I am beggin, help me lose weight.

ThisTimeWorks

Hey everyone. I am 20 year old female, 5'5 , 260 lbs. I've tried and failed for 4 years. I can't control myself. I live with parents so I do not really get to chose food since my dad loves to eat like a man , and I can't handle the smell or presence of yummy food. My problem isn't really that I eat fastfood or junk food, it's more about HOW MUCH. I am sick of being the way I am, I am also prediabetic, but even that doesn't scare me into losing weight. I want to, sooo bad. But I lack self control, please, I am begging you, I am sure there are people just like me who battled through it and lost weight. Please help me.
Thank you.

RaggedyPond

Nobody else can diet for you. You just have to start doing it. If you are eating a lot just track it all and then go exercise. Eventually you will find out it is easier to eat less than it is to walk for 3 hours.

meeper123

portion control then it takes wanting it

blah2989

I started on MFP exactly two months ago. I was 249, Im 5'6, 24 yrs old. I used to eat ALOT AND junk food. Alot of junk food. I am not prediabetic, but my mom is and she does not take care of it, at all. This will take self control, but more so, motivation. I entered my activity level as "sedentary" and log primarily exercises, but occasionally cleaning as well- I only add light cleaning. I dont enter all the walking I do or food prep unless its really tedious. My calorie intake goal when I first started was 1360/ day, and 5 days a week 30 min workouts. The last part of that first week, there was one day I ate a TOTAL of 4100 calories. No joke. But I didnt feel bad, I knew I had to work it off. So I did. I burned nearly 3000 calories in one day. ME. A person who hadnt run in about 6 years. A person who ate and liked to lounge around, do things at my pace. My legs hurt. I was so sore the next day. But I got up and I exercised, I ate about 1700 calories- 400 more than I should have, but I worked it off. I was not about to choose between being thin and food. So, I dont. I try to exercise regularly and bust out some extra exercise if I eat more than my daily calorie intake. I havent changed my diet really, with the exception that I rarely ever drink my calories. I cut calories by adding low calorie foods and being careful how I prepare foods. Ive cut out butter. Nuy light sour cream. Dont use as much cheese, lighten up on the mayo, cook w 0 calorie butter flavored cooking spray, sweeten foods/ drinks with sweetener or add something naturally sweet. Add veggied to every dinner. Opt for a salad occasionally. Im more aware of the amount of calories in foods when I go out to eat. Most of all, I chart EVERY SINGLE THING I eat. So I know what I ate. It is not impossible, because I felt a lot like you do now, when I started. But I stopped giving myself excuses. Instead of saying, Im too busy with the kids ( who are 2&3) I now, exercise in the living room, r

blah2989

Sorry glitch anyways*** I run around the living room for a half hour while they watch mickey mouse. I go on that morning walk or evening walk; run, sometimes both if I can. I watch what I eat if I know we are going out later in the week or exercise. You can do it. The key is to take action. Dont talk about it, just do it. I wish you the best, feel free to add me if you like. It is not impossible, you really can do it, it just takes effort.

RaggedyPond

Sometimes I do a quick workout while the spawn is watching Elmo.

Cindyinpg

First, read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it
Eat at a calorie deficit for weight loss and find an exercise you love for your health. Think portion control and moderation. Weigh, measure and log everything. Be honest. Be patient. Trust the process. It works. You don't need to deprive yourself, just eat less and move more.

RaggedyPond

Eating less is depriving myself. I love food.

mmipanda

Hey everyone. I am 20 year old female, 5'5 , 260 lbs. I've tried and failed for 4 years. I can't control myself. I live with parents so I do not really get to chose food since my dad loves to eat like a man , and I can't handle the smell or presence of yummy food. My problem isn't really that I eat fastfood or junk food, it's more about HOW MUCH. I am sick of being the way I am, I am also prediabetic, but even that doesn't scare me into losing weight. I want to, sooo bad. But I lack self control, please, I am begging you, I am sure there are people just like me who battled through it and lost weight. Please help me.
Thank you.

what do you mean by 'eat like a man'?

That phrase makes me think its encouraged to eat huge amounts of food in your family. I have family members with unhealthy attitudes towards food too. Its all about educating yourself and recognising why you're eating so much//making bad choices//whatever the problem is.

