Don't doubt yourself, you can lose weight!

NaomiBusler

I've lost 33 lbs. in 3 months and am over half-way to my goal weight of 195!

For the longest time I did not previously think this was possible. Every sort of weight change for me in the past was based just on puberty or of no will of my own, but this one took actual effort. BUT, it took far less effort than I had previously thought! Don't think that because you have an appetite change due to medications of MOST ANY kind that you are doomed to be heavy set for the rest of your life, because it just isn't true. Even if your appetite changes, your weight doesn't have to!

Here's what I've found that has worked for me so far:
1) Count your calories (with this app) and use nutritional info: I find that I'm intelligent and very methodical, so this app is perfect. I find it fun and engaging (like a game) to count calories. I've been living off Starbucks food (I currently work as a Barista), and they have a good selection of choices so that if you want to eat healthy you can! I've had to watch my sodium though, and don't plan on living off of it forever, but in terms of losing weight it's possible because all the nutritional info is on this app! You can even make healthy choices by leaving bread off your sandwich and avoiding lots of dressing in your salad. At least with Starbucks (and I assume most other chain restaurants) the app can account for doing those too!

2) DRINK WATER!: You should be drinking a lot of this anyway, but it'll make you feel a LOT less hungry when you're at your calorie limit and will help you TASTE FOOD that is really not good for you. Once you start drinking water, it'll disrupt the bliss point addiction (fast food cravings). No more Taco Bell at 11 PM for me!

3) Be Active in some kind of way: Exercise can augment your weight loss, but you can still lose weight if you have some kind of active job. Better to set the RECORDED (not actual) activity level a bit LOWER though on the app. I put lightly active for my job at Starbucks. Also I shoot for 1400 calories a day instead of the 1600 I'm recommended.

4) Find social support: Really getting support from my therapist (highly recommended for addressing psychological causes of eating habits), coworkers, family, romantic partner and even this community online has helped motivate me to stay healthy. Even just saying "I've lost 5 lbs. so far" will get you a lot of positive responses from folks. Healthy weight should be encouraged. It shouldn't be forced, but don't believe in 99% of that 'fat acceptance' bull-crap! You can accept who you are while also recognizing that being obese is unhealthy. Your weight is not your identity!

5) Don't think you can't do it!: Don't fall into the fatalistic trap of thinking your weight is beyond your control. YOU can control your trajectory AND your commitment to it. You just gotta add time.

I promised myself I wouldn't post pics until I reach my goal, but this is only a matter of time. Keep it up everyone!

1ocean1girl

Awesome!!! And great advice