How being 100+ pounds overweight affects me...

I get out of breathe just walking upstairs to my bedroom, I can't run after my 6 year old when she wants to play...and I don't want to go to amusement parks because I'm afraid I won't "fit" when they close the locking bar....

BUT-does anyone else experience this?? I am honestly surprised when I see myself in mirrors, because I just don't "feel" like I'm that big....if there were no mirrors, I swear, I could con myself into believing I'm a normal weight...

Original Post by skcronk:

Well this is just amazing.  I just joined this thing and was thinking that I just wouldn't comunicate with others because I was pretty much alone in my feelings.  Goodness Me!!  I have just read everything I have ever thought.  I am 58 and was thin until I reached the age of 40.  Holy cow.  All of a sudden the weight just crept up on me.  I am still a very confident person but believe me when I tell you that the looks and the talking behind ones hand is just impossible to ignore.  I have the added benefit of a son who is so ashamed of me that he thought about not inviting me to his wedding.  I have not spoken to him for 2 years because his new wife is so appauled.  Well I am not doing this thing for him or his wife.  I am doing this for me.  I am tired of dropping something on the floor of the car and having to climb out to get it.  I went with my husband to his high school reunion.  Everyone there was thin.  I have made jokes about being a big nasty redhead for years.  The pain is something that I keep to myself.  Now I hear every bit of my pain coming from complete strangers.  Thank you a thousand times for sharing our story.

One thing your not is alone..in the way we are treated..and if that dont just sometimes keep you where your at..sometimes..

you gave me a smile when you said..about dropping something in the car...smiles..my favorite is airplanes..we wont go there..will we...a little bit at a time..like one of the other girls shared..one minute miracles..I got back on my treadmill again..only lasting two minutes..but doing it..at least 4 times a day...and they say even 6 minutes of excerise a day will improve your heart function..I sure hope next year..I can say ..I am doing 15...I am not making impossible goals..for myself..this time..this time..I am doing it in little steps..and have been working towards it..for a few years..but took the major step..calorie reduction..the hardest one..last..I am down 15 pounds since I started..august 1st..but much of it is fluid..where I have poor kidneys they are responding to lower protien in my diet..which is good..even my skin feels softer..

I have been finding great 300 cal..meals on this site..

oh and thought I would share something that is so delicious..and good that I keep supplies on hand in case I hit a sweet attack..yummy gummy diabetic gummy bears..only these are worms..and they taste better then the store bought ones..and the whole batch is only 50 calories..

Hi everyone..how is everyone doing..?

Gummi Worms
2 packages sugar-free Jell-O
2 packages plain gelatine
1 cup boiling water   If sour gummies are desired, add one packet of unsweetened Kool-aid in a flavor that goes well with your Jell-O flavor. The Kool-aid really makes them sour (but good).   Stir all ingredients until dissolved. Pour the mixture onto a large dinner plate and refrigerate. It will set in about 20 minutes.   You can either slice it into worms, or roll up the rubbery disk of gelatin and cut it every 1/4 inch with a large pair of scissors. You can also use tiny cutters to make little shapes.   Total Recipe: 50 Cal (0% from Fat, 100% from Protein, 0% from Carb); 12 g Protein; 0 g Tot Fat; 0 g Carb; 0 g Fiber; 5 mg Calcium; 0 mg Iron; 7 mg Sodium; 0 mg Cholesterol

Hi, Joanne.  Congrats on the 15 pound loss and the teadmill initiative.  I'm not big on gummy worms, but now I'm wondering if there are other creative recipes for jello...

I had a strange feeling the other day...my stomach was actually hungry!  Usually it's my brain telling me to eat.  This time my stomach finally got to say something.  I've been eating healthy snacks throughout the day, so I don't get the tummy-rumbling hungries very often, but WOW...it reminded me of when I was very young and fit.

Have a great day today, Joan.  You are an inspiration and we are here to support you.

Joanne, I can't wait to say I have lost 15 pounds congratulations!!!!Some how I need to get focused I am struggling with self doubt big time and I am not sure why. Usually I get all excited and tell myself that this time I am going to do it I am going to make a difference. It is different this time I am letting my emotions get the best of me or maybe its that devil me on one shoulder telling me I can't and on the other shoulder my angel is sleeping not sure what it is but I am hanging in there I just don't dare step on the scale as of yet if I don't see anything I know I will probably eat for days.

