Closing in!

scrowell349

I am closing in on my first goal. I have lost 94.4 pounds since June 1st of this year. This has been a journey for me and I am happy with my results. I have bonded with primary care doctor over MFP, she introduced me to the app in mid July. I had lost 32 pounds before I started using the app, but I was keeping track of calories in my head. She is really happy for me along with friends and family. Here are some of the things that worked for me:

1. Eating "alone" amongst others: I had a discussion with my family that I had to take over responsibility for my meal prep even as we sat down for meals. I also asked my wife and kids not to ask me to try things and to also encourage impulse eating. My discussion and point was that I felt that my food craving and addiction made it not unlike asking an alcoholic if they wanted a drink. I essentially created my own food consumption model in a "bubble" and after the few several weeks, it became the new normal.
2. Meals: I needed for my eating bubble to be cost effective and healthy. I also don't cook and wanted simplicity in terms of a boring calorie limit model. I use primarily frozen portion controlled meals, but I found that the Aldi's brand, "fit and active" to be lower sodium, tasty and cheap. For example, their meal entrees are 99 cents. I also use Lean Gourmet. Lastly, I do microwave eggs and egg substitutes, but I eliminated bread and use small tortillas, which are cheap and about 80 calories.
3. Snacks: I like rice cakes, and oatmeal, and celery. Inexpensive and healthy.
4. Calories: I eat 1300 calories per day, staying within 50 calories of that number.
5. Cost: my total food cost per week averages $37.00, which also makes me feel better as it is not as much of a burden financially.
6. Exercise: I could only swim to start with, but have since added walking, golf and now tennis. I work out in my own way and average 7000 steps per day along with supplemental swimming or golf/tennis. I live in Florida, which helps.
7. Outlook: I need to lose another 80-100 lbs. I feel mentally that food will always be an opportunity for future addictive behavior, and although I do eat out occasionally (only at places with MFP loaded menus), I always lock back into MFP every day before I go to bed.

MFP saves lives. I am grateful for the app, it is a support group disguised as an app. I downloaded 100 days of history and printed the charts out for my doctor visit last week and we both shed a few tears looking at the progress.

My only advice is to be honest with yourself and your family and put together your own bubble to provide insulation from the pressures of eating. Get your doctor on your team and use the app as part of the every day routine.

fastpitch2015

Very well said. I too had to adjust with family. My mom never longer understood why I couldn't eat out all the time. I said it's a journey for me and I have to do this. It was hard loosing some social time with meals out with friends and family but you have to save yourself. In the end they are there. Good job. Keep up the work!

tag2013

Great job!!!

scrowell349

Thanks for the encouragement!!!!

elisa123gal

I really love how you had a sit down heart to heart with your family about not offering you food. So many post in here about family sabotage and they suffer in anger and silence. Nice approach to be upfront.

I hope you can start eating more whole foods..not frozen meals. However..I did the very same thing when I started. It is easy and at least they are tasty .. I did lean cuisines. I started 89 days ago.. and now I don't use them.

SisterSueGetsFit

Way to go! You are showing excellent dedication, keep it up!

thereshegoesagain

So impressive! I'm thrilled for you