everyone!

Lauren we have a lot in common! My story is very simular to yours (except for the smoking issue). Congrats on hitting "post" .  It is so hard to admit to yourself that there is a problem.  Everyone can see my problem and I hate seeing loved ones with "sadness' or disappointment in their faces with regards to my weight.  I recently found out that my cholesteral is elevated and I know this is not healthy. I want to be there for my family and be the fun kind of mommy I know I should be...not the sit on the sidelines because I'm too fat mommy. 

I think with small children you have to sneak in exercise.  Take a 10 minute walk break at work or play tag with the kids after school.

I plan to take small steps towards better  behavior and not focus on the scale too much.  Maybe we all should post daily goals and then post the results.

My goal today: Smaller portions, more water, and at least 20 minutes of exercise.  I let you know how it works out.

Hello folks, I have good news.  Started using this site on December 24th and last night weighed myself and had lost 13.5 lbs.  I am sure its fluids and exercise, but hey, I am happy to see progress.  I realize that this will slow down with time, but it is a bit exciting to see it happen.  I hear so much about drinking h20, what is the reason for this.  Is it to reduce ones thirst and hunger or is there a metabolic reason for repetitive commitment from participants to drink more.  Any ideas?

Ok, so I hit 'post' and havent regretted it. :) I do have a question for you all tho...at my weight and entering a low activity level (I cant rememer them exactly, I think there were 4, I hit number 2) I burn about 2500 calories during my day (multiple sites tell me this). I also exercise at least an hour 5 days a week minimum. So, most days I am over 3000 calories expended. I try and stay around 1800-2100 calories most days in intake which leaves me around 900-1200 calorie difference. As this is an over 200lb thread I would assume most of you would be around the same calorie expenditure as me (the 2500 calorie day) but yet I see time and again 1200-1400 intakes...makes me question my caloric intake. So, I guess my question is, what do most of you aim for in a day for caloric intake?

Lauren

I know i'm a little late from when you all joined, I'm Vicky, weigh 235 and need to lose quite a bit since i'm only 5'0.  Goal 1 is to lose 40lbs and get to 195 by May 31st.  I sure could use others like me for support and I'm a great listener.  Hope to talk to you all soon!

Lauren, the way I understand it is that you should stay at around a 1000 calorie defecit to lose 2 pounds per week.  According to every site I have seen, this is the best way to lose weight, slow and healthy.  I too am about 2500 calories a day to maintain, not including exercise and there is no way I could only eat 1200 a day.  My body would rebel big time and it would most likely go into starvation mode.

There is only one way to really decide what YOUR calorie intake should be - trial and error.  Try going down 1000 calories and see what happens.  If it does not move any of the weight, take another 100 off.  This way you can find what is right for YOU.

I can almost guarantee you would lose weight at 1200 calories consumed in a day, but would you stick to it?

Doc, water does increase the metabolism.  It also helps to flush out the system, keeps you hydrated so you don't gain a lot of water weight, keeps you "regular" and helps to curb your appetite.  There are many schools of thought on the temperature it should be - I say drink it any way you can - just make sure to drink a lot of it (I drink almost a gallon a day).

I have a very sedentary job and over the past year have become very inactive.  This has resulted in a weight gain of 50 pounds.  I am 200 pounds and was SHOCKED to see those numbers on the scale.  Its amazing how it creeps up on you isin't it?  The road ahead seems long, but I know I can do it.

I heard somewhere that if you can invision it, you can become it.  My main concern is health.  I want to be happy in my life and not nessesarily skinny (although I won't complain!  Haha) 

January 9th my starting weight is 200....my goal weight is 140....however long it takes...