You are very inspiring, Thank you!

I really thought I was the only person in the world who couldn't remember how overweight she is.  I am almost always shocked when I see myself in the mirror at the end of the day because I just don't *feel* like that...  it's disturbing!

Thanks to all of you for sharing on here, it has really helped me to read this...

Original Post by jst_warningu:

Joanne, I can't wait to say I have lost 15 pounds congratulations!!!!Some how I need to get focused I am struggling with self doubt big time and I am not sure why. Usually I get all excited and tell myself that this time I am going to do it I am going to make a difference. It is different this time I am letting my emotions get the best of me or maybe its that devil me on one shoulder telling me I can't and on the other shoulder my angel is sleeping not sure what it is but I am hanging in there I just don't dare step on the scale as of yet if I don't see anything I know I will probably eat for days.

You are very inspiring, Thank you!

You're welcome...Im scared too!..most of what is coming off right now is fluid...it took three years of little planned changes to get to here..I always think..7 days..and it gets to be a routine..this week..it was switch to diet colas..the next week..it was switch to..fat free mayo..the next week..was eat more veggies..more fibre..change my plate..and week after week until..came the hardest one..portion control..but i only had that one to deal with..having made changes..very small ones every week over 3 years..easy to say also..that I have 3 more years of doing that..by introducing excersise..I am physically in no shape at all...very poor lung function..

honestly it took years for me to get it this mess..and be who I was..it would be unfair of me..to myself..to believe it is not going to take years..to change me..baby steps, one meal at a time..you can do it..keep talking to that little devil on your shoulder..smiles..let me know who wins..I hope I just pinched your little angel..and she is awake now..hi little angel..Im here if you need me...Joanne

Man... As I was sitting here this Sunday Morning I was feeling a little down and disappointed that I could only do 20 minutes of my 30 minute low impact aerobics DVD but..This group has inspired me. I forgot that its all the small victories that make it to the big ones. Thank you all for helping me !!!! I will be checking in and updating you all on my progress. (By the way my name is Dezirea and I am currently at 245 lbs only 110 lbs to go :) GOOD LUCK TO ALL

Original Post by dezanew:

Man... As I was sitting here this Sunday Morning I was feeling a little down and disappointed that I could only do 20 minutes of my 30 minute low impact aerobics DVD but..This group has inspired me. I forgot that its all the small victories that make it to the big ones. Thank you all for helping me !!!! I will be checking in and updating you all on my progress. (By the way my name is Dezirea and I am currently at 245 lbs only 110 lbs to go :) GOOD LUCK TO ALL

 Pleased to me you Dezirea, wow you are doing great..hope to be able to say next year that I can do 20 minutes of anything..even standing..I did get up to 3 minutes on my treadmill last time..just gotta keep working at it..I am hoping next year to be able to some tia chi..everything now has to be totalling non weight bearing..as my joints are so severely..damaged from the excess weight and chronic kidney failure. would love to know how you are progressing..I only got 220 to go..girl..! that is like two people..I guess when it gone ..I am going to feel like I got wings and can fly...with all this weight bearing down on me...looking forward to hearing how you are doing..good luck to you too!

Hi everyone,

Wow, what a great group this is. I have been overweight since I was a toddler and was in the 240s starting in high school. I briefly lost some weight in college (down to 200), but then gained quite a bit after college and during grad school for a high of at least 343 pounds and possibly more. When I was over 300 pounds was when I really had issues -- things like fitting in my car, having problems with my back, fitting in an airline seat, chairs breaking occasionally, that sort of thing. The discrimination has always been a part of my life but for the most part I rose above it and still got my education and a decent job.

I lost 40ish pounds a few times in my life but my problem has always been that I would give up after 3-4 months, once the loss started to slow, and gain it all back and then some. This is the first time in my life that I have kept it up. I started this last April so I have been working on my weight and health now for 16 months. I have had some backslides. I lost a lot of weight the first few months. Last fall, it slowed considerably, then I lost a few pounds in January, gained it back in Feb-March, and lost it again in May-June, plus more in July. Then I gained about 6 lbs back in August and also lost it again in August, plus a few more. I know I could have lost so much more this year than I have, but at least I am still losing and have not given up. Persistence is the key! I am not giving up on this thing. I have lost 83 pounds so far and it has made a huge difference in my life. I am so much healthier, fit in my car, can buckle the seatbelt on the airplane, and am just more comfortable in general!

