How much do I suck at losing weight? THIS much...

plumptastic
plumptastic Posts: 7 Member
in Introduce Yourself
If you could see my outstretched arms right now - plump triceps and all - you'd know how much I suck at losing weight.

My story is probably pretty typical: overweight most of my life, had three babies, used it as an excuse to eat, and then kept using it as an excuse ("What's the prob? I can have another cream cake, I just had a baby.") But really, as we all know, that excuse can only fly so long.

So here I am, in my mid-thirties and painfully unmotivated, but yet desperate to lose my chubb. I had my third son about six months ago, and I've tried to kickstart my weight loss about 42 times since then. No, really, you should see my weight tracker thingy on my phone.

197.4
195.6
194.5
190 (woo!)
192.3 (whoops)
191 (weyhey!)
193.4
194
Oh dear...

I've done WW, Slimming World and Atkins, and just can't be bothered anymore. I lost a lot on WW after my first son (got down to 155, which was still 15lbs away from my goal, but the smallest I've been in my adult life). So naturally, as I did well on it before, I thought it'd work again.

But noooooooooooooooo. I suck at sticking to it. Plain and simple.

Yeah, yeah - I know that skinny feels so much better than anything tastes or whatever that saying is, but that's just not enough to motivate me this time 'round. So, this time, I'm gonna try something new: I'm gonna talk to you lovely people!

Heck, I might even start a blog.

Anyways, here I am. 34, unpleasantly plump, and ready to get healthy and trim dammit.

Any tips, motivation or general kicks up the tuchus would be mightily appreciated. Thank you fine people of MFP!

Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    If you could see my outstretched arms right now - plump triceps and all - you'd know how much I suck at losing weight.

    My story is probably pretty typical: overweight most of my life, had three babies, used it as an excuse to eat, and then kept using it as an excuse ("What's the prob? I can have another cream cake, I just had a baby.") But really, as we all know, that excuse can only fly so long.

    So here I am, in my mid-thirties and painfully unmotivated, but yet desperate to lose my chubb. I had my third son about six months ago, and I've tried to kickstart my weight loss about 42 times since then. No, really, you should see my weight tracker thingy on my phone.

    197.4
    195.6
    194.5
    190 (woo!)
    192.3 (whoops)
    191 (weyhey!)
    193.4
    194
    Oh dear...

    I've done WW, Slimming World and Atkins, and just can't be bothered anymore. I lost a lot on WW after my first son (got down to 155, which was still 15lbs away from my goal, but the smallest I've been in my adult life). So naturally, as I did well on it before, I thought it'd work again.

    But noooooooooooooooo. I suck at sticking to it. Plain and simple.

    Yeah, yeah - I know that skinny feels so much better than anything tastes or whatever that saying is, but that's just not enough to motivate me this time 'round. So, this time, I'm gonna try something new: I'm gonna talk to you lovely people!

    Heck, I might even start a blog.

    Anyways, here I am. 34, unpleasantly plump, and ready to get healthy and trim dammit.

    Any tips, motivation or general kicks up the tuchus would be mightily appreciated. Thank you fine people of MFP!
    I hate that "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" mantra because there are LOTS of fit and lean people here who eat ice cream, pop tarts, fast food etc.
    Find a calorie deficit program you can do for you. Try to get in the correct amount of macro/micro nutrients and if you have calories left over when done, eat whatever you want without exceeding your goal.
    Throw in some walking to start, and a few push ups and squats. Rinse and repeat till you make it habit. Then reassess.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • maddymama
    maddymama Posts: 1,183 Member
    Hi!
    I'm a mom to two small ones, not three, but I understand how hard it is to lose weight and be a great parent. Don't worry, if you use MFP and are serious about it, this website works! I lost 40 lbs after the birth of #2,and have kept it off for going on two years.
  • highervibes
    highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member
    Your story could have been written by me a year ago (minus one baby lol)
    I had a major life event that had me wondering whether or not my children would even HAVE a mother at all and I finally started to "get healthy". I do want to be healthy, that is my number 1 goal, but not I also want to be strong and fit and be a good example for my kids. I don't know what advice to offer except that you're not alone. Probably a good many of us have wanted to lose, but not quite enough to "start". Find a calorie deficit that works for you (*hint, it's not 1200 calories) and eat whatever you want to start and then rework your eating to better suit your goals if you want to change them.
  • WendelinTheWeird
    WendelinTheWeird Posts: 25 Member
    You are not alone! I've always been chubby, and then I had a baby two years ago and gained even more weight - putting me at the 50 lbs overweight mark. I have not lost any of that weight in TWO YEARS. And now my problem is that I have been figuratively slapped in the face by how I look and how I feel...but I feel like there's no point in losing any weight because we'd like to have another little one soon. But I have to keep telling myself that I'm not "on a diet", I'm "getting healthy". But I get so frustrated since it's such a slow process and it might be all for naught in a few months anyway. Such a pickle!
  • Patriots96
    Patriots96 Posts: 96 Member
    I love your profile picture! (the little things make me smile :wink: )
    I think that to lose weight and keep it off, you have to get to your breaking point. Mine was at the end of February of this year. I joined Curves and have lost 23 lbs so far. (I joined MFP about a month ago) I have put myself on 1500 calories a day and have found it pretty easy to do. I exercise 3 times a week, about 30 min each, which is doable. My kids are older, 11 and 16, so I can workout anytime, but I remember how hard it was when they were little. I was a WW leader back then and kept it off 2 years then went back to old habits. Just wipe the slate clean and know we are all here for you.

