I cried at the park today

I'm 40 and morbidly obese. Im just tired of it all. Last week, I went to an amusement park with my teens and was afraid to ride anything. I was afraid I wouldn't fit! That's when I decided to make a change and start living. I've been researching and started meal prepping. I enlisted a work out partner for 3 days a week at the gym. I was all excited. Today, I went to the park to walk a mile. I could only make it a half mile 😭. I'm ashamed. How could I let myself get here!? My lungs hurt, my ankles hurt and my legs burned. I sat on my car and cried.
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Replies

  • appledawn0422
    appledawn0422 Posts: 31 Member
    MikePTY wrote: »
    I think you are looking st it from the wrong perspective. Walking half a mile is nothing to be ahsamed of. You got out there and did it, that's what's important. You have to meet your body where it is at, not where you want it to be. In time, it will get there. There are people who have started out worse than you and now they run marathons and triathlons. So there is no limit for what you can accomplish. It will just take time and dedication.

    You're right. I guess when it comes to my weight, I need an attitude adjustment. Thanks for your kind words!
  • Cahgetsfit
    Cahgetsfit Posts: 1,912 Member
    YOu're taking the right steps! It's great that you got out there and walked the half a mile - baby steps! YOu did half this time, next time you can do a little bit more, and more until you are walking lots of miles.

    Don't be so hard on yourself. It takes time. The important thing is that you are starting :)

    Hang in there!
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Half a mile is still better than nothing. Try a bike or elliptical at the gym, less impact might help. Try swimming if you can.
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    Like others said, good on you for getting out there and trying. Not everyday is going to be a good day, but not letting those bad days stop you is what's important.
  • appledawn0422
    appledawn0422 Posts: 31 Member
    Cahgetsfit wrote: »
    YOu're taking the right steps! It's great that you got out there and walked the half a mile - baby steps! YOu did half this time, next time you can do a little bit more, and more until you are walking lots of miles.

    Don't be so hard on yourself. It takes time. The important thing is that you are starting :)

    Hang in there!

    Thank so much for your support and motivation!! I know that you're right, I just have to change my mindset!!
  • appledawn0422
    appledawn0422 Posts: 31 Member
    aokoye wrote: »
    Like others said, good on you for getting out there and trying. Not everyday is going to be a good day, but not letting those bad days stop you is what's important.

    I guess I expected too much from myself since I'm just starting. I'm gonna keep pushing! Thank you!
  • 12774
    12774 Posts: 1,416 Member
    @appledawn0422. Give yourself credit for walking one half mile.As you become more comfortable ,you can increase your distance. Good luck!
  • appledawn0422
    appledawn0422 Posts: 31 Member
    pjshawley wrote: »
    I truly believe we are never to old to give up on ourselves. I am 60 and recently decided I wanted to live longer. Obesity was killing me, but that is changing. I huff and puff on my exercise bike and roll around on my Total Gym like a beached whale. But I am doing it. Because I care about myself and I care about those who love me. I want to be here and live a full, vibrant life. That is what keeps me going.

    Crying and emotions are good. You have an accountability partner, as do I. It really helps to lean on others when needed. Be proud of yourself for your 1/2 mile walk and for going to the gym. I read on a post here today, "Small hinges open big doors". You are making great steps in the right direction.

    Those reasons are mine as well. My twins are 14...I want to be able to enjoy the last few years I have them at home with me. They are pushing me too! Thank you so much for your encouragement!
  • appledawn0422
    appledawn0422 Posts: 31 Member
    12774 wrote: »
    @appledawn0422. Give yourself credit for walking one half mile.As you become more comfortable ,you can increase your distance. Good luck!
    12774 wrote: »
    @appledawn0422. Give yourself credit for walking one half mile.As you become more comfortable ,you can increase your distance. Good luck!

    You're right!! I know I have to change my mindset! Thank you!
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    Starting is always the hardest part. You can totally do this, just don't quit!
  • appledawn0422
    appledawn0422 Posts: 31 Member
    jdog022 wrote: »
    My daughter was 3 when my dr said my health habits would almost certainly lead to her growing up without a father, like I did.

    I put a picture of her next to my bed. Every morning I woke up , saw that, and used that as my motivation to exercise and track my food every single day. You know how many planned exercise days I have missed in 3 years? None. How many days I missed tracking my food? None

    I met my original goals a long time ago but she is still my number one motivator.

