Please Help

Hi everyone.  I was informed about this website today.  So, I'm taking it one step at a time.  I just turned 23, I weigh 283 lbs, and I am 5'11".  I have been overweight my entire life, but have been very active (basketball, volleyball, etc).  The most weight I have ever lost was when I was about 16 or 17 and I lost about 20-30 lbs on an Atkins diet.  I lost it, but I absolutely hated that diet.  The person who informed me of this website told me I should cut out all carbs, and eat 70% protein and the rest fruits and vegetables.  My problem is that I start out all gungho about losing weight and then I kind of teeter off.  I recently had knee surgery in April, so it's kind of hard for me to work out (lower body).  I also eat out of boredom.....alot of the time...  I have a daughter and a husband that love to eat out or whatever tastes good (which is really bad for the scale.....any my self image).. I don't see any support groups for San Antonio, so I was just wondering where I could find support or where I can find people to talk to or stuff that works for all of ya'll.  Please help me!!!  I can't imagine what it would be like to actually be able to go to a "normal" store and by "normal" size clothing...........thanks for any help that is offered!! I greatly appreciate it!!!!! 

I am going to share with you my 'truth'.

I was fat as a child. Slimmed out as a teen.  Gained 60+ lbs when I had my first child at 20yo, then gained more and more fom then on.

I am now 36, and at goal weight for a year- I lost approx 125lbs over 3 years through changing my eating habits and adding exercise.

This is my truth and I hope you hear it and take it onboard to help you start and continue until you are 'normal'.

I now HATE the time I lost as a twenties/early 30's woman.  I hate myself for all the things I missed out on: things like hiking with my family, karate, abseiling, bike riding, iceskating, swimming at the beach.... buying normal cute fashionable clothes.  Most of all I hate that I felt so ugly and fat that I had zero self esteem.

Don't live your life like this.  Take it from someone who lost a decade of her life- get the weight off! You'll never regret it.

Em 

 

I know it wasn't directed at me but thanks for your post.  I found it very motivating.  I think that is my ultimate dream.. to have an active lifestyle and do those sorts of things.  I'm 28 years old and not getting any younger.  It's imperative that I get the weight off now so I can still do those things I want to do..

Thanks Chris,

I am glad you felt motivated.

Make yourself a list of things you want to do, the life you want to have.

I used to use the Nike motto to stop my excuses: Just do it.

You CAN make it happen, day by day you can lose the weight and achieve your goal of a happier healthier life.

Goodluck,

Em

First of all, welcome! I've never shopped in a "regular size" store as an adult.  I have lost a lot of weight and kept it off, but I eventually gained it back.  My personal opinion is that eliminating any food group completely is starting out set up to fail.  I've used those methods in the past and see how I ended up the size that I am.  The body uses each food group as fuel for the body.  I think it is unrealistic to think you will be able to maintain a lifestyle that is too restrictive.  Personally, I don't restrict any food.  I moderate what I eat.  If I want a treat at some point, I plan it.  There are some great trackers online like thedailyplate.com, extrapounds.com, sparkpeople.com.  You can track you activity, measurements/weight, food, journal, get support, etc.  These can be so helpful to keep it going.  I would highly recommend looking at them and finding one you like. Are you still seeing a physical therapist for your knee surgery?  If so I would recommend asking them what they think is good physical activity for you.  Walking is great to start with, if you are able to do that but there are also programs that you can do sitting down.  You can get an ABS ball (weighted ball with handles) and use that with just your upper body while sitting and watching tv. My family goes out to eat and I like going.  It can be difficult but once you get the hang of it, it can be pretty good.  I like to go somewhere that I am familiar with so that I can plan what I will eat BEFORE I get there.  It's great if the place has a menu online.  We go to a place down the street (bar type restaurant) and I can get a 6 oz grilled chicken breast with broccoli and a baked potato.  They offer the chicken breast all different ways like teriyaki, bbq, blackened, etc.  I find I do better if I have a plan. The best advice I can give is to take it one bite at a time.  It's way too overwhelming to look at the big picture so break it down as much as you can.

