Read and then...friend me if we can help each other

FlippinNora
FlippinNora Posts: 41 Member
in Introduce Yourself
...please :flowerforyou:

...or not, I'm an acquired taste...

Hiya, I'm female and in my 30's. I've struggled with my weight since my late twenties and since then have yo-yoed about a million times. Well, probably not but, it feels like it.
I have about 50lbs I want to lose and that will put me in the top end of healthy, BMI wise.

Over the last year I have struggled with various stuff (family/financial) and without me realising it I just started to get slower and slower and lower, until the summer when I went to the doctor and I'm now on anti-depressants. I'm also seeing a counselor.

I smoke and up until yesterday I have drunk, give or take, a bottle of red wine every evening. I am the anti to MFP!

However, I've decided to embark upon a bit of DIY repairs to my struggling bod and my frustrated mind. I'm on my way to becoming really ill if I don't sort this out.

Basically I'm combining everything I know about all the various diets I've been on or read about and am picking and choosing bits I think will work for me. For the next week or longer I'm basically on proteins, veg and low fat dairy. Supplementing with snacks varying from raw veg, low fat dairy, nuts, peanut butter etc. The meals and snacks will be regular to try to keep my hunger at bay and my metabolism as healthy as possible. I know that high protein fills me up and dampens my desire to eat. After a while I will introduce more healthy whole grains but, to a limited proportion.

This is no small undertaking, not just the difference in food but, also not drinking. As for the smoking, that can remain until I've got through the food and drink issues! That will be tackled in due course, although I am cutting down.

I will not be monitoring any macros for the moment and I'm also not too bothered about going over my calories. I am changing my diet so radically I absolutely want to focus on that and not sweat the small stuff for the time being. Exercise-wise I'm taking it slow and will count walking the pooch as my daily stuff.

I say radically - what I mean is I will no longer be living off Indian/Chinese/Thai/Mexican/Fish and Chips/Burgers etc as those have been my staples for a while now.

If you feel you can relate to this rather unhealthy but, hopeful person I would be glad for a few like minded (dysfunctional? :tongue: ) friends.

I am not healthy but, I am on my way. I feel like I need to nurse myself back to happy.
Cheers (I won't put the cheers smiley on principle, although actually it does look like a cup of tea so...) :drinker:
Nora.

Replies

  • cathrinboerma
    cathrinboerma Posts: 22 Member
    I can so relate to this.

    Over the past 2 years I have spiralled into a financial physical and emotional pit of despair.

    I need to loose 25 KG or about 50 lbs as well. I have gone the hard cold turkey with smoking and unhealthy eating (well at first anyway)

    What I did was just count calories and keep within my limit or just exercise til everything ached (to keep it within my limit) ... 11 lbs off in 5 weeks and feeling so much freer for it.

    I still drink a glass or 3 of red wine at times but count it in.

    I have loosened up what I allow myself to eat but keep it in the count. Key is to weigh everything at first to get a visual eye on what it looks like and then from time to time re weigh to check. another thing to remember that it is not a diet but a lifestyle adjustment.

    I have played with the calorie limit, eating all of my exercise back and then only part of it. I have keep a half eye on macros but not beating myself up to much over them.

    One key i have found is drinking lots of water, tracking everything - exercise and food intake and taking it easy on myself.

    After years of being told i was fat, having a very poor self image of who i was I thought 'enough was enough' I can do this, I will do this, I will not be a replica of what my family is.

    Taking initiative is the first step to freedom, second is don't beat yourself up when you don't live up to your expectations, tomorrow is another day.

    Love yourself, be kind to yourself, you are valuable and you are so worthy for the best you can give yourself.

    Good luck and I look forward to doing the journey with you.
  • FlippinNora
    FlippinNora Posts: 41 Member
    Thank you cathrin, I can so relate. And I also look forward to us both reaching our goals. Life is hard but, I've been making it harder! Time to start being who I want to be - as you say and thanks for the add :smile:
  • missferoux
    missferoux Posts: 118 Member
    Hi, feel free to add me. I love dysfunction :laugh:
    Until mid August I smoked around 15-20 a day. I was overweight (but not massive, don't get me wrong, but wanted to lose around 30lbs.
    On the way home from work I suddenly decided to go for a run and to not buy any more cigarettes. I have NEVER run in my life. So I downloaded the couch to 5k programme and set off in my crappy joggers, around the crappy horrid bleak northern England village where I live. I didn't manage to run for 3 mins but I did my best.
    I got totally addicted and it took my mind off smoking.
    I ran every night, each week increasing slightly. I bought better trainers, and good sports earphones and arm wallet.
    I finally joined a gym on the 1st September and can now run 5k (only just!!!) and have lost 19lb so far, just by cutting out the rubbish and counting calories and exercising.

