Welcome to the new over 100 to lose club!

Howdy guys and gals!  I'm taking over this club, not because i think i have all the answers (i so know i don't) but because i'm super pumped up right now and motivated to help those people out there who have a lot of weight to lose.  we need a place that's more than a "can i join" place.. we need a place to talk about issues related to being this overweight.. 

Who here needs to lose over 100 pounds? Who needs to lose over 150 pounds? Or more?

I did! I did! And yes.. i did!

A small amount of background on me for those of you who don't know: i am a binge eater. I have had a problem with emotional eating, hidden eating, over eating, eating with a hang nail, eating because i have split ends.. you name it i stuffed my emotions down with the greasiest, nastiest food i could find!

Why did i do that (you might ask)? Because of many many different reasons.. frankly i think it was because this is how i was taught from a young age, this is how we handle stress and emotions. I learned that it's not proper to talk about your feelings.. or god forbid, express your emotions! You have to shove them down with a piece of cake and a smile!

Anyway.. onto the reason for this post.

If you are out there and need to lose a lot of weight.. just like i've got to.. i think we need to have a place where we can discuss these issues with each other and try and work through them together. Because, let's face it, people who are morbidly obese (yes.. i hate that word too) have uniquely different issues to work through and deal with than the average person.

Losing weight, for people who have this much to lose, have to deal with so much more than the formulas to figure out how much to eat.. and exercising. It's more complex than that. We have to deal with years and years of poor eating habits that have to be unlearned, we have to deal with the emotional torment of just being this size, we have to deal with the harsh looks and comments from strangers or from loved ones, we have to deal with our emotions for the first time in our life because we aren't shoving them down our throats anymore..

this is the hardest thing ANYONE has to deal with.. but, from my experience, things are different for us bigguns. :)

also, for those of you who don't know me very well.. (because i've kinda been in hiding and not posting much and there are so many new people out there) i started out in january weighing 324 pounds. I now weigh 232.5.. i have lost 91.5 pounds so far. I am not telling you guys this to get kudos.. i got those yesterday. I'm telling you guys this because i want anyone out there who is struggling with knowing they have, what seems to be, an insurmountable amount of weight to lose, that there is hope.. it IS possible.. you CAN do it.. but it's hard.. and you will hurt.. i know this because i've been there.. i've done it.. and i'm still dealing with it.

so.. come on in and share your stories.. i want to hear them and i want us to support each other until we are all at our goal weight!

Thank you for answering my post it really encouraged me a whole lot when someone actually pays attention to something I have said. I have a goal to weigh less than 200 pounds and I am determined to get there! I just need to try and add more exercise into my days. I have a YMCA membership but my sone will not stay in the nursery and there is no one to watch him. I f you can pick it up to eat it you can write it down I always say. I started TOPS because my dad wanted me to lose some weight and offered to pay for anyway to help me so for the first 2 years he paid my yearly and monthly dues for TOPS and I was doing great losing weight at one point I had lost right at 50 pounds then going into my 4 th year I started having bladder problems and had to be put into the hospital 4 time jus this year alone and I have been on a number of different antibiotics and pretnazone(not spelled right I know) all cause weight gain at times.I am on the road to recovery and I am going to lose this weight one way or another I hate being this BIG. My dad told me he did not want to be attending MY funeral before his and the way I was going I was headed that way. 

Hello to all the new people, and welcome!  I'm glad you all found us! I hope you all feel right at home and are able to get the support and advice you need.  :)

I started in April, and have lost 62 pounds.  I was 284.  Now, I'm 222.  I am so excited--and impatient--to think that I'm now almost as close to 200 as I was to 300 when I started, and I only have 5 pounds to go until I'm halfway to my goal.  But, this is a life-time committment on my part, even though I used to be a couch potato in denial, and even though I've tried--and lost 20 or 30 pounds--before.  It isn't easy.  I won't lie.  But, if little by little you all can make changes for the better and repeat them often enough to become habit, it does get easier and more rewarding as you go!  I promise!  This site and all the great 100 Clubbers also help me more than you know.   Hang in there!  :D 

One of my favorite sayings is "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," and although I've probably only walked 500 miles so far (2 a day, 3x a week for several months!), I know I'll be able to get there. 

knight--united's string idea is a good one.  Get a yardstick or measuring tape and some string.  Wrap it around your chest, stomach, rear, thigh, or whatever.  I know many times I was frustrated by lack of dropping pounds (evil plateaus) it turned out I was losing inches.  And, that you can definitely see no matter where you start out!

Thank you all for the suggestions and the support. I really want to stick with it this time. I'll try the string suggestion, but I don't have the nerve to go somewhere just to use the scale unless I have some other reason to go there. Despite how I am online in RL I am actually rather shy mainly because of my weight.