Hi there!  I think you could start out by figuring out what type of eater you are...Are you a "volume" eater or a "snacker"?  Then you can see if the volume could be spread out throughout the entire day/night, or switch up the snacking to better types of foods.  This is no easy task, losing and maintaining, but many have done it! One step at a time.  Check out Christa's post a few down.  There is alot of good info about this being a lifestyle, not a "diet".  Welcome aboard!

hi CeCe,

Knee surgery and the subsequent inability for me to walk was my turning point, my rock bottom.  When at 40 years old I was faced with not having the mobility that someone my age needed, I figured I was more important than food.

Everyone needs their rock bottom.  Read my profile if you are interested, but we can lose this without surgery, I promise you.

Donna

Hi! I love to see such young peeps feeling the burn to get healthy.  Your youth will work for you, so do not put it off any longer. You do not need to exclude carbs as you say.  BTW:  fruits & veggies are carbs!  I assume you mean grain products should be eliminated.  No, eliminate is a BIG word - as others have said...but DO try to choose more whole grain versions.  Also more importnat that anything, teach yourself what one serving of grain is - for example, rice/pasta TWO servings looks about the size of your fist. measure out what one cup of cereal looks like in your bowls at home. if you're like most people, you may realize that you have been chowing down like 2-3 servings of it at a sitting.  Just realize what a serving is, then plan for about 4-5 servings over a day max. At my age - 50 - i go more for 2-3 servings a day most days. But it is not zero.  As for the restaurant thang...your DH should be on your side with this. if he isn't, stay home except for like 2x monthly.  Most of us cannot afford the fat calories especially to go eat out - very rarely do restaurants have much that you are really going to be able to eat and still lose.  Even if your DH and DD are not heavy - eating out more than 2x monthly is not good for them, either. This should be a family decision.  The money you can put toward fresh fruits and veggies is very much worth it.  In short, your family "should" help you redefine the word "fun" for you - how about more walks?  bikerides? gym memberships? swims? scooter rides....whatever.  i know your knee is hurting, but there must be 100 other things that can be done to get therapy. which is my final recommendation: with all meals and snacks, find ways to eat any form of fruit or most often, veggies.  I have found that those help kill the weird cravings!  best of luck and stick around.

Hi and welcome to the boards!

I have a few suggestions that I give to everyone. I think that they are universally applicable.

 

1. Start a food diary today. Got to www.thedailyplate.com or www.fitday.com and begin entering every bite you take. Learn to measure your food. Be sure that if it goes in your mouth that you put it in the diary. Most people are surprised at what they learn from this activity. After a few days you will be able to see trends. Do you eat too many calories? Too much fat? Too many carbohydrates? The data will tell you what you are doing now.

2. Start drinking water today. Dehydration stalls weight loss and causes feelings of hunger. Giving your body adequate water will help you lose weight. Go for 8 glasses a day. It will be tough at first and you will be peeing all the time for a week or so, but consider running to the bathroom part of your exercise plan.

3. Make a change. After a few days of tracking what you eat you can see places to make a change. Are you going to McD’s for breakfast every day? Why not purchase some fat free, no sugar added yogurts to eat. Or maybe you could make a soft boiled egg and a slice of whole wheat toast to eat before you leave. Make that one change and feel the success of eating one healthy meal a day. Once you’ve conquered that you can move on to lunch!

4. Boost your Metabolism. If you have been a yo-yo dieter consider your metabolism. You may need to retrain it. Try eating every 2 - 3 hours all day long. Small meals of 100 to 200 calories each. This will help keep you from becoming too hungry and it will help your body become a fat burner rather than a fat keeper.

5. Get Moving. Adding even a little bit of exercise to your daily routine helps to build a habit. (this is still on my need to do list)

6. Eliminate the fake stuff. I have found that for me caffeine and artificial sweeteners are a problem. I have reduced my caffeine to 1 cup of coffee a day (down from 2 pots). Caffeine gives your body a source of energy to use. If there is no caffeine it must take from reserves. Artificial sweeteners are also problematic for me because they cause an insulin response and make me hungry. It is just easier for me to go without most of the time.

Take all this for what it is worth. I hope that some of it helps!

Hey Cece, You need to find your nitch.  Do some research on diets.  South Beach, the new Atkins, Curves, Weigh****chers, whatever, and pick one that suits you.  Then come to us and let us know what you're going to commit to.  We'll stand by you every step of the way.  If you have bad days, we'll help pick you up.  When you have good days, we'll help congratulate you.  That's what this website and board is all about.  You just need to find your nitch. Best of luck and we look forward to helping you!!