NEW HERE, NEED ADVICE ON WHERE TO START

I'm going to be 25 at the end of this month and my body looks nothing like planned. I know, it happens, but 6 yrs ago I was happy with myself and I thought I looked amazing. I was at my highest during my senior year of highschool at 256. After I graduated I started eating healthy and even working out and then things went downhill and I got into some serious drugs. I stopped eating almost completely and I lost 30lbs in 2 1/2 months. I got sick and the pounds continued to drop rapidly and I had to see numerous dr's before getting better and getting back UP to my reg weight. I was still a little under my needed weight but healthy and happy again when I got pregnant with my son. My weight just went up from there and continued to climb. My weight was almost under control and I was not gaining more but not losing any either. Then I met my wife when my son was 6 months old. 5 months into our relationship we got engaged and with added streeses, financially I started eating like I did in highschool. until I got back to my highest 256. Now that it's been 4 yrs since I met my wife I have gone above my highest and am now stuck at 265. My son has health issues so he cant go walking with me in this heat and i need some new advice on where to start. Workouts are ok even though I cant afford a gym mebership but its so hard to get motivated with all of our other worries. I'm so negative towards myself and I'm desperate to change. Any advice will help.

WELCOME.  Have you been to the Dr's office for your initial consult?  During mine they gave me a so many calorie diet  and food had to be so many grams of sugar or less.  I started walking 1/2 block during one of my breaks, then I would increase it after that got easy.  I have an apartment and I make many trips.  Seems funny to take one thing at a time when you can take 10 things at once and be done with it.  Many trips kept me walking.  I didn't worry about a gym at first I just walked around the block and even walked thru WalMart and other stores.  To me it still counts.  Remember to look forward not backwards.  I make little goals which are easier for me to reach, like every 25 lbs lost instead of 100 lbs to loose.  It keeps me focused and a positive attitude.

Good Luck,  

Sandy

Lets take a step back...are you asking for weight loss advice or how to move forward with surgery?

I guess the starting point for either would be to talk to your doctors, your health insurance company, a nutritionist, and personal trainer. Each of these people/places have different perspective on things and maybe able to offer insight into all the different paths. Doc is first step though...

I totally agree that you need to take a step back and focus on incremental changes and live it one day at a time...It is hard to do but thats why we are here to get help....

If you want help with something specific please let us know there are alot of good people here with alot of experience that will try to help.

Welcome to the boards!  I think you've made a great first step by making it here.  There is a wealth of information and some really helpful people who are very generous with their hard earned experience.

Like G, I also recommend taking a step back as well and really looking at and developing your goals.  Also, depending on the resources in your area, there are some great resources too.  If you decide to go the surgery route, there are some great offices that you can go through similar to the one I used.  They have people who can walk with you through the whole process, which can be pretty intimidating from an individual standpoint.  But really take a few breaths, a little time and look at where you want to go.  

Take it easy, and you'll get there.

Sincerely,

Danny

Welcome and welcome to the start of your journey to a better life. Life does throw us both the good and bad. Moving ahead with WLS needs you to be focused on your goal and knowledgeable of what changes will occur in your life. The changes are not guaranteed, are not always what we expect and often difficult to obtain.

You need to take advantage of counseling on this journey. Many surgeon's offices provide this or can point you to a counselor. You may need to contact a community agency for help. Your first step should be getting yourself in a mental state that you can rely on during this journey.

Best of luck. It sounds like you are on the way. Just remember to look forward and don't dwell on your past mistakes and missteps.

Tom