Its all on you though. Nobody can make you lose weight. Maybe a goal to work towards would help motivate you? Like starting C25K, or a fun-run, or something?

ThisTimeWorks

I do workout, I've been working out 5 days a week on elliptical. To start out I did 3 mins a day, then in a week 6 mins, now im at 15 plus squats and dumbells for arms. This is no problem, but the food...it's just impossible. I'm one of those people that doesn't do what preaches. I KNOW how to...I just need some sort of kick or some advise...I don't know,.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

ThisTimeWorks

First, read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it
Eat at a calorie deficit for weight loss and find an exercise you love for your health. Think portion control and moderation. Weigh, measure and log everything. Be honest. Be patient. Trust the process. It works. You don't need to deprive yourself, just eat less and move more.

Do you mind telling how long it took you to lose 87 pounds?

RaggedyPond

You need to do way more than 15 mins.

triciab79

I have 6 boys (4 teenagers) and a husband so I know a thing or two about living with tempting foods. You have to gain some controls. That may mean denying yourself those bad foods all together for a while. You have to drop all the excuses. You will not starve, you will not hurt your metabolism, you may be cranky and that is ok, you may hate life for a while and that is ok too. No you cannot live like this forever but that is not an excuse to not do it now because your body will adjust to your new diet and those cravings you cannot live with will gradually go away. You think you cannot keep up the pace forever but when the pace is greater than you think you can bear that is the moment you become stronger. If it is easy then it is not going to get you to your goal. There will be tears, there will be disappointment, there will be plateaus but you have to decide now if this is what you want and if it is then you throw yourself into it and let the results worry about themselves. Here is my advise:

1. Diet - Eat less than you burn and make sure you chose quality and quantity over temporary pleasure
2. Exercise - Just move everytime you find yourself sitting still
3. Determination - Don't stop, don't cheat, don't let the scale lie to you, don't make excuses, don't let social obligations derail you, don't depend on others noticing, DO think before you eat - will this make me happier in the long run?

Good luck!

ThisTimeWorks

Hey everyone. I am 20 year old female, 5'5 , 260 lbs. I've tried and failed for 4 years. I can't control myself. I live with parents so I do not really get to chose food since my dad loves to eat like a man , and I can't handle the smell or presence of yummy food. My problem isn't really that I eat fastfood or junk food, it's more about HOW MUCH. I am sick of being the way I am, I am also prediabetic, but even that doesn't scare me into losing weight. I want to, sooo bad. But I lack self control, please, I am begging you, I am sure there are people just like me who battled through it and lost weight. Please help me.
Thank you.

what do you mean by 'eat like a man'?

That phrase makes me think its encouraged to eat huge amounts of food in your family. I have family members with unhealthy attitudes towards food too. Its all about educating yourself and recognising why you're eating so much//making bad choices//whatever the problem is.

Its all on you though. Nobody can make you lose weight. Maybe a goal to work towards would help motivate you? Like starting C25K, or a fun-run, or something?

Meaning he needs to eat real food like meat, potatoes, salad with mayo, etc. No healthy"rabbit food" or boiled chicken breast.

Cindyinpg

I do workout, I've been working out 5 days a week on elliptical. To start out I did 3 mins a day, then in a week 6 mins, now im at 15 plus squats and dumbells for arms. This is no problem, but the food...it's just impossible. I'm one of those people that doesn't do what preaches. I KNOW how to...I just need some sort of kick or some advise...I don't know,.

Good. If you're working out, you can eat more. That's a good thing. Have you figured out your TDEE and BMR yet? Go to that page I linked to and do so if you haven't already. The food does not need to be impossible, you do not need to cut out ANYTHING, or go low fat, low carb, clean etc. Just eat at a sustainable calorie deficit. But you have to figure out what that is and it might take a little trial and error to find the sweet spot.

ThisTimeWorks

You need to do way more than 15 mins.

I don't do it to stress myself and make me hate working out. I do is slowly to get myself used to it, it eventually increases.

