struggling

i have lost 5o pounds since last nov with the band but have gotten stuck in a rut. i have about 35 more pounds to get to my personal goal. i think its a number thing. i feel like i am close so have allowed carby foods back in. they seem easier and more convenient to eat. i need some motivation and tips because i am getting so frustrated.

50 pounds is great! Your over half way there. You are right about the carbs. Also, you don't mention if your excersising. If your not, I highly reccomend you start. It is a huge piece of the puzzle. Not only does it help with weight loss, there is something about it that helps with food choices. Start out slow and gradually increase your speed/duration. I started out with a slow walk for 20 minutes. I now jog for 30 or walk very briskly on an incline for 40. You can do it! Keep us posted on how your doing. Best wishes.

i have been walking half an hour most days. i did try running but my knees hurt so bad that i was advised to walk instead. i haven't walked though in the last few days due to the heat wave. i should bsut my wii out for a little more movement.

See if there's a local gym that you can buy membership by the week.  That's what I did starting out.  That way, you can walk on a treadmill and increase the incline and get more of a workout.  Much easier to walk indoors this time of year.  Most gyms also have bikes which you could also give a try.

You could also get a trainer to teach you exercises to strengthen your quad muscles which will help your knees.

I know.. I had moderately bad knees a year ago, with gradual increase in exercise and help from trainers, I've gone to much better knees.  Getting the muscles stronger can really help.

Hope this helps...

Are you attending regular support group meetings?
This is from one of our Support Group Meetings. I just have to post this, as soooooo many of us are Emotional Eaters!!!!I keep this posted at work, in areas I can get a glance of it, especially where I keep my emergency food stash.

                              Eight Signs of Emotional Eating

A lot of people ask, "How do I know if I am over eating for emotional reasons?" If any of the following statements sound like they could apply to you, then it's likely you are struggling with emotional eating.


1. My hunger comes on suddenly. Physical hunger comes on slowly. Hunger from emotional eating often comes on quickly and suddenly.

 

2. I crave specific foods-generally not carrot sticks or steamed broccoli.Cravings for specific foods usually unhealthy foods are signs of emotional eating. Often people like the rush they get from satisfying their cravings. The rush is fulfilling emotional hunger.　

3. My hunger feels urgent- I need a particular food right away and I am willing to walk out of my way, or get in your car late at night, or raid my kids Halloween candy to get it.  Physical hunger, unless you haven’t eaten for a long time, is usually pretty patient. It will wait for food. Emotional hunger demands to be satisfied immediately.

4. My hunger is often paired with an upsetting emotion- if I backtrack a few hours or a few days I’ll usually find an upsetting event and feeling that triggered the urge. Hunger thats comnnected to an upsetting emotion or situation is definately emotional hunger. Physical hunger is not typically triggered by emotions.

5. My eating habits involve unconscious eating-all of a sudden I’m eating ice cream and I find the whole contianer is gone.

6. I don’t stop eating in response to being full- I keep wanting more of the taste of the food. Physical hunger doesn’t need to be stuffed in order to be satisfied. Emotional hunger on the other hand often demands more and more food to feel satisfied.

7. My hunger isn’t located in he belly- I crave the taste of a certain food in my mouth or I can’t stop thinking of a certan food.  Feeling hungry in this way is usually a sign of emotional hunger or binging. Physical hunger is happy to get what it can, while emotional hunger usually focuses on specific tastes and textures.

8. After I satisfy my hunger, I am often filled with a sense of regret or guilt.  Feeding your body what it needs is not something to feel guilty about. If you feel guilty after you eat, it’s likely because part of you knows you’re not eating just to satisfy physical hunger.

When you’re eating for phyiscal reasons, you are usually mindful of what you’re doing. If you catch yourself eating, “just because", then its likely you’re eating for emotional reasons..