Just starting out and would like to hear from others just starting

Hello all,

I am just starting this journey (I hope) and would like to hear from anyone starting out as well.  I don't know how I am going to accomplish this goal, I can only hope a little human support will increase my chances.  I am 34, weigh 215 and would like to lose 50-60 lbs and then see what else I can do from there.  I have eaten 1200 calories for the past three days, and it has not been terrible.  Ten or eleven at night becomes hard, as I like to eat during this time.  My husband, who does not make it easy to diet around,  is the worst kind of eater, grease, fried foods, you name it, however he is only about 20 lbs overweight.  I have had the opposite of anorexia for about ten years, denial of an overweight issue, and I know that it is only a matter of time before my health declines.  I also feel that people treat me so differently now than several years ago.  People assume that all overweight individuals are lazy.  I am a very motivated person.  I have not always been this heavy, I started out at 110 lbs in college and gradually gained the weight over the last 10 years.  What is your story?

 

GGRRRRRR I just got thru typing my public profile with my story. LOL   WELCOME!!!!!  I started off small. My goals are 1 pound a week.  In my 4th week here, I finally lost 3 pounds.   Its tough, but you can do it!  Remember, calories are our friend, not the enemy!  We control our food, the food doesnt control us!  Eat to Live, Not Live to EAT!   I munch on chewing gum to curb my late night cravings!  Believe me I get them EVERY NIGHT!  Trust me it gets easier as you go.  I went from about 3000 intake calories a day before I started.  Then cut it to 2500, then to 2000, now Im at 1500.  Sometimes 1200 satisfies me just fine! Just take it slow, you will get there! Good Luck!

Hi! I am starting out on this thing, too! I am 23 and weigh 207. When I was 21, I weighed 168, and played on the Univ of Illinois lacrosse team, so I never really watched my calories. I gained a bunch when I graduated, left the team, and went to a different college for graduate school. I also worked at panera for a few months, which was a disaster for my weight, too. I gained 40 lbs in just two years! So my goal is to fit into the clothes that are currently hanging in my closet that I can't button. There are some things that I CAN button, but my stomach bulges out in a VERY unattractive way. So, basically, I want to look good in a size 14! Then, if all goes well, I'll continue to try to fit into a 12, 10, 8, etc. 
Good luck! 

Hi Jengross ~ My stats are very similar to yours.  I am 38, and weigh about 225 (haven't weighed in a week or so).  My husband eats the same way, but on him it shows.  Let's just say he is a BIG guy.  He, unfortunately is one of my biggest problems.  He is a sabotager in a big way.  Our marriage isn't exactly the best lately but now he's freaking out about this because he knows I'm serious.  He actually said he doesn't want me to lose weight so that we can be fat and happy together.  What?!?!  We're fat now and not happy!! I've also been in denial for a looooong time.  Until I saw a pic of myself at my daughter's HS graduation.  OMG ~ that did it!  I started my new way of living on 9/11 - my 38th birthday.  So here I am!

Well, I'm starting out tooo........and I was'nt that motivated at first because it seemed like such a hard challenge, but tonight I had a turning point. I think that you are on the right track and you will see results although it will be hard. The key is to realize the sucess of doing this and seeing results is a type of satisfaction that will last much longer than the satisfaction of eating one more piece of choclate cake. So when your husband wants to eat those greasy foods, just think that by you not eating those same foods, youre ensuring yourself a different type of satisfaction that tastes soooo much better than those greasy fried foods! Hope this helps....

healthyme22,

Your absolutely right!  I know that when and if I see my first results it will be a big motivator.  When I was in high school a gained about 20 lbs during my sophmore year, the next summer I set out to lose it.  After losing about 10 lbs I became so satisfied with myself that I continued and lost another 20 lbs.  I remember how easy it seemed once the results came in, however I was much more active and young!!  Now I feel like it doesn't want to come off so easy.  Oh well I think I am more motivated than ever and somehow knowing this site exits gives me so much comfort.  Talking about it keeps me thinking about it and so on. 

