Feeling like a failure ):

manitoushores

I started with a serious diet after attending my first class of a 9 week course with a nutritionist. I even started walking the parking structure where I work in the morning before people would start coming in. I have a VERY sedentary life style, and really do want to make my life the way it use to be. The weather decided to change to hot and humid, and being the very obese person that I am I just could not get myself to walking. I sure don't want to get hot and sweaty and go into work. And I really don't want other people seeing me walking. I have a hard enough time as it is because I have a very bad ankle, and hip. I don't mind doing the structure in the morning as long as it is nice out, but have a hard time doing any sort of walking after work in my neighborhood.
I really got down on myself yesterday because I weighed myself and it looks like the 5 pounds that I lost is back.
Thanks for the ears. Pissed in Michigan :sad:

Capt_Apollo

did you graduate high school the first week of freshman year?

Krissy366

What kind of building do you work in? Is there someplace you can walk around IN the building on hot days if you get there early?

chelley_79

You sound like me. For me.. I get off track and then I get really down which cause a major tailspin. There are always do overs and restarts. This is like my Billionth. LOL

Shake off the 5lb gain... and just push on to your next goal. :-) And don't be hating on yourself!! You are trying!! Good for you!! :-)

(and I won't exercise in front of anyone either.... even my husband seeing me doing that terrifies me. LOL)

shelbymkoenig

Making life changes is hard and ultimately takes time. I still have problems committing to daily exercise, luckily my job has me standing my whole shift or I'd do nothing all day. I hate people seeing me workout too because it's always "Oh, you're actually doing something?" which isn't at all helpful. There are exercises that you can do even sitting at a desk that no one will notice if you're interested in looking into those on teh days it's way too hot to be outside moving around. Best wishes, I know you can do it!

Brizoeller

The only way to make an actual change is to be consistent. Plus, you don't have to walk to lose weight. It has to do with calories in vs. calories out. So that means you are eating too much. If walking is too much of a burden right now then just focus on the food side. You will get results. Excuses will get you nowhere.

deb3129

All of us struggle sometimes. I have lost over 100 pounds, and I have had some 'failures' along the way too. When I started, I could barely walk a mile,slowly, and then laid in bed at night with my knees aching from just that little bit. But hang in there, it really is worth it. If you can't walk before work because of getting too hot, is there any other way? Can you walk early, before you get dressed to go to work? Or after work? One of my excuses for a long time was that I did not have time to exercise. I have four children, a full time job, and a husband who is frequently away. But when I decided it was time to get healthy, I made time. You just have to find a space where you can fit in exercise.

Just dont give up, find what works for you! YOu can do this!

auddii

Don't get down on yourself. If you've been walking, you are putting stress on your body, which increases cortiosol levels, which leads to water retention. Aka, you gain weight. When I last saw my doctor and she told me I needed to get serious about losing, she suggested not working out at all at first. Some people see the initial jump in the weight on the scale, get discouraged and quit.

I'm not saying don't exercise, but see that gain for what it is. My weight fluctuations up to 5-6 pounds between days (I actually weigh in daily) just from water. If I have something particularly salty, I gain. It usually lasts about 2 days, but then drops off. If my muscles feel sore, I usually weigh more (you often retain water as your muscles repair themselves).

I hear you on the heat though. I'm in Houston, and we're having a cool day today (around 98), but with humidity it'll feel more like 107. Woohoo! There are people out running in the afternoon heat. I'm not one of them. There are apparently walking DVDs that I know some people like where you essentially walk in place in your house. Not that you really need a DVD for that, you can march in place to any show you like to watch. You can also lose without working out at all; just eat at a deficit.

mandasalem

I'm the kind of gal who sweats if you look at me funny, and my knees are absolutely wrecked. I often walk in the parking structure, too. Firstly, don't worry about anyone seeing you-- I don't think I know anyone who's not a raging sociopath who would ever judge someone for getting a little movement in their day

Secondly, does your parking structure have an underground component? Many do, and the heat and humidity is often WAY less gross there.

But on days when I feel like I'd come in to work gross and sweaty if I walked at lunch, I made an effort to walk more during the day. I take the stairs, or I make myself get up once every half an hour, even if it's just to walk to the bathroom.

Use bathrooms that are farther away, take the "long way" to get to your desk/office, etc. Get up and ask people in other departments things instead of emailing. Park a little further away from the entrance.

These will ALL add up. I highly encourage you to get a FitBit Zip or even just a basic pedometer-- it will encourage you to take the longer walk to your desk.

Most of all, DON'T LOSE HOPE! You can do this.

mommia0910

First of all, let people see you walking!! it shows you are trying to do something about your weight. I drove past an extremely obese person walking the canal in our city, i could tell he was pushing himself. I wish now that i could have pat him on the back and given him a high five. Secondly, 5lbs can come and go with water weight...KEEP IT MOVING!! you can do it. once you get going on a regular basis and watch your calorie intake, it will start coming off. Walk in your building where it is cooler. or go to the mall and just walk everyday. it is much cooler there.