    You can do it. I've had depression, and a period of time where things weren't so good. I've made them better, and I'm loving it.

    You're going in the right direction, slowly but surely changing yor habits - good luck xx
  • mfdl1
    mfdl1 Posts: 24
    Hi,i understand how you feel,my weight had rocketed as my husband was laid off work and we had no money coming in apart from his redundant pay,we lived on this for a while,this was march last year, I have five kids and a mortgage to worry about,my marriage is not how it used to be,so I really do understand how you feel,i am trying to lose weight as I put it on through comfort eating and I stressed myself out,
  • CaLaurie
    CaLaurie Posts: 178
    Welcome Nora! I know the feeling of life spiraling out of control - or at least seeming like it is. We've got the power to change it & you're taking really breath steps towards that - congrats!! Sending FR.
  • salsagal36
    salsagal36 Posts: 91 Member
    Hi Nora,

    I can relate to what you just typed. I've also been overweight forever but I'm trying to take control back now.

    I've not quit smoking yet, but I will. Can't change too many things at once or I will derail myself.

    Will send you a request.
  • whr0411
    whr0411 Posts: 26
    Hi there, I totally get where you are coming from. Overweight, financial stress, depression too much wine and my mum just died. We all need to learn to love ourselves, which isn't always easy when you are depressed.

    This will be yet another attempt for me. As the other posts says, I guess the trick is not to beat yourself up about it and just take one day at a time. I need to get my fat lazy *kitten* motivated. If you are prepared to give me a kick up the *kitten* every now and then when I'm flagging, I'll be more than happy to return the favour.

    Here's to us all becoming happier and healthier for 2013 starting now. Will have to re weigh myself as I have no clue what damage i've done lately :(
  • sammiz1
    sammiz1 Posts: 54 Member
    Hi,

    You can count me among your misfit friends! I have been through a few emotional wringers myself in the past few years. I need to lose 50 more pounds to get to what is considered a "healthy" weight for me. But honestly, I just want to feel good in my own skin!

    Good luck reaching your goal...small steps are good as long as they are moving you forward!!

    Cindy
  • FlippinNora
    FlippinNora Posts: 41 Member
    Thank you so much for all the words of encouragement and advice. It's greatly appreciated and welcome.

    I absolutely know this isn't going to be easy for the first little bit but, I'm ok with that and will willingly put myself through it as I know it won't last.
    I'm excited but, a bit scared...of 'what' I'm not sure. All I know is that I was starting to make decisions to support my habits, 'thinking' about becoming secretive with drink, adjusting my life and behaviour to accommodate all the bad stuff.

    Not only has it been a bit of a shocking revelation but, I'm certain, without a shadow of a doubt, that if I am to continue like this I'm going to get 'something' - fatty liver, lung problems, heart problems, Diabetes...the list is potentially endless.

    So - Thanks again, it means a lot to be able to be honest and open - even if it is anonymously!
    New day, new start, new life, new me.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    Hey Nora!
    I'm Dan and I help people lose fat!
    YAY!

    Read this and send a request if you want support!
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
  • Corryn78
    Corryn78 Posts: 215
    Oh boy can I relate. Sending request. :)
  • mellabyte
    mellabyte Posts: 193 Member
    Hi Nora!

    Feel free to add me if you like. I feel you from similar beginnings: 50+ lbs to lose, used to smoke, drank like a fish (more of a hard liquor kind of gal back when), ate all kinds of junk and ate out all the time, hardly moved a muscle if I didn't have to...etc. You can check out my profile to learn more. (Getting lazy with the typing this morning until my coffee kicks in.)

    Sounds like you've got a good plan. Starting with small changes that will hopefully lead to bigger ones. ^_^ From personal experience of a formerly super unhealthy person, you do fall off the wagon once or twice, especially in the beginning - but the important thing is getting back on!

    Good luck!
  • FlippinNora
    FlippinNora Posts: 41 Member
    I would just like to say...to all who have posted and to those that didn't but added me with their own stories. Thank you, very much.
    It's been an education, an eye opener and one thing is clear. I'm very much not on my own and I realise that now.
    I have hidden this to my friends - all of whom are healthy or fit or gym goers or are naturally slim. Obviously they can see I'm none of those at the moment but, because I've not mentioned anything, they haven't.

    Or I've pretended :embarassed:

    This has been far better than I expected :heart:
  • missferoux
    missferoux Posts: 118 Member
    Just reading the 'starting to think of hiding my drink' comment.

    Takes balls to admit it. You got my admiration. I also reckon you'll do it, you sound so determined, just like how I felt 3 months ago.

    Like someone said, you probably will have a few falls, but it's HOW and HOW QUICK you pick yourself back up that matters, not how hard you fell. (In my case, I fell hard, and fast, from a great height, into a fast food chain meal. A lot. Ooooop. Back on it now though)

    x

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