Once more into the fray...

Baslow

Hello, my name is Barry and, at 325 lbs. I am morbidly obese. My reasons for trying (once more) to lose -- and keep off -- weight are primarily health concerns. I'm hoping that with substantial weight loss my knees and ankles will feel better, my sleeping will improve and I can prevent my diabetes from growing far worse. It would be nice, too, if dropping pounds led to exercise being a little easier.

I have tried to lose weight numerous times before and the best success I've experienced has been with counting calories. The process has been laborious, however, and has proven in the past to be somewhat unsustainable. My new hope, in this regard, lies with the recent acquisition of a Samsung Galaxy Tab, a 7" tablet computer that is small, light and convenient enough to use as a companion computer, which I carry wherever I go. On one hand it shares with paper food diaries the advantage of being right there, so I can log food as soon as I eat it. On the other hand it is like a PC in the immediate feedback it provides -- charts, graphs and tables, calorie calculations -- all the features MFP users are acquainted with. It is only my first week, too early to tell for sure, but my first times using the Galaxy Tab as a food monitor lead me to believe that I stand a greater chance of success than has been the case in a long time.

Of course I have lost large quantities of weight (up to 70 lbs.) several times before, only to find that, after six months or a year at my goal weight, I slowly started creeping up in size again. This will be the real test of my new toy. Even if it can help me lose the weight will it help me keep it off? I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

KellyEsparza

Good luck! I have been very happy with this site. I hope that you will be too.

mrphil86

Got to love android tablets, especially the new galaxy tabs that will be out soon.

But anyways, welcome to MFP! Weight loss is a very hard journey. Most people loose motivation and thats why we fail. The diet and exercise part are easy. Don't be afraid to add people including myself as friends.

SimplyDeLish

You can do this! Being healthy is a lifestyle - one that takes a bit of getting used to, but once you go all in it's worth it - you are worth it! This site has great tools - use them to lose and to maintain!

Ridestolive6969

Barry- congratulations on taking the step you need to be healthy!
I am a Registered Nurse and I can tell you that this is absolutley do-able! The counting calories is made much easier by the tablet and I think you will also find there is so much great information to be had not only here on MFP but on the internet.

The biggest thing you can do for yourself is be educated about what you are putting into your body. for every food choice there is another, good or bad. You have not had sustained weight loss in the past, but that is no predictor for the future! If you learn to make the right food choices you will not only be able to eat, but enjoy eating and be healthy!

Good luck!

Leskinn

I have a good friend that weighed 365lbs. at his heaviest. He had to retire on disability since he had diabetes. He is now down to 232 and diabetes is in check, doesn't have to take any pills. It's definately worth the effort.