The Former Morbidly Obese

crzyone

I need help. Thank you in advance. HOW do you turn your life around?

icimani

I'm still in the morbidly obese category, even after losing over 100 pounds - that gives you some idea of how much i had to lose. I hope I'm allowed to answer?

Start eating healthier - smaller portions of better quality food.

Move more - everything counts when you have a lot to lose. Walk farther to the grocery store, start playing Wii, walk around your house a few times each day.

A little bit at a time.

You've already lost 6 pounds - you're on your way! Feel free to add me as a friend.

PosterGuy1

I need help. Thank you in advance. HOW do you turn your life around?

II began this journey on 1/1 and I weighed 420.2 pounds. I now weigh 359.6 pounds. I have been eating a lot healthier. Feel free to look at my diary and friend me.

thecakelocker

Cutting calories to a reasonable deficit (TDEE-20%), adding in healthy snacks to reduce snack urges, taking up an exercise routine, and really most importantly loving myself and forgiving myself for being so fat. Coming to terms with my weight and self and letting go of the comfort/guilt I attached to food was hard but so worth it.

Graelwyn75

Determination, constantly visualising and reminding yourself of how you wish to be, focus on why you became so obese in the first place(whether emotional or other) and rectifying that(because if it is due to emotional issues, it will be very hard to lose weight without dealing with those issues as well), small changes, forgetting the word 'diet' and focussing instead on 'health' and changing your entire lifestyle gradually, learning to cook can help so you can create healthier versions of the foods you like, moving as much as you can, and building up that movement as your fitness improves, never losing hope, accepting you will not be 'perfect' and will have 'bad eating days' and that this is not an excuse to give up and revert, finding hobbies and activities to replace eating if you tend to eat through boredom or emotional factors, reaching out for and accepting support from others on mfp, whether they are where you are or have been where you are. Fill a scrapbook with motivational quotes, and reasons you want to do this, and remind yourself whenever you feel like giving up. And don't feed into the massive industry that is quite happy to take our money regardless of the effects their foods might have on our wellbeing.

PosterPens

you have to really, really want it. then you have to really, really commit to it. take each day as it comes, as it does gets easier along as you start shedding the weight. find foods you like and incorporate those into your day, staying within your calorie goal.

if youre having portion problems, weight watchers is a good place to start. thats where i started, i totally forgot how to eat and what a normal portion was. still eat the foods i love, and dropping the pounds.

TesselCat

Just take it one step at a time and learn to forgive yourself for past and future mistakes.

dnlg18652

Wow that is awesome!

Gr8ChangesAhead

One good choice at a time. One step at a time. One day at a time. You only have the future to look forward to

pwittek10

You can do it!
I did and I am 60 years old,
my only regret was I did not do it in my 30"s
Do it for yourself and you will find yourself.

msmollygp

I decided to make the choice to eat healthy and work out. Even though it hurt (I had foot surgery and a bad back) to exercise at first, it was the little steps I took to change my life that made the difference. I make the CHOICE to work out and eat healthy and it shows. You can do this, but realize that it takes time, dedication, and perseverance!

dogo187

one day, one meal, one workout, one choice at a time....

and as some one already said....you have to really, really, really want it...

once you stop make excuses and get really honest with yourself, and stop fooling yourself into believing that "you can just go on a diet when you are ready"...

one piece of advice that i can give you is never, never, quit! if you have a bad day/week/month then you have to just pull up your big girl panties and get right back to living a healthful lifestyle....

i know some people who never fell off and lost weight quickly...but that just didnt work for me...its taken me two and a half years to lose almost 150lbs and its been HARD! but worth every single bit of the hard work that ive had to put in!

StheK

As others have said, in small steps, one day at a time, learning to forgive yourself when you make mistakes. And, for me, finally being so tired of my current existence that if I didn't start changing SOMETHING, I couldn't much see the point of ANYTHING. But I'm here on this planet, still alive, so there's hope- and I'm going to make the most of it for as long as I can. I hope you find what motivates you to start making those small changes that add up- I think being here is a very good start.

TesselCat

and as some one already said....you have to really, really, really want it...

