New here...and a few questions...

Hi, I'm new here.  I just discovered this board the other day.  On one hand its good to see this type of support group, on the other hand I'm a bit worried.  Is it really possible to lose alot of weight without surgery?  I hit 353 at the beginning of the month & that was it for me.  Since then I've been keeping track of my calories (2000 a day), breaking my meals into 5-7 smaller meals a day, fat at about 30% of calories, carbs at 10% or 200 or less a day.  I started exercising on my recumbant bike.  The first day was only 5 minutes.  The second day, I exercised 3 times...5 minutes, 7 minutes & 10 minutes.  The third day I exercised 4 times at 10 minutes each.  After that I exercised an hour a day & for the last week, have been doing 90 minutes a day (once in morning, once at 3pm & once in evening).  I started peddling at about 10mph & now fluctuate between 14-16mph...so its a good workout.   So far it just seems too easy & I'm afraid that I'm too old (43), and that it really wont work:-(  Right now, after 3 weeks, I'm down to 334.5lbs.  Other than gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy (born Jan 07), I'm healthy with normal blood pressure, cholesterol, ect... I've never yo-yo dieted.  And I was a normal size (about 135) up until I was about 20 (then depression issues surfaced and took over my life...until recently). I guess I'm just scared & glad to find a support group.   Is it really possible?  When I get burned out?  Should I have already got burned out by now?  So far I just focusing on keeping my nutritional numbers in check & focusing on portion control & moderation.  Slowly I'm starting to incorporate more healthy foods. Anyway, I hope I'm welcome & hope I'm on the right track. Lisa

In a matter of 3 weeks you are down 19 pounds? WOw great job. It is possible there are alot of people on here that ahve already lost a significant amount of weight with out surgery for example, Donna, Dee, Bud. You will find great support here. I love this board. Sometimes you will totally agree with people and sometimes disagree. But welcome to the boards glad to have you here! Good luck on your journey of weight loss!

Hi Lisa, this is my first time posting on this board, I usually hang over on the Plastic Surgery Board, because that's where I was in my journey by the time I found OH. You ask if it's really possible to lose that much weight without surgery.  Of course it is!  I'm non-op, and have lost a hundred and seventeen pounds, although it took me a few years because I have an extreme case of PCOS, which is why I gained the weight in the first place.  So I'm used to the heartache of losing two and gaining one.  It still amazes me that I came out with my sanity in tact...which may be debatable in some circles!   I just wanted to give you a heads up on the fact that because you have so much weight to lose, that you will lose a lot in the beginning, and then your weight loss will slow down dramatically.  If you are prepared for this now, then you won't be so discouraged when you aren't pulling big numbers on the scale.  As for your age, I'm 50, so although it is possible that your age may make the weight loss harder, it doesn't make it impossible.  But you do have to have it in your heart, that you are special, so you don't lose heart when you aren't losing like a teenager. And if you feel like you are getting burned out with the exercise, take a day off, let your muscles relax, and then they'll be begging to get back to their routine.  Working out is a great depression buster, so think of it as your therapy!  Best wishes to you,  Mary 

Thanks so much Christa & Mary!  Sorry for the typos with my original post...was trying to do 2 things at once-lol!   Thanks for the reassurance!  My therapist told me that it would come off quickly at first & then more slowly...I guess thats why I'm worried...I'm afraid I'll hit a road block & freak out-lol!  I also realize I'll have to eventually be alot more strict with my calories...judging from the posts I'm reading, thats alot compared to most here.  My initial goal was only 3lbs a wee****il I reached about 250, then down to 2&1/2 lbs a week.  So, anything over that is gravy (yumm:-)  We'll see how it goes.   Thanks for the advice about taking a day off.  So far I'm okay.  To be honest, I really dislike the recumbant bike.  But I don't want to do alot of walking & putting extra stress on my knees/feet, until I get at least 50lbs off.  Plus it has a big wide seat to accomodate my backside-lol!  In addition to the bike, I have a really nice treadmill (used with first pregnancy) & a nordic track skier gathering dust in the attic (from my younger days when pretty fit).  I also just purchased a used fluidity bar & program (ballet bar) & want to start doing that every other day, once I get down to 300lbs.   I'm planning on having a full body lift when I get to my goal weight of about 150-160. 

Lisa

Hey Lisa, unlike a lot people, I lost weight to be able to have plastic surgery.  I wore a size H bra, and the weight of my breasts was starting to curve my spine a little bit.  I was miserable exercising through the pain, but it had to be done. So having the goal of losing weight to get a body lift is a very noble goal indeed.   I've had one and it has totally changed the way I feel about myself.  I can't wait to see your before and afters. Mary

it is definitely possible. just focus on making small, maintainable lifestyle changes. you are on the right track with incorporating healthier foods and focusing on moderation. that will help you stay focused in the long run. avoid the dieting mentality and all-or-nothing thinking. start moving - not crazy hour long running or anything, but even just parking further away or taking the stairs can be good changes in the beginning. usually burnout happens when peopel try to make a comple life overhaul and try to change everything at once. there's no ru**** took you a long time to gain the weight and it will take time to lose it. and you definitely have a great start! you need patience and perserverance. and support. find something that will work for you that you can maintain in the long run. this might be different from whatever diet is popular at the time. but if its not realistic for you, it won't work. okay i think i've rambled enough...

Kaglaw: 43 is not old!!!! And of course it is possible without surgery. There are folks all over that have done it without surgery. Think positive and dedicate yourself for life!  You are on the right track. Just make sure what you doing as Andy stated is maintainable for you. -Bud

Not only is it possible but once you get there you will never look back. 

Great start! Goodluck and welcome.

Em

Is it really possible to lose alot of weight without surgery?  So far it just seems too easy & I'm afraid that I'm too old (43), and that it really wont work:-( When I get burned out? HI Lisa!!!!! I'll come back to your questions.... What you are doing seems PERFECT! Do it until it does not work anymore. I would forecast - maybe - a need to drop calories as you get closer to goal. But 2000...that is a good amount of food when planned out well, choosing higher quality foods. You need not feel much hunger at this level! Exercise, I feel, does not have to be an hour at the gym or some other like marathon type thing. I believe and you are proving it...just do some thing most days, for a half hour at the mnimum. Again, as you get more fit, your body will want more challenge.  However, unless you plan to become a competitor, most of us will never burn *that* many calories every day to keep weight off. Exercise for most of us is a way to stay toned, and MAYBE do a little damage control - offset a couple cookies, or too large helpings here and there.  I'm talkin the type of movement most of us do:  exercise videos, 1/2 hour walks, etc.  Those who bike outside more than 20 miles ever, have a trainer, run more than 5mph, etc - that is calorie-burning activity that may make a difference in weight to a degree.  Yes, it's posisble to do this w/o WLS. YOU are doing it now! Keep it up, go the distance.  The other questions are kind of related in my book:  yes, it is easy if your attitude stays fresh and gets re-freshed along the journey. If you're human, expect to feel burned out.  Expect to feel disappointed when effort does not equal outcome!  The solution:  have a plan for those low points.  Say to your self, today i feel like crap about all this, but I will commit to a 10 minute exercise rather than a 30 minute one until i snap out of this funk.  For me, once my mind DRAGS my body out that door, it's all good. I will do lots more than ten whiny minutes...LOL After age 40, weight control really starts sucking hard! We, especially women, do not require very many calories like we did before.  Be VERY happy that you lose on 2000 caloires!  I would gain like a horse (i am 50). Keep it up - wow...stick around and help us keep our reliogion on this, too.