Please tell me this is possible?
KateVega77
Posts: 4
I am 37 and very overweight, I am currently 225 on a 5 foot 5 frame. I have been overweight for years now and I long to lose the weight but I get very disheartened. Partly because the process will take so long and I don't trust myself to keep it up and partly because I am scared that even if I lose weight my body is ruined anyway and I'll be left with a slimmer but mis-shapen body with loose skin and stretchmarks. I know I need to lose the weight for my health but like most people the my main motivation is to look good but I fear that if I think can look cute ever again I am kidding myself on.
I have some pictures I took tonight they are me in my underwear so if you are squemish then please don't click (they are not graphic though)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/45816857@N07/14214673172/in/photostream/
If you do look at them, please tell me what you think I can do, if my goal of getting down to 140lbs and getting a reasonable body back are at all possible and any tips on what I can do to get there.
Thank you so much!
I have some pictures I took tonight they are me in my underwear so if you are squemish then please don't click (they are not graphic though)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/45816857@N07/14214673172/in/photostream/
If you do look at them, please tell me what you think I can do, if my goal of getting down to 140lbs and getting a reasonable body back are at all possible and any tips on what I can do to get there.
Thank you so much!
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Replies
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Do you want to continue being fat and feeling this way? If not, make the commitment. It will be hard, and it's possible you will have some loose skin, it's going to take a long time, but really what are your options. I don't mean to be harsh, but there are only 2 choices here.0
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I am 37 and very overweight, I am currently 225 on a 5 foot 5 frame. I have been overweight for years now and I long to lose the weight but I get very disheartened. Partly because the process will take so long and I don't trust myself to keep it up and partly because I am scared that even if I lose weight my body is ruined anyway and I'll be left with a slimmer but mis-shapen body with loose skin and stretchmarks. I know I need to lose the weight for my health but like most people the my main motivation is to look good but I fear that if I think can look cute ever again I am kidding myself on.
I have some pictures I took tonight they are me in my underwear so if you are squemish then please don't click (they are not graphic though)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/45816857@N07/14214673172/in/photostream/
If you do look at them, please tell me what you think I can do, if my goal of getting down to 140lbs and getting a reasonable body back are at all possible and any tips on what I can do to get there.
Thank you so much!
Honestly, at 225, you aren't mega overweight. Go troll the success forums. People have journeyed to onederland from much farther than your starting point. Work on small steps at a time. You'll get there. It won't always be easy, but stranger things have come true. You know it's possible, and if you take care of yourself, your self esteem should follow slowly during the process. There's a reason so many people talk about lifestyle changes as opposed to short term diet culture and think progress akin to transformation.0 -
I think it would be best for you to go to a trainer who can put you on a fitness plan suitable for your abilities and help you in person to figure out how to alter your eating habits to get you to a healthier you.
You're already on your way and I believe you will be able to look how you want to look with enough motivation. Some small things I have done to help me keep motivated are following different health and fitness blogs, watching lots of food documentaries so that I can become more educated about what I am putting into my body (Food Matters, Forks Over Knives, etc on Netflix), joined a gym, and started going to classes that they have open for everyone.
Remember the small things do count, like going for a 30 minute walk to the park a few times a day, or taking your dog on a walk. Start small and work your way up.
You can do it!0 -
I have a real issue accepting the possibility of loose skin it fills me with such horror that often I think I would rather be fat. I know that is stupid and that I need to lose weight for my health but its just this massive mental and emotional block for me.0
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I'm 37 and 5'5" and I could have written this post 2 years ago when I started losing weight.
These links should help.
Read these:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13
TL:DR ->http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet
If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal
Want to lift heavy things?
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
Stronglifts Summary
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary
Stronglifts Womens Group
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women0 -
As long as you already understand that these things dont happen over night its extremely possible. Skin elasticity and age are some of the things that will dictate whether of not you will end up with loose skin, but you can help it along by staying hydrated and not crash dieting to lose a lot of weight too quickly. This community can be extremely helpful when it wants to be , read some success stories ask some questions, and embrace a new life. There is plenty of motivation to go around.0
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Of course it's possible. As someone else said, go read the Success Stories. Read them every day. They are wonderful for motivation, encouragement, and advice.
Try not to focus on the future so much. It is making you anxious so that you want to stand still. Take it day by day and just focus on the positive. Again, read the Success Stories.
You don't have to lose weight fast. Think about it--lose 20lbs a year and you will be your goal in a few years. That's about 1.5lbs a month. Totally doable.