TitaniaEcks

OP: I understand what you go through - habits seem unchangeable. And they really are difficult to change. But you CAN change them, but you have to have a lot of drive and discipline. Today you may feel like overeating is the only possible life you can imagine, but if you work on breaking that habit, tomorrow you may wonder why you ever went down that path... Humans are extremely malleable mentally; you can make yourself be pretty much any way you want to be. But it takes discipline. I speak from experience. You'd be amazed at how many "unbreakable" habits I've broken.

ThisTimeWorks

I don't have friends or anyone who would be interested in knowing about my progress. I think I need Jillian Michaels type of a person, who will see what I eat and say no don't do that, with who I can share weightloss/weightgain.
Weightloss is difficult already but when you have no support it just doubles the pain.

crystal2point0

Sounds like you are not willing to work on the amount of food you are allowing yourself to eat and if that is the case then you must up your activity level so that you are burning more then you are eating. The work you have started to do so far with the elliptical and squats is great, but do more, keep pushing yourself. Go for walks, go for bike ride. Anything and everything you can think of to up the amount of activity that you do so that you burn more calories. And then, eventually, if/when you are willing to admit to yourself that how much you eat IS a choice then you need to start working on eating less. If you want to eat what your dad cooks then eat it, but eat less of it. Or even better....if you are really serious about wanting to make this change for yourself then stop eating at home. When they cook.....LEAVE.....and use that time to go for a walk or go to the gym.

I know its not easy, I know its hard. I have been there, a lot of us have been there but the secret is....there is no secret! Eat less and do more....your body is a machine and it responds in kind to how you use it.

We can give you all the advise we want but its just words......you're the one that has to take it & make the changes to your life that are necessary.

Good luck.

ElsaVonMarmalade

You say you live with your parents but is there some reason why you can't buy and prepare at least some of your own food? Have your own healthy breakfasts and lunches and small portions of whatever they have for dinner?

I struggle with motivation too. You aren't alone. But there is truly nothing for it but to wake up one day and say "Today I'm going to do better." And then the next day, and the next.

Start by just tracking. Don't try to change what you eat. Just track it. See how much you're eating. Do that for a week, or even two. Then the next week, eat 200 or 500 calories less. Keep working your way down until you're eating at the level MFP recommends. Don't beat yourself up when you have off days. Just GET BACK ON THAT HORSE. You can do this. Do it for you.

ThisTimeWorks

I have 6 boys (4 teenagers) and a husband so I know a thing or two about living with tempting foods. You have to gain some controls. That may mean denying yourself those bad foods all together for a while. You have to drop all the excuses. You will not starve, you will not hurt your metabolism, you may be cranky and that is ok, you may hate life for a while and that is ok too. No you cannot live like this forever but that is not an excuse to not do it now because your body will adjust to your new diet and those cravings you cannot live with will gradually go away. You think you cannot keep up the pace forever but when the pace is greater than you think you can bear that is the moment you become stronger. If it is easy then it is not going to get you to your goal. There will be tears, there will be disappointment, there will be plateaus but you have to decide now if this is what you want and if it is then you throw yourself into it and let the results worry about themselves. Here is my advise:

1. Diet - Eat less than you burn and make sure you chose quality and quantity over temporary pleasure
2. Exercise - Just move everytime you find yourself sitting still
3. Determination - Don't stop, don't cheat, don't let the scale lie to you, don't make excuses, don't let social obligations derail you, don't depend on others noticing, DO think before you eat - will this make me happier in the long run?

Good luck!

Thank you so much!

RaggedyPond

You can even look up healthier alternatives to the foods they make. For example I use plain yogurt instead of sour cream.

TitaniaEcks

I don't have friends or anyone who would be interested in knowing about my progress. I think I need Jillian Michaels type of a person, who will see what I eat and say no don't do that, with who I can share weightloss/weightgain.
Weightloss is difficult already but when you have no support it just doubles the pain.

You're in the right place. MFP has so many people who have lost 100, 200, 300+ lbs through sheer willpower, diet and exercise. You will get amazing tips here and make friends who will make you understand that it *can* be done, easier than you think, and that it's just a matter of focus. And that it can be a fun process at times, too.