I have a long ways left to go but I know I can do it if I don't give up... so can you!

Okay, here goes.  I finally got serious about getting my body in shape and losing weight.  This encompasses everything I do.  I was frightened when I realized that diabetes are on the maternal and paternal side of my family.  I saw a lot of health related problems that was directly related to weight from family members.  I realized that I was headed down that same road.  So I started using CC again (I signed up several years ago) and changed my eating habits.  I log everything that goes into my mouth.  I also realized that I needed to cut back on processed foods and start cooking and preparing meals myself to control the sodium.  I was really blown away about how much was contained in processed foods!  Anyway I work in the Health field and my coworkers have started a walking and watching what you eat way of life.  We weigh in every Thursday and the scales are right by my desk where I NEED to see them.  It's working there's something to be said about seeking out others that are like minded in ANY thing you do.  I feel healthy, my skin is glowing again and my knees don't hurt nearly as much.  You see I'm a plus size woman of 285.  I didn't like what I saw in the photos that were taken of me the double chin and heaviness of the upper part of my body and waist.  My family especially my husband has been very encouraging, and my religious faith is strong.  I've weathered quite a few storms in my life but my outlook in dealing with these things as they crop up has been for the most part very positive.  I am so happy to be with the CC community I believe (excuse the pun) it rounds you out.  Anyway hang in there don't give up the best is yet to come it is very crucial that you believe in yourself and keep a positive outlook.

Hello all my name is Kim and I am at 306 wow .. anyway it has been a long struggle and I am now dealing with stress fractures in my foot and bad knees ..lots of other stuff but to see me get up from a chair or out of the car after sitting for 30 min I seem more like 87 then 47 --WOW it is tough...

About medical predjudice yes yes YES! A heart doc once dissed me and I was so mad It was because he wroter me off as a fat girl --- I am like so it is omportant for my 5yo healthy weighted dd to get checked out evey 2 years but her overweight mom - I dont come back for 5 yrs? Give me a break i got a new doc... I have seen this a couple other times too,... it makes me MAD!

On the I can do anyhting for X min, it sounds like flylady-thing... I use that when I swim for I think it is Joanne --swimming is great for you we are blessed to have a theraputic pool it has easy step down steps and warm water it is a cathic rum facility and it is like 106.00 for 6 months you can ge 6 days a week ...You might check into that as in the pool it is so much easier on the joints... my excess weight has put so much stress on my knees I walk so old,... it is really getting me down ... anyway as an FYI-- for every ! pound you lose it takes 7 pounds of pressure off your knees...That was a wow moment for me --

So heres to tracking my food successfully for 7 days...LOL and swimming 4 days a week and eating right -- it has to work right???

*stunned silence*

*gulp*

"Every pound lost....takes 7 pounds of pressure off your KNEES????"

thebizymom: My "knees" say a resounding, "Thank you!!!"  

Exxxxxxxxxtremely  motivating!!!!

Just joined the website today. I've never participated in an online group before, but all of you are really amazing. According to the site, it will take me about two years to reach my goal weight. I look forward to keeping up with all of you and tracking our progress over time.

Welcome, new people.  mers1958 et al, some of us are weighing in on Saturdays and posting our results on another thread for this group.  Please join us if you wish!  I find it really helpful.  I weigh daily, but I don't obsess over it because I have only one "official" weigh-in day.  It helps me keep things in perspective.

Good question.

How being 100+ lbs overweight affects me?

My lower back hurts all of the time.  I had some bad injuries when I was younger and the weight is adding extra stress to it.

I am tired all of the time.  Of course I am!  I am packing around 100 extra lbs with me everywhere I go!

My knees are starting to hurt.  I think they are getting tired of supporting all of the extra lbs.  My Mom had knee replacement surgery last winter and I know I don't want to have to go through that in my future!  It looked way too painful!

I don't feel sexy anymore.  I know I am not ugly but I guess what I am saying is that I am starting to get down on myself for what I look like.  I have not normally been that way in the past.  I used to look in the mirror and think oh I am not too badly overweight, but now I look in the mirror and hate what I see and I feel the weight/heaviness all day long.

