I NEED HELP...getting started to lose weight..
ashley S.
on 5/11/09 1:19 pm - akron, OH
on 5/11/09 1:19 pm - akron, OH
Hey..everyone my name is ashley and i am 24.. i have been off and on trying to lose weight since i can remember..i have always been larger, but i need to change (5'5.5" and 306lb). the problem is that i cannot bring myself to start, i need motivation..i recently started a weight lose competition with sisters and friends and everyone is loosing but me..sometimes i get so depressed over the want to start and feeling left out or like people are talking about my weight when they arent..its crazzy i know..but if any of you lucky weight losers have a minute...i will appreciate any help....oh yeah sorry about the typing im being lazy..and i like the dots..alot!
Your motivation comes when you get real about what it is you want and how it is you feel.
For me, at 320, it was frustration with all previous attempts, realizing my life was passing me by and I wasn't the person I desired to be. I had come to hate my fat, rather than excuse it or accept it, and hating a part of me, I wanted to get rid of it and be all that I desired to be.
I researched WLS, passed on that, started at the gym, tried various diets and went so far from a 26/28 to a 14. I'm also now a fitness rockstar and getting my training certifications. More to go with the weight loss, but I'm far happier than I was.
Motivation sometimes wanes when I let my emotions get the best of me, but it's still all about the payoff. What was I getting out of being fat that was good? Not a darn thing....
For me, at 320, it was frustration with all previous attempts, realizing my life was passing me by and I wasn't the person I desired to be. I had come to hate my fat, rather than excuse it or accept it, and hating a part of me, I wanted to get rid of it and be all that I desired to be.
I researched WLS, passed on that, started at the gym, tried various diets and went so far from a 26/28 to a 14. I'm also now a fitness rockstar and getting my training certifications. More to go with the weight loss, but I'm far happier than I was.
Motivation sometimes wanes when I let my emotions get the best of me, but it's still all about the payoff. What was I getting out of being fat that was good? Not a darn thing....
Hi Ashley, welcome to the Board. I suppose that you would consider me, how did you put it, one of the 'lucky weight losers'. Let me be very explicit in my response, luck had NOTHING to do with it!!! It was hard work pure and simple. If I've learned anything, I've learned that weight loss is a head game and you have to keep your mind focused on it at all times cuz once you let your guard down for just one day, you are in danger of going off on a binge that will only serve to defeat your winning attitude. Like Jerze said, results will help fuel your motivation if your mindset is in the right place, but I've seen too many folks get results and then blow them all in two weeks time because they lost their focus.
First, you need a plan. Then you need to focus on what it will take for you to work that plan. Having your plan food available is 'critical' because if you don't, it's just too easy to stick trash in your mouth and convince yasself that it's a great excuse. You need to know how you will handle feelings of deprivation before you feel deprived! I don't know of one plan that says that sugar is healthy, so if you are going to try to be healthy, no sugar. It only leads to cravings for more simple carbohydrates that are as evil as sugar. Strive to eat COMPLEX carbs and as close to nature as possible.
Don't take on too much in the beginning. Learning to work your diet has got to be your number one focus. Give it a few months and it will become second nature to you. In the meantime, start working out at a pace that is going to keep you motivated but not burnt out. Then if you find that you love it...go for it! Nothing empowers you more than to feel those physical changes that come with 'girl muscles' and stamina.
I hope you get your mind focused and start losing soon,
Mary
First, you need a plan. Then you need to focus on what it will take for you to work that plan. Having your plan food available is 'critical' because if you don't, it's just too easy to stick trash in your mouth and convince yasself that it's a great excuse. You need to know how you will handle feelings of deprivation before you feel deprived! I don't know of one plan that says that sugar is healthy, so if you are going to try to be healthy, no sugar. It only leads to cravings for more simple carbohydrates that are as evil as sugar. Strive to eat COMPLEX carbs and as close to nature as possible.
Don't take on too much in the beginning. Learning to work your diet has got to be your number one focus. Give it a few months and it will become second nature to you. In the meantime, start working out at a pace that is going to keep you motivated but not burnt out. Then if you find that you love it...go for it! Nothing empowers you more than to feel those physical changes that come with 'girl muscles' and stamina.
I hope you get your mind focused and start losing soon,
Mary
Hi Ashley!
Welcome...please let us know what you define as your biggest downfalls, example: fast foods or cupboard junk or lazy nature.
I have found that a weight loss competetion scenario just makes me feel like i won't win anyway, so why try. For one thing, this whole deal is not a start/stop issue. There may be a starting place, but there is no finish line, no last weigh in. Well, until the undertaker does it.
It is changing things - being DYNAMIC; starting small and going fforward until the small change(s) don't work anymore, then you switch gears.
i promise you one thing: you will not crave less nutritious foods after you have taught yourself to eat whole, good foods. You will find more things that maybe you don't do now as irresistable. I cannot - CANNOT - go without exercise, for example. Like on vacation, when it's harder to eat well, I cannot wait to get home to eat my leafy greens, my meats, my dairy products, fresh fruit.