Cindyinpg

First, read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it
Eat at a calorie deficit for weight loss and find an exercise you love for your health. Think portion control and moderation. Weigh, measure and log everything. Be honest. Be patient. Trust the process. It works. You don't need to deprive yourself, just eat less and move more.

Do you mind telling how long it took you to lose 87 pounds?

Not at all. About 11 months. So about 2lbs a week, sometimes less or even the odd small gain. But always trending downwards. I lost 30lbs before that on my own. Look at my diary if you like, I think it's public. I've done pretty much that all along. I try for a daily deficit of about 750 calories for 1.5lb a week loss. There's some treats everyday, but lots of protein and fiber. I don't worry about sugar, especially if it's from fruit. As you can see, I don't eat what would be considered 'clean'. I eat foods I enjoy. Just less than I used to. That's what's sustainable or me. Some people love super healthy food and want it all the time, but I wouldn't be able to do that.

ThisTimeWorks

You say you live with your parents but is there some reason why you can't buy and prepare at least some of your own food? Have your own healthy breakfasts and lunches and small portions of whatever they have for dinner?

I struggle with motivation too. You aren't alone. But there is truly nothing for it but to wake up one day and say "Today I'm going to do better." And then the next day, and the next.

Start by just tracking. Don't try to change what you eat. Just track it. See how much you're eating. Do that for a week, or even two. Then the next week, eat 200 or 500 calories less. Keep working your way down until you're eating at the level MFP recommends. Don't beat yourself up when you have off days. Just GET BACK ON THAT HORSE. You can do this. Do it for you.

I don't work so have no money to purchase my own food, and I go to college so if there is something I could make for myself im busy and when I do get a chance to cook, my mom says "oh why are you cooking separately? You are just wasting food, eat what we are eating."

triciab79

You need to do way more than 15 mins.

I don't do it to stress myself and make me hate working out. I do is slowly to get myself used to it, it eventually increases.

Add to your daily activity while you do this. Park at the edge of the lot and walk to the store, work, or school. Take the stairs. Go to the mall after dinner and just window shop for an hour (stay away from the food court). If you are in school study while you pace. Put on music in your room and dance. Play with your pets. Watch TV standing up. Help clean the house. Exercise does not have to be structured to be effective.

ron2e

You don't need to eat 'healthy' or 'rabbit' food to lose weight, you just have to eat LESS of what you eat, be more careful in what you choose from your plate (ie eat most of the veg rather than the fries) and log your food so you know how many calories you are eating. I have done that and lost 70 lbs in 7 months. You definitely need self discipline and to get your head round what you really want. Do you want to be fat? Do you want to get fatter and unhealthier? No of course you don't so DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!

Nobody can make you lose weight, you need to grow up, be adult about it, overcome your issues, and succeed!

Everyone can do it you know, it's no secret. Don't be the one who would rather whinge about how they can't do it, be the one who CAN.

ThisTimeWorks

You guys, all of you, have no idea how much your words helped me. I'm so grateful you responded. Thank you all sooo much!

mmipanda

I do workout, I've been working out 5 days a week on elliptical. To start out I did 3 mins a day, then in a week 6 mins, now im at 15 plus squats and dumbells for arms. This is no problem, but the food...it's just impossible. I'm one of those people that doesn't do what preaches. I KNOW how to...I just need some sort of kick or some advise...I don't know,.

are you logging what you eat? it might be an eye opener, it makes you accountable for everything you put in your mouth. You have such a defeatist attitude, calling it 'impossible' - it's really not.

RaggedyPond

[/quote]
Not at all. About 11 months. So about 2lbs a week, sometimes less or even the odd small gain. But always trending downwards. I lost 30lbs before that on my own. Look at my diary if you like, I think it's public. I've done pretty much that all along. I try for a daily deficit of about 750 calories for 1.5lb a week loss. There's some treats everyday, but lots of protein and fiber. I don't worry about sugar, especially if it's from fruit. As you can see, I don't eat what would be considered 'clean'. I eat foods I enjoy. Just less than I used to. That's what's sustainable or me. Some people love super healthy food and want it all the time, but I wouldn't be able to do that.
[/quote]

You have to exercise a lot! I have a hard time keeping a 500 deficit.