Need to lose about 150 lbs

MomofAnt

Hey! My name is Tabitha, and I'm starting this weight loss journey because of doctor's orders. Obviously, I've known I needed to lose weight just about my entire life, but I guess I needed a kick in my butt to get me to take it seriously. No matter how many times I read about the health risks of being obese, no matter how many fad "diets" I went on, no matter how many times I cried myself to sleep because I didn't want to be fat - I just couldn't stick to it, and I wound up gaining even more weight!

Now, I'm faced with a few potential health issues. (I say potential because my doctor is currently running tests to find the correct diagnosis...or diagnoses.) I could have one or more of the following: diabetes, tachycardia, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), hypo/hyperthyroidism, hormone deficiencies, high cholesterol, and/or insulin resistance. All of these come with problems of their own, such as high risk of heart disease, heart attack, blindness, infertility, and so on and so forth. There's also the possibility that I could have none of these, and something even more serious. Oh, did I mention I'm only 28 years old?

I'm a stay-at-home mother. Fortunately, that means I have the ability to cook meals at home on a regular basis. Even on days we have outings (I educate my son at home), I can pack a healthy lunch to take with me. However, I struggle with late night snacking and not eating until I'm so hungry that I can't be bothered to take the time to actually cook good food. I would love to share recipes and meal ideas with others, as well as find friends that are struggling like me and want some support.

One of my main goals is to get under 200 lbs. I know I will need to continue to lose after that, but I haven't been under 200 lbs since I was 15 years old. It would be a great accomplishment in my life! Another of my goals is to be able to get pregnant again. If I have PCOS, losing weight is key to keeping it managed - and to having the ability to add another baby or two to our family.

I look forward to new friends and new beginnings! :flowerforyou:

Cate1898

We're all in it together. I have some of those health risks you are being tested for. Definitely a wake up call. Friend me and we'll encourage each other!

rascalcat8

You're off to a great start! I, too, would like to get back under 200 lbs, and have also been diagnosed with some of the same conditions. We're all here for you.

jamiesadler

Welcome and good luck

Musicalinda

There's a group of us who are looking to lose 100 lbs or more. Send me a friend request, many of my friends are from that group. You'll be in good company. Good luck! We'll help!

EpicMeyri

Hey! Welcome to MFP! this really helped me lose some weight. I know its isn't going to be easy. For me is still difficult to lose weight. Just keep on trying . GOOD LUCK!

sassygamma

Sometimes it takes a scare from our Dr to get us moving, you can do this, check out the recipe section there are some great recipes and snack ideas. Read the message boards for lots of motivations, this is a wonderful site with a lot of wonderful people and whats nice we are all here for the same reason... You can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mon696

It can be done! In the beginning, I would plan out a couple days of meals at a time and just follow it. It is easiest if you do not make any decisions about what you are going to eat when you are hungry. I plan out 3 meals and 3 snacks. If I don't get hungry, I am less likely to eat food I shouldn't. Sending you a friend request!

MomofAnt

Oh my word! Thank you everyone for the very quick responses and the friend requests! Loving this site even more now

katyconser

welcome to MFP! it's a really great community here.. whenever i have trouble or questions, these forums are great positive reinforcement. i'll see someone's success story or even someone with a similar internal struggle and the positive responses to that are so motivating! just the act of writing down everything you eat (or typing... whatever) is a huge help! i'm sure you know where to start for your own success, but the focus that has helped me eat less is to really focus on fiber and protein consumption from the very first bite in the morning, b/c it really keeps those hunger pangs away. YOU CAN DO THIS!! always feel free to reach out when you need support

faiga

can i join too

lalalaleah

You're going to do so great if you stick to it! I'm definitely cheering for you.

mikda999

We're in this together.

mpeugh28

Welcome to MFP!!! You will succeed in your journey, together as a group we can do it. . Add me if you like.

skinnybearlyndsay

Feel free to add me! We have a similar amount to lose and I'd love awesome new friends.

Dare2Believe

Welcome, I'm also here because of my Dr. (although, being a nurse I didn't really need him to tell me what I already knew myself!) This is a great site. Make sure and log your food intake, it is a big help. I was so surprised once I started doing this. The calories add up fast. I'm sure if I were to log a "typical" day of food for me before starting MFP my calories would have been astronomical (haven't had the nerve to do it just yet.) Good luck on your weight loss journey.

tonihayden

way to getting started and with a great attiude!!
add me..would be happy to be friends!!

bugtrain

Welcome to MFP! I would love supporting you if you need more friends! Just send a request if you want! Good luck!

MomofAnt

Thank you everyone for the friend invites, and I can't wait to get to know all of you! Please don't think me rude if I did not send you a return message with your friend request. I was trying to keep up with all of it at once - I got overwhelmed and can respond to some, but I lost track of who asked/said what. So if you don't get a reply from me (and you wrote a message in your friend request), I'm sorry!

