I am afraid to even post this...

Hi!

I've been on MFP before and lost 40 lbs with ease. On that journey, I learned that the constant support of people with the same challenges is vital. I couldn't have done it without them. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I gained the weight back plus some--dang it! :explode:

I looking to build a support team (just like you) that will help cheer me on when I need a boost, give me an ear to vent to, and friends to celebrate my victories with. I promise to do the same for you!

Let's do this together. We can do it! :flowerforyou:

Just send me a friend request if you are interested.

Hi Tom!

I see you're up to 175 friends, so you probably don't need me on the pile, but I'm happy to support you if you'd like!

My advice? Focus just on each day as it comes. Trust me, the whole number is too overwhelming to think about at first. But work on making each day a good one - sticking to your calories, doing some sort of activity - you'll get where you want to go. Good luck to you!

Bless you. Another option you may want to consider is Overeaters Anonymous-HOW program. You can attend on the phone and get tons of support. It's different than anything I've ever found, and helped me name the problem I have - compulsive overeating. The program is only for people like me who can't stop.
Here is the link to find a meeting: http://www.oa.org/membersgroups/find-a-meeting/
It has saved my life.

A fellow Traveler - Deb

Just start little and make one healthy change at a time until it becomes habitual. Maybe start with dietary changes first, since they will be the easiest. You could make one goal a week. The first goal could be give up soda and try to wean yourself off with something sugar-free, then once you get that going, maybe wean yourself off the sugar-free stuff to water. Maybe start off with a 10 minute walk, then increase it next week to 20 minutes. Take it one day at a time, do not focus on the future, just start with the present. Do not go around anyone who is negative or will try to sabotage your efforts, stay away from negative energy people like to exude. Reward yourself everyday for the small changes you make. Think of the end goal when you need extra motivation. Friend me if you like.

Go get'm Tom, you got this! It's all about making better choices everyday. And replacing bad habits with good ones. Good luck man.

reaching out for help is always the right first step in reaching your goal.
and you will find that the support here at myfitnesspal is amazing because we all are here to reach our goals
friend request sent :flowerforyou:

Mind if I add you so I can assist with any of your concerns and to help motivate you?

And this is something that may sound hard to do (IT TOTALLY IS) but take before pictures and measurements of yourself.

I had new badge at work taken right before I started my weight loss. And my scale shows that I really haven't lost many pounds recently. But Iooking at that little badge picture of my face where it was before, and where it is now is super encouraging. It also is making me less reliant on the scale to tell me I'm doing a good job.

Same poses, same clothes. You will be shocked at how quickly you'll be able to see the weight loss! And don't forget the 'Success Stories" thread on here. Anytime I am feeling like I can't make it, I lurk through those posts, of people who look just like me, now sporting bikinis! It's such an encouraging time.

Hi Tom,

You must be honest with yourself and you have to stop toying around with this. You must decide that you are the problem and quit making excuses. Losers make excuses and try to blame other people or events in their life for the reason they are like they are. So, let's get off the "pitty pot" and get busy. Only you can do this.
It's time to start eating "clean" and charting every bite that goes in your mouth. I started this program a few weeks back and have found that it works if I chart everything and am honest with myself. You will find the same to be true.
A method that works for me is having the same foods every day. The same 300 calorie breakfast, the same 450 calorie lunch and the same 500-600 calorie supper. I also have the same 150 calorie snack two times a day.
I have also found that I have to get moving. I am walking 10-15 miles per week....no excuses.
It's your call Tom. Go for it.

Keep the faith!!!! You can do this!!!

It's so awesome that you're working to lose the weight again and I wish you the best of luck! Lots of people gave good advice for losing weight, and I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but I thought I would throw this in. In my experience, one really important aspect of weight loss is dealing with why you might overeat the way you do. Some people can just change the foods they eat and lose the weight and keep it off. For me, at least, this was different. I found that the reason I would binge eat or just eat junk food was when I was having emotional issues. Trying to find a new way of expressing myself was, and still is, the most difficult part of the weight loss journey for me. In my opinion, I think that figuring out why we do what we do is really, really important and if we keep with the same habits then we'll just gain the weight back the next time, for example, there is something that really emotionally affects us. Hopefully this helps a little, sometimes finding the underlying cause can really help. Good luck!!

