Support/Accountability for 300+ gals (sorry guys)

lombrica

Welcome Everyone... I am back from vacation, scared to death of the scale. Not a typical "fear" for me... because it usually goes in the right direction, and this week I am not going to like what I see. Exercise has been done but completely off my eating plan.

Have a good week everyone...

Missjulesdid

Yes yes yes.. I'll join! I'm still getting my ducks in a row and I'm not exactly sure of my weight.. Last time I checked I was 216 but I've gained a bit since then. I'm guessing I'm between 320-330, not an all time high but pretty dang close. My old scale is broken so I'm going to just start weighing in at the gym as soon as I get my membership (hopefully sometime this week).. In the meantime I've done all my measurements, and stocked my kitchen with healthy goodness.

I agree that laying it all out there and being open about your numbers and efforts is so important. Even if I'm doing poorly, I'm committed to at least checking in and ADMITTING I'm doing bad. As soon as I get my gym membership I'll update the site with my real numbers.

Kimmer2011

I've been working very hard this week to get my exercise in. I had several days since Easter where I made nothing but bad food choices, and barely exercised, and I really felt the results. Now I'm determined to be back on track.

Missjulesdid

OK. So I picked my gym. YAY! BUT it was WAAAAAY to expensive for me. BOO. BUT because it's the YMCA and I'm low income right now, they are going to give me a membership subsidy to help make it affordable for me... YAY! BUT I have to wait 3-6 weeks to get it and start ... BOO. It's just a minor bump. In the meantime, I'll continue to walk and do pushups against the stairs.

This little three week delay also gives me time to get a bicycle to use to get back and forth from the gym. Do any of you girls ride a bicycle? I'm really confused about what I need. I mean I don't want it to break under my weight. I know that there are bicycles made especially for people up to 500 pounds but they're too expensive... as I only have $300.00 saved up for one and I can't go over that. I'm thinking I'll get a 3-speed or 7-speed beach cruiser as I have heard they are very sturdy. Anyone have any thoughts? I'll also post about this over in the general section but I thought you ladies might have some special insights.

lombrica

Hello Everyone... Happy Mother's Day to all --

The scale is working it's way back in the right direction. Still didn't show the number that I was a couple weeks ago... but, we're working on it! Today - my concentration is on water, water, water... and eating meals throughout the day instead of one a day! I also hope to get in some "natural" exercise cleaning and doing a little yard work. Maybe a walk if it's warm enough. I am already freezing and I'm inside! ha, ha, ha. I will also be cooking meals for my week today - so no excuses since I will be able to grab 'n go.

Tami (idahogirl) -- how have you been?? I've missed you... and am thinking of you, hoping that Mr. Scale has been your friend. Where are you at on calories and how has that been? Glad to hear about your tests. I have kinda been an every other week kinda gal as well - which is frustrating. Especially because I feel like when I do "so good" I don't see the loss, or I see very, very little. Then the next week, I get all excited about a big number and hope that it will continue, only to have a small loss. I get ya'! I'm also anxious to hear how graduation went and what you have found out about the job...

Kimmer -- I'm trying to follow your lead as you stayed positive through a gain... picking yourself right back up and starting again! That persistence is what is going to help you reach that goal! KEEP GOING!! :drinker:

Missjulesdid -- Congrats on starting the journey and welcome aboard! The scale thing... I know that battle. I have a good one now, a "Biggest Loser" one because I needed it to have a high enough weight capacity. But it was bought at a Target which was exciting to me (didn't have to order some super expensive one from a "big" persons' store/supplier). I'll be excited to hear how the gym works out... and how close your guess is to what you weigh. My guess was 50 pounds MORE than I actually weighed when I first started. About the bike - wish I had something to tell you... I've been trying to decide on an elliptical machine and do the research online to see what the weight capacities are. When I reach 100# lost -- I am gonna buy one! That's my celebration gift to myself and part of my goal to not use food as the reward anymore. Plus, by that time, I don't have to spend a couple hundred dollars extra because my weight should/will be low enough to get a more basic model vs. a gym standard model.

I'm really hoping that we keep "developing" this community! I love another group I belong to... love, love, love it. There is so much support and you really feel like you get to know each other. However, very few people weigh over 300# and even fewer understand what it means to have lost almost 60# and still be over 300#... :ohwell: Their support has been great though and has helped me get re-focused after my vacation, are what helps me want to ensure I sign on every single day! I would love to see this group be like that also... So, here's to really creating this community of support!

