New here, and in big trouble...

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Replies

  • kimjoan
    kimjoan Posts: 192 Member
    I use to weigh 333 pounds, I have lost almost 150 and I did it with gastric bypass surgery - but IT IS NOT for everyone.

    1 - Start moving, even if it is just a 15 minute walk around the block, or parking your car a few spaces further from the store than you normally do.

    2 - Go see a therapist/counselor/etc. If there is not a physical reason why you are where you are then their is a mental reason. Some people turn to alcohol, some to drugs, some of us to food. The key here is to find out why and fix it.

    3 - Try to loose the weight on your own through increased exercise and a good diet. You have not been overweight for long and have probably not gotten into a habit of yo-yo dieting. Give it time. I know it is cliche but, "Nothing tastes as good as being healthly feels".

    4 - After 6 months or so of the above see where you are, re-consult with your primary care provider. But, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT have gastric bypass surgery if you have not faced the realities as why you are where you are. GBS patients who do not succeed fail because they have skipped this step. Or, they keep the weight off but become addicted to something else.

    Everyone I know who has been successful with weight loss surgery has done so because they followed these steps. I am 8 1/2 years post op and stil have the weight off. But, do not be sucked into the mantra that WLS is the easy way out because it isn't. You have a modified diet for the rest of your life. WLS only helps you loose 60-70% of the weight you need to loose. It is a constant battle whether you have WLS or not so you must be of the right mindset to succeed no matter which way you go with your weight loss journey.

    Good luck! If you have questions please don't hesitate to send me a message.
  • Goal_Line
    Goal_Line Posts: 474 Member
    Been in your shoes. I just sent you a friend request and will be happy to help. It all seems daunting, but it is not that hard to change things, and not too late. The first steps are the hardest. - I'll help.
  • dancemom143
    dancemom143 Posts: 5 Member
    :smile: We are all here for you. I know how hard loosing weight can be. Especially when you have a sedatery lifestyle. I played every sport under the sun while I was in school and now as a busy working adult with a desk job I find it so hard to stay fit. I balloned from 135 to 211 pounds on my small 5"4 phrame in 6 years. I hate the way I look and know that If I keep this weight on I will be risking my health. My mother died at just 60. I want to be here to raise my daughter and her future children. We can do it!! Let's stay focused. We have to make weigh loss our #1 priority. Walk twice a day for just 15 min a day. If that's hard on your knees try an eliptical. They have zero impact but burn those calories fast! :flowerforyou: I will keep cheering you on! Stay focused my friend!
  • Shag79
    Shag79 Posts: 16 Member
    You will do just fine! Losing weight with the help from those around you (including help on here) is SOO very beneficial.

    My weight loss tips:

    WHITE & PUFFY make you FLUFFY (stay away from sugars, starches, etc)

    Limit your favorite fatty foods, but don't cut them completely. The mind ALWAYS wants what it can't have. Moderation, moderation, moderation.

    When in doubt - get off your butt!

    Keep us posted! :flowerforyou:

    Nicole
  • Dyetcoke1
    Dyetcoke1 Posts: 54 Member
    Please read! I am 55 and have a close friend exactly same problem. I was so worried and did research. You VERY likely have low testosterone! Everything you describe my friend had -note- HAD is a condition called Metabolic Syndrome, caused by low T. He is SO improved and no longer at such a high risk for cardiovascular disease. Good news is, it can be treated SO easily. T therapy can come with testosterone patch, cream or injection. Bad news-well not bad but kind of embarrasing for some men, is it is a treatment for Erectile Dysfunction-you didnt mention it but I am guessing that is also a symptom. RUN do not walk to your Dr. and ask for a testosterone test. Metabolic Syndome was discovered during worlwide clinical trials for erectile dysfunction meds like Viagra and Cialis. If you have tried these meds and they didnt work so well, its because of low T. Look up on inet using keywords diabetes and testosterone. I found many studies with question, what is link between Testosterone and diabetes. Studies are very medical, just look up the medical terms. Also my sisters husband had it, his (50 plus) railroad buddies started getting it and most are on T therapy also with Amazing reversal of all symptoms. See your doc, and please friend me I want to know how it goes for you!
  • Lyby
    Lyby Posts: 42
    Wow, Dancemom just told my story! I was super skinny my whole life because of a high metabolism and then in my 40s everything changed and went south (way south). I am tired of being tired and feeling like crap. I quit our company's Emergency Response Team because I could no longer climb stairs in bunker gear and SCBA ---- I have to stop after every flight even when I'm only carrying my briefcase. The doctor has ruled out a lot of causes [he just keeps coming up with consequences] and it's leaving me with no where to turn but lifestyle changes. I don't know how to do this! There is no pleasure in exercise for me --- it just hurts. I don't have friends I can exercise with and my dancer daughter is so far beyond my abilities that it's depressing rather than helpful. I don't eat a lot of junk food --- just home cooked meals that are apparently high-calorie. I am getting so close to the 200 pound line that I am scared and motivated.