This is a really important thing, that I don't think can be said enough. Also, though, you have to really, really want it for -yourself.- If you try to do it for anyone else, you'll be a lot less motivated and less likely to follow through.

Jolene8992

Theres no magic. You just do it. If you really have to ask, then your probably not ready. We all have to hit our own wall, where we decide to pull up our big girl panties and just do it.

jestersand

Been there. I suggest you start slow. Don't focus on changing food choices right now. What you want to do is get out there and walk for about 30 minutes each day. If your knees can't handle that, I recommend an indoor swimming pool. Get your heart pumping! After a week gradually ease up on your food intake. Eliminate the junk food slowly. If you start feeling deprived you will lose the battle. Each week add a little more exercise and each week make healthier choices at the table. Keep it even. Within the first couple weeks you'll find that losing weight at this point is so easy. Once you get down to my size, it's when the real hard work begins. Best of luck!

Proyecto_AN

i'm no longer morbidly obese, so you can do it. Feel free to add me, maybe we can learn from each other.

Duck_Puddle

Find your reason to want this, the reason that really means something to you. It doesn't have to be a good reason, it just needs to mean the world to you. You will need this reason often-it will carry you through the rough patches. My reason is in my profile, but is likely meaningless to you. But find something that means as much to you as my reason means for me.

Find healthy food that you actually like to eat. You need to make changes you think you can stick to forever. If you hate celery, dot eat it. Find something you DO like that is reasonably healthy (or at least healthier). Eat that. Don't think you need to starve to lose weight-you don't. I eat all day long, and make room in my life for cookies and cake and pizza and bacon cheeseburgers. Not all the time, but the prospect of life without goodies is unfathomable. I don't eat anything that I don't like. Make sure you do the same.

Move more. Don't go into the fitness forum and read about people doing HIIT and going for 10 mile runs. If you can manage walking at a slow pace for 5 minutes, that's awesome! That's 5 minutes you weren't moving before. Build up to 10 minutes or whatever. Point being to compare you to you. Progress on where you are. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Only you know what you can do-and congratulate yourself for every accomplishment.

Realize there is no "done". This will go forever. Whatever you do to lose weight is something you need to do for the rest of your life. Set goals based on behaviors you can control (what you eat, how much you exercise). Meet those goals and the weight will come off.

Lastly, we are humans. We all mess up. We all have days where we make not the best food choices (go find the "how much is the most you've ever been over" thread for examples). What makes the difference is that a cookie puts you over by 200 calories. That's 200 calories. If you turn that into "I've failed, I suck, I blew it and might as well start over tomorrow", you'll be over by 3000 calories by the time you're done. Learn to accept that you ate a cookie and life will go on and you'll survive and keep going and like all those posting that they have been over by 4-10k calories in a day, you'll have success.

Best wishes.

IsMollyReallyHungry

and as some one already said....you have to really, really, really want it...

This is a really important thing, that I don't think can be said enough. Also, though, you have to really, really want it for -yourself.- If you try to do it for anyone else, you'll be a lot less motivated and less likely to follow through.

and I would like to add using MFP for support and if you need additional support seeking it out. Asking for help because it is easier to do with support and knowing you are not alone.

bonjour24

You do have to really want it. You have to want it so much that when you think you want the cake, you remember that you want something else more. You have to want it so much that you find the extra hour that you didn't know existed, so that you can exercise to meet your goals.

You have to want it enough to make those changes that you know already need to happen, and you stop finding excuses and start finding solutions and ways to make it happen.

It does take some adjustment! And we all have good days and bad days. But there is never a point where you throw in the towel and choose to stop trying. You just pick it back up where you left off and keep on trucking.

gettinfit320

I started to turn my life around by making small changes that I could live with for the rest of my life. Examples: Changed from soda to diet soda, then to water... Regular chips to baked chips, now....I only baked chips once in a while or pass on them all together. Slowly I stopped buying foods in a 'box' and switched to fresh salad and more vegetables...The boxed food extend shelf life....will shorten your life.

