Hi, new with some questions

I posted on the main board the other day and was referred here.

My weight is like a yo-yo, I can take months to lose weight, but can put it back on without realizing it.  I got down to 240 last year by barely eating, but If I eat semi normal, it comes back on.  I really want WLS, but its not in the cards right now...  What do you do to get the mind-set to lose & keep losing?

I've done LA Weight Loss, Weigh****chers at work (with books), Alli, many other diet pills, fad diets, but nothing keeps the weight off me.  I'll admit I'm lazy on exercising.  I could swim all day in a pool, but if I walk any period of time my left ankle swells like a balloon & no way can I jiggle in a gym... I have way too many excuses for myself.

I've read up on hypnosis & acupuncture.  I'm willing to try about anything.  Any reviews on either of these?  Thanks!

Welcome to the non-op board! 
I read in your profile that you've had your thyroid checked.  Several years ago, I gained a lot of weight in a short amount of time and wasn't able to lose it.  Admittedly, I was under a tremendous amount of stress and had horrible insomnia.
The first time my thyroid was tested, it was normal.  The second time it was tested, it was quite low.  I lost 50 pounds VERY quickly after starting a dose of synthroid.  The rest of the weight I lost (70) pounds was NOT easy to lose.  I was very disciplined (and still am) with the choices I made about food and my level of activity.
We have to step out of our comfort zone in order to get where we want to be.  If you want it bad enough, you can make it happen.
As I said, it's not easy but it's worth it - YOU are worth it.
There are lots of very knowledgable people on this board who have made life long changes to get where they want to be.
Good luck and stick around,
Kim

Welcome to the board!

This is a great board, with many different ways of eating.  I'm wondering if your problem is not sticking to something for a long period of time?  I'm not saying that is what it is, but I also have to eat well just to maintain my weight at 300 pounds.  I've yo-yoed in the past, done ever diet out there.  Even lost a 100 pounds before, but never stuck to the same program for long. Think it racks havoc on your metabolism too.  Any how, find a way of eating you like and get on it!  

Exercising is a big one, and I'm guilty as you are on not doing much.  I've been researching diferent activities to get me excited about it again.  The only time I really like exercising is when I'm thinner.  So whatever I decide to do has to really catch my interest.  Maybe you should start researching also? 

Whatever you decide, good luck! 

Holly & Kim both make valid points..

  Of course I'm gonna put my 2 cents in here.  Fad diets are just that.. FADS... and like your weight, they'll come and go -  what we really need to do is make permanent changes.  Like you were saying, you lost that weight by barely eating.... eeeew... sounds like an invitation to gain all the weight back and THEN some.

  Maybe WW isn't for you... or maybe it IS for you with added support.  There are a few folks here who have seen success with WW!  Maybe alli isn't for you .. maybe those fads you mentioned just aren't for you.  Have you attempted low carb (of course I'm going to bring this up cause I lost over 100 lbs so far with it)...  The one thing I do realize is that there isn't going to come a day when I say "ok, I can go back to doing what I was doing before I lost all the weight".  My "normal" is going to be what I'm doing now.. forever.  Getting into a mindset like this helps quite a bit!!  :)

  I wouldn't stress too much about the gym.  When I walked in I was 265 lbs.. and yea.. I jiggled, but guess what.... Now there are a hell of a lot more people jiggling way more than I do.  Go in with blinders and pretend no one can see you and just do your do!!  :)

  Anyway.. I wish you the best of luck in whichever plan you choose, and if you do decide to work a particular plan, keep posting here...  many of us are finding success with different programs and everyone will be more than happy to offer assistance.

  Don't forget to post in the "what did you eat today".  It helps point out what we're doing right and what changes we can make!

God Bless!

Lori

 

 

 

 

Thanks for ya'lls words of encouragement!!!

  Its been about a year or two since the thryroid test.  It is true, I'm very hyper (of the mind...wish the body) and its hard to stay focused on one thing (diet).  I've never tried the low carb diet yet- I heart carbs.  I eat lots of fruit/veggies, but sweets and mixed drinks are my weakness.  I hate aspertame (sp?) taste, I'd rather drink water than diet soda.  I type this while sneaking my kids gummy worms (5 worms= 160 calories, yikes).  No one I know is on a diet, I'm the big girl, so it helps reading stories/profiles of people going through the same thing as me.  On a side note, when taking in 500-700 calories a day, I was making most of it not stay down...  I definately didn't do it a healthy way. 