Happy Sunday ya' all!

idahogirl71

Happy Mother's Day all ~~

I have been not so good about logging in for a while, but have kept track of my calories and such. Thank you to those of you who have sent me messages checking in on me and encouraging me. You are all greatly appreciated!a

Graduation went well last weekend. I am at yet another plateau in my journey. Mr. Scale really likes me at the 327 mark. I got down to 325 then back up to 330 and today I am at 327.2. It is driving me insane, but I am hanging in there.

I will know tomorrow or Tuesday if I get the management job and if I am moving to Phoenix on Wednesday. Have had another major change happen in my life this last week. In 2002 my biological father whom I never knew (he left when I was 2 and never heard from him again) passed away. Through his obituary I found out that I have a brother I never knew about. Well this last week I contacted him via Facebook. He responded by calling me and we talked for about an hour. We are meeting for the first time this week. He has known about me since he was 12 (and is now 34). Due to having different last names he was never able to locate me. Only problem is I want the promotion, but I do not know that now is the time to move 1400 miles away from my brother that I have just located.

lombrica

Tami --- WOW... You are definately being "hit" from every side. While some of it is positive, it's still hard to work through that negative. I have to admit - I am just completely baffled by your body. It's so weird that your body just doesn't want to break out of the 325 range. Once you get past this - I am guessing that you will end up with quite a loss, rapid in comparison. But until that breakthrough... I don't get it! Have you - or can you - change up your routine? I know that your food part is pretty defined... but what about switching up some exercise? The only other thought I have is that the lack of sleep and stress levels you've been talking about have your coritsol level out of wack?!? I don't know if they can test for that or if the lab tests you had show that? I mean, I feel like you are doing soooo much right, including medical supervision/involvement. I looked at your food journal and I am amazed at the choices you are making - proteins, veggies, fruit. No processed sugars to speak of or indulgences. Anyway - just know that I'm gonna try to send a bunch of the good karma from my bank to you. I'm using a little of it myself this week - hoping that I will be able to input a smaller number into MFP on Thursday. It's been a couple weeks since I've had an "official" weigh-in, so I am hopeful that before that time I can work off all the extra I gained over the vacation and that my body regulates with the start of exercising. Anyway - keep checking back in and know that you have someone cheering for you! ~ Becky

idahogirl71

Stopping in to give a quick update....I did not get the promotion so no rush in packing and moving 1400 in 2 days time. I am okay with it. I was told by my supervisor I was first choice, but since I do not work in the office down there they were concerned about me moving that far just for a promotion in my current job because of the extreme change in weather, etc. I am fine with it. I was really confused about making the choice to move since I just located my brother a few days ago.

Speaking of brother....less than 48 hrs til we meet for the first time. I am so excited, but it feels as though time is standing still.

Classes start up again Monday and I can't wait. A week without classes is mind boggling. I need my classes to keep me sane I swear. And my husband started school just today so now we are both busy learning .

Hope everyone is doing well. Will check back in tomorrow when I have more time

heart tami

idahogirl71

Today was one of the best days of my life!! I met my brother for the first time today and it was AWESOME!!! He is amazing. We spent 4 hrs together, did some crying and a lot of laughing. Was a great day of closure to a lot unanswered questions in my life as well as his. Can't wait to see what the future holds for us! And my pic is now a pic of us together.

Kimmer2011

Great picture!

idahogirl71

Hope everyone is doing well. I'm still flying high from meeting my brother yesterday. His wife will be joining this site soon. I was able to share with them how I could sit in Arby's with them while they ate lunch and not eat foods that are not healthy for me.

Headed out for a day of fishing with my hubby. Want to burn a lot of calories today!!

Have a great day all!!

tami

Missjulesdid

First of all- Idahogirl great job at maintaining your healthy lifestyle during an emotional time like meeting your brother and not indulging in some celebratory food!

Now for my check in.

I still don't have a scale or a gym and am feeling discouraged by that. No bike yet either. I'm going out again today to try a different bike shop to try to find one. I honestly didn't think that buying a bicycle could be this hard!