On another note--you need a new bra. That one does not fit at all. A bra should never ride up like that in the back. You need to get properly fitted and you will immediately look and feel so much better.0 -
I am unemployed at the moment so I can't afford a trainer although I can get access to my local gym (government subsidy for those on benefits makes it cheaper). However personal training is not covered and is very expensive. I am not so fit right now so mostly I have just been going (when I do go) and walking on the treadmill up hill and using the cross trainer in my fat burning heart rate zone.0
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It is possible. My 48 year old wife was at 185 on a 5 foot 4 frame. She now weighs 142. She still struggles with her weight she would like to get to 135 and has not been able to lose those last few pounds.
She has stretchmarks, (She also had two children) but know loose skin. I think I was motivated to write because your profile reminded me of hers.
My tips would be:
1) Exercise (Don't over-do it. My wife would walk to far to fast and have injuries. Just do something everyday and build up over time)
2) Support (Find someone who will support you, I needed help to get out of bed some mornings.)
2) Love yourself (Love yourself on your good days, Love yourself on your bad days)
3) Have people around you who love you just as you are.
I'm not sure if you need these tips. But I know I need to hear the last two everyday.
Blessings to you.0 -
I started at 200lb and 5"3. Now down to around 135lb and no major issues with loose skin. E.g. Stomach looking fine, though still a work in progress lol. I guess you won't know till you try. I was also a bit worried at the start whether my body could recover from the abuse I had put it under. Glad to say we humans are resilient beings and can get through most things entact
Edit to add: start doing some form of strength/resistance training. I swear you will see faster better results that way. I do 2 or 3 days of weights in the gym, but there are other options. I have lost only around 5lb the last 3 months but gone down a size in clothes.0 -
Read the links I provided. They will help. Add some strength training. Watch lots of videos on youtube showing form.0
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Time will pass whether you're losing weight or not. Of course it's going to take a while but start now so you're not on here in May 2015 wishing you had started 12 months ago.
Looking at your pictures, I do not think you are going to have a huge problem with loose skin. Lose the weight nice and steadily, and do both cardio and strength training along the way and you should be fine.0 -
I have a real issue accepting the possibility of loose skin it fills me with such horror that often I think I would rather be fat. I know that is stupid and that I need to lose weight for my health but its just this massive mental and emotional block for me.
Then strength train as you lose the weight. Lose slowly so you can hold onto as much muscle as possible while losing fat. If you do those two things it will greatly diminish that risk.0 -
Trust yourself enough to keep going anyway.0
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I have a real issue accepting the possibility of loose skin it fills me with such horror that often I think I would rather be fat. I know that is stupid and that I need to lose weight for my health but its just this massive mental and emotional block for me.
Then strength train as you lose the weight. Lose slowly so you can hold onto as much muscle as possible while losing fat. If you do those two things it will greatly diminish that risk.
I wish there was a like button. 100% agree. Glad I found these forums and got the same advice early on 0 -
I came across this quote about motivation the other day. I love it.
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.
-Wayne Dyer0 -
Love that quote above ^^ from Grace
I'm gonna throw another one at you....
A year from now, you'll wish you had started today.
Time is going to pass anyway. Eat at a deficit, do some cardio, lift heavy things.0 -
I came across this quote about motivation the other day. I love it.
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.
-Wayne Dyer
I think this is a fabulous quote, OP I hope it brings you some inspiration and motivation.0 -
Love that quote above ^^ from Grace
I'm gonna throw another one at you....
A year from now, you'll wish you had started today.
Time is going to pass anyway. Eat at a deficit, do some cardio, lift heavy things.
And this one too! Really gives you something to think about....0 -
Thank you all for your replies they ar very much appreciated. Its difficult to get my head round but the idea of losing slowly and doing strength training does make sense. How long it will take is scary for me but I do understand that if I never start I can never get to my goal. It just seems so impossible to me that I could keep up my focus for so long, or at least I've had great weeks, months in the past where I am doing well but then something happens, will power fades and so on. I know these are pathetic excuses.
Anyway thank you again for all your advice, I will check out the links!0 -
Thank you all for your replies they ar very much appreciated. Its difficult to get my head round but the idea of losing slowly and doing strength training does make sense. How long it will take is scary for me but I do understand that if I never start I can never get to my goal. It just seems so impossible to me that I could keep up my focus for so long, or at least I've had great weeks, months in the past where I am doing well but then something happens, will power fades and so on. I know these are pathetic excuses.
Anyway thank you again for all your advice, I will check out the links!
You can do it, you didn't gain the weight overnight and when you think of it in those terms you will lose it much quicker than it took you to gain it. I agree that strength training will be beneficial. Eat a healthy well balanced diet and don't think of it as "for now" until you lose the weight, make the lifestyle change so that you can sustain it for your lifetime. Good luck to you! :flowerforyou:0 -
Thank you all for your replies they ar very much appreciated. Its difficult to get my head round but the idea of losing slowly and doing strength training does make sense. How long it will take is scary for me but I do understand that if I never start I can never get to my goal. It just seems so impossible to me that I could keep up my focus for so long, or at least I've had great weeks, months in the past where I am doing well but then something happens, will power fades and so on. I know these are pathetic excuses.