All you really need to do is eat healthy (control your portion sizes) and exercise. I know that's the hard way, but it's the only way that will ever work and stick with you. Do NOT eat fast foods, processed foods, and heavy meats. Lean meats, lots of veggies, and move around more. You have to get in at least moderate exercise, and you have to stick with it. It is super hard, especially from where you are starting, it is going to be very difficult for a while, but it is worth it, and you want it, need it, so just remember to stick with it. Instead of letting go in a month when it's getting hard to stay the course, clench your fists, grit your teeth, and dig your heels in. You are the only person who can really help you. You have to want it. Good luck my friend.

Bump to read later.

You can do this Tom!

I've been working on this for a long time. I've come to the conclusion, that goals are what keep me motivated. I want to move faster that a Zombie if one/many comes for me and be strong enough to fight it off if it/they can catch me.

In the meantime I'm also working on a healthier diet. Vegetables, fruit, fish, chicken, even extra firm tofu. Healthy non-processed food. It makes me feel good and satisfied.

Just remember each day is a new one. Yesterday is not Today. We all fall off the wagon and eat like tomorrow is not coming. It’s ok. Today and all the tomorrows are yours. Just get back on the 'wagon' if you ever fall off.

In the meantime I suggest get a nutritionist. You will need a way to slowly lower your calories in a way that is safe and healthy for you. Don't just stop eating, you body will think you are starving and it will save your calories instead of using them wisely.

I would also get trainer at some point. Since I'm not sure of your physical status, such as can you stand on your own or walk ok...I don't have a training ideas for you per say, but I know from myself weights help along with cardio. These combined help you lose weight as well as give you strength to accomplish your goals.

Don't forget to have goals, small ones, big ones, medium ones. These will push you forward, and help you every time you get down in the dumps you look at your list of all you have accomplished. Trust me it will be EPIC!

Feel free to add me as a friend.

There's not much that I can say here that hasn't already been said. Welcome to MFP! The first step is getting started. I would encourage you to take it at a reasonable pace. Don't jump in trying to do too much too soon or it will cause more problems for you. Do what you can and build off that each day. If you start walking (it can sometimes be difficult on joints depending on weight etc.) then walk until you are at your limit. (even if that is to the end of the street/driveway. Then, build off it daily by trying to take it a bit further. Before long you will be amazed at how much more you can do. I wouldn't start some strict diet that will likely cause you to give up at times. Cut your portions of what you eat down. I've seen people use smaller plates so it appears fuller than it is and drink a lot of water. Drink water before your meals as it helps fill you up. If you don't like the taste of water or find it boring, you can add fresh fruit for a mild flavor (lemon works great).

If you have access to a pool, I would recommend this 100% as a good place to start. The benefit in the pool is you get resistance from the water but not the gravity strain you feel on land. You can walk, run, lift weights etc in water. I started in water aerobics because I had flipped a car 3 years ago and my back and shoulder have never fully recovered. You can get a great workout in the pool and see weight/inches fall off. I have slowly changed my routines to use both aqua aerobics/classes with land classes and regular gym. One thing you can also do is if you feel you become plateaued or aren't seeing results after a time period, disrupt your routine and try something new to jump start more loss.

I would also say don't focus so much on the numbers on a scale as it can get depressing. I will say I know this 1st hand because I stayed the same weight for 1.5 months even though I was working out 5+ days a week. It can mean that you are gaining muscle as you are losing weight. I recommend taking measurements as sometimes you'll notice changes there when the scale seems to be a broken record. In the 1.5 months that I stayed the same weight I lost 20 inches in my body (arms, legs, stomach, etc.). So, I recommend taking measurements all over and not just chest, stomach, hips. Feel free to add me if you'd like.

Best of luck to you!