RachelBiancaxx

The only way to make an actual change is to be consistent. Plus, you don't have to walk to lose weight. It has to do with calories in vs. calories out. So that means you are eating too much. If walking is too much of a burden right now then just focus on the food side. You will get results. Excuses will get you nowhere.

I agree with this. And also, if you want to walk but not outside, try just walking around your house for a little while. It's still exercise. Good luck xx

So_Much_Fab

Keep in mind that weight loss is around 80% diet and 20% exercise, so if you don't feel up for the exercise part of it right now, you can always control your food and still stay on track.

MinnieInMaine

Unless you've been overeating due to improper logging of food, there's no way you really regained that 5 pounds. It's probably water weight. I myself have been up 3-4 pounds all week between a couple high sodium days, PMS and the humidity.

To make sure you're logging correctly, I would highly recommend weighing and measuring your food, at least initially, if you're not already. Also double check the MFP listings against your food labels as some of them are rediculously wrong. You can also Google nutrition info now for most generic products (not brand specific) to give you a better idea of accuracy.

To help with the water weight, really make sure you're getting at least those 8 cups in every day - and that's all water. You can still have your coffee, tea, etc but make sure you get 8 whole cups of water. You need the extra right now to combat the water weight.

Ditto on the suggestion to walk around inside. You may be embarrassed to be moving in front of others but I guarantee no one's judging you the way you may think they would. Most people are going to see you getting more active and think "good for her!". I would also recommend checking out the Walk Away the Pounds videos by Leslie Sansome. You could do those at home in the morning on hot days before you get ready, or do them after work. WalMart sells them and I'm sure you can get them online too. They're a great beginner workout and Leslie is a lovely person - very sweet and upbeat.

So_Much_Fab

Whoops...double post.

yo_andi

You can either rant and boohoo about it...Or get over yourself and realize that this isn't going to happen in a week, a month or even a year... change is incremental and sometimes those increments are hella tiny. And you know what? You can't control the weather, making changes to your body IS going to be uncomfortable, people ARE going to see you, you ARE going to look dumb at times, but so what? The results are worth temporary discomfort.

GCAsMom

I agree with Brizoeller, you don't /have/ to exercise to lose weight, particularly if you have a lot to lose. I'd say about half of my own weight loss was strictly diet and no exercise. (I'm currently exercising only twice a week.) So right now, I'd say focus on your diet... weigh and measure everything; keeping within your calorie allotment... and you'll see results.

allisonrinkel

You're not a failure, so try hard to look at in a different light You are trying to do something good for yourself, and you should be applauded! Nothing happens over night, so keep working at the food logging and walk when you can. Have you considered Mall walking in the mornings before or after work? They're usually nice and air conditioned, and if you go early, you're really only around the other mall walkers, who tend to be sweet seniors (that's the case in my town anyways).
Keep trying, because even if you don't see the results right away, you're making better habits for yourself, and every little bit will start to add up!
Cheers!:flowerforyou:

IAteBethDitto

As others have said, just work on getting the eating part right. There's a researcher called Levine (2002) who observed that the movements we make outside of dedicated exercise programmes are significant in terms of our energy balance.

Just don't cut your calories too much and try and feed yourself the good nutrition you deserve.

rose228822

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling so down but don't give up! Is it possible to work out at home maybe on a stepper until you feel comfortable to walk outside? And if you start eating healthier you can lose some of the weight that way and then add exercise little by little. I found that I was working out all the time but eating as if I never had to worry about calories and the scale didn't move. Now that I'm eating better and watching my calories I find that I don't have to workout as often though to be honest I have more energy and really enjoy working out! Good luck to you!

MyJourney1960

I started with a serious diet after attending my first class of a 9 week course with a nutritionist. I even started walking the parking structure where I work in the morning before people would start coming in. I have a VERY sedentary life style, and really do want to make my life the way it use to be. The weather decided to change to hot and humid, and being the very obese person that I am I just could not get myself to walking. I sure don't want to get hot and sweaty and go into work. And I really don't want other people seeing me walking. I have a hard enough time as it is because I have a very bad ankle, and hip. I don't mind doing the structure in the morning as long as it is nice out, but have a hard time doing any sort of walking after work in my neighborhood.
I really got down on myself yesterday because I weighed myself and it looks like the 5 pounds that I lost is back.
Thanks for the ears. Pissed in Michigan :sad:

don't be Pissed. Don't feel like a failure. You need to remember that this is a PROCESS. you are a human being, not a machine. you aren't going to lose weight in a steady line, at an even pace. it will be two steps forward, one back, then one forward, then half a step, then stand in place, then five steps forward and so on. it WILL happen and it WILL even out but you need to be patient and you need to focus on food. I'm a great advocate of exercise, but I know that what needs to be done is cuting out the excess food (intake). Not saying you should stop exercising, but you need to focus on the food.