I've been doing really bad at logging in my food exercise. Like many people who have weight issues, I tend to be a frustrated perfectionist.. an all or nothing kind of person and I'm working hard to change that mentality but it ain't easy. I am working on it. Overall my food has been good. I had a major binge on an entire package of chips ahoy cookies and about a half gallon of milk. I started in the morning and by night time they were all gone.

Since I don't have a scale, I did my measurements again today since it's been two weeks. They say I've lost half an inch from my neck, an inch from my boobs, an inch from my waist, an inch from my belly... but my thigh has gained an inch and all other measurements were the same. I have to admit that the thigh was the hardest measurement for me to take because they are so huge (bigger than the average woman's waist) and it was hard to know the best spot to take it. But overall it does look like I've been making a little progress.

Wish me luck on getting the bike this weekend. I walked around corona park-flushing meadows park yesterday and it is a nice big park where I can ride and they have a really long bike trail too. (for those of you who don't know queens, this park is the site of the 64 world's fair. It's where they have that giant metal globe, and those big observation towers with "spaceships" on the top that were in the end of Men in Black.)

Kjarlune

Hey guys sorry it has been a while....

Tami, YEAH!!!!!!! congrats on finally meeting your brother.. I am thrilled the two of you hit it off.It is amazing what life can give us when we allow it..

I have taken a different turn...I should take that back because really it is not true, except that I have left the scale alone...I won't be able to give progress except for once every couple of weeks.. It frankly gets in my way..

I have been a manifestation specialist for over 20 years along with coaching, therapy, relationships and a minister...Of course it all goes under the title of Canada's top Clairvoyant...lol...but anyways...in all of these years I honestly did not feel the need to lose the weight. I knew it was there, but I had something to prove. Creeping onto 40 this July told me time had to change...

What happened for me was that I went a little crazy. I no longer trusted for the first time in my life what I teach and what I know and instead I followed, tracked, tried every diet I could find for the last 6 months....A roller coaster of not trusting myself...A spiral of feeling and being out of control...All the time knowing if I would just let this go, just trust what I know everything would be ok...

I had quit smoking and that is what started this whole get rid of the pounds idea of mine...Fear of gaining or failing had a big role in my choices...Any how I was getting ready to teach some law of attraction and it hit me like a ton of bricks....That is how I lose the weight....So I spend a couple days off the site....Got myself on track....

I now eat when I am hungry, Drink water all the time, rush to the gym I am up early every day, hair and makeup done, ready for a day at the office. I feel more alive and more on track then I have felt in months....Please understand I am not selling an idea or a program here... For me I eat when I am hungry, I eat slow and I finish when I feel full....(Which is a quarter of what I am told in most diets to eat) I have been satisfied and no longer think about food every moment...

I can feel the weight falling off and the scale just messes with my head....So for me, I am no longer denying myself anything...however I am also no long feeling the need to satisfy myself with food either... I understand this will be a day to day thing but I have discovered that somewhere in my head there was a fear the food would be gone...So I had to eat it all.. Like I would not get it again....weird...Not sure where it came from....I think child hood restrictions and then being abused and force fed what I didn't want and not allowed what I did...but it no longer has a hold, which is awesome....

Our brains depict everything that is happening...If my body knows it will get food again when it is hungry, I really feel like I won't need to worry about calories.....I am eating great...feeling great...loving my world...Hope you guys are doing great....

MissJules.....I have a suggestion, just a suggestion...You have said on here money is tight, so logic says you are worrying about money while buying your bike even though you have the money put away....Walking is great exercise and it is free..I know you know that, but might need to remind yourself....For me I got caught up in weighing and logging etc etc....blah blah blah....Eat less, walk, and feel good every day...the weight will come off and you don't need to see a scale to know that...I am not judging by any means at all and you need to do what works for you...It just sounds like you are frustrated and holding onto too much, I need the bike, I need a scale etc etc...I need clean food, etc....Eat less, move more hon, it will get done....


hugs all hope it is a great Friday...

Missjulesdid

kjarlune, I hear you on the walking and I am a walker but I'm at the point that I need more than that because I can only get to around 3 miles a day when my legs swell too much.. but I can bike a long time without pain or swelling in my legs.

idahogirl71

Hi ladies....hope everyone is doing well.