You seem pretty motivated too.  I hope that all goes well with your journey.  It really is a journey because the process can't be quick and temporary, one must continue or sustain the way of eating.  Keep me updated on your progress if you choose, I know I'm gonna need support.

Jengross

absterry,

Thanks for the tips on chewing gum.  Perhaps a piece of hard candy or something of that nature would work too.  Congratulations on the 3 lbs?  Sounds like things are going great.  I think I probably was eating 3000 calories a day prior as well.  It's not hard to do, even when you are only eating at mealtimes.  I've never been obsessed with food and thinking about it at all times of the day, just a really big eater when it's time to sit down and do it.  Of course when you start cutting down on quantities it's then that you tell yourself, hey I want more because I can't.  Convincing yourself to give in is hard.  You don't really need more.  It's like another pair of shoes when you have 20 in your closet. 

Feel free to keep me posted on your progress if you need support, I know will need it!!!

jengross

absterry,

Thanks for the tips on chewing gum.  Perhaps a piece of hard candy or something of that nature would work too.  Congratulations on the 3 lbs?  Sounds like things are going great.  I think I probably was eating 3000 calories a day prior as well.  It's not hard to do, even when you are only eating at mealtimes.  I've never been obsessed with food and thinking about it at all times of the day, just a really big eater when it's time to sit down and do it.  Of course when you start cutting down on quantities it's then that you tell yourself, hey I want more because I can't.  Convincing yourself to give in is hard.  You don't really need more.  It's like another pair of shoes when you have 20 in your closet. 

Feel free to keep me posted on your progress if you need support, I know will need it!!!

jengross

quwazie69,

Isn't it terrible when we stop becoming so active!  I don't know if you continue to be as active as a few years back, but it stopped for me sometime around 21.  College and boyfriends and work, just about stopped all of the physical activity I got when I was younger.  I really think that this is one of the biggest problems our society has.  Lack of excercise.  If we would all just park at the end of the parking lot and walk to the grocery entrance, or deny the golf cart, things might improve.  I like your approach to things, first 14 then think about size 12.  Good plan.  Keep me posted!

Jengross

saphyre,

What a hard thing to overcome, let alone without support!  Your husband is probably just in denial about his own weight.  Perhaps if you can make progress, he will see that it is beneficial and the right thing to do.  If you need support in any way let me know.  I was talking to my husband on the phone last night and mentioned that I was a bit hungry.  He said, "Do you want me to bring you something home", after just having had a conversation about my diet.  He completely wasn't thinking, it will take him a while to change his thinking.  I noticed today he ate healthier and smaller portions so maybe he is trying in support.  I don't know?  You and I have similar stats indeed, I had a stepdaughter graduate this year and her birthday was on 9/11.  Crazy!  Keep me posted if you'd like,

Jengross

saphyre,

What a hard thing to overcome, let alone without support!  Your husband is probably just in denial about his own weight.  Perhaps if you can make progress, he will see that it is beneficial and the right thing to do.  If you need support in any way let me know.  I was talking to my husband on the phone last night and mentioned that I was a bit hungry.  He said, "Do you want me to bring you something home", after just having had a conversation about my diet.  He completely wasn't thinking, it will take him a while to change his thinking.  I noticed today he ate healthier and smaller portions so maybe he is trying in support.  I don't know?  You and I have similar stats indeed, I had a stepdaughter graduate this year and her birthday was on 9/11.  Crazy!  Keep me posted if you'd like,