I want to hike up a hill and not feel like I am going to pass out from it!  And I want to go shopping for all of the cute clothes!

I could keep going  on and on, but this is the jist of it.

Nicole

Joanne, I totally agree with what you said on the health industry: 

"my humble opinion is the medical system is the worst for judging us of being less worthy then others in life..I guess that is why..it is called morbid obesity because I really do feel that skinny people who get the same medical problems..get better health care..because most people think all we need to do..is stop stuffing our faces..and dont have a clue..as to the complexity of the full situtation..which I feel is different for each of us, kind regards"

I am facing that right now.  I have a lot of health issues also.  My back is pretty much like yours.  I can walk for about 10 min but after just a few min it feels like it's killing me but i force myself to go on.  Standing is good for a few min.  I complain to my dr about it and his response is to lose weight.  Didn't talk to me about going on a diet, give me any information on dieting, nothing.  Just "lose some weight and it will solve all your health problems."  I have a pinched nerve "he thinks" but won't do a nerve conduction test until I lose 125 pounds.  And in the mean time I'm in excrutiating pain (but won't prescribe anything for the pain) and he just tells me to "lose weight or learn to live with the pain".  I can't sleep in my bed because of the pinched nerve.  It feels like I have electricity coursing thru my back all the way down to the tip of my toes...the whole left leg is numb and swollen.  I've been to several drs about it and all of them refuse to treat it until I lose 125 pounds.  I swear they all have to be talking to each other about my case or how would they all come up with the exact same wording for everthing my PCP said?  I even signed papers stating I did not want my medical records released to any other treating physicians so they shouldn't have been talking back and forth to each other...but I would swear on a stack of bibles they had to have been.

Now take my skinny neighbor who doesn't weigh 100 pounds dripping wet....she has Degenerative Disk Disease just like I do.  No other health problems that i know of.  She gets all kinds of pain pills, muscle relaxers, physical therapy whenever SHE thinks she needs it and is on SSI which means she has medicaid for insurance.  I have Aetna and PPK and I can't even get a dr to look at my back.  I say one word about my back hurting or FMS acting up or IBS acting up, insomnia, memory problems, depression flared up, anxiety attacks occuring and the list goes on and the first words out of their mouth is "lose weight".  Won't give me anything for the symptoms...just "lose weight" and he walks out the door not leaving any room for suggestions or questions.

I truly believe if you are obese whether it's morbid or not, we don't get a fair shake in the medical community.  It makes me feel like "well you got yourself fat now live with it"...kind of like 'you made your bed now lie in it' type of mentality.

I really need to go to the dr.  i havn't slept but an hour or two a night in about 3 weeks.  I think I've developed RLS (restless leg syndrome).  My legs...especially my right leg....jumps and twitches all night long and is usually what wakes me up when I do get to sleep.  and the last few nights it's been my right arm also.   But with the last episode of the pinched nerve and his attitude of "I'm not going to treat it until you lose 125"...I just really hate to go and I really don't wanna go to the dr period.  for nothing.   I'm gonna put it off til I can't stand it anymore.

Anna

Anna,

I see a chiropractor/acupuncturist for my back.  I started going to him last Dec when I got a pinched nerve.  I understand the pain you are in.  It is excruciating.  He has done wonders for the pain and nerves.  He has never told me to go on a diet but he does do some acupuncture to help me control my appetite but did caution me that it only helps about 50% of his patients. He also gave me some excercises/stretches to help with my lower back problems. It helps some but not very much.  At least I am still not gaining weight.

Are you able to find a new doctor?  I had an OB/GYN who kept harrassing me about my weight (she had no room to talk) and I got tired of coming home in tears and found another doctor, a PA.  Very happy with her and she helps me and my husband with our vitamins and recommended us to a nutritionist.

I hope you find something that helps your back soon.  It is horrible to live with that sort of pain.

Nicole

Hi Nicole, Thanks for replying.

I use to see a chiropractor for my back and it did help some.  It would help until I had to go back to work and then my job undid all the work he did.   After my injury it got to the point where the adjustments didn't help.  And then I had to quit working, my husband lost his job, no insurance, no income...you get the picture.  Now we have 2 insurances and I've been thinking about going back to him and i probably will but I need to wait until my shoulder heals from this rotor cuff surgery I just had.  The insurance I have now will only cover 20 visits a year.  I use to go 6-8 times a month so...insurance coverage on that won't last very long and I can't afford to pay it out of pocket.  Neither of my insurance will cover accupunture.