    Everybody says "eat fruits and veggies" --- but I don't like fruits and veggies! I dislike the taste and texture of most vegetables and don't see much appealing in fruits. I tried to leave the tomato on a turkey sandwich last week and only made it half-way through before I pulled it off. I eat fresh-spinach in salads and sandwiches, corn in just about any form, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots on occasion, peas, beans of any kind (not really veggies after all)........but I can't stand zuccini, squash, tomatos, okra, cucumbers, all the "fun" stuff at the farmer's market. I will eat potatoes (both white and sweet) but that's not good lol. How do I learn how to eat veggies and enjoy it? without dipping them in chocolate first???

    I have to admit that the calorie countdown has me a little freaked out --- it's estimating for 1340 per day and my doctor said 1800 so I don't have to feel too guilty when I "go over" the 1340, but I am begrudging every bite I put in my mouth [I've got 350 left for the day so I guess it's water and tictacs until breakfast lol]. But since 250 of that is beverage related, I have no body to blame but myself and could have planned a pleasant dinner if I'd just had black coffee with breakfast. I will try to do better tomorrow.

    By the way, does anybody know how many calories are burned by "kicking and screaming" my way into health :)
  • SLaw4215
    SLaw4215 Posts: 596 Member
    My cholesterol is 150 and triglycerides is 96 but my health hasn't always been this good.

    There's a movie available on Netflix, Hulu etc called Sick, Fat and Nearly Dead and I do believe you would get a lot out of watching it. It's a really well done documentary and it also happens to also be entertaining.

    One of the BEST gadgets I bought for my family is a juicer. I am 44 years old and have been juicing since December 2010. I can toss in just about anything and grind it down to a liquid. I had very little success getting my children to consume fruits and vegetables (corn and french fries don't count). When I started to experimenting with the juicer it opened up a whole new world of options. Not every concoction is a winner but the kids are open minded about letting me try things. It's the texture of the vegetables they didn't like. We all like V8 but it has a lot of sodium. I don't juice every day but you certainly could. For examples: I make fruit smoothies and add protein powders. I juice baby spinach and then use the vitamin loaded spinach juice and swap it out for water in recipes. I have juiced strawberries and pineapple and made homemade freeze pops. I make vegetable soup in large batches and freeze portions to take with me to work.

    IF you decide you might be open to this idea ask around and check which juicers allow you to keep pulp in or out (depending on your preferences). I bought a Jack LeLane juicer. It's not my favorite because I like the pulp and this extracts the pulp from the juice.

    I don't live and die by my juicer...it's just one tool I have been using that has brought me some success.

    I am obese but in pretty good health otherwise. My cholesterol is good, glucose is good, thyroid is normal. However, I lost my gall bladder in my early 20's so I have to be careful of kidney stones. And while everything else is good -- i have very low vitamin D and B12 (not anemic but enough to make me feel tired and fatigued) so I have started to add back vitamins supplements to keep nutrition better balanced.

    send me a friend request if you need/want support! I'm happy to help in an honest and encouraging way. I'm a work in progress too. My journey isn't going to be finished for a while...I've got 85 pounds to lose

    Welcome and best of luck
  • leneb2
    leneb2 Posts: 1 Member
    It's one day at a time. This program makes you aware of what you put in your mouth. My husband and I are in our 60s. It all began with a smart phone and a son who found this program. Don claims it's not a diet but a tracking program. When we reach our calorie limit, we stop eating or go for a walk so we can justify more food. In a little over a month, Don has lost 12lbs and is now under 300 lbs. He is 6'4 and still has a long way to go but he now weighs less than he has in over 20 years. I am 5'3" and I have lost 9. The program does make us more aware of what we eat. I find myself cooking and shopping smarter but not really on a particular diet so no dramatic changes. I love my icecream so save enough calories so I can have my treat in the evening.

    Don has had his blood pressure medication reduced already but we still have a long way to go.

    I think depression comes from inactivity and the less you do the less you feel like doing. I too tend towards depression so when I planned retirement I made sure I had lots planned. For me that meant a flock of sheep and a Border Collie. No matter how I feel the animals have to be fed so I have to move and there is nothing like a dog to nag at you to get you moving and once up I just keep going.
  • joannbrunton
    joannbrunton Posts: 93 Member
    Welcome. Member since June and having good results. I've read all of the posts to your introduction and am adding you as a friend to cheer you on and see your cuccess.....you will have lots of mfp friends pulling for you. Listen to all of the advice given from these people.....some have been on this site a long time and have lost many pounds. The post that made a lot of sense was to put your self on a routine....with doctors approval and stick with it

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