I won't lie this took me a year, but my eating habits are so much better....now I'm working on regular daily exercise...I still have a ways to go, but using this process I've lost 50 lbs and kept it off for several years. Last summer / fall I had gained about 20 lbs when a loved one died suddenly and I spiraled out of control....but I didn't go back to unhealthy foods during this time, only very bad portion control....AND too much restaurant food. But I'm back with MFP for the long haul...changing my life one day at a time. Remember, start by making small changes you can live with permanently.....then you will never be on a 'diet' it will just be how you live YOUR LIFE. All the best.....

tannyb

For me personally, planning is key. Plan out your meals for the week and go grocery shopping to make sure you have all the ingredients. When I don't plan out our meals ahead, we usually wind up with takeout because it is quick and easy. Also, when I know what we are having for supper, I can pre-log all my food for the day each morning. That way, I know if I have a few extra calories to play with that day (in which case I may allow myself a little treat) or if I will be a few over and have to add in an extra workout or two (maybe walk or bike an extra 30 minutes.) But it's all in the planning (at least for me!) Good luck on your journey!

Laura8603

First and foremost, you have to believe you are worth the effort. You have to learn to put yourself first. When you slip up, forgive yourself and immediately get back on track. You have to keep the faith that you CAN do this. 90% of it is mental.

Good luck in your journey.

kharmon70

It is exactly what you said....a lifestyle change. It's good to know that you are starting out looking at losing weight in a healthy perspective (a lifestyle change). It cannot be done in one day. It's one day at a time and each day you gain more and more information and motivation to continue on and see what new and positive steps you can make toward a healthier life. Don't look at it as just losing weight and looking good, keep in mind that it's about your physical heath (and emotional health too). It might sound cliche to say that all you need to do is to take the first step, but that is exactly the answer. Just do it, like Nike says.

Start reading anything and everything you can about nutrition, how the body works/metabolizes food, what works with your body and not against, etc... Gradually, you see yourself make lots and lots of changes along the way and the progress WILL show. I know what I'm talking about. I was 360 lbs and lost 220 in less than a year by doing nothing more than eating healthy and exercising (once I was able to loss enough weight to walk more than 5 minutes at a time). I kept it off for 3 1/2 years before gaining a couple of pounds back when I took a short sabbatical (I have 20 to lose right now).

I changed my eating habits by looking toward very low carbs and high protein. I also included eating according to the glycemic index. I was a severe Type II diabetic, so eating in the manner helped my blood sugar levels and as soon as they were stable, the weight really flew off as the diabetes was not hindering my ability to lose the weight.

Stay on MFP. The MFP community can really give you support and motivation! Measure/weight your food (at first it's a pain, but soon it will become second nature). Do NOT look into quick fixes, they only lead to disappointment. Do it the healthy way! At the same time, don't try and eat the standard (and stupid) 1200 calories MFP is defaulted to. Talk to a nutritionist, your doctor - if you have a good one, or a physical trainer and get an idea of how many calories you should be eating a day. I try to eat around 1300 to 1600 - depending on my weight and how much I have worked out that day. I'm supposed to be eating 1600 a day, but sometimes it is hard to reach that caloric intake - which is funny, because I used to have no problem eating 4000+ calories a day.

Stay the course. You CAN do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

crzyone

Thank you all for the encouragement.

RoadsterGirlie

I wasn't morbidly obese, but I was just under the "obese" category at 215. I lost 90 lbs. I did it by tracking my food intake and making healthy and sustainable choices. Planning ahead is crucial, and remember - It's not about starving yourself. Choose food that you know is going to fuel your body in a positive direction, like lean protein, veggies and fruits. Healthy carbs like potatoes are good too.

I also cut ALL sugar soda and juices out of my diet. They are empty, unnecessary calories with no nutritional value whatsoever.

It's also good to allow yourself a treat once a week, like a slice of cake or pie. Just don't overdo it.

Heather1899

*Counting calories
*Cutting out soda-I never drink it anymore but I drink more milk, tea ect
*Eating more veggies and lean protein, less processed foods
*Expect that mistakes happen and just move on from them
*Don't give up, there will be weeks the scale won't move or you won't see results-be patient
*You need to eat enough calories for your body
*Eat in moderation, there is usually one thing I crave during the week I will have a small portion of that on the weekend
*Exercise but listen to your body-sometimes there were exercises on dvds that I didn't feel comfortable doing so I didn't do those, I would skip them or modify it

symonspatrick

Slowly but surely. We are doing it and so can you. No big secret. Just lower calories. And exercise is always a good idea. It takes a long time so patience helps. Oh also you can never give up no matter what happens. Yes, you can do it.

nwg74

I finally bought some scales and realised I was just 19 pounds from the maximum weight. I was also 60 pounds heaver than I thought I was.