Jengross

Hi Everyone, I guess I just want to post a message to give youall encouragement.  4 months ago I was 120lbs which I understand is a much hurdle than some of you are starting from.  But I have a very slight frame and am not so tall, so looked a bit like a football and had very unpleasant man-boobs.  I used this site to regulate what I eat and checked everything first.  I DO like to cook and was determined that I was not going to lose weight and be hungry.  Snacking is the hardest part - that just has to go but after a week, you stop evein thinking about it.  For the rest it was kind of common sense and countiing the calories of everything I eat. I now weigh 143lbs and most of that was lost in the first 3 months and I have lost maybe 4 or 5 lbs in the past month and am happy to stick where I am now.  I am 46 and now weigh the same as I did when I was 30.  Not only that, I have gone from looking like an out of shape middle aged man to looking like someone in their early to mid 30's. Everyone will find their own way to do it. My solution was to buy a bike and use it for at least 1/2 an hour every day.  As my stamina grew, I got to enjoy the freedom it gave me and now regularly go for rides of 50 to 60 km. My huge evening meals with wine etc have been replaced with fish filets/chicken breasts (there are so many great things you can do with chicken) and salads. I always keep melon portions in the house - you can eat as much as you want and it has no effect. Bananas are also good mut more calorific. I also have a passion for cucumber sandwiches on wholemeal bread and I eat as many as I want, but replace the butter with Humous - plenty of black pepper and a sprinkling of salt - yummy.  The amount of weight I lost in so short a time would be in some people's eyes, unhealthy, but because I maintain my food regime, I can now indulge myself fairly regularly.  As for exercise. I have just joined a gym. I really did not feel comfortable going when I was over weight and just felt too damned lazy.  But after the weight loss and the cycling, I have incredible amounts of energy and for the first time in my life am enjoying exercise.  My advise is to leave the gym until you start seeing and feeling results. You only need to make a little bit of effort on a daily basis to burn calories off. The final thing is alcohol. I drank far too much. My skin - in particular my face was puffed and swollen and I had digestive problems. I cut it out completely for the three months I was dieting and the weight just fell off me. I look ten years younger than my actual age (though I may be genetically lucky).  There are times when you just seem to reach a block and cannot lose the weight any more. You need to trick your body as it is storing food. Start eating more for a couple of days and then slam on the brakes again - you body starts to burn the flab as it thinks it does not need to store energy.  Good luck everyone and best wishes. x

I am a 45 year old 200 lb female. Almost four months ago now, I laid down my cigartettes and have not picked them back up. After about two months, when I coud breathe again, I started walking the stairs at my job. I went from the first floor to the eighth floor twice a day. I have recently started going back up to the 6th floor after I got back down to 1. I started eating yogurt and grapenuts for breakfast, instead of powder doughnuts or bacon and eggs, and having fruit for a snack. I have not changed WHAT I am eating at home but I have cut down on portions. Oh I have also given up 4 or 5 Dr. Peppers a day and drink 64 oz of water. I have been pretty serious at this for abut 6 weeks. THE SCALE HAS NOT MOVED & I SEE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY MY CLOTHES FIT. I can walk all the way up the stairs  now without stopping and my breathing is better but the no weight loss is killing meand I am just about to go bakc to eating junk all the time. Any words of wisdom from someone that has been there.

I am an 18-year-old girl, 5'4", who weighs 145 (143 on my good days). It doesn't seem like much overweight, but my family body type is super skinny - I'm "the fat sister" and my mom loves showing me pictures of her at my age weighing 110 and telling me that I need to lose weight. Which I do, and I want to fix it. My hardest part is working nights and trying to keep from snacking on food from the kitchen of the hotel. I'm working on it, though, and I am doing better. Sometimes I just have to sit and convince myself that I'm feeling too lazy to walk to the fridge or across my apartment to the pantry. Good luck to all of you! Don't give up!

~Katie 

Everyone is so friendly and supportive.  I feel like I am sitting with you in somebody's living room!  Today is my first anniversary- 30 days into eating better. God I must have been scarfing calories before this!  How incredible.  Cocoa and chips are my waterloos- I have lost 10 pounds.  Being so overweight, I am the one noticing the difference.  I am sure my body is thanking me for not gobbling so much crap.  I still eat plenty, just better- whole wheat everything, even pasta. I am trying to stay away from sweet yogurt cause that makes me want to eat more sweets.  I still eat chocolate though it is a very slippery place for me.  My health professional people tell me to stay away from all the crutches: caffeine, artificial sweeteners, sugar, nitrates, corn syrup.  I still eat full fat cheese cause I need something naughty!  Thanks everyone for these supportive friendly posts. I don't feel so isolated now.  I feel like putting on a silly birthday hat and dancing in the street cause the scale says I am heading toward to 208.  It was not a pretty day when I finally got on the scale a month ago and faced how fast I was headed toward 250 and beyond.  No wonder my joints and back were having major tantrums.  I now walk twice a week in a gym pool- and hurt more each day afterward.  Maybe in another month this physical stuff will ease up and I will be able to really enjoy our Halloween vacation! 

