I need serious help

Hi everyone, I've not come here or posted in such a long time. I've reached a plateau for 4 months now and can't seem to lose another pound. I know I'm not eating properly. I know I'm not drinking enough water. I know I'm not exercising enough. I'm getting so down on myself. I started at 284 and have only lost 80 lbs. I want to be below 200 soooo bad, but seem to be sabotaging myself. I've met a really nice man in my weight loss group. He's interested and we've dated a few times. I have every reason to work hard to get the rest of my weight off, but I'm not doing it. I'm soooo depressed about this. I'm ashamed of myself. I'm beginning to hide out again. Those of you that have lost down to onederland, how do you eat, how much do you exercise, what do you eat, what are you doing day after day? Someone, please help me. Also, just to note...I'm from south Louisiana and have had the Hurricane Katrina and Rita devastations. My surgeon lost everything and our support groups have fallen apart. I have not had my bloodwork done and feel no support from my Dr. This isn't helping at all. Can any of you help lead me back on track? I'll try my best to do as you suggest. I WANT to lose this weight! I deserve it. Love to all, Karen Harson

Donna hugging you close I'm not losing either and it's for all the same reason you said your not losing. I don't eat ENOUGH and get my water in take in. I walk all day at my job but that's about it. How about trying to work out with the new guy you meet at -;) Share your feelings with him, surely he must understand. My husband gets me out of the house to walk on my days off with him but I have to start forcing the water as I'm finding out if I don't drink enough then I get sick when I eat. I'm learning my body and my body is telling me, TAKE CARE OF ME. Right now I'm in a size 10 pants and I feel comfortable with my weight but still I feel I should be losing more. Donna 338/165

One day at a time. Protein first, tons of water, light exercise. I am struggling to do this too. Hugs, Laura

The further out I get the more the old habits want to kick in - every day I must remember the rules - protein first, eat and chew slowly...water, water, water...walking (at least)...vitamins....I go a few weeks with letting bad habits creep back in (crackers are my bad habit)...then I behave myself. I am 11 pounds from goal (my goal I don't know where the doc wants me)...the protein really does fill me up and if I eat that first, I don't want the rest of the junk...YOU are not bad, you are just making wrong choices. You said it in the beginning - you know you are not eating like you should...don't overwelm yourself - just start again and consider eveything you put in your mouth...I have to do that - is this cracker worth this - is this ???? worth my health? Don't beat yourself up - that also is the old way...beat yourself up and then give up...you have gone too far to quit - now stand up, take a deep breath, look in the mirror and say I am a beautiful person - I am worth being healthy and I am worth being loved... Where in Louisiana - I have family in Lake Charles...I was born in DeRidder

The crackers get me too! I just can't leave those things alone. I do my best to just not buy them, if they aren't in the house, then I can't them. Thats seems to work for me. Cheryl

I like crackers also and I think it's because they go down so easly for me. I have a hard time with meats Donna 338/165

How about tought love. KAREN, GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND GET BACK ON TRACK NOW Did it work? Donna

tHANKS FOR POSTING THIS. I'm feeling like this too. Cheri

hahahahaha, Yes Donna, that worked nicely! I did soooo well yesterday. Now, kick me twice a day till I reach goal, okay? lol Seriously... you ladies are the bomb! I feel so supported and encouraged. Yesterday I worked my program like old times. I feel like I can do it again today. I'm not going to go far away again. I NEED you all and I NEED this board. Thank you all soooooo much! Love, Karen

hi karen, ok i'll be a year out dec 13th '05. i have lost a total of 155 lbs and will be having plastic surgery on dec 12th. i put myself back on a liquid diet as of nov 28th and hopefully by the date of surgery i'll be at 145 so when they cut off 10 lbs, i'll be at my goal of 135. now that you know ny history..i too am suffering. it's a lot of weight to lose at a fast pace and i havent been taking my vitamins, but i'm starting to fix that. i haven't worked out at all so i dunno..what i have done is as follows..not eat and drink with meals..wait a half hour in between...(i don't follow this religiously but i will get back on track. i have been good with it), i snack on pretzela, fruits, popcorn and other stuff. i eat no sugar!!! no concentrated sweets!! if i want alcohol, i have a light beer, glass of wine or a white wine spritzer. i'll eat a small bag of combos which has 7 grams of sugar or a granola bar which has 6 but that's a lot for me. i try to stay away from sugar free foods. keep in mind, even when they have no sugar or a sugar substitute, there are still plenty of carbs. i don't drink soda really.. i live on lots of water, unsweetened iced tea, coffee or hot tea and that's it. no juices or anything sweet. jus****ch what you eat and how it's prepared. i don;t really follow the protein first thing. if i'm eating chicken and broccolli rabe, i mix the two together and so on. best of luck to you karen..hang in there. i have 20 lbs to go and i'm flipping out too so i understand what you are going through. good luck and happy thanksgiving!