I am afraid to even post this...

kdeaux1959

Ok, breathe deep and relax. You can do this. Don't focus right now on 200 pounds to lose. Focus on a smaller victory. You probably have some other health issues... That may well exacerbate the situation. That is ok. Focus on a 2 lb per week weight loss. Keep your calories in check. Don't worry too much about a lot of exercise to start out. That will come. Just 2 lbs per week. In 10 weeks, you will be down 20 lbs... That is 449... Less than 450.... That will be good (Actually, you will likely make it to less than that in 10 weeks. At that weight, you can consume a lot of calories and still lose weight --- but you do have to change your lifestyle. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of... Many go through that. You can make it through that as well. Often a side effect of mood disorders is either over or under eating. We eat to comfort us... But the key is to watch what it is we do eat.

Consume nutritious food. My bet is that you may actually be UNDER nourished. Many obese people are (Yes, I was obese... Notice my ticker.. I was 344 when I started about a year and a half ago. I am now 220 +/-... I don't focus on 2 lb per week (or really any loss at all right now... Losing still comes.. it is just slower and I am ok with that)... I was on BP meds... I am no more and often my BP is less than what it was when I was on meds. You can still have some ice cream and a little cake but just consume less than you have before. Change things gradually. As you lose weight, you will have to tighten the wrench a little tighter and start doing some exercise. Yup, the "E" word. But it is not as bad as it sounds. Find something you like to do and do it... For me it included going to a gym... I can't stand a spin bike so guess what... I don't spin.. But I don't mind a tread mill and I'll do that. I like weights and most are amazed at the transformation my body has made.. I actually wear a size 32 pants (I wore a size 34 pant when I was 170 pounds several years ago... the differnece? Weights... I have more lean body mass than I ever have. My body fat percentage is well below what it has been in a long time... But, a year and a half ago, I was taking the same single trepeditious step you are making today. you can do it. I have confidence in you. Just do it one step at a time... One day at a time. If you mess up today? Start new tomorrow. JUST DON"T GIVE UP. You've got this ...

metacognition

Hi Tom,

Welcome. I believe that you can do this.

You have a long way to go. It will be hard at first, but your body will eventually adapt to fewer calories and exercise.
It gets easy once you reach a place to maintain weight.
Don't try to jump into something high impact like insanity - it will kill your joints. Right now any kind of low impact aerobic exercise - including a slow walk - is enough.

Make gradual changes. Nothing transforms overnight. Even if you do the right thing 100% of the time it will take a long time to show and society will still be judgmental based on size, so be prepared and patient. As you get comfortable with one change, make another. The people who succeed are not the ones who run marathons the first day. The ones who win are the people who cut out soda, get a walk after a big meal, tighten up the day after overeating, and stay consistent over time.
No single meal will make or break you. And at 400 + lb you can still eat a lot of calories and lose weight. It doesn't have to be like a gastric bypass where the morbidly obese patient eats a cracker once or twice a day. You can still enjoy life and lose weight.

There's a long process ahead so take it one day at a time. Don't think of the goal or end point. Just survive the day at a deficit, and you will never gain weight again. This is not a plan or a program - it's the rest of your life.

I was only 50 pounds overweight. But I had carried most of that weight around since I was a little girl. Losing it was like trading in my old life for a new one. I could walk places without getting winded. My shyness and depression vanished even though I did nothing to treat them. Your weight is not who you are.

MyChocolateDiet

Hi Tom,

It's been a few days since your original post and this was on the first page, but I thought it bore repeating since you may be getting overwhelmed with all those private messages (PM's) and friend requests (FR's).

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Robin_Bin

Just read it again. I'm gonna post it on my profile to refer back to repeatedly. If you send me a friend request you can always find it on my wall. Thank you for your brave and soul baring post. Without it I would have never seen this link and be able to place it someplace I can refer to over and over again. :flowerforyou:

MissChyna

I'm so glad you are taking the first step. It's a long and hard journey but with the right mindset...you can do this!


Sent a friend request ^_^

250gorilla

I understand where you are starting. I started at 426 and felt really bad. I started eating less process foods and walking 15 minutes with Leslie Samson tape it killed me. My 80 year old dad could out walk me. But I joined TOPS Take off Pounds sensibly a weight loss support group a non profit group only $50 a year and Myfitnesspal to log my food. Its taken me 2 years and I still have 70lbs to lose. But I am doing it one step at a time. I feel so much better now, I can move , don't have to worry if I can fit in seats, etc....Make a vow to get up each day and move a little more, eat a little less and take the steps to save your life. When you crave to eat something you know you shouldn't ask yourself is this worth the way it makes me feel. I like the way making smart choices make me feel. I am now off diabetes meds, Blood Pressure meds. I won't go back for no one. You may have to not put yourself in the places you binged . Change your habits. Change your life. I walk with my family on holidays instead of participating in a holiday binge. Make social gatherings about being active not eating, sitting watching tv, movies, cards. I won't say it's not hard because it is. But make up your mind to change and you will.

mkkd

Hey Tom,
I think it takes a very brave person to take the step that you are taking. I would love to help you in anyway I can. I am offering you my support. I will say that you do need to take the good with the bad, not all days are going to be successes. But hang in there. Good luck.

ketchuplover

Have a jubilant June everybody

shanellef05

Support-wise you've come to the right place. I reached my lowest point a few years ago and decided I had enough of being fat and depressed. I had tried and failed multiple times to lose weight before that but my heart wasn't in it. I feel that if deep down you don't really want to do it with every part of your being you will probably fail. The first temptation that came along was always my excuse to fall off the wagon... Not now. I want to lose weight... very badly. I'm not fooling around. My goal is to be 199 by August 10th, which will be my 30th birthday... I'm hoping to hit this goal but I won't be too surprised if I don't because I haven't given myself much time. I'll get as close as I can though.

You can get lots of support here. We're here for you!

260ToGo

You are all amazing, these 5 days I've been here so far are just astounding everyone is keeping my on point and continuing to read this thread and the people who are still posting, it's just amazing to have the community behind me! Thank you all so very much. I truly don't know how I can repay you all but I will do my best to support each and everyone of you however I can. Please feel free to message me at any time night or day (Eastern Timezone), and I'll do my very best to help in anyway.

sorcha1977

Hi Tom. I'm sending a friend request. I was terrified when I started too. It was so hard to face everything and look at the long road ahead. But you know what? After a year, it's habit, and I'm so proud of myself and what I've been through. I promise you'll get there too.

I started out just walking as far as I could, and I did some exercise DVDs with modifications to save my knees (I couldn't bend them back then). Most of it was eating right since I couldn't exercise much. I just did what I could. Now I'd say it's 50/50 diet and exercise since I can do more. Just go at the pace that's right for YOU and don't try to emulate anyone else. You'll figure it out, and if you need help, just read the boards or ask your friends.