Thought I would say hi

chelleanne71

I've been overweight most of my life. I lost 65 pounds about 8 years ago in a relationship with a very controlling and abusive man. Although I loved the way I looked, it was not a good time in my life. When I finally found my way out of that relationship, I put back every pound plus about 20 more. I've been struggling to figure out how to lose the weight for me and not because I was forced to. I saw my parents over Christmas (first time in about 3 years) and was in shock. Both are on insulin. My mom's ankles were so swollen she couldn't stand for very long and both had heart issues. Realized that I didn't want to be in their place in 30 years. Still I did nothing. Finally took a health assessment at work (took it because they were giving away $10 gift cards if we did, not because I wanted to know about my health). Well, seeing that I was at high risk for a heart attack within the next 10 years woke me up. Threw out all the soda and junk, went on a healthy food shopping spree and started exercising. It's working. Haven't lost much and can't exercise too much at once, but figure it's better than sitting on the couch slurping down Mountain Dew and eating McDonalds. Any advice or input is more than welcome. Finding it's costing a whole lot more to eat healthy than it was to eat junk. So, definitely, any advice on how to eat healthier without breaking the bank would be wonderful.

molina76853

Hang in there and take it one day at a time. I have been on MFP for over a year but was not at all serious about my lifestyle change until March 04, 2013. Logging all your food really does give you accountability and teaches you about eating healthier calories. I have been exercising and drinking lots of water. I have not seen much weight loss but do feel amazingly different with lots more energy and mind clarity. It has taken me a while to adjust my calorie intake, I started off with the 1200 calories that MFP recommended but found that I was hungry all the time and was not loosing any weight at all nor feeling any different so I upped my calories to 1800 a day for a few weeks and found that I was feeling stuffed all the time, so now I have been on 1600 calories a day for over a week now and do feel a big difference. Some days I will eat back my exercise calories and some days I do not. It is all a learning experience, learning to live a healthy lifestyle.

ltowne

Good luck! It is a lifestyle that you have to embrace. I find it so hard because "socially" we eat out with friends and family so much and it is hard when I love the taste of food. Making good choices is not always easy and at times I just "plain get tired of thinking about it". Logging on this site has made me realize the poor choices that I make with fast food. I still eat it, but I at least know what I am doing and how many calories it is costing me. Yes, eating healthy is costly. Try smaller portions. I also know that when eating out you should take 1/2 of your meal home....a good way to save! Best of luck....health is vital, especially as we age. You are on the right track. One day at a time. Feel free to add me for support!

terri_journey

I sent you a message, you can add me if you like. thanks :happy: