Fell off the horse and trying desperately to get back on.

xerothermic
xerothermic Posts: 80
edited September 2024 in Introduce Yourself
My name is Kandi. I'm 27 and a senior in college. I live in Anchorage, AK and wow have I fallen off the horse. I've been overweight most of my life. (Well, there was a period after surgery for a gastric obstruction where I was about 75-100 lbs (pics below) and looked amazing, but this was back in 1994!)

I was in two car accidents that totally hindered my weight loss. I was hit by a truck while biking home soon after I first started losing weight back in August 2008. I jammed a hip, dislocated a law, and fractured my radial head (I was really lucky). I had lost 50 lbs before then, but gained it back.

I got back on the horse and what happens? My roomie/best friend runs a red light and sends me into the windshield giving me whiplash, two bulging discs in my neck, a torn shoulder, and a funny looking bruise on my nose. Once again, super lucky.

I got clearance from my physical therapist. I have to do some things easy, but I'm ready to get back to it. My roommate got a gym membership with me and I want to go 3 times a week, provided I can get her to join me darn it.

I'm presenting my research in Cancun in April and I definitely want to be a lot healthier by then. Hopefully in July I'm off to grad school and there's no way I'm moving across country like this!

It's tough for me, I don't really have friends here. I spend most of my time at school or work and when I'm not there, I'm doing homework. I think this is the perfect way for me to make friends and still be able to work and get fit.

I do have the problem with being so busy I forget to eat. I know, it's a horrible habit. I'm trying to break myself of it because it's the most unhealthy thing ever, I will be the first to admit that.

I have no clue what to really do, what to eat... I basically have no direction and I'm flying blind. Right now I'm doing the elliptical and just random strength training exercises, but any advice would be amazing. Hell, anything would be amazing.

I don't have a scale at home anymore, but I get weighed and get all of the biometrics checked through my work's health and wellness program. I'm trying to focus on the non-scale victories (for once) and stop staring at the numbers that never seem to drop. At the same time, when I went down to 221 before the first accident, I only lost 2 pants sizes. I don't understand it. Grrrrr.


The stats:
CW: ~265 HW: ~270

(I'm 5'2" according to my doctor... I've always said 5'0" or 5'1". Maybe my snow boots are wicked tall!)

My target weight range: 101.2 - 136.7 lbs (healthy BMI). I'd be happier closer to 110 so I really would like to lose 155 lbs.




And the photos:

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Me, 1994

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The progress I had made... Dec 2007- August 2008 (right before the first accident)

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August 22, 2008 - Literally 5 days before the accident. Those are actually my 1st goal jeans!

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New Years 2010 with my best friend

Replies

  • stahlight
    stahlight Posts: 119
    a journey of 155 lbs begins with a single workout... sounds like you're ready to get started.

    You have a good smile in your pictures, which I will take to mean you are happy in a lot of ways. And I think this is important in the process, since low stress and happiness inside are also factors in losing weight...

    Good luck from a former Fairbanksian
  • xerothermic
    xerothermic Posts: 80
    Oh I've started. In fact, I finally have the house to myself so I'm hopping on the home elliptical now (sorry neighbors)... but it's hard for me to stick with it without support and I love my best friend but she is still eating McDonalds and hasn't wanted to go to the gym for almost a week now.
  • kiffypooh
    kiffypooh Posts: 1,045 Member
    Having someone who isn't on the same page as you makes you more independent and stronger in the end. My husband hasn't been on bored with me on my adventure this past year and I know I can go out to dinner and get something healthy and low cal even if he's getting a chili cheese dog and chili fries.
    When I first started out my main goal was to eat fruit and veggies with every meal. You can never go wrong with natural foods like that. Track and search what you want to eat before you buy or eat it to make sure it's worth the cals.
    best of luck to you! You will do this and you will do it for YOU!
  • cvtga
    cvtga Posts: 118
    You can do whatever you want to do whether the person you were hoping to lean on the most is with you or not. I am here for you, WE are here for you. I am no expert in this, but the first step in losing weight is relying on yourself and believing in yourself. You have been through a lot in your life, and that is just proof that you can deal with ANYTHING thrown your way. I can't wait to see your progress, stay positive.
  • xerothermic
    xerothermic Posts: 80
    You are so sweet! Thank you. I'm determined... i'm just have social anxiety so going to the gym alone is suuuuuper scary for me... and i don't drive.
  • weaklink109
    weaklink109 Posts: 2,831 Member
    Since you said you are flying blind in terms of what to eat, I would like to suggest a book that has just come out, by the publishers of Prevention Magazine. It's called "The 400 Calorie Fix." It would fit in nicely with a plan to eat healthy and eat in moderation. If you have access to the magazine--usually available in grocery stores--the current issue has a cover story about this plan where you could see the basics. (I think their is a Freddy Meyer/Kroger in your town.) I imagine you can order the book from their website, or it may be available in a bookstore locally or through Amazon.

    There are lots of books around, but this seems to have a healthy balance and would give you some direction. The recipes and menus are designed with busy people in mind, and you don't have to be a chef to follow their instructions.

    Good luck!!!And don't worry, with your motivation and persistence, you will not only catch up with that horse , but soon PASS it!!!:bigsmile:
  • cvtga
    cvtga Posts: 118
    Like you said "social anxiety" it sucks. I try not to do it. I can't help but feel like the person everyone is looking at. I WILL NOT work out in front on people. Even my hubby who I have been with through thick and thin literally; I just can't. I feel a sense of anxiety and just want to quit. I am very self conscious while working out.
  • xerothermic
    xerothermic Posts: 80
    Even worse, last time I went by myself I totally thought I grabbed my workout capris... NOPE... grabbed my at home cleaning ones... that was so worn out you can see underwear through the entire thing. Yeah I wore black underwear but I swear everyone noticed.

    I'm good at embarrassing myself.
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