Any Suggestions on loosing weight?

I love food, and I really think getting this 16 lbs off is going to be hard. I have tried OA and am going to start consuleing, I don't know if I am addicted to food, or if I just get bored, it fills a void I don't know! I have to get my butt in gear, my problem is I am ALL or NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!! Anyways any suggestions, I know the calorie count would probably be best! anything that anyone is doing that is working? OH yes and don't let me forget, I am excercising and drinking LOTS of water....

Well, let me ask you.  How bad do you want WLS?  That in and of itself will determine for me how easy or how hard it is to lose the 16 pounds needed to qualify for your surgeon. I think you are taking all the right steps by going to counseling and exercising, but you have to look at the core of your problem. I think perhaps if you stop looking at it as insurmountable, it won't be so difficult. good luck.

Well I don't "want" surgery I feel that this is the last resort for me. I have tried numerous diets, Weigh****chers, Medi Fast with appetite pills, Atkins.. I guess it's not want, I feel that I Need this, but I want to prove to myself that I can loose this 16 lbs first. I have to!! It's one of the hardest decisions I have ever made!

back to your specific question: every day eat: lean proteins - 3-4 servings dark green leafy veggies - 1-2 svgs deep colored fruits - 1-2 svgs any other veggies, - 1-2 svgs (go easy on potatoes & corn, but do eat them 1-3 x weekly) healthy oils (olive, canola, walnut) 1-2 svgs low fat dairy - 2 svgs whole grains, 2-4 svgs dessert like stuf = 1-2x weekly Eating "in balance" as described above will help you not have so many weird cravings. And,,,you will not have room for junkola when you are trying to fit them all in!  Exercise at least 5 days a week for 30 minutes, build up to an hour.

STOP right NOW saying you are *all or nothing*...you cannot be that way any longer if you want to kill this food demon. You have to expect to fall off the wagon once in a while, and you have to be easy and loving on yourslef as you find the path again. Good for you to get to counseling. Who knows, you may wait longer for surgery and see if you can stand on your own two feet and fight your addiction/compulsion/obsession! I hope that you that, in fact.  That food demon will not go away with surgery.  put that in its place first whatever you do.  You sound like you are getting good habits started...keep it up.

things that help me...

1.  write down everything you eat

2. plan ahead

3. eat every 2 hours

4. lots of lean protien, virtually no white carbs...

5.  put one foot in front of the other...  if you fall get up and start over NOW.  Dont wallow...

HI there, Viola had a great list there.  Just remember, it takes "non-ops" LONGER than WLS folks to get the weight off at first, but at the end of one year they are about the same in losses.  WLS or not, its ALL difficult! Just keep going, on step at a time!

I think counseling sounds like a great idea for you.  In order to KEEP the weight off you have to try to redefine your relationship with food.  Surgery just forces you to deal with that sooner rather than later.  If you were to have surgery to force you to eat properly that means you may never be able to have sugar again.  Some people dump from a sip of regular soda.  That means no birthday cake, a little extra turkey and stuffing at Thanksgiving, no beer.  Everyone is different but the surgery is a permanent lifestyle change.  However, if you can change your relationship with food you would be able to have those treats once in a while.  Most of us with extra weight are emotional eaters and/or may not get enough exercise.  I have both problems.  I worked a sedentary job (in front of a computer, ugh) for about 15 years and was a work-aholic.  Sometimes I was able to keep it off for a while, until there was some type of emotional struggle.  Then I'd fall off the wagon and gain back the pounds I lost plus a few of their buddies.  When I'd gain, I would start feeling lousy, not work out and get stuck in a rut all over again. I decided to get my Weigh****chers stuff out again and get back to basics with eating well.  I'm more concerned with food quality.  But I also need to deal with my love affair with food though and will probably try to find someone to talk to about my food issues. I wish you all the success in the world! Beth