Im 299 and I need HELP!

I started my journey at 255 that was how much I weighed after having my son. I am now down 48 lbs. Even though we are moms and have full time jobs we always have to find time for ourselves and get healthy for the kids. Please feel free to add me if you need any support. I know its hard but it is possible with a little exercising and cutting down portions

Realizing the problem is half the battle. I lost a good amount of weight and slipped back into old habits and have gained most of it back. I've had to go back and figure out my problem to get back on track. Best of luck...it's not easy.

How about taking walks with your kids once a day? Walking laps in your garden/ yard to start slowly? How about an exercise DVD to do in your home?

I understand food is more difficult but is there one day a week that is slightly less hectic that you could prepare a more healthy meal?

Not to preach but its about little changes that are sustainable over a longer period of time.

Feel free to add me

My mom was a single mother of 2 sons for 14 years. So even though I'm a guy, I understand the pressures and time constraints of a working single mother.

One good thing is that you can choose to not buy any of the junk food at the store. If you don't buy it, you won't have it at home to eat. There are a lot of easy, quick, low calorie options. I'm still discovering them myself as I also struggle with finding the time to cook. If your oldest son is interested in cooking at all, you can teach him and have him prepare foods. I did this when I was about 10-12 years old, because my mom was working 12+ hours/day. She didn't ask it of me, but I did help cook and clean every day to lessen the burden on her. If your son is interested in it at all, that would be an option.

I know that people's stances on this varies, but although I feel exercise is important and should be done regularly, you're not going to lose most of your weight from exercise. It will mostly be because of changes in your diet. Make smaller commitments to exercise that you can easily keep. Then increase from there. If you have unrealistic exercise goals, of course you're not going to keep up with it.

You can do it...I used evey excuse, and started at 232 pounds. I am now 2 pounds from my goal of 1/2 my body weight...116 pounds. You can do it.
You just have to want it more then the junk food! Nothing will taste as good as losing the weight feels....just remember that!!

Feel free to add me
Like many have said, realizing your issues is the easiest way to start.
However, you have to start making changes- NOW! It doesn't matter how big or small, start. Maybe it's only drinking water, maybe it's taking a walk every day, maybe it's changing your snack food. I have been injured and have not been able to work out that much, but I was able to lose 15 pounds just watching my diet. Be honest with everything you eat and start monitoring it on mfp. mfp makes it so much easier because you won't believe how much you were eating before!
Take baby steps, day by day, and challenge yourself a little more every day, and stay positive.
Exercise ideas: 30 day shred by jillian michaels. It's 30-40 minutes, it's on DVD, and I've heard wonders about it!
Good luck to you

I think Im lazy. I have no nice way to put it. Its easier to eat out or eat junk then take the time to eat something better. Exercising is hard it hurts so I always find an excuse to no do it. I truely can only blame myself.

I totally understand where you are coming from. First of all, you *aren't* lazy. You just have nothing left for yourself after working a full-time job and taking care of your family. I will bet that you take almost no time to take care of yourself. What has finally clicked for me is that I need to exercise and eat right FOR ME. I am important, and taking an hour to go to an exercise class or making myself a nice salad is OKAY.

One thing I also have been doing is keeping "quick" but healthy stuff around. I keep deli thins or pita bread in the house and tunafish - makes a quick sandwich that fills me and isn't junk food. I also make sure that I have plenty of fresh fruits and veggies around AND that I don't even keep the junk in the house (or at least not the kinds that I like).

Last night we ordered dinner out, and I really wanted a chicken ceasar salad. I got one. I used my own balsamic viniagrette dressing instead of the creamy ceasar dressing, and I removed half of the croutons. Easy dinner, take out BUT didn't "blow" my calories for the day. Small changes can make a big difference.

Hey hun I started out at 283 as my highest. So far I've lost 40 lbs. I took for me to start investing time in myself which involved being a little selfish. As a mom you're always thinking about others and often neglect your needs. But in the end the most important person is you. You have show love toward yourself in order to be there for them. The way to show love towards yourself is to truly make yourself happy and become the healthiest you possible.

I am a testimony that this site works. There are many others here who've lost 100 lbs and some even 300 lbs just using MFP and exercise. We are here to support you, and feel free to add me.

What has been a major help was me starting to see a nutritionist (covered through insurance). She was able to delve into the psychological aspect as to why I eat. However it was I who had to make the changes in my diet. I started logging everything. And once you're able to paint a picture as to what you're ingesting it'll make stuff a lot clearer.

Exercise is something you'll have to work up to. It often hurts because it's making you hot and uncomfortable. If there isn't one thing about a big girl, and that is she hates to be hot and sweaty. Start walking more often and gradually build up. You can even start just by lifting weights.

The key is don't try to change too much stuff at once or else you'll get overwhelmed. Weight loss is a journey and not a marathon. Slow and steady wins the race every time. Good luck honey!

It helps to envision the kind of person that you want to be, then take steps to enter the vision.

And I agree with above; banish the word diet (as I think it was Richard Simmons who used to say "who wants to do that; it has "die" in it"). Change your eating habits. I started a month ago by establishing 4 regular meals per day, with nothing between meals but water. My huge problem was my habit of grazing all day long. That had to stop.

(now I will add you)

Hello,

I am also "lazy" or I used to think I was. Now I realize ithat is was overwhelming and scary to me. Scary that I will fail again or that I will not be able to excercise regularly. I have two littles gilrs 2 and 10 months and my husband works nights. Oh and I work fulltime. So I often feel like a single mother. You have to literally take it one day at a time and try not to set to high of goals for yourself. The simple act of tracking food will start you off on the right track. I try to take walks when I can and everyday I have tell myself that I am going to oull out my Zumba DVD but I have yet to do it. However, because I have been tracking my food I have still lost 47 pounds. It is still a challenge for me but I think my key to success is that I don't give up like i have done before. No matter how many days you miss it is important to continue the process. You did not gain the weight overnight so you will not loose it overnight either. Pelase feel free to friend if you want that extra support.