No scales, just focusing on calorie reduction

ButterflyEffectLiz

Hi, my name is Elizabeth. I have A LOT of weight to lose. Scales pose a couple problems for me. I have to have a scale that registers as high as my weight is, so that means either buy a specialized scale (can't afford) or going to the hospital to weigh. (Due to my weight and joint pain it is very difficult to physically walk as far as I need to to weigh at the hospital. Then there is the mental side, I struggle with depression and low self worth so when their is no weight loss then I spiral out of control. Usually, taking months and sometimes years to begin trying to lose weight again.

I have tried and had short term success with multiple weight loss avenues (Weight Watchers (back when you counted calories and not points), Slim Fast, Herbalife, a couple different Diet fad pills and Isagenix.) but none of them had a lasting effect due to various reasons. One of the big reasons is I was always hungry. I constantly thought about the next time I could eat and what I could eat. Another big reason the previous attempts failed is the food choice suggestions because I don't like a lot of the suggested food choices. I have tried a varied of foods prepared a variety of ways but let's be honest if a person hasn't liked a certain food for most of their life a dislike for certain foods is not going to change just because that person want to lose weight. While growing up parents provided a wide variety of fresh grown vegetables and a variety of meat choices. As far as meat, I do not like fish (trout, catfish, bass or perch)(fried, grilled, broiled or baked), shrimp (in anyway shape or form), rabbit and squirrel (fried, grilled, broiled or baked). I will eat deer meat but only in a stew or chili. So, that means I will eat beef, pork & poultry. As far as vegetables, I do not like wilted lettuce, cooked spinach or turnips, Brussel sprouts, asparagus, squash (will eat if put in a vegetable stew or soup), lima beans (unless it is in mixed vegetables, stew or soup), and cooked cabbage (except in egg rolls) just to name a few. So, that only leaves green beans, corn, peas, potatoes, Okra (but only fried) cauliflower and broccoli (but only smoothed in cheese. I can eat broccoli in just margarine.) and carrots that I will eat cooked. Then there is the veggies I will eat raw. (lettuce, cabbage & spinach cut up in a salad, turnips, kalorobi (sp), carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and tomatoes.) I will spare you my likes and dislikes of fruits. After looking around MFP I think I maybe found another big reason I failed. Everyone of the above mentioned plans or fads I tried reduced my calories to between 1800 to 2000 a day. MFP has me set higher than that and I am not struggling with always being hungry. I am not pre-planning two to three meals ahead.

Anyway, I am probably going about this all wrong but I am eating the foods I like or can at least tolerate and focusing on staying at or below what MFP suggested for my calorie intake. Suggestions and motivation is welcome!

emalethmoon

I've only been reducing my caloric intake to what MFP suggests -- that, and I'm trying to up my fruit intake and drop my pasta intake. I've also cut out all friend food.

Doing that, I've lost 20 lbs since mid January.

I think that's a good start for you, especially if you're in too much pain to work out right now. As the weight comes off, you'll be able to move easier.

Just don't give up.If you screw up and eat a big meal, enter the calories anyway. Keep yourself accountable!