Hi

intenseze

My name is Amy. I'm 39 and weigh around 380 pounds. (Really don't know, I don't own a scale and most wouldn't work anyway) I've been overweight since I was around 3 or so. Both my parents were overweight. I'm married to an impossible thin man who has the metabolism of a hummingbird. We have a 9 year old daughter (who inherited her Daddy's metabolism thank goodness) and a 12 year old son with type 1 diabetes.

I don't know why, but two weeks ago something snapped. It finally clicked and I decided I had to get this under control or I was going to die, and probably sooner than later. I downloaded the MFP app on my phone and have logged every single thing I've put in my mouth ever since. I have only gone over my daily calorie allowance twice I think. First and foremost for me is portion control. I'm starting by buying Lean Cuisine, Special K breakfast sandwiches, 100 calorie snacks, etc. I know I can't do that forever, but it's a huge start for me. MFP says to maintain the weight I'm at I'd have to eat at least 3000 calories a day. I had no idea I was eating that much, but I never worried about it. If I was hungry I ate. If I was upset I ate. If it looked yummy and I wasn't hungry I ate it anyway. And I ate A LOT of it. So learning portion control is a good start for me I think. I have become very very sedentary. I'm slowly working on changing that too.

I don't have much support in the real world. Hubby doesn't get why I have a problem. I was pushed out of my group of friends about a year or so ago. So finding this site is a life changer for me. My hatred of veggies is going to be a problem though. It's not that I just don't want to eat them. I have a texture issue, and crunching into an onion or celery or pepper etc makes me physically ill. I've thrown up more than once trying to overcome it.

Anyway, that's me. Thanks for inviting me here.

KarenZen

Hi Amy, so glad you found this group! If you read the introductions thread, you'll see that many of us share similar stories and struggles.

Sounds like you are taking charge of your life--awesome!!!

julieworley376

Hi Amy and welcome!! People might have missed you because we have a welcome and introduction thread, but it's okay, I will let them know on the check in thread to come and say hello. I know our members here will have lots of good ideas for you.

You are absolutely right that you will die a lot earlier if you don't get a grip on this eating disorder, which is what it is and my husband doesn't get that either. He is at weight watchers with me but he is an ex Marine and ex Army and thinks it is all a matter of self discipline. Here you are definitely amongst friends and everyone understands what you are going through because we are all there with you.

I think you are making a fabulous start with the Special K and Lean Cuisine and the 100 calorie snacks, and don't worry about this part for the time being, but I am a great believer in eating regular foods that you can eat for life because this really has to be a permanent change in your entire diet and activity level. It's about changing the way you think and the foods you eat to a diet full of foods that are healthy for you and you can't make that change in five minutes, no one expects you to here!

I have never met someone with an issue crunching things, but there is a way around everything. Most vegetables are delicious cooked and that crunch issue is gone. Celery is delicious braised, peppers are wonderful roasted, you can even buy them in a jar roasted, they don't taste as good but they are yummy on a sandwich. Avocados are packed full of goodness and you can eat them with a spoon.

It isn't so much about following some set diet as it is making it work for you and your tastes, not conforming to someone elses idea of your tastes. Please stick around.. I know this wonderful group of people can help.

debunny34

Welcome to the board Amy. I am sure you will see we are all going through these struggles also, and with us all working together we CAN do this!! You have taken the first steps, and that is biggest hurdle of all. It is hard for me also to log everything and to account to myself for it. Good luck and jump on in with us

claudie08

Hi Amy.

I know how you feel.. my ex-boyfriend was skinny as a rail and could eat anything he wanted. It was so easy for him to lose weight and at times he was cruel to me about mine.

Anyway.....Portion control is a problem for me, too since I love to eat everything and have seconds and thirds. Fortunately, I do love veggies and fruits so salads are a good thing for me. If you don't like the crunchiness, then perhaps steaming or roasting them would work. Also, do you have a blender or juicer? That might be another alternative in order to get your veggies in.

Hope you got my friend invite!!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: