Hey, I'm new, and something of a weight loss cynic...

CarpeMortum90

Hello All,

I'm new here, still getting set up.

I'm considered to be very obese and have been for most of my life. I was a rail-thin kid, and then around 9 or 10, I just started ballooning, and by 16 or so, I've been basically the same size. I've noticed that it doesn't really matter how much I diet or exercise, I may gain muscle, but I never lose any fat. I went vegetarian, partially to help with my eating habits. And once I started college, I started an exercise regimen. By sophomore year I was doing an hour of weight training twice a week and running five miles thrice a week. Total weight loss that year (I was very consistent)? 5 pounds on the scale, and no noticeable drop in visible body fat. Beginning of junior year I injured my right knee, and that was the end of my flirtation with exercise.

I'm getting sick of wearing really old clothes (because they are the only ones that fit) and of feeling lethargic and disgusting. Granted, I've had these feelings most of my life. I'd also like not to be winded or break into a sweat from doing something as simple as sweeping the floor.

Honestly, I'm actually pretty frustrated and jaded, for several reasons. One is that I walk everywhere. This is because I don't have a car. People look at me and assume I don't ever get off the couch when the opposite is true. I don't eat much, in fact, most days I skip/forget lunch because I'm not hungry. And yet, as a nutritionist once told me, "Yes you do eat too much. You're fat. Stop lying." So, after thinking about it, I've decided to try this whole circus again, because I really don't have anything to lose.

But I honestly don't expect much. My main goal is to track what I eat and stay under 2,000 calories daily. According to the Establishment, just doing this will cause a weight drop of almost 3 pounds a week. My next goal is one that I'm used to goal one, I'm going to start exercising again, as much as I can with a bum knee.

If you want, I'd like some friends/ moral support. That's one thing I've never felt like I had in this area. Too many people just judge you as soon as they see you.

That's all I wanted to say.

rayannec

It's easy to get discouraged however I think your objectives are reasonable and over time you'll get to where you're going you just have to hang in there. It's very important to eat you have to stop skipping meals eating more frequently will assist a lot in the weight loss process! I'm very excited about the journey you're starting I think you'll do amazingly.

BigTireFlipper

Friend, buy a scale and weigh/measure/log everything you eat. You'll get a true sense of how many calories you are getting each day. If you've calculated your TDEE correctly and are eating at a 1000 cal deficit per day you will lose the weight. You don't even have to exercise while your knee mends. That first sentence holds the key.

Edit for clarification. Eating at any deficit will lead to weight loss. The 1k deficit is to attain a 2 lb per week goal.

allotmentgardener

Hi, welcome to this site and good luck with your healthy journey. I also do lots of walking (fab exercise!) Add me, I log and comment daily

Civi80

Hi, two thing which have worked for me 1. crossfit & 2. iifym - you can't fail! In fact it becomes addictive. I have lost 26 kg in 2 years from this regime and although I'm not quite where I want to be, i can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm that fittest, strongest, fastest and healthiest I've ever been in my life! Body fat percentage has gone from in excess of 32% to 26% . I also highly recommend keeping a good diary for two weeks, a solid two weeks of realistically assessing your diet helps. Down load the App- Caorie King- it's free and tells you the fat, protein, carbohydrate and calorie in every bit of food.
Also, food that you may think is healthy, isn't necessarily, like fruit- yes it's deemed healthy and it won't kill you, but a lot of fruit is packed with fructose = carbohydrates ... Also remember this applies to fruit juice.
Ensure you have a balance of good fats, carbs and protein in everything you eat, so a good example is a chicken breast, plenty of veges but ensure you have at least one root vegetable like a sweet potato ( this is your carbs) and for the fat content drizzle some olive oil or cut up some avocado and mix into your meal- eating like this will literally change your life! It will detoxify you, make less fatigued and you'll never be hungry.
also cut out of your diet- sugar, grains and starches... Not only will you lose weight, your skin will look better, you hair shinier and nails stronger..

amwbox

Already been mentioned.....but get a scale and weigh your food. Include all additives. Sauces, dressings, little bits of candy, garnishes, whatever. If you toss some cooking oil in a pan before you cook something...measure it.

Most people MASSIVELY underestimate the amount that they are eating. After you start weighing your food you'll notice how tiny an amount of food actually adds up to X amount of calories.

This really is all about the amount you eat. Its not subjective. Its very mathematical.

moparjer

Looks like you've taken the first step! We're all behind you all the way...

serindipte

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

If you aren't already using one, get and use a food scale. Weigh all solids. Measuring cups/spoons are not accurate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY
Neither is guessing:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1270280-food-weighing-scale-miracles

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide

beckyjeanleemaddox

I was also wondering why I gained so much weight. Then I bought a scale and I measure everything. I log daily and I try to stay within my calorie intake. You've already got the walking down. This is just a suggestion. Feel free to add me. I don't judge and I try to be helpful and kind.

suzreen

Sounds like good advice. Weigh and accurately measure Everything you eat,and stick to the amount of calories it tells you to.

bechibabe

Kudos to you for making this first step! Friend me, I'll send support/ encouragement your way too!
I've had a very similar journey with my weight & am at the same point. Logging and walking. The cynic inside wants to convince me it won't work. BTW I have about 100 lbs to lose! We can do this!

MyOwnSunshine

I would recommend that you buy a food scale and measuring cups and take a few weeks to weigh, measure and accurately record every single thing that you put in your mouth.

I am a highly compulsive eater, and logging is key for me to accurately know how many calories I'm consuming. If I don't log, I somehow "forget" about many, many of the things I eat. Also, even if you are eating "healthy" foods, you may be surprised at the portion sizes. A normal-sized steak that you buy at the store is usually 3-4 portions, but most people eat the whole thing. A serving size of cereal is less than a cup, but a generous cereal bowl will hold 3 cups easily. One portion of ice cream is a half a cup, or one single scoop.

Weighing, measuring and logging keeps me honest. I would like to say that there is something wrong with my metabolism, and I suspect that my metabolism is slightly slower than average, but for the most part, I got fat by eating too much food. Period. End of story.

Exercise is a great addition to calorie restriction, and contributes to general health and fitness, but you can't out-exercise overconsumption of food. My most intense 90 minute weight/HIIT workout might burn 600-800 calories, but that doesn't even cover a single typical fast food meal.

Log your calories honestly for a few weeks. You might be surprised, and it will give you an understanding of where you can adjust portions and eliminate higher calorie foods that aren't particularly satisfying. I've been doing this for years, and still log calories at least 4 to 5 days a week to keep myself honest. I find that if I don't log, a lot of extra calories slip through mindless and compulsive eating.