About 600lbs, Time to Lose a Few
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Welcome to the site - there is a lot of support, great ideas, sharing laughs and tears here! WE all are here because we realize and accepted the fact we want to become healither and HERE we can do it.... I would love to be your friend thur our journey!
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You can do this! Add me if you want
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Congrats on taking that first step, Dani! Add me if you like- we're not in the same weight category either but I've struggled with weight my entire life. I get frustrated because my body never seems to respond the way it should. I've made a lot of recent dietary changes after seeing some things with my health that frankly scared me. I'd be glad to be a support for you 0
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Hi Dani, I'm also Dani
Stick with MFP, it works, trust me. Maybe don't worry too much about exercise until you've lost your first bit of weight, and then when you have more energy you can start. xx 0 -
Congrats on making that first step, coming here with the goal to lose some weight! We are all fighting the same battle with different amounts of weight to lose but we all have the same goal..to be healthier and happier in our lives! There are so many caring people here who can offer you some great advice and to keep you motivated on your journey. I sent you a friend request, I hope we can be friends!0
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Hi, welcome to MFP....I may not be in the same weight group, but we all go through the same frustrations and emotions on this journey... and we are both here for the same common cause- to get healthy and live. Feel free to add me0
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Hi my name is RaNae I have sent you a friend request u can go to my profile page and see my pics and read a lil about me I am currently 341 my highest was 370 and I started MFP at 349. Congrats on going to the dr and taking these first wonderful steps towards a healthier you. When I started exercising all I could do was sit and lift 1 and 3 lb hand weights I bought at wal mart while watching tv- then I found water aerobics in my area that had a stair or zero entry.... it took some internet searching but eventually I found it anyways if you want more info on that message me now I ride a bike just did 10 miles on Sunday boy was I hurting yesterday but it felt so good- I am sharing all this so you can see I can relate and I have progressed and so can you.
I have so much love for you because you are so dam courageous I hope we can walk this walk together.
RaNae aka
RaNaeLuvsLuzn
Luznit 1 Meal, 1 Snack, 1 Logged Calorie, 1 day at a time0 -
So glad that you are here. I would suggest as a first step is find out what your basal metabolic rate is. This is the rate at which your body burns calories just to survive. So it is the rate for sleeping and having a day with no exercise. The rate to maintain exactly where you are. Try this site.
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/
Then, eat a little below that rate on a daily basis. As you lose go back to the site as your rate will lower constantly.
As for exercise, do it, DAILY. Mix it up. If you can use that suggestion about standing up multiple times from the couch, go for it. You could also shadow box. There is a pedal contraption that you can buy that you could pedal from the couch. Or put it on a table and pedal with your arms. Any of these will increase your heart rate and help you lose weight.
I would suggest since you cannot yet use a scale, have some other means of measuring your progress. The way a certain pair of pants fit, measure your waist with a string, anything so that you can see that this is worth it.
I would be happy to help you. I will send a friend request. You can do this. I have faith in you. You are worth it.0 -
Welcome to MFP. Feel free to add me if you like, even though I might not be in the demographic you're looking for.
Loads of people above have given sound advice. My addition would be this: One exercise you should get into the habit of doing is in assessing what you eat. Not in a guilty way. In the way of saying "what's the best value food for me", in terms of taste, filling you up, and nutritional value. I've worked out that some foods are quite efficient for me in terms of getting me to my next meal without killing my calorie allowance. Some foods are better than others, e.g. you can eat far more melon than apples for the same calorific value.
By logging absolutely everything, you get to understand this, and it becomes second-nature.
Also, if you can get your food intake down to your target level, then for the first 6-9 months, you will be able to treat any exercise you do as reward-generating. My calorie allowance is such that I pretty much have to exercise in order to get enough of a calorie allowance to not feel hungry. But I recommend that if you undergo the sacrifice of exposing yourself to the pain of exercise, you should be able to use some of those calories for reward.
And that, actually, is what I really love about tracking through MFP.0 -
Welcome to MFP lady. As far as keeping your calorie intake low, I would recommend boosting your fruits and veggies, making sure you get a lot of protein, and cutting out empty refined carbs. In the journey for weight loss, protein and fiber are your best friends.
As far as exercise goes, try for things that are super low impact. If you have an xbox with a kinect, I would try some of the exercise games, sometimes they have boxing as an option which is mainly upper body, but can still get your heart rate up. I have a recumbent bike, which is very easy on the knees and can give you a pretty decent workout. Just make little steps and keep in touch with your doctor!
Add me, I'm on here all the time. I'm far from perfect, and don't exercise nearly as much as I should, but I love having more friends!0 -
It's so great that you're here. I have a feeling that you're going to impress all of us, but mostly yourself, with your progress. I sent a link to this thread to one of my MyFitnessPal (MFP) friends, eye4art, who started at around the same weight as you. She is encouraging and warm, and she inspires me all the time just by seeing her progress.
Whatever way you can move, even if it's just sitting down and raising your arms and kicking out your legs, vow to do it every day. you'll be amazed at how quickly you improve.