I knew I couldn't give up so just took it a day at a time and now I am over 200 pounds lighter in a less than 2 years. I lost 154 pounds in my first year and just 48 in my second.

I started with a BMI of 58.4 and I am now in the overweight category with BMI of 26.5

peacemongernc

When I started, I was stubborn about what I would do and I wouldn't do. Looking back, I think that is one of the things that has made me successful. Another thing that also helped has been gradually willing to do some of the things I said I wouldn't. Well meaning people just didn't understand how some of their suggestions, early on, were NOT helpful!

I read a blog last night that said something along the lines of no matter what you chose to do to lose weight, if you are to be successful losing A LOT of weight, at some point you have to make the method your own. It has to fit who you are and what you can manage and what fits with who you are called to be.

That is SO true! I already had a fairly decent understanding of nutrition before I started, so when folks kept pushing "diet plans" on me I balked. I'm 100% certain that if I had followed a plan I could have lost it faster, but I'm also almost certain I couldn't have done it AT ALL. I needed to start where I was and make small changes as they made sense.

Early on it made sense to cut back on sugar and simple carbs because they made me feel bad when I ate them, but it just didn't make much sense to me to radically change my diet to up my protein to a level that I wouldn't have been able or happy to sustain. I was opposed to a diet high in animal protein for all sorts of reasons. 11 months into my journey, I re-evaluated and decided to increase my animal protein for a while to see what would happen.

But in the end, for me, I think the reasons this is working is because I've used my experience and MFP as diagnostic tools, not "The Diet Police" that they are for some people. If I eat it, I log it. Reese's cups, birthday cake, milk shakes... whatever it is. I may initially eat it because of poor choice or frustration or poor planning, but it all becomes part of the research! How did I do that day, overall? What sort of impact did it have on my loss? What sort of impact did it have on the other choices that day? How about my sodium, protein, fat intake on those days? Was it worth it? Is there some way I could either plan for it or prevent it?

Everything can be a learning experience, even if it is a setback!

I wouldn't do anything in the beginning that I wasn't willing to do everyday for the rest of my life. But I found that there were lots of things I could seriously consider doing every day if it would help me to be more healthy. The further I've gotten down this road, the more changes I'm willing and able to make, and the easier they are sustain.

peacemongernc

and as some one already said....you have to really, really, really want it...

This is a really important thing, that I don't think can be said enough. Also, though, you have to really, really want it for -yourself.- If you try to do it for anyone else, you'll be a lot less motivated and less likely to follow through.

This must be true for most folks because I see this all the time. But it wasn't true for me. I was just telling my husband today that I think there were some advantages to being over 300 pounds but being able to eat what I wanted to without thinking and to being about to sit around all the time and not think about exercise. I started making changes because I wanted to be healthier, but I wasn't willing to do enough to lose more than about 40 pounds. I was hoping for avoiding injury, not gaining any more weight, and getting stronger so it would be easier to get up off the floor. I honestly didn't expect any more than that. I didn't think I could do it for a whole lot of reasons, mostly that I didn't think I was willing to do what I thought had to be done to turn my life around.

So, I didn't really really REALLY want it. But it seemed reasonable to make some more responsible choices than the ones I had been making. You can't even imagine how surprised I was to find out that a series of responsible choices would lead to losing over 100 pounds!!!!!!!

NOW I really really REALLY want it! But that didn't happen until I had lost more than 80 pounds. I didn't know it was possible.

But at every point when I thought I wasn't going to make any more progress, I kept going because the changes I had made were not crazy hard, they weren't following someone else's plan, and because I didn't want to go back to where I was before. I wasn't ready to stop.

I'm not a go-getter. I'm a not-stopper!

And things that challenge us, change us.