Hopeless and reaching out
Lilowitz342
Posts: 1
Is it possible for me to lose all of this weight? I am currently 430 lbs and I feel miserable. I don't live my life. I just exist. I feel so hopeless. I can barely walk for 1 full minute without feeling out of breath and painful shins. I've seen things like ninja warrior and the spartan race and I want to do all of that but it doesn't seem possible. I guess I'm just crying out for help. I don't really have anyone I can talk to about any of this.
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Replies
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Yes, you can!
Good news, you are starting at the right place, a place where you will have friends to talk to about all your hopes, dreams and fears.
Think of it this way, in December of 2014 you can weigh 400 pounds or 450 pounds . . . I say this to show you that things will go slow but changes will happen one way or the other. Walk 1 minute, today and tomorrow and Monday walk two minutes it can happen. We all start somewhere and while each of us has our own starting point, that is exactly what it is - a starting point.
I would suggest that you speak with your doctor before starting anything too new and then log your food and see where you are really at with your average consumption and then start by making small changes from there. It will amaze you to discover where calories hide and starting there will allow you to have some control over what you are eating without making drastic changes that you won’t stick with.
Think of this as a lifetime change and remember small steps will eventually lead you to . . . a whole new world!0 -
Start small! log your foods and learn about portions, calories, protein. Just logging your foods is an education. Take it easy, but make a start. Be here for the long term. this is a way of life. As for exercise, that is fitness, a different category than meal plans. Some people on this site barely exercise! Some are lifters, runners, and all the rest. Find people in the same boat and you and friend them for support. Look through the groups and read the descriptions. You'll find the help you need; don't defeat yourself. You've made a start, don't take on too much exercise and give up. I'd focus on food first.0
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I am sorry you feel so bad about things. I have found that it is easy to get into a down spiral, but on the upside, just doing one good thing helps make the next one easier.
For instance you say it puffs you out to walk for a minute? Well its good you are making that effort. Do it again and again and it will get easier. Just today pick one unhealthy habit and make a change, for instance stop sugar soft drinks, or switch to diet ones if you drink them, or eat a piece of fruit rather than a pastry. Something, anything, and it will make a difference in your outlook.
Make no mistake, losing that much weight will be a long job and you will need to change a lot of things. But it doesn't sound like your current life is making you happy. Making the small changes will.
See a doctor and work out a plan as well, don't just rely on advice from well meaning people on the internet, you will need help from doctors, dieticians and eventually exercise people to help you with this journey.
Good luck. Now go and make that small change for the day and congratulate yourself!0 -
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Absolutely you can lose that much weight. I've seen posts all over this site from people who have lost over two hundred pounds. Check out a member named nerdfitquest. He just recently dropped below the 400 lbs mark and was totally amped up about it. He logs daily, has a blog with all of his updates and goals, works hard and seems to be having a pretty good time. Another member that I have mutual friends with is cerakoala. She's lost over 200 lbs and would be a really good friend to have on your list.
You really can do this, you just need to start small and build up your confidence. Read the sexypants section of getting started, build up a good active friends list and be patient, it takes time.
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You most assuredly can lose that weight! You just take one day at a time. Set REASONABLE goals. Be patient. You don't have to do it all in 6 months! If all you can do is a little walking, thats GOOD. Try it a few times each day. Its the SAME as doing it in one go. Like: a minute or two, but maybe ten times throughout the day. You've walked 10-15 minutes! Thats just fine! Or, walkinf in the shallow end of a pool is excellent. My mother lost SEVERAL inches doing that. You just need only one day at a time.0
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Hi there...you just took your first step coming here. Congrats! There are lots of supportive and knowledgeable people here. Check out the forums for info...There are excellent posts such as this one http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
Remember all you need to do is take a step forward every day...doesn't matter how small. Remember you are worth it and can do it.0 -
Sometimes it feels overwhelming and impossible for all of us - no matter what our starting weight is. The key is to take baby steps - very small goals.
Think of it this way.....
If you want to lose 100 - 200lbs making that you goal is scary and feels really difficult. What if you make your goal 10lbs. Then when you reach that you feel accomplished and happy as opposed to "oh no I only lost 10lbs". You would be amazed at what losing 5-10% of your body weight can do for your health and mobility. Think small, act big!
Another example....
If you say to yourself: I'm going to walk for 20mins everyday this week and eat 1200 calories.... when those things don't happen it sets you up for major disappointment and feelings of shame -then we spiral into more bad habits.