Everyone here struggles to lose weight, nomatter what size - so please know that you're among friends and supporters.
-gabrielle0 -
trying to find new freinds.... we can help each other 0
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Good job on getting started. At 4000 calories, you have a lot of room to work with. If you start cutting out the soda, sweets, fried foods etc and start eating good, low fat, low calorie and high protein foods you will be surprised how much you can actually eat and still lose weight. I only have about 30 more pounds to lose myself but fell free to add me if you would like.0
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Good for you, you took that first step! I don't have that much to lose but we are all in this together! Best of luck and remember, you are not alone!0
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Add if you like though I am not your size. We are all here to help each other and with continued support you will feel motivated. Remember you wont lose the weight overnight...but little by little you will see results. The biggest thing right now is to change your diet. You do not even have to exercise right now until you lose some of your weight and can manage to walk, then run etc. DIET IS THE BIGGEST PART OF WEIGHT LOSS...0
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Dani- like many others I am not your size as well but I know what it is like to be 350lbs! I am currently in the mid 200's and am hopefull to reach my goal next year. I know starting out for you is hard and stressful. My biggest suggestion is to start out by dancing in your seat for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Move your arms and wiggle around because believe it or not but you will be burning a bunch of calories.
As far as staying under 4,000 calories go, I would say load up on veggies broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans and so on. I personally can not afford fresh veggies so I buy the frozen mixes in the store. You can eat a whole bag of veggies about 16oz for only 200 calories and because they are full in fiber they will keep you fuller longer. I hope you get to see this and I hope it helps. Feel free to add me for support!0 -
Hey there,
I have lost (and regained the same 70+ lbs about 6 times in the past 10 years with vlcd's I was left with little muscle tone to burn calories and a real fear of eating conventional food. I joined MFP yesterday and this time I know it is for good. Just looking around the forums has been an inspiration to me. I would be delighted if you would have me as a friend and I look forward to seeing us shrink together.0 -
You can do it!! You've mad the first step to a healthier you, and that takes tremendous strength! ...
Start with small changes and work up, don't dive in head first from the start.
Walk 5 minutes a day/ 10 minutes a day whatever you can do... and increase your minutes when you can ... just the simple art of walking everyday you will start seeing changes not just on the scale, but on your body, your mental image and your energy levels.
Start switching your food items for better items... Water instead of soda (if you can't cut out soda all together, just commit to 1 glass of water in between each soda), get rid of anything that temps you, chips, candy, cookies, etc. - Focus on eating healthier items more often, then eating junk less often.
You can and will do this! We are all here to support, encourage and help you!0 -
As many have already said, you've done the best choice already and that is making the decision to become healthier. I'm sure you're overwhelmed by all the posts here, myself reading the thread I think it's amazing to see the out poor of all the people who want to help and support you. I'm also one of them, I'm maybe not the same weight as you but as many of us, I struggle to lose weight too. If you would like to, you can add me. I wish you the best of luck on your journey!0
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I would love to be able to support you..friend request sent!!!0
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Hi, welcome, and good luck on your journey.
In trying to figure out how to eat below 4000 calories, it may be worth posting what you usually eat in a day. Dont be ashamed, you've made the effort to start getting healthier. It may help to figure out what you can change and what sorts of food it may be better to eat 0 -
Hi Dani!! You are already on your way to a healthier lifesytle; going to the dr did take alot of courage and it was the first step. The road ahead will not be easy (everyone here knows that) but it will be rewarding. Like others have said; start slow and one thing at a time. If you try to start off with a huge change in diet and exercise (thats new to you) it can be overwhelming. Start by logging your food, trying walking extra throughout the day (even if its to the mailbox or down to the corner). You will notice changes and it will get easier to do more. We are all here for the same reason; to get healthier. YOU CAN DO IT 0
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My top weight was 376, but my mobility was greaty affected. I've lost just over 100 pounds without really doing any exercise at all (and without surgery). I feel like I'm at the point now where I need to start doing some, and it is a little easier to move around, but not as easy as I'd like.
It's important to try to figure out what small changes you can do today that will help you tomorrow. Journaling your food is probably the most important one. Once you feel like you have that down, take small steps towards adding things to it - increasing water intake, increasing protein and fiber intake. One of my nutritionists told me that if you focus on lean, healthy proteins, the fat and the carbs will take care of themselves, and I've generally noticed that to be true. If you get hungry, look to fiber and protein first, then it's okay to other possibilities. Don't have a carb without a protein though, and it's better if you have the protein first.
One of my doctor's said if there's any time that it's okay to be selfish in the quest to get healthy, it's now. Remember - it isn't a race. You're in it to win it for you, and you're worth it.
For what it's worth - and good luck! You can do it!0 -
Welcome Dani! You will find a lot of great support here! This really is THE place to be to get healthy. Feel free to add me if you like. I would love to follow your progress. I am so proud of you for taking the first steps to a healthier you!!