I have always had one question and maybe someone here can answer it. A lot of places tell you to avoid Soda. Is that all Soda or just non-diet soda. I don't drink coffee so I need my Diet Coke in the mornings. In regards to drinking X amount of water per day, I read somewhere that it didn't have to be water as long as it was liquid and low cal. They gave the example of Tea or Coffee (I'm not a fan of either), so I thought that diet soda with 0 cals is just as good. Am I sabotaging myself with that belief?

I'm still lurking about Jules:) Have my ups and downs as far as feelings or where I am and where I feel I should be - but mostly I've been on the upswing. Weighed today - I'm down to 354 lbs, still a long way to go but that's down 51 lbs since Jan. and almost 1/4 of the way to my tentative goal weight of 200 lbs. Still here. Still going strong - thanks to support of family and great friends here on C-c.

I'm still here and checking the motivation forum daily. Managed to stay under my daily calorie count every day so far. It hasn't even been a week yet so no major updates yet.

United, Thanks for those articles, they were very interesting and highly informative.

hubbaji Congrats on the 50 mark! That really is impressive. I can't wait until I hit that point. Based on the recommendations from CC that is going to be in a little under 9 months from now, but it'll be a year and a half before I am likely to see changes on a normal scale. [:-<

That just means I have to plan on getting a scale for my birthday in 2008. [;->

lol!  - Jules, you cut me up sometimes (and scare me with that sword and Xena outfit) - you have so much energy and gumption, it really is hard to believe you've had any trouble losing weight, too:) Thanks for keeping us all motivated and up beat.

As to what keeps me motivated, I honestly am not sure. I love my family and want to be around for them. I get a boost from reading inspirational sayings or quotes, there are a lot of them out there(my tag line : The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!  - is my latest and longest lasting inspirational quote). Many of the successes of folks here are inspirational. Heck, I have a crazy plan to climb the rock wall at the YMCA when I lose enough, that's something I can see every time I go to the Y and gain a little motivation. I guess, truth is, the whole world's full of inspiration when you look. No plans to celebrate - maybe when I get below 300 lbs I'll think of something.

Thanks to you also, spotsknight, appreciate kind words. When I started to seriously try to lose weight in january, my routine consisted mainly of exercise, that being walking(I tried cutting down on how much I ate and eat healthier-but that was only half hearted). It wasn't until I found C-c that my eating took greater importance, and frankly, my rate of weight loss has been faster. You can lose weight through diet alone or through exercise alone - you lose it faster and healthier (I believe) by including both.  Having a scale to use when you're as big as we are is great, but not absolute. If you could find one you could get access to once a week or once a month, that would be great - if not just use measurements for now. As long as you stick with reasonable, healthy eating and move about - you will see results - and as a guy, a big guy, you'll find yourself dropping weight faster in the beginning. Stick with it. You'll see:)

It has been a while so I wanted to update on where I am AND thank everyone for their great suggestions on travelling.  Although I didn't  lose much weight during that week, I also didn't gain.  I felt like I was able to eat with everyone else and didn't come back with even more to lose.  :)

I am now down almost 44 pounds (since June 12).  I walk just over 3 miles almost every night.  I did hurt my knee when I was travelling.  I went out to walk at night (the fancy schmancy hotel I was at closed their fitness center at 9:00) and I stepped off of a curb that I didn't know was there.  I still have walked because I didn't want to use any excuses.  My knee still bothers me some but tolerable.

I went to a trade show on Friday and went out to lunch with one of our salesmen.  We were talking about losing weight and eating right while we made our dinner choices.  There was a sandwich that I wanted to get but said I was afraid I'd eat the whole thing.  Then, I mentioned that I could cut it in half and just not eat the other half, and the salesman suggested splitting the sandwich between the two of us.  He didn't want to eat the whole thing either.  It worked out great.

Glad to read other's updates and to see that so many are doing so well.

Pam

Hi, I'm new and ready to loose some weight, well actually a lot of weight!! I currently weigh 305 lbs and would like to loose 150 lbs! So, I need all the tips and advice that I can get. My problem is that I have a very hectic schedule and it's just easier for me to get fast food on the go. Terrible I know, so I know that I need to start by changing my lifestyle. I could use some suggestions on quick easy meals that are low in calories. I work 40 hrs a week, go to school 24 hrs a week and have tons of homework, so I also need some exercising tips that will fit into my crazy schedule. Please help me if you can!!!

Welcome yeahbaby6779 - you've got a 100 plus pounds to lose - you've found the right forum group to help:) obsidyan,et al... are a great bunch with loads of helpful advice and encouragement.