BUT - if you stick to a moderate deficit that gets a lot easier.... then you feel success which is very motivating. Also if you just say - I will put on my running shoes and only walk to the end of the street and turn right back. When you accomplish what you set out to do you will feel happy and often go even farther then you thought. The hard part is putting your running shoes on and stepping out the door. That first step is a lot easier when you make small manageable goals.
Good luck - go easy on yourself - make SMALL manageable goals that you feel motivated to do. Maybe that is cutting out sugary sodas or putting milk in your coffee instead of cream or getting one burger instead of two. What ever it is - anything is better than nothing.0 -
People here have done it. Find them in the success story section and reach out to them for support, they have been where you are.
Meanwhile, my suggestion for you is to web search "target heart rate", and use the principals you learn to guide your exercise intensity. In your case there may be exercises that you can do while seated in a chair that would get your heart-rate elevated to the same rate that a marathon runner your age reaches by running a 6 minute mile, which means that you are exerting *equal effort* for your level of fitness. Your exercise is whatever keeps your heart rate in the target zone for 20 minutes three times a week. It might be something like sitting in a chair and kicking your feet while wearing ankle weights, rather than walking and straining your joints.
Anyway, the people who have been in your situation will have better ideas about what exercises within your current capabilities can get you started. The heart rate thing will help you get maximum benefit for your effort, and keep you working out at a level that is sustainable long-term and won't burn you out or hurt you.0 -
Don't lose hope and glad you are reaching out. Agree with other posters. Start small. Start slow. You will gain momentum. There are many people here who will cheer you with every step and every positive food choice. With every small victory, you will feel better - I promise you. You can do this!0
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Is it possible for me to lose all of this weight? I am currently 430 lbs and I feel miserable. I don't live my life. I just exist. I feel so hopeless. I can barely walk for 1 full minute without feeling out of breath and painful shins. I've seen things like ninja warrior and the spartan race and I want to do all of that but it doesn't seem possible. I guess I'm just crying out for help. I don't really have anyone I can talk to about any of this.
you can do it!! just take it one step at a time. great for you for starting out, just remember to take baby steps.
maybe this month pick 3-4 small things to change : for instance tracking what you eat, being kind and patience with yourself, etc.
eventually these smaller things snowball into larger things :happy:0 -
There are plenty of great examples on this site of people who have lost even more. If they can do it, certainly you can, too. It's work, I'm not gonna lie. It does take deciding to do it and sticking with it. But it's less work than you might think if you go about it the right way...a healthy deficit instead of going overboard, eating the foods you love in moderation, and being easy on yourself when you have celebrations or trips to a favorite restaurant. Add in some light exercise that you can build up to, and you've got a recipe for a lifestyle change instead of a temporary diet. Good luck!0
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At over 300 pounds I know what your going through. I feel so tired, and yet, I did almost nothing it seems. But, the positive is that you joined here, and that you know you want to lose the weight. The best advice I can give you is to find that partner, whether it is where you are, or on here. And work together! Having that motivation can help so much. I am proud of you for getting on here and starting. Feel free to message me or friend me, I hope that you are able to find the support you need. But know we are always here for you. 0
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You can do it. It will take time and patience. It will not take suffering and serious self-deprivation. It will not take "extreme" behavior.0
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You know what? Yes. Yes you can do it. It will be a long road, but while traveling that road you will rediscover a quality of life that you havent had in a long time. And this will happen long before you stop losing weight. And when you are done, you will be able to do anything you want to do.
My advice? Start walking daily. Even if for a minute. Gradually increase the time each week. You will come along quickly, I promise you. This act alone will increase your mobility tenfold or greater.0 -
I agree that you should start with small changes. Pick one habit to work on and break it up into attainable ble goals. Be sure to reward yourself for successes, but don't let missteps stop you. No one is perfect 100% of the time so don't dwell on those.
You can do this!
Please keep us posted on your progress0 -
You are so in the right place for encouragement! I have only been here a little while and it is such an inspiring and positive community of people that you cannot help but be hopeful! Look already at the people who took time to tell you that you can do it! It sucks... right? Of course it's gonna suck saying no to food and pushing yourself but the people here make it suck way less. Check in daily, let yourself be encouraged, take the good advice, leave the bad advice, move forward and when you have a bad day make the next one better, you so got this.0
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There are plenty of great examples on this site of people who have lost even more. If they can do it, certainly you can, too. It's work, I'm not gonna lie. It does take deciding to do it and sticking with it. But it's less work than you might think if you go about it the right way...a healthy deficit instead of going overboard, eating the foods you love in moderation, and being easy on yourself when you have celebrations or trips to a favorite restaurant. Add in some light exercise that you can build up to, and you've got a recipe for a lifestyle change instead of a temporary diet. Good luck!