I am just starting out too!! I have a personal trainer and have been hitting the gym really hard for about 2 months and have not really seen a lot of changes. So, as my trainer has been telling me every day, you can spend everyday in the gym and it won't change a thing until you change your eating habits. So, here I am. Growing up in a large Italian family where food is the main focus of any event small or large has given me some really bad eating habits. Also, I am just getting over a very bad breakup and find myself still single at 37, so emotional eating is a huge obstacle for me to overcome. The gym has helped, but if anyone has any suggestions to overcome that replacing food for love feeling, I am all ears!!!!

Hi everyone I'm 27 years old 5'5, I weigh 185. I must lose weight....I don't look cute in my clothes anymore. I started walking the boardwalk again it was actually beautiful this morning the water was so calm and green. It gets boring by yourself I need someone to meet up with every day. My friends want to do it but the morning comes around and they're to tired or at night they want to go out. They can be flaky sometimes but I love them! Anyway I have found everyone on this site is so nice and helpful. I guess it helps we are all here for the same reasons give or take.

Poetnw congrats on 30 days! Where are you going on vacation?

Hi, I am a 21 year old female and weigh 240lbs at 5'6". I started here on the 18th. I just had a baby 7 months ago and still need to lose 40lbs of baby weight. When I was pregnant I did not care what I ate or how much cause I was not going to diet being pregnant or even just watch what I ate. At the end of my pregnancy I gained 65lbs!!! I could not believe that I let myself do this. I'm paying for it now cause it's harder to take of then to gain weight. I have always been over weight and at 240lbs I am at my heaviest. I have tried many diets and nothing seems to work for me. I decided to see a weight loss doctor. I did this only because I need help with losing weight. I want to be a healthy role model for my daughter. I want to be able to walk up stairs without being out of breath when I get to the top. I want my feet to stop hurting. I don't care what I look like in a bathing suit or what size pants I wear. I just want to be healthy for my daughter. About the weight loss doctor....I have been on this diet of 1000 calories a day for 4 days now and on the third day it finally got easier. The first two days I got a really bad headache. It's normal cause of the drop in calories. But now I don't get headaches and I have a hard time now even eating 1000 calories. I eat about 55 grams of protein a day which will help keep you full longer. I take lots of vitamins, fish oil, b vitamins, and I get a shot of b12 every 2 weeks. I eat 6 times a day 5 of which is  a liquid protein drink. As I lose weight and get more active then I will be able to have more calories. I exercise 5 times a week for about 30 minutes. I hope that this works out for me cause if not my next resort is surgery and I really don't want to do that. Any comments or advice anyone.

Hey, I'm just starting out here at CC, but have been serious about losing weight since Feb, my 34th bday.  I was 218, my heaviest ever, (I used to be 115 until my 20's) but have managed to get down to 171 now; it wasn't easy, I bought a treadmill & used it 5 nights a week for 45 min until a few weeks ago when I got a sinus infection that won't go away.... I've gotten frustrated because I've leveled out for the last 3 weeks so I did some surfing on the web & found this great website.  I've started eating more fruits & veggies, but it's so hard when my hubby & 11 yr old daughter eat whatever whenever and it looks so good!  I understand your frustrations with your husband, mine is 280lbs & doesn't care about what he eats; my daughter has a high metabolism so she's fortunate (for now). Anyway, I know what you mean about being treated differently too, I want to be thin again!