I've been doing this for a month now (not my first diet by a long shot). I believe it works. I've lost 7lbs and i see that the weight flucuates on the scale (i'm a little obsessed with weighing myself every day), but i also see that my stomach is going down, the top of my chest (above my boobs) are going down and the back of my tush is smaller (jeans that were tight are looser). this is what matters.

So keep moving - in whatever way you can. maybe you can walk after work where it doesn't matter if you'll be sweaty. maybe you can work out AT HOME before you go to work so you can shower after.

Lupercalia

Everyone has the same 24 hours in our days. Over those 24 hours, we make choices about how to spend the time. We all make time for the things we think are important and we want to do. If you want to get healthy, you will make the time for exercising and you'll get over your irrational fear of people seeing you walking.

It's not comfortable for any of us to make big changes, but we know they are necessary and absolutely worth all the initial awkwardness and pain. My health and happiness was/is FAR more important to me than anyone's reaction to a morbidly obese woman out for a walk, or lifting weights at the gym.

You're gonna have to decide what your priorities are and act accordingly.

tialynn1

I don't always have time to walk after work. Our parking is terrible where I work, so I started coming in early and walk at work (before that, I exercised at home before I left). I really enjoy walking outside and I can easily get more walking in when I do that. But, when the weather is bad or rainy, I walk inside of the hospital on the first floor. I measured it, it is .2 miles. So, I do laps around it. Plus, I go up to another level and do 2 laps, plus down on our ground floor where the store is and cafeteria and walk through there. I don't like it as much, but at least I am getting walking in. I have met new people because of it, I have also motivated some people to do it, too.

Also, don't be mad about the weight gain, it could have been something as simple as water weight.

dawningr

Walk at home. Leslie Sansone has walk away the pounds dvd's that are great for beginners. If you can't purchase them, check your local library and rent a few.

Good luck!

kristendube

when your done finding reasons to fail and making excuses your whole life will change i promise.. my biggest was 630lbs.. and now i have 60 more pounds to lose.. take charge of your life and make small changes..

ClareWantsProgress

Add me to the list of people who walk laps around the office hallways (on a different floor - ha!) during my lunch break. It's far too hot and humid to walk outside when you have to dress professionally. I just keep a good pair of tennis shoes and socks at work and change into them. Even 10-15 minutes a day makes me feel like I've at least done SOMETHING.

At home, I bought an inexpensive ($40) rock stepper that lets me "walk" in place in front of the TV, and I use that in the heat of summer and dead of winter - again, at least to get SOME activity in besides weight lifting.

And yes, I have a long way to go.

thrld

Mall walking. It's indoors and plenty of malls have programs that allow you to walk around before the stores open.
As for having people see you walk -- that you need to get over. I saw some people walking last night - I could not tell you what they looked like. I don't remember and I wasn't taking notes. For all I know it was the same person, who every time she walked around the block changed her outfit. If you are waiting for conditions to be perfect for you to work out, then you will have a long wait. Own your choice to do it and make it happen. Say yes to yourself.

beautifuldiskize

I inboxed you

vawmcole

First off, do not feel like a failure. When you take on a negative mentality, you forget about the positive changes you have already made. Secondly, instead of focusing on the fact that you are uncomfortable exercising at this point, redirect that focus to your diet. Weight can still come off if you maintain a healthy diet. I am not the most active person, but I have lost over 6 pounds in two weeks just by measuring my food, filling up on healthier, low calorie choices and drinking large amounts of water. Losing these 6 pounds has stopped my back from hurting and I feel I am able to be more active. I hope this and all of the other posts help you in your quest to have a healthier life. Do not give up.

MaJacobs75

I will tell you now, there will be some hard times staying in track. And when you do fall off the plan, its frustrating to get back to where you were at before. I've been doing a major roller coaster these past couple of years and stressing out over it because I just cant keep that motivation half the time.

I've changed jobs and now working as a waitress at a restaurant and my body is not used to being constantly on the go and on my feet when I work 8 hrs. So of course I developed ankle and hip problems and that made me not want to go on my walks because I'm too soar to do anything after work. With any pain, its good to not overdo. Its also not good to not do anything either, just take it at a slower pace if you need to walk. If you got room in your home, I'd recommend getting a treadmill of some sort. That way you have the privacy in your own home, and they are a great help!

I have one and I usually do an hours walk early in the morning if its really hot out, take a shower then get ready for work. Then after work, I do another hour walk later at night when its cooler and that would tire me out to I'd be able to sleep a little better. They are very handy, I recommend you looking into getting a treadmill. It would make things easier especially when its really hot outside.

jkal1979

I second the Leslie Sansone videos. You get a good workout from them and if there is something that is too strenuous on your joints then just walk in place. Just find a way to get moving.

As far as weight loss, your focus for that should be in the kitchen. Make sure that you are using a food scale and measuring utensils to accurately count your calories.