This!0 -
Is it possible for me to lose all of this weight? I am currently 430 lbs and I feel miserable. I don't live my life. I just exist. I feel so hopeless. I can barely walk for 1 full minute without feeling out of breath and painful shins. I've seen things like ninja warrior and the spartan race and I want to do all of that but it doesn't seem possible. I guess I'm just crying out for help. I don't really have anyone I can talk to about any of this.
You see the S on my chest?
It stands for hope on my world.
add me0 -
You can do it. Start with tracking calories. Weight can be lost without exercise in the beginning!0
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You can do it. Like others have said, small changes will make a big difference.0
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You can do it. Start with tracking calories. Weight can be lost without exercise in the beginning!
This is true. Your biggest tool to succeeding this way is to accurately log what you eat. MFP makes that much easier. The other tool that really helps accurate logging is a food scale. If you do nothing else, weigh everything and log everything.0 -
don't give up hope
i lost my first fifty pounds by making food substitutions. instead of eating regular ice cream, i ate dryer's slow churned (it's lower fat but delish!), instead of regular cheese, i ate reduced fat sargento (my fave except for reduced fat irish cheddar). instead of regular milk, i used low fat, i replaced eggs with egg beaters and so on. so i kept eating the same amount of food, but cut about 20% of the calories, and it worked.0 -
This is a great place for you to start. So many people truly get it and will support you. Don't be afraid to reach out and trust the process along the way. You are worth feeling as good as you want to:)0
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You have come to the right place and you have taken the first step which is always the most difficult. All I can say is if you want something, make the changes necessary to get it. Keep a list of all the things you want to do, starting with small goals, and check them off as you go. You are more than capable of doing this and you owe it to yourself to accomplish everything you set out to do. Hope is for dreamers, drive and determination is for doers. :flowerforyou:0
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I felt overwhelmed as well. one of the small things I did, which turned out to be huge, was change every password I had to an affirmation of some sort. try things like Slim4life, I am so worth it, do it 4 me or I am stronger than I think. if I need a number in the password, I just add my goal weight to the end. This way, all day long, you are giving yourself some positive self talk to help block out all the negative.
Best of luck to you0 -
Yes, you can absolutely do it. Start with small diet changes at first, and you can incorporate exercise later. For example, if you drink a lot of soda, start drinking water and allow your self one soda per day. If you like fast food, then cut it down to once per week. I am not sure what you do, but these are just examples. If you can only walk one minute today, try two minutes tomorrow, three the next day and so on. The key is baby steps.0
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Don't give up. It seems overwhelming, and you really need to be ready to MAKE THE CHANGE in your life. It isn't a change until you put off some weight, it's a lifestyle change. I know it sounds scary, and it sounds difficult, but once you start to see results, you won't want to go back. You'll hit some hurdles, and there will be times where you binge, and you want to give up, but this is when you need to realize tomorrow is a new day, and once you push through this hopelessness it gets so much easier. It won't always be this hard. It gets easier every day. Trust me. You can do it.0
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yes this totally. just start by logging and weighing and measuring everything you eat. you will be surprised at what a real portion really looks like. you made the first step by coming on here. we all had to start somewhere. maybe eventually you can pick up a cheap pedometer at cvs or wherever to keep track of how much steps you take in a day but for now just focus on the food you eat and how much and what kind you eat. read nutrition artlcles. watch youtube videos. watch things like food inc. or hungry for change or videos on youtube like the series called The Weight of the Nation. Every small change you make is going to be a victory. Make yourself five lb increment goals. Make yourself some nonscale goals too like being able to walk for two minutes then three... etc Try new recipes. Try new foods. Do a pantry and fridge makeover and start making good shopping lists so you can have good stuff in the house. Just take it one choice, one meal, and one day at a time. Drink water. Get creative. You can do it.Start small! log your foods and learn about portions, calories, protein. Just logging your foods is an education. Take it easy, but make a start. Be here for the long term. this is a way of life. As for exercise, that is fitness, a different category than meal plans. Some people on this site barely exercise! Some are lifters, runners, and all the rest. Find people in the same boat and you and friend them for support. Look through the groups and read the descriptions. You'll find the help you need; don't defeat yourself. You've made a start, don't take on too much exercise and give up. I'd focus on food first.0 -
What they all said.
I have nothing to add other than to say hi. MFP forums really are great, here you can share your highs and lows, and celebrate those of others, join in with some very random yet highly entertaining threads, and make some great friends. Well done on making that first step. 0
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