KJ -- congrats on the awesome work you are doing on yourself. It is a great feeling when we realize why we are overweight and when we can find what works to lose it. I definitely do not think there is any one "diet fits all" out there. Each of us has to find what works for our body and it sounds like you have done just that.

Missjules -- I too suffer from lymphedema and completely understand the leg swelling issue. I too swell when I walk so I limit myself to walking a max of 4 days a week and only do 1.2 miles each time. If I push myself more I gain 3-4 pounds from the swelling. I have found that if I watch my sodium intake and drink at least 96 oz of water daily that I can lose with no exercise at all. But if I eat more than 800mg of sodium or don't drink my water then I gain. Stress also induces weight gain so if you are stressing over the bike issue it may not helping. Stay positive and keep up the good work . The bike and scale will work out when it is meant for you to have them.

As for me -- I am doing well. Had a good calorie burn yesterday on a fishing adventure with my husband and his best friend. And I caught a 17 1/2" trout so was happy about that, The scale is still standing pretty much at a standstill, but I go back on the Hcg protocol tomorrow so am way excited that day has come. Hoping this will get the scale moving again.

luvs2fishNhunt

Hey Ladies! I would love to join your group. I just joined this site yesterday, and I'm looking to lose about 120 lbs. Would definitly love some motivation and support from other fellow ladies in the same boat so to speak. It's always nice to travel a difficult road with people just like you. Look forward to meeting new people and sharing ideas and recipes.

Good luck everyone!

Kryssy:drinker:

Missjulesdid

Welcome! I'm pretty new too and I've found this bunch in this group to be great. They understand what it means to celebrate the small victories.

idahogirl71

Welcome Kryssy -- glad you are here.

When we get everyone on board ready to we will have weekly challenges and goals. I love challenges that will keep me motivated and goals that are not so big as to not be able to achieve. Let me know any ideas you have for either.

My current goal is to reach 315 pounds by May 28th.

Have a great day!!

Tami

RhonndaJ

Hi all, I'd love to join in on this group and I certainly hit the criteria of 300+.

Basics

MFP start date: May 10, 2011
MFP start weight: 405
current weight: 403
goal weight: 180
#1 reason to lose weight: I want to be more active and to fit more comfortably in the world, especially planes.

I'll be setting myself weekly goals. They'll be small to start because I can be easily overwhelmed. The first week's goals are to track everything I eat, staying within the calorie limit MFP has set, and drink at least 8 glasses of water.

I'm seeing a doc in two weeks and at that point my plan is likely to change but right now my plan is to make better choices about what I eat, and to be aware of what and why I am eating.

If anyone would like to add me as a friend it would be welcome.

idahogirl71

Welcome Familiar ~~

I am glad to see that you are setting small goals. This journey can and will at times definitely be overwhelming and small, achievable goals are the way to do it. I know for me looking at the large amount I need to lose depresses me so I have set small goals that average 1-2 months at a time. This is what works for me.

*Update ~~ I am down 1.6 pounds (the amt of the trout I caught yesterday) and am happy about that. That makes 49.4 pounds lost so far. Now if I could just keep going down instead of fluctuating!! I started back on the hcg protocol today which means today and tomorrow I have to eat 2500-3000 calories each day, then on day 3 drop down to 500 calories. My body is not happy with all these extra calories and carbs being put in my body. I ate some ice cream (first refined sugar eaten in nearly 2 months) and it felt like a cement brick in my stomach. But this is part of the protocol. Can't wait for Monday when I drop back down to the 500 calories for 41 days.

Hope you all have a good weekend

Tami

RhonndaJ

Today marks the start of week two for me, so new goals.

Start eating more vegetables, pay closer attention to my carbs to get the number down, add some exercise to my week.

Right now my weigh in day is Thursdays in the hopes of it helping me to get through a day off, which is harder for me to stay in control because it's less structured, so we'll see on Thursday how I've done.

Missjulesdid

Familiar- Sounds like you have a very sensible approach. Glad to see that you're adding more veggies you can't go wrong with all the vitamins and fiber they give you YUM! Maybe you'll meet your first mini goal this week?

idahogirl71

hi ladies ~~

How is everyone today? I am doing well. I gained 5 pounds over the weekend, but expected that to happen during the "bulk up" phase of the plan I am on. But this morning I was down 3.6 of those pounds so at least I'm now headed in the right again . Now if I can just get down below the 325 mark I would be happy, happy, happy. This will be my 3rd time approaching 325 since I began this journey in January. Thursday is 120 days on this journey so I am really hoping to be below that number by then!!