My dr last year told me if I lost 50 pounds I would notice a big difference in my back pain.  And i did, I lost 68 pounds.  It hurt worse!!!

I have switched drs 3 times in this past year.  I really don't want to switch drs again.  I've only been with this new dr since May and he's already starting in about my weight.  Of course he's 6 foot tall and skinny as a bean pole so he has no clue what we struggle with day to day.  I'm gonna stick it out with this one as much as I don't want to...I don't want to switch doctors even worse.  I've got a high threshold but eventually I'll get tired of this leg twitching and will do something about it.  Even if I did switch drs...I'd probably get the same run around about weight loss.

You know...they use to always harp on me about quitting smoking and said nothing about my weight.  Well I finally quit smoking back in June and now they don't have that to concentrate on...it's all about the weight now.

Anna

Anna,

Oh I hate that most insurances do not adequately cover chiropractic care.   My chiropractor charges the acupuncture in conjunction with the adjustment so that is the only reason it is covered that way. 

I don't blame you for not wanting to switch doctors so much.  So just flat out ask him how he can help you lose weight or what he can give you do help you deal with the pain so that you can get around better and sleep.  I know some doctors try their darndest to keep people off of pain killers but sometimes that is whatyou need.  I know I tried just the chirpractic care for 2 months and I was slooooowwwwly getting better but I needed to sleep without pain and the mornings were awful crawling out of bed.  I finally broke down and went to my doctor and got muscle relaxers.  Combining the two worked really well for me.  I am still careful of what I do as far as exercise swimming and water aerobics are about it for now.

Congrats on the quitting smoking.  I just stopped last week...8 days total and everyone around me is still alive LOL

I truly feel your pain.  I am here if you ever want to chat or vent.

Nicole

I'm just happy that I now have a secondary insurance.  What one won't cover the other will pick up.  Hummm...I wonder if that would work with chiropractic?  I wonder if once my coverage runs out on my Aetna if PPK would pick up the full cost?  I'll have to check into that.

When I get tired of fighting this leg twitching and decide to go to the dr on it...I think I will ask him how to lose the weight.  I really want the surgery.  I've done so many diets in the past and not successful with any of them but I've done all of them on my own except 2.  So there is no documentation on my success or failure so insurance won't cover it.  The only way to get them to cover the weight loss surgery would be to have serious uncontrolled health problems.  But I was told if you have documented dieting on your medical records they will cover it then.  IDK...I'll have to talk to him and see.  First I'll have to get up the nerve to go.  I hate going to the dr.  usually just get the run around anyways.  I will go eventually.  I just have to get tired of this twitching leg stuff and i'll go.

My weight never has given me problems or stopped me from doing anything I wanted to do.  It was only after I hurt my back last year that I've been unable to do anything.  I just have a hard time believing that it's because of my weight that my back is still bothering me.  IDK..maybe I'm in denial but I don't think so.  I personally think there is something else going on in there and it just hasn't been found yet.  But once more...when I push the drs on it...they look at my records and see everything that's been done, tests, laboratory, PT, ect...and they don't even try to find another answer.  I get the same ol' same ol'..."lose weight or learn to live with it".  It just makes me so angry!

Anna

I am brand new to this site and I probably won't be spending a lot of time here, as I just took a new editing job on.  But here is how this weight affects me.  I'm only 5 ft. tall.  I feel like a sausage, especially squished when I sit down and the weight settles over my waist and is pushed by my lap up into my chest.  My asthma is affected, because I can barely take a full breath while sitting.  I have trouble putting on my socks and shoes.  I get random pains in my ankles, because the weight is too much for my frame.  My back bothers me too, I have a swayed back to begin with and the weight of my belly pulls on it.  My last weight gain took me another size up.  I'm fortunate that my friends love me for who I am, but I know that for my health I do need to lose.  I have a couple of strikes against me to begin with, I am an insulin dependent diabetic and I'm on a couple of Rx's that cause weight gain as well.  One even makes me hungry.  There are some medical problems that I don't even bother to see the Dr. for, because I know the answer will be, "You need to lose some weight."  Well, it's not that easy.  Try being in my body.

Deb