My mama looked up a place online called The Bariatric Clinic.  Its physician managed weight loss and you get B-12 shots.  Has anyone got these shots and what do they do for you?

Hi tater!  Welcome

I am the same way, struggle to lose, but the instant I take my eyes off what I am doing...weight creeps up.

So, you will learn as I have the trick is:  keep eyes on it all of the time. I have to weigh in at least once monthly to get a reality check. More than that I get obsessed, less than that, i get fat.

Exercise is not exactly a must, but it helps in many other ways. Your food is 80-90% of the weight loss equation.  Exercise helps you maximize efforts, so do try to get off the couch for at least a half hour every day! And have fun...you do not have to beat yourself to death sweating and wrangling all over the gym.  A walk outside, a bike ride...just move.

Again, welcome!

Hi tater!  Welcome

I am the same way, struggle to lose, but the instant I take my eyes off what I am doing...weight creeps up.

So, you will learn as I have the trick is:  keep eyes on it all of the time. I have to weigh in at least once monthly to get a reality check. More than that I get obsessed, less than that, i get fat.

Exercise is not exactly a must, but it helps in many other ways. Your food is 80-90% of the weight loss equation.  Exercise helps you maximize efforts, so do try to get off the couch for at least a half hour every day! And have fun...you do not have to beat yourself to death sweating and wrangling all over the gym.  A walk outside, a bike ride...just move.

Again, welcome!

Hello and Welcome!

I have to throw my 2 cents in about Weigh****cher's. It's not a fad like other things that have been mentioned. WW has truly taught me how to eat and how to change my relationship with food. With WW you do NOT have to buy a single one of their products. You learn to eat real food, in real world situations.

I don't think anyone was calling WW a fad diet, but I just wanted to clarify that for anyone reading this that is not familiar with WW.

OK, now I'm off my soapbox.   I don't know what program would be best for you, but what I can tell you is that you must stick with something for it to work. If you stop and give up, you are guarenteed to not accomplish your goals. I've been doing WW for 2.5 years. I've had a lot of losses, but I've also had a lot of gains as well- most of them undeserved. I continue to stick with it because I know that giving up means not achieving my goals. It's going to take a long time. It's not always going to be easy, but how I feel now, vs. how I used to feel... there's NO comparison.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do. If you have any questions, pleas ask!

~Wendy

Hello all,
I think I have been in every board around OH.(RNY, LapBand, no-wls)
I loved your post and completely relate to your situation, Cristal.
Until this morning I was for sure going to try the RNY. I changed my mind, for personal reasons. I am going to try, again. other methods.
I am starting the low carb diet tomorrow and going to stick with it. Do you want to join me? I am also starting to ride my bike more often.
I know how you feel. I have an appointment with the surgeon for a wls and will cancel it tomorrow..
Wish me luck!!!!!

Wendy, I've never actually attended a meeting, but my boss's wife (whose books us co-workers) borrowed has done awesome with WW.  I'm not dedicated enough I do think.  I've been told as good as I am with numbers, counting points should be not problem.  You look awesome, so I'm sure it does work. 

Leca, heck yeah I'll try anything once!  Thanks for liking my post btw!  Today I think I had all carbs, so lets start tomorrow :).  I've actually been craving really bad sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, & spinach chicken, hopefully no carbs in that (I like odd food combinations & no chance I'm pregs though dh does ask when I make my meal suggestions, lol).    I haven't actually rode a bike since I got my liscense umm....13 years ago, its a Huffy 18 speed still in my mama's basement somewhere.

I did call the Y today and faxed in an application.  I also called the Bariatric Clinic and got the rates- $120 for first visit & $60 for visits after that for weight ins & B-12 shot.  Think I might try the Y for a month to see how much I lose on my own with actual effort, then try out this place.  I've read where you can give yourself a B-12 shot, any tips on legit places to buy this & honestly does the shot hurt?  I've got 3 tattoos and they didn't hurt, but when it comes time to give blood I close my eyes, turn my head & flinch like a baby.  Kinda wouldn't work doing my own shot, though would it, lol!

My proud moment of the day, since I'm probably giving TMI anyways, I like sugar A LOT, especially chocolate and/or cream cheese stuff.  After supper, I opened the chocolate icing hidden in the back of the cabinet  & got a huge tablespoon.  I licked it once time & washed the rest down the drain.   Yay me.  In the past two weeks I've had a spider bite & a bee sting, so I've concluded I must be too sweet, ha!