Have a great evening ladies!!

Tami

Missjulesdid

More bike shopping today. I've found the one I'm going to get. I may have it this week. WOO HOOOOOOOOOO! And next week I can call to see if my grant for the gym membership went through.

I've been doing better at filling in my food journal, but still not where I need to be. I'm going in the right direction. I've noticed that I'm pretty full from eating so much fiber- I target about 40 grams a day.

I'm excited to be able to start doing weekly weigh ins... I've been saying I'm 320 but who knows who much I really am.. Could be 340 for all I know.

idahogirl71

You go Missjules!! I am happy for you that you will be getting the bike. And I bet when you do finally step on a scale you will weigh less than you think . Wouldn't that be a nice surprise?!?

PhoenixRising17

Name: Kristin
MFP start date: May 2, 2011
MFP start weight: 362.4
Current Weight: 361.4
Goal Weight-150-175

I have a lot of different reasons for wanting to lose weight, my main reason is my health...I will be 26 years old on May 25th and was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes two years ago as well as High Blood Pressure...and told that I have bad cholesterol...I have been overweight all of my life...I cant even remember when I weighed under 300lbs I am noticing the older I get that my weight is a big problem for me and I feel like I dont fit in with normal society because of my weight issues I want to feel comfortable in my own skin and be able to enjoy my life while Im young because I feel like old age and wrinkles are right around the corner for me (I know i can be a bit dramatic) but I just feel like I need to stop putting this off and focus on me and getting myself healthy so that i can live a long healthy life and hopefully inspire those around me on the way! I look forward to working with all of you on this journey!!!!

idahogirl71

Happy, happy Wednesday all -- and welcome Krispy!!

OMG I am so exited today!! I am finally past my 3 1/2 week plateau and below 325!! Yeah!!!!!! I won't post my weight until tomorrow though since tomorrow is day 120 of my journey. But I think you will all be surprised at the loss in the last 48 hrs. I know I was!! I am still striving for 315 by the 28th for my daughter's 16th birthday. I am so wanting to be able to say I weigh what I did the day she was born. I know that 16 yrs ago I weighed 315 and 8 yrs ago I weighed 329, but I never weighed myself in between so I don't know exactly how long ago it was that I weighed what I weigh today. Somewhere between 8 and 16 yrs ago, that I do know.

Tonight will be interesting - I am going to a taco salad potluck with some friends. I can't eat any of those foods on the program I am on so will be taking my own food. The hardest part will be passing up the diet soda. The only things I miss are diet soda and milk.

Well I need to get out there burning some calories!! My week's goal is 500 a day for a total of 3500.

Have a great day all!! Chat with ya later.

dnthaveasn

I would love to join.

MFP start date: May 3, 2011
MFP start weight: 350 (I started become healthy in the beginning of the year and my weight was 387)
CW: 346
GW: 140-130

I just really want to start being healthy, and being over 300 pounds is not. I want to get rid of all these medical problems cause by my weight.

Oh and my name is Destinee:happy:

idahogirl71

Welcome Destinee!

So starting this Sunday I would like to start incorporating a weekly challenge....so any ideas would be great. I would like to do an exercise challenge such as burn 3500 calories the first week and expand from there ... so if you are up to it let me know, if you aren't quit there yet we can improvise....no one will be left out no matter what your activity level is .

Ali_TSO

I'd like to join! Whatever weight in day is fine with me. This is a great idea!

Current health problems:
Pre-diabetes
PCOS (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome)
Anemia
Vitamin D deficiency
Foot and back pain
Swelling of feet, ankles, and calves

SW: 353 lbs on 5/11/11
CW: 348 lbs on 5/18/11
GW: 230 lbs (my first really big goal)

Current BMI: 57.9 (ugh)

Down 5 lbs so far in 7 days!

I'm ready to DO this!!!!!! My reasons are...if we're being honest...to be able to even HAVE a sex life with my husband...so that we can start a family soon. But I don't want to be pregnant and be the weight I am now, so --- it's GOTTA COME OFF!!!!!