As for the dots...we all have our style. I like dots....
Welcome...please let us know what you define as your biggest downfalls, example: fast foods or cupboard junk or lazy nature.
I have found that a weight loss competetion scenario just makes me feel like i won't win anyway, so why try. For one thing, this whole deal is not a start/stop issue. There may be a starting place, but there is no finish line, no last weigh in. Well, until the undertaker does it.
It is changing things - being DYNAMIC; starting small and going fforward until the small change(s) don't work anymore, then you switch gears.
i promise you one thing: you will not crave less nutritious foods after you have taught yourself to eat whole, good foods. You will find more things that maybe you don't do now as irresistable. I cannot - CANNOT - go without exercise, for example. Like on vacation, when it's harder to eat well, I cannot wait to get home to eat my leafy greens, my meats, my dairy products, fresh fruit.
As for the dots...we all have our style. I like dots....
"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." ~Mark Twain
(deactivated member)
on 5/13/09 1:02 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
on 5/13/09 1:02 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
Hi Ashley,
Welcome to the board.
I want to start by saying I (as many others do) totally understand what you are feeling and going through. I spent at least 30 years of my life in a body I hated and could not dig up the motivation and drive to truly take control until 18 months ago (at 50 yrs old).
First I have to be brutally honest.....the motivation MUST come from within. Nobody can motivate you. You have to want this. You have to want to improve and your health and live a longer healthy life (that is what motivated me). Luck has nothing to do with it. I feel blessed that God kept me alive long enough to take control and I hope and pray I didn't wait till it was too late. Walking around in an obese state for about 30 years must have done some damage to my internal organs....I hope not....but realistically it is very possible. I have been very fortunate that I did not get diabetes or cancer or other diseases known to be caused by obesity. Like I said I hope and pray I didn't wait till it was too late. I remember being 28 and saying I will turn 30 and be this fat......I DID. I remember saying I will not turn 40 and be this fat.....but I DID. I remember saying I WILL NOT turn 50 and be this fat.......BUT I DID!!!!!!! and then I said I WILL NOT LIVE THIS WAY ANYMORE and I made a change!!!!!
I tell you this not to anger you but to encourage you not to waste your young beautiful life like I DID! My biggest regret is that I didn't take control and make a real change sooner. So many things I would have done.......so many things I missed out on all because I was miserable in my fat body. The saddest part for me is it was all within my own control but I didn't fully recognize that and didn't make a real change.
I hope you can dig within yourself enough of a desire want to life that you can get started.
If there is anything I can do to help you with learning how to eat healthy or how to properly exercise I would be happy to do so........just send me a PM to discuss.
Once again, I hope I didn't upset you with this post......It is my strongest desire to help younger people like yourself to make a change and not wait too long like I did.
Best wishes to you today and in your future
Ruth
Welcome to the board.
I want to start by saying I (as many others do) totally understand what you are feeling and going through. I spent at least 30 years of my life in a body I hated and could not dig up the motivation and drive to truly take control until 18 months ago (at 50 yrs old).
First I have to be brutally honest.....the motivation MUST come from within. Nobody can motivate you. You have to want this. You have to want to improve and your health and live a longer healthy life (that is what motivated me). Luck has nothing to do with it. I feel blessed that God kept me alive long enough to take control and I hope and pray I didn't wait till it was too late. Walking around in an obese state for about 30 years must have done some damage to my internal organs....I hope not....but realistically it is very possible. I have been very fortunate that I did not get diabetes or cancer or other diseases known to be caused by obesity. Like I said I hope and pray I didn't wait till it was too late. I remember being 28 and saying I will turn 30 and be this fat......I DID. I remember saying I will not turn 40 and be this fat.....but I DID. I remember saying I WILL NOT turn 50 and be this fat.......BUT I DID!!!!!!! and then I said I WILL NOT LIVE THIS WAY ANYMORE and I made a change!!!!!
I tell you this not to anger you but to encourage you not to waste your young beautiful life like I DID! My biggest regret is that I didn't take control and make a real change sooner. So many things I would have done.......so many things I missed out on all because I was miserable in my fat body. The saddest part for me is it was all within my own control but I didn't fully recognize that and didn't make a real change.
I hope you can dig within yourself enough of a desire want to life that you can get started.
If there is anything I can do to help you with learning how to eat healthy or how to properly exercise I would be happy to do so........just send me a PM to discuss.
Once again, I hope I didn't upset you with this post......It is my strongest desire to help younger people like yourself to make a change and not wait too long like I did.
Best wishes to you today and in your future
Ruth
I very much agree with Ruth here: please you younger folks, take charge and get on this now! Not only is your younger body far more receptive, but the joy that waits you when you can move and groove is so precious.
"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." ~Mark Twain
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