Trying to figure out what to do!

Hello, It has been a long road to tow. I have tried diets and exercise for over 20 yrs. They work for a while and I loose the weight but only for a short time.  Now due to a recent back surgery I'm not able to exercise and my weight is at its highest it has ever been in my life. I have a couple of friends that have done the Lap Band one with no success and has had it removed and had a g.bypass now.  Just not sure what I want to do.  I know I want to not have to worry about opening my dressing and having to try on every pair of pants in the morning trying to find something that fits and feels comfortable.  I carry most of my weight in the mid section and hate the site of it in the mirror. Just not sure what to do.  If I do anything now would be the time to do it.  I'm off work due to my back surgery but just scared and in all honesty embarrased. MJ

Atkins is my advice.  See research on my blog. As for exercise, not sure of the nature of your surgery, but can you do either the recumbant bike or the hand bike?

I think a long and honest discussion with your Dr is the best place to start.

I am sure there will be solutions.  These solutions may take a long time.  These solutions might be that for you with your health that it's mainly about reducing weight rather than aiming for a 'perfect' weight. I am sure there will be no quick fix, but I am confident there will be ways to make a change.  It is worth discussing all options, including the appropriateness of weight loss surgery for you.

Hydro therapy based exercise is often the only one tolerated by people with pain- as the water takes your weight- might be worth exploring this possibility.

Good luck,

Em

I also say go to a very good internist about a specific eating plan for you!  As for me, I was givin a eating plan by my Endocrinologist when I was at 285. She put me on a very simple diet: 1600 calories a day, try to keep carbs low (but not cut them out), try to increase my fiber intake when I can, she gave me a Calorie Counting book, and sent me on my way! I write down all my food in a notebook, use my Calorie King book, use my digital food scale, and count the calories each day. Honestly, exercises is not a big part of my program right now. Any good certified trainer will tell you that food choices is absolutely KEY in losing weight. I'd say start slow, be real and honest with yourself at all times, and just go for it!  Keep us posted

Hi MJ.  My weight is also around my midsection - hate it! just hard to hide it, and not sexy by anyone's standards.  Anyhooo, I second the notion that exercise is about tone mainly; yes to a degree a program helps your body become more efficient.  I adore exercise and am completely hooked for a looong list of reasons, but I have long agao put my regimen at about 20% of my healthy plans. What I eat is 80-90% important! Unless you exercise at competition levels, you are doing damage control anyway - maybe offsetting a couple hundred calories. So, for now, especially as you heal, set that aside.  Your food plan is paramount.  whatever food plan has worked for you in the past, give it a go again, this time with feeling. I have come to realize that obesity is a chronic illness and the point is: you MUST have a plan. Weight loss for folks like us is not a temporary state where we do _______ for a time then ride off into the sunset where we go right back to old ways.  Nope, you have to set your cap to realize that even at maintenance, you must abide by a plan. WLS initially gets weight off rather quickly for most peeps, after that, it boils down to eat right, exercise. I too eat somewhat less grains in my daily food.  I stick to about 1-3 servings - I'm talking actually no more than 15g of grains per serving when I am trying to drop weight (read labels! example:  one high fiber english muffin = about 50-60 g, about 3-4 servings!) At "maintenance, i only score about 1-2 additional servings.  One serving of bread = 1/2 piece sliced bread or half my fist of rice/pasta/cereal.   I have found that making sure I eat veggies with most meals and couple snacks helps my body feel satisfied. It's weird.  I try to get in 1-2 pieces of fruit daily too.  Of course, the types of food that gets most people in trouble is candy, desserts and fast foods. For me, it is booze.  i pass up cookies, cakes, breads for a few drinkie poos each week.  The point is choose what you really like and abandon all other "extra foods".   We have reached a point where we can longer eat any foods in whatever quantitites, so choices are really important. I very much beleive in moderation rather than deprivation. So, again, teach yourself to be happy with less of the bad stuff, more of the better stuff.  Glad to see ya! Hang out.