Feeling Pretty Helpless

Hey there! So I am 20 years old and already pushing 260 lbs and that's being forgiving..I've tried exercising and eating right, but it's very hard being a college student and working full-time. Not to mention I have a desk job, which doesn't really promote a lot of activity. It's hard to afford the right groceries and forget that expensive gym membership. I was hoping to gain some knowledge from you all and tips or ideas on how to loose this weight in natural way. I'm making my goal weight 160 lbs...that's 100 lbs to loose but I'm determined. I can't look int he mirror one more day, or put on another pair of size 18 pants.. If there's anything you can recommend I'd really appreciate it.

Hi.

I am so sorry to hear you are having a difficult time losing weight. Sometimes things we eat that we think are good for us, are actually preventing us from losing weight. I have tried almost every diet or plan out there, and there has only been one thing that has worked for me. There is a program out there called "whole30" Google it. It's basically taking every type of food out of your diet that may cause allergies. You will learn that something's you might be eating, you have sensitivities to, and they may be what is preventing you from losing the weight. I decided to try it back at the beginning of the year, and I lost a pant size by the end if the first week, then dropped another pant size by the end of week 2. It will take you off all those addictive type foods that make you crave carbs and sugar. It's very strict, but it works! You must stick to it and not go off of it for 30 days though, because it is a detox not a diet!! Once you get past the first two weeks, it gets easier. You will have to eat pretty much all whole foods. Veggies, meats, fish, fruits, and you can have certain nuts. Nothing processed!! Check it out and let me know what you think. There is a book that goes with it called "It starts with food".

Good luck!

Krista

Hi Cassidy!

The hardest thing about losing weight IMHO is changing your mindset and the myths it believes about cost, and time. If you know how to shop, it can be much much cheaper to eat healthy than not to. I used to believe it was more expensive too but it isn't its one of those things we convince ourselves of, so that we dont have to make a change. I'm not judging you, cause ive been there too, im just letting you know and id be happy to help you come with with some affordable recipe ideas.

The other major issue is onvincing ourselves we do not have time. We MAKE time for things we want, new crush? Oh we find time to call, or txt or see them dont we? Exercise is the same, and no you absolutely do not have to be in a gym to lose weight.

I lost 200 pounds without surgery and without a gym membership. I saved money and gained energy,
I kept it off for 7 years too BUT unfortunately, in the last year I gained half of it back and now I am starting from scratch,

The really funny thing is, (not so funny actually) is even though deep down I KNEW it could be cheaper, and I KNEW I could find time, I had convinced myself again that it was expensive, and I had no time.


When you eat less food you're paying less. If you want boxed convenience health food marketed to middle class women you will pay an arm and a leg (and not reap the health benefits of natural whole foods you make from scratch either) When you see the health and cost benefits to eating limited calories of whole foods, you will be amazed at how affordable it is to lose weight.
I save so much money when I am eating properly, I have tons left over for fun stuff like new clothes or makeup, it's win win!

The idea of getting up an hour earlier to work out might seem disgusting but hear me out.
exercise will give you more energy, thats a fact. That extra energy will benefit you greatly, and that hour in the morning wont feel horrible.
Im not gonna lie its going to feel awful the first few weeks, but you know what feels worse?
being fat and upset about it,
diabetes
a heart attack
rejection
etc

if you dont know how to count calories, you need to learn
limit your calories,
move your body> exercise does not have to be boring, I like to dance around to music. Anything that gets your heart rate going and sweat coming out of you is helping!!! think of it as enjoyable movement and it will become easy to keep doing.

best of luck dear.

Hi Cassidy - you sound like me 20 yrs ago, when I was at college.  I was on a budget too.  I got tired of being overweight, and I believe I was closer to 270.  I was able to get down to 180 (by simple exercising and restricting my food intake) and stayed there for many years (somehow, I thought.. "i guess this is where my body wants to be... 180" not true.. just lacked motivation and drive)... then I married when I was 34 and put on 60+ lbs... I am now trying to get down to 160 (for a start at least).  I am currently eating a high protein/low carb diet, which is working really well for me.  I am also restricting my calorie intake to 500 calories per day, and yes, for the first week, it was tough, but then I got used to just eating those 500 calories.  I also take supplements- - as most bariatric patients do.  I exercise at least 5 days a week, 60 minutes each session, and on some days, I throw in an extra 60 minutes of exercise (morning and night).  You have to make time to exercise.  Stop making excuses and do this for yourself.  You can exercise in your living room, walk around your apartment complex or in your current neighborhood.  When you grocery shop, stay out of the center aisles - where the cereals, breads and junk food is located. Shop the perimeter, where you find veggies and proteins.  Tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers are all inexpensive - especially if you are close to a farmer's market.  Eat lean cuts of protein - fish, chicken.  I even stick to prepackaged tuna, where the serving is only 110 calories and little to no fat.. and high in protein.  My doctor told me (he's my PCP) that when one eats, one should always leave yourself a little hungry.  Your body will then go to your fat stores for the energy it needs; but if you've eaten til you full or beyond, then you've given your body the energy it needs to push forward - and your body won't take from your fat stores.  In all the years I've been watching what I eat, I never thought about that - it made so much sense to me.  You can do it.  We can do anything we convince ourselves to.  There's tons of inspiration here on this site.  Good luck on your progress.

I had weight loss surgery about 5 years ago and lost about 100 lbs but started gaining again.  I don't eat a lot but I don't eat the best choices.  No matter what I did, counting calories eating more protein nothing worked!  I went to a wellness seminar that was hosted by Arbonne which is a company that does skin care and nutritional products that are botanically based and vegan, dairy free, soy free, and gluten free.  I followed for 2 weeks and lost 10 lbs   That was first time I lost weight in YEARS.  After the 2 weeks, I admittedly fell off the wagon but did not gain back those 10 lbs!  I am starting again on their 30 days to program and have lost my first 2lbs over the weekend.  There are some dietary changes needed...gluten free, dairy free and sugar free.  But I am a sugar addict and I was able to do it for those two weeks so I know I can do it if I keep at it.  I have a few friends who has also done the program and they have lost 20 plus pounds so I know it works.  If you want to know more about the program, let me know.  It is not easy but it was the ONLY thing that worked for me.  Reply back and we can talk off line if you want to know more.

Being busy and broke is normal for most people! haha But really these are things everyone deals with and it's important for you to be able to get and stay healthy despite of them. We make time for what is important just as a previous poster stated. Try to plan your meals a head of time (the night before). It will help so you don't just grab a quick fast food meal on way home from work/school. Use your lunch hour for walking around the office. Wear ankle weights and do leg lifts under your desk. It may seem odd at first to do some things like this but you will be surprised when your co-workers either are inspired by your efforts to get fit or ask to join in with you! You can do this if you set your mind to it! I  wish you the best of luc****ep us posted and come back for support :D

Hi,

How are you feeling since your last post? It is very common to focus on the food consumed and the amount of exercise we do as the tools to help with weight loss. I find that paying attention to your thoughts around how you view yourself and what you say to your self about your self plays a significant role towards accomplishing goals. This is something that helps the people I work with to make change.

Happy holidays,

Susanne Dorder,M.A.

Binge-Eating Disorder/Food Addiction Specialist