-Shannon0 -
Dani - Great big virtual hugs to you for joining MFP!!! For me finding and joining MFP on April 28 of this year changed my life. I am not in your weight range but I was on a similar road and had grown Obese and what was worse I did not know how to get off that road and onto a healthier road. MFP has provided the tools and community to now get me on that healthier road. What have been some important things I have learned:
- Log everything you eat everyday. The only way you will know if you are on a healthier road is if your average net calorie consumption is under your target. To continue with the road analogy. The daily net calorie amount is your speedometer and you need to stay under the speed limit.
- Set a target that you will likely be able to achieve/exceed. For example I set a target to lose 1 lb a week for 1 year. This did not require me to immediately change my eating and exercise habits but at a minimum I would be down 50+ lbs in a year. Well it turns out that so far I am exceeding this target and I get the benefit of both feeling good about myself and I will lose a lot more weight.
- Do not let the scale discourage you. If you are logging everyday and your average net calorie consumption is under your target you will lose weight. The scale will follow your new healthier habits.
So welcome to MFP and "Carpe Diem"!!0 -
I agree that this is the place to get the support to lose weight. I commend anyone on their decision to become a healthier person, regardless of initial size.
I am a big fan of Chris Powell and have watched his shows & podcasts. He is famous for working with the super obese and has a few simple things he does with every single one of them. He teaches them proper nutrition (the girls are generally on an 1800 cal/day diet but that is under a doctor's close supervision) and he gets them moving in a way that works for them. Just moving a little more each day is progress in the right direction.
Pick one goal each week, like already suggested, try cutting out soda or in my case, creamer laden coffee... Then you might want to look at only shopping from the outside track of the grocery store (where all the produce and fresh food is!).
I don't know what your home life is like, if you have support there, if there is someone there that has the ability and desire to help you cook more healthy meals. Healthy meals don't have to be bland or taste like cardboard. I highly recommend taking a look at the recipes on Cooking Light's website, they are delicious and full of flavor. Clean Eating Magazine also has a budget friendly plan for those of us that need to stick to a budget.
Best of luck to you!0 -
You've taken a huge step forward just by joining this site. I'm not your size although when I first started working out I felt your size. I'm not sure if you should focus on exercise as one the first things but in a class I took on stress management earlier this the teacher told this great about a woman who had changed her life simply by getting up from her couch and walking in place. At first it wasn't more than a minute but slowly she build the strength to start walking. It just shows that even the smallest of things can help getting you in the right direction.
Good luck with your weightloss. Feel free to add me, I'd love to give you my support!0 -
Welcome Dani! Take it one day at a time and don't expect perfection and you have to really want it because it will take a lot of perseverance, patience and positive thinking to lose weight and mostly the will to never give up. No matter how you choose to lose weight the mantra for you would be I will never give up. Success is never giving up!!
MFP does work if you work it. It is not as hard as you think to eat less than 4000 calories if eating the right stuff.
As far as moving goes, just walk as far as you can and slow as you need to the 1st day and then the next day add a few more steps and so on. Once you do half a block or one block maintain that for a few days and keep adding. You will be surprised how much this will help you. Don't try to move too fast either. Just walk as slow as you need too. This is not a race.
You can do it, if you believe you can!! Positive thinking, persevere, and patience! My handy 3 P's and never giving up!0 -
I am not your size but I am more than happy to help support you on your journey! I have lost the majority of my weight without exercise so I can definitely help with the food part of losing (which is really 90% of weightloss). Good for you and welcome to MFP!0
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Way to go for taking that first step!
In terms of keeping your calories under 4000, your best bet is to start filling your pantry and refrigerator with healthy foods that give you good fiber, minerals, and vitamins. If possible, throw out any of the processed stuff that is not good for you (chips, frozen snacks like taquitos, etc, cookies, ice cream). I like to keep 1 or 2 unhealthy options in my kitchen, but not more because otherwise I get too tempted!
If you are eating healthy foods like chicken, fish, vegetables, whole grains, and fruit 75% of the time, you can give yourself a little leeway and have some calories for the not-so-healthy stuff. I find that when trying to change how you eat, it's better to make small steps that you can sustain. I know that for my mom, who started doing this a few months ago, she made changes in week increments, adding on like this:
1. Week one: cut out all sugary drinks (soda, juice, etc)
2. Week two: get at least 3 servings of vegetables.
3. Week three: Try to get at least 100 grams of good protein.
Maybe this would be a good step-wise way for you to start making changes? I suggest cutting out soda and sugary drinks first if you drink them normally, because they are the biggest source of empty calories. If you need a substitute, try buying the 0-calorie drink powder options.
Good luck!
Yes I love this!! I am wondering if sodas are part of the diet now Dania? And that is a tough one, especially if you don't like water, but that is one of the quickest ways to remove calories fast.
I also don't buy junk food much- maybe once a month (tee hee- that time for chocolate and no one better get in my way). If its not in the house, you won't eat it.
I hope you are being medically supervised for diet and exercise, and soooo glad you are here and we can help you with what we have learned! 0
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