I do remember one of you asked a very pointed question about something in my profile that you read - and I lost who it was. If it was you, can you please inbox me? I'd like to elaborate. :happy:

lexidell46

You can friend me also. I have found this is the only program that has ever worked for me. Also the support system from others that is great. Thanks you all very much for being there.:flowerforyou:

liss0916

Hey there :flowerforyou:

Welcome to My Fitness Pal. I would love to add you and to give you support. This site is awesome. We are all here for the same reason, so here you will never come across anyone who will criticize your weight. Welcome aboard and hang in there, you can do this… This site is freaking awesome. I’ve joined 2 weeks ago and I’ve already lost 6 pounds, (and counting).

ABeautifulDistraction

Welcome to MFP! I am here to tell you that you CAN live well with hypothyroidism, and you CAN lose weight. It's a challenge, but it's doable. I am on my own journey living with it, but I am slowly whipping it into submission. My sis has PCOS, and she has been able to conceive and now runs marathons - it's all about great care and support. This forum is a true blessing - most of the members will support you through more than you could ever imagine.

macylane4

Do you have the drive and motivation to lose and change our life once and for all? You said that the doctor ordered you to lose weight?! That should leave your vocabulary, and you should start saying you are losing weight for you and ONLY YOU!!!! I have did the same thing as you throughout my life, and this is the first time I said, " I'm not going through a break up, or not doing because of the put downs, but I'm doing this for me, and to prove to myself that life is more then just a cookie fix!!!" I have had very trying times in my journey, and I've been very stressed lately etc, but I have not fallen off the wagon once, and I have made my mind up this is a life change!! I am around your age, and don't have or know if I can have kids. My doctor told me the same thing as you, and it has taken me a couple years to finally make a change for me!!! Keep logging your food and exercise, and we will all be here to support you!! MFP really helped me in my journey!! And if one day you don't make it to the gym, or feel like a break from exercise...it's ok, but get back to it the next day! LOG all of your calories NO MATTER WHAT!!! It keeps you very accountable!!!

rachelgoutos

Welcome! Feel free to add me as well. We have similar goals!

SafireBleu

Hi and welcome to MFP! Feel free to add me. I'm a SAHM with 4kids and can always add someone to support. I love cooking and sometimes will share a recipe. You can do this if you really want to but you have to really want it for you, no one and nothing but you.

terewilliams

Sometimes it takes a scare from our Dr to get us moving, you can do this, check out the recipe section there are some great recipes and snack ideas. Read the message boards for lots of motivations, this is a wonderful site with a lot of wonderful people and whats nice we are all here for the same reason... You can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am trying to get under 200 as well, trying to manage asthma and respiratory problems through diet and exercise and love desserts and to snack late at night. I agree that this is a wonderful site with a lot of wonderful people. I have found great recipes and even added a couple. Last night I made Curried Chicken Breast. It was great and my wonderfully fit retired marine loved it as well. You can do it!

Lorie269

Hi. I haven't been under 200lbs since I was in high school. My mom was recently diagnosed as Type 2 diabetic and it scared the pants off of me. She was always overweight and now that I outweigh her, it was the kick I needed to start my journey. Feel free to add me. We need all the motivation and support we can get.

sandra80

you can do it!!!!!!!!

christibam

I only need to lose half a pound more than you! It seems like such a huge mountain to get over to lose pretty much half your body weight but it CAN be done.

The best advice I can give you is to not look at that giant mountain. Ever. Instead of thinking, "Oh my god... how am I going to do this forever?" DON'T! Just tell yourself that you just have to do it today. One day isn't so bad, right? Tomorrow, wake up and tell yourself the same thing.

It might take one year, it might take ten years. But however long it takes, it's something that NEEDS to be done one day at a time. Sure, it's great to plan out for further in the week and month... but don't get discouraged when you start to doubt if you'll actually ever finish. (Trust me, it'll come at some point)

Good luck!!! You can add me if you want and you can always message me if you need anything.

MomofAnt

whoops

MomofAnt

Do you have the drive and motivation to lose and change our life once and for all? You said that the doctor ordered you to lose weight?! That should leave your vocabulary, and you should start saying you are losing weight for you and ONLY YOU!!!! I have did the same thing as you throughout my life, and this is the first time I said, " I'm not going through a break up, or not doing because of the put downs, but I'm doing this for me, and to prove to myself that life is more then just a cookie fix!!!" I have had very trying times in my journey, and I've been very stressed lately etc, but I have not fallen off the wagon once, and I have made my mind up this is a life change!! I am around your age, and don't have or know if I can have kids. My doctor told me the same thing as you, and it has taken me a couple years to finally make a change for me!!! Keep logging your food and exercise, and we will all be here to support you!! MFP really helped me in my journey!! And if one day you don't make it to the gym, or feel like a break from exercise...it's ok, but get back to it the next day! LOG all of your calories NO MATTER WHAT!!! It keeps you very accountable!!!

:-) Your post made me smile! I am doing this for me. I am doing this for ME. I AM doing this for ME!!!!!

I guess what I meant was that my doctor finally helped me realize the seriousness of the matter. She also pretty much told me that I will not have any more children if I don't do what I need to do. Which made me cry, because I want to have a house full of children. So when I say my doctor ordered me (she did), I look at it as my wake-up call.

Thanks for the advice and the encouragement! And congrats on your weight loss - absolutely amazing!