Anyway thank you again for all your advice, I will check out the links!
I thought the same things in the beginning. I calculated how long it would take me to get to my goal weight if I did everything perfectly. A year and a half seemed like an eternity. Now..I'm going on two years, and I couldn't be happier with the progress I've made.
Like others said, if you start to get discouraged, look through success stories. Make small changes. When that becomes habit make another. And remember that one bad day, week, or month, means nothing in the long run. Just keep moving forward. It gets easier. :flowerforyou:0 -
Just to chime in, yes, read the links Grace posted and learn it! And you absolutely do not need a trainer!!!!! You can get plenty of help here for free, see grace above........send her an FR. Start now, you can do whatever you want to do, anything is possible but you have to start. Start today. Good luck and no excuses!!0
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Take a look at this lady's photos and read her story: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/user/billieljaime/status0
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You can do it. Stay positive 0
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I have numbers almost close to you. 5'2" started at 248 lbs, now at 191.2. I just hit day 505 here, so it's not been a fast loss. In fact last year, I had about 6 months where I lost only 16 - 17 lbs after losing 4-6 lbs a month for the first five. Discouraging, but I stuck with it and now I'm down 16 lbs since Jan 1. It's your choice, you can stay as is, fat and unhappy. Or you can get down lower, possibly with loose skin, possibly not. I'm aiming for 136 just to hit a BMI under 25. Not sure if it is doable but even something close to that, and even with loose skin would be preferable to what I looked like when I started this.
It also shouldn't be just what you look like on the outside, but how you feel inside. I've got more energy, I'm more physically fit, I do a challenge on here where I've decided to move 75 miles this month (exercise ones, not normal movement). I have hit 10,000 steps most days this year. I've started running - got under 11 mins twice so far - slow number in the grand scheme of things, but freakin' fantastic for me. I don't breathe heavy any more walking from the parking garage at work to the entrace (0.3 miles) and it's now a habit for me to take longer routes in stores, around the halls at work, wherever I can get in more steps.
What I've learned in these past 505 days is to stop being my own worst enemy. Make changes one at a time, no need to be perfect from day one and 100% of the time. Add supportive friends on this site to your friends' list, having strangers give me a "nice job" when I report a loss is wonderful. When I need some extra motivation, I hit up the Success Stories forums, like others do. There are several people on here who have lost 300+ lbs. I like finding people who have lost what I want to, and seeing those results in their pictures.
It's so worth it. And there's so much here to help you. Good luck0 -
Here's the other thing, you talk about what you've done in the past...well here's the thing, it's just that, in the past. You can't worry or think about what you've done in the past. You only have now. This moment. Focus on the present. Believe in yourself. Any time you start talking bad about yourself or what's happened in the past you are setting yourself up for a vicious cycle and will fail. But believe you CAN do it (because you can), believe in yourself.
It's a decision. Make that decision every day.
Moderation NOT deprivation.
You can make excuses or get results. Your choice.0 -
Thanks for being brave and posting the pics! If your subsidy allows it i would also consult a Bariatric Doctor and ask about the loose skin as well as taking a vitamin and mineral supplement during you weight loss journey. Im no Doctor but I dont think there will be a big issue with loose skin...are you overweight...Yes...morbidly obese with loose skin issue for sure....FAR FROM IT! GO FOR IT!0
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I'm 36, I started at 213 and I'm 133 now. I lost it all in 14 months... and I do have loose skin. I was doing strength training the whole time so it really depends on your genetics unfortunately (and I had stretch marks, I wonder if it makes it worse). Mostly my belly, but some in my inner thighs and on the top of my arms too (mostly the right side for some reason). I did have a LOT of fat on my abdomen though.
But I'll take the loose skin over the extra fat any day.0 -
I have almost the same numbers as you. It can be done!! I am 5'6'' and I started on MFP (at 223lbs) on February 1st. My goal was to lose weight as slowly as I could at first. I set myself an attainable goal of .5lbs per week, and found that to be too easy, so I gradually moved my goal from there. I am now down about 20lbs and I only JUST started doing couch to 5k three weeks ago. My advice:
1. Be honest with yourself. Track EVERYTHING even if you go over by 1000 calories. Accept it , learn from it, and move on.
2. Measure everything. You'd be surprised how much you can "over-eyeball". I have been known to bring my scale over to dinner parties.
3. Just start walking. Forget about going all in right now, you'll likely get burned out. Develop an exercise habit by walking and build slowly off of that.
Good luck!!0
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