I understand the fast food thing but you might find your eyes opened a bit(and understand clearer why that's not such a good idea) if you punch in a typical meal or even a days worth of meals - be honest. I did that as an exercise during our C-c challenge - man. you would not believe how many calories, how crappy in proper nutrition a day of fast food can be. Give er a try - you'll be floored!

As for quick and easy meals - I'm still working on that. Simple sandwiches, fruit, veggies(baby carrots, pepper slices, anything you can easily snack on), yogurt, vegetable juice(sparingly because of sodium), lots of water, instant oatmeal, that's a few things I try.

Exercise - walking! You seem to be extremely busy so I think walking is your best bet. Walk everywhere! It will also help you relax a bit from your schedule.

Good-luck and again welcome - this site really does help:)

Well, here I am.  I've been on this website many times before and always tried to join in the 100+pound discussions, but no one ever replied.  It was very discouraging, but something about your post seems different.

I am just getting back into the swing of my new life ...that starts today.  I started a new profile and all.  Weighed in this morning at my new all time high of 244.  However, instead of getting depressed, I am getting moving.  My body and my food.  As my name says, Its my time!  Enough is enough.

Thanks for the post, and I will be back.  I do have to admit, the funniest thing about when I put in info for the profile, it said I was severely overweight.....umm....at 5'2, it should be blunt and say...you are obese, girl!  So, off to a great day!  Thanks again for this post.

Hi itsmytime,

Welcome back!   :)

Well hello all,

I have been quietly sitting in the bleachers and decided it's time to join in........I am a 52 (almost 53) year young mom of 4, granny of 10.  I weighed in at 266 on 9-1-06, and decided it was time to do something........my boss was thinking along the same line and decided to start the "Biggest Loser" contest here at work.  So I joined.  It's been hard, and each day is a struggle.....Mon-Fri, I do great.........watch what I eat, learn portion control........have cut out bread, potatoes, snacks, etc.......(even tho I have to openly confess, the hubby bought these ice cream dripps, and I have had some.....26 of them are 290 calories, and believe me..a couple of them are more then enough to stop that craving.......the chocolate coating with choco ice cream is the best......that is my goodie to me....)..as of thursday 9-28-06 I weighed in at 260.4.....not bad for a month.....proud of the accomplishment...I also have a walking buddy at work, and we walk a mile 1/2 daily and will be increasing .....weekends are my worse......hubby thinks I need to eat healthier and has me make him and me nice big breakfasts............ugh........I love him, but I had to tell him, enough, I want to be here to see my youngest grand dtr walk down the aisle, and she is only 2 years old!!!

My goal is to see 200 lbs again.  I haven't seen that since I was pregnant with my oldest daughter.  I am the type of person tho, that if I set long term goals I won't make it.......so my goal is 10 lbs at a time, and when I have lost that 10 lb, I plan on buying myself something special. 

At the end of each day, I congratulate myself if I made it thru the day.......I do have a question.  Since I am into this walking so much, do I deduct the calories burned from calories consumed?

I have decided to call this "redefining my fluff" instead of a diet!

Here's to Redefining!

Have a great day!!

suthrngal!

I'm still relatively new here too itsmytime (I started on C-c in Aug.), but I've never felt left out of the discussions - you shouldn't either. Sometimes the discussions move pretty quickly and it's hard to keep track of everyone. I'm sure no one intentionally ignored you.

And luseinva, I too don't like the diet word either -  diet is a general term, everyone on the planet is on a diet, whether you eat vegetables, meat, fruits or nuts, or all the above, it's just got a bad rep because most people associate the word only with fat people who eat too much and now have to give up the good stuff because they were some how bad and out of control -  lifestyle change or"redefining the fluff" works better for me:)

Having said all that, Welcome to all the new folks who've posted and those watching from "the bleachers", as luseinva so astutely put it. If you've got 100 plus to lose - this is the place for you!

Just a frivolous option sparked by itsmytime's comment:

Wouldn't it be silly for just one day to have the option of choosing "break it to me gently" or "brutally honest" when submitting BMIs, so "break it to me gently" gives a "you weigh more than you should" and "Brutally honest" gives you "you're fat, nope, not just fat... obese."

Because I think most of us have had to face and acknowledge the fact that we are (or were when we started for those who are farther on the journey) fat.  And if we're denying that we're fat or thinking that we're not as fat as we really are, we're not going to make the change in thinking from "oh, I'm just a little overweight, but I've got curves so it's okay" to "(insert divine being of your choice)! how did I get THAT big!  I can't be THAT big!  I AM that big!  Sheesh, gotta lose!"