    That's awesome!! I sincerely hope I can be as motivated and determined as you!! Congratulations on your success!! It's very inspiring to hear!
  • appledawn0422
    appledawn0422 Posts: 31 Member
    Starting is always the hardest part. You can totally do this, just don't quit!

    Thank you!!
  • appledawn0422
    appledawn0422 Posts: 31 Member
    You will be amazed at how quickly your body will get stronger. I0 months ago, 10 minutes on the elliptical felt like an eternity, and I was out of breath almost immediately. Now, it takes about 20 minutes to even get my heart rate up on the elliptical. 40 minutes is actually fun for me now. Keep pushing, and keep posting and reading these threads. They were my lifeline those first couple of months. Stick with it. This DOES work.

    I'm gonna keep working hard because this post makes me excited. I truly hope I can accomplish all that you have! Congratulations and thank so much for your kindness!
  • jdog022
    jdog022 Posts: 693 Member
    jdog022 wrote: »
    My daughter was 3 when my dr said my health habits would almost certainly lead to her growing up without a father, like I did.

    I put a picture of her next to my bed. Every morning I woke up , saw that, and used that as my motivation to exercise and track my food every single day. You know how many planned exercise days I have missed in 3 years? None. How many days I missed tracking my food? None

    I met my original goals a long time ago but she is still my number one motivator.

    That's awesome!! I sincerely hope I can be as motivated and determined as you!! Congratulations on your success!! It's very inspiring to hear!

    If watching your kids grow up and then being able to eventually chase after those grandkids isn’t motivating enough then I don’t know what else could do it .

    You can absolutely do this. Just remind yourself every day why this is so important . You’ll have bad days, days where you don’t want to do it. Do it anyway. Take it slow at first. Make sure it’s sustainable
  • appledawn0422
    appledawn0422 Posts: 31 Member
    jdog022 wrote: »
    jdog022 wrote: »
    My daughter was 3 when my dr said my health habits would almost certainly lead to her growing up without a father, like I did.

    I put a picture of her next to my bed. Every morning I woke up , saw that, and used that as my motivation to exercise and track my food every single day. You know how many planned exercise days I have missed in 3 years? None. How many days I missed tracking my food? None

    I met my original goals a long time ago but she is still my number one motivator.

    That's awesome!! I sincerely hope I can be as motivated and determined as you!! Congratulations on your success!! It's very inspiring to hear!

    If watching your kids grow up and then being able to eventually chase after those grandkids isn’t motivating enough then I don’t know what else could do it .

    You can absolutely do this. Just remind yourself every day why this is so important . You’ll have bad days, days where you don’t want to do it. Do it anyway. Take it slow at first. Make sure it’s sustainable

    That's what my goal is. I guess I just didn't realize how far away I was until that walk. I know that every journey begins with a single step so im not giving up. I'm gonna push! I never want to look back from this point!
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,464 Member
    So your goal was to walk a mile. Good goal. Timing was a little off. Do it July 17. Then celebrate and treat yourself. Maybe a new pair of walking shoes?
  • appledawn0422
    appledawn0422 Posts: 31 Member
    So your goal was to walk a mile. Good goal. Timing was a little off. Do it July 17. Then celebrate and treat yourself. Maybe a new pair of walking shoes?

    That's actually a great idea! To give myself a month to do it more comfortably! Thank you!
  • appledawn0422
    appledawn0422 Posts: 31 Member
    If one of your children tried to walk a mile and only made it halfway, would you use the same words you told yourself? Of course not! You would be proud of how far he got and encourage him
    to try again in the future! You deserve the same encouragement from yourself. Use kind words with yourself. You can do this one step at a time. There will be bumps in the road and unexpected challenges, but you can do it!

    That's a complete truth. I would encourage anyone else! I need to change the voice in my head! Thank you so much!
  • hroderick
    hroderick Posts: 756 Member
    free advice: change to healthy behaviors and the extra pounds will fall off. you have these levers under your control...calories control weight, exercise controls strength and endurance, food choice controls health. don't over do it, just do a bit outside your comfort zone and do it every day. platejoy.com really helped me avoid diet fatigue.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    1/2 mile is a great start! It really is. When I started 5 years ago, I could barely walk 1/4 mile without excruciating pain and rest stops. Within a few months I could walk a 5k. Now I’m doing triathlons. Just take it one step (literally) at a time. Keep building from where you are and you’ll be amazed what your body will do for you!