    I am a type 1 diabetic, on an insulin pump, and turned 40 last year, so both of those things have added to my challenges. (low metabolism due to age and having to adjust my insulin as I lose due to low blood sugars from eating less food and having less of me to eat it :happy: .

    All people here are great, just take it one day at a time and definitely eat stuff you like so you don't feel deprived. You can do this!:drinker:
  • erikkmcvay
    erikkmcvay Posts: 238 Member
    Get the movie 'Hungry for Change'! It will explain much of the issue you have and it is completely normal!

    In essence you are biologically programmed to NOT keep the weight off BUT you can change that.

    To effect this you can't lose wait on fad diets but rather must change the way you think about food (it isn't for pleasure) and critically analyze the foods you consume. Here are some examples:

    1. Diet Soda -- studies show that diet soda drinkers tend to be obese. Stop drinking it if you do.
    2. Soda -- 200 cals per serving of refined sugar -- ya not so good.
    3. Refined anything -- sugar, salt, etc -- all can have negative impacts on your health and weight.
    4. Artificial sweeteners -- high glycimic index causes your body to react as if you ate pure sugar.
    5. Processed Foods -- akin to refined things -- processed foods are typically high in sodium and low in nutrients causing the body to crave more food leading to obesity (so cut out white rice, white flour, mayo, American Cheese, store bought milk etc etc etc)

    Things to think about:

    1. Raw foods contain necessary enzymes you can't get any other way -- eat more raw foods.
    2. Fiber Fiber Fiber -- most do not get enough (adult women need about 25g's a day, men need about 38g's).
    3. Lots of veggies! OK on this one I fake it a little and include the following: rolled oats, wheat berries, chia seeds, banana's, flax, bran, salad (lettuce, radish, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, parsley, cilantro, etc etc)
    4. Limit meat and dairy (I am NOT a vegetarian or vegan but I think limiting these helps increase raw foods etc).
    5. Balance carbs, fats and proteins -- most say they don't eat carbs while eating whole grain brown rice -- ah, that's a carb! Carbs are good just not the refined/processed kinds.
    6. stay AWAY from fast food of all kinds and ALL kinds of junk foods. These have lots of flavor and little nutrients because they tend to be high in processed foods and overcooked.

    Honestly, watch 'Hungry for Change' and while you're at it try 'Fat, Sick and nearly Dead' and 'Forks over Knives'. They changed my way of thinking entirely!
  • soysauce6626
    soysauce6626 Posts: 118 Member
    Weigh lost is not always linear so don't get discourage. Consistency to your diet and exercise is key. Allow your self cheat meals every now and again to keep your sanity. I say stay away from Adkins and all those crazy diets. Check into flexible dieting "IIFYM" it works wonders and at times it feels you're not dieting at all.
  • uortian
    uortian Posts: 28
    I have never dieted or really paid attention to what I was eating before, either. And you are right, the "who cares" mentality can only work for so long. I don't have kiddos, yet, but I want to get into shape in order to finally have at least one. I cannot be at the weight I am at now in order to do that.

    Soo....with that said, I feel your pain! Feel free to add me as a friend if you wish! I will try my best to motivate you, but am letting you know, I could use some, too!

    We can do this!
  • jastewart76
    jastewart76 Posts: 2
    Are you in the PNW in your picture? Sure looks like home to me! :)

    Your post was great, if you aren't blogging you should consider it. It is something I started with this latest and greatest attempt at weight loss. I missed two days during my mourning period of "food as my friend." I think that people are more open to listen when you approach the problem just the way you did, no nonsense. I am 36 and had baby number 4 (and final) a year ago. I can't tell you if blogging will be key to motivation, but I am sure giving it a try. If you decide to do it, please post a link, I would love to follow your blog!

    Jodi

    http://readytotakeitoff.blogspot.com/
  • cxdyer
    cxdyer Posts: 105 Member
    been there, done that, know exactly how you feel. There is a lot of support on this forum, but feel free to add me as a friend and maybe we can motivate each other?
  • vedra_b
    vedra_b Posts: 136 Member
    you story sounds a little like mine. for me i eat my feelings Happy yea! lets have ice cream sad waaaaaaaaa lets have chips. i went from single diget size to mid double digets in 10 years. 5 kids and an amazing husband and i still cant find the motivation i lose 15 pounds and well lets celabrate an have a bag of doritos. i offten wonder what is wrong with me. but this slow process is working i am keeping it off and i am feeling better that i do. So you are not alone and I wish you the best of luck in your journey.
  • carolemorden9
    carolemorden9 Posts: 284 Member
    I'll add you and help encourage you along the way!
  • mjterp
    mjterp Posts: 650 Member
    start one healthy habit at a time...
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    I have to be honest, what motivated me after having my kids (2 not 3 though) was my own vanity! Also, I 'd been asked to be a bridesmaid for when my 2nd was nearly 11 months old, and there was no way I was gonna be a fat bridesmaid!

    I was at the gym 5 times a week once my baby was 7 weeks old. It was hard going, but actually the only 'me' time I got so I enjoyed it! And then I got addicted. My first child turned 4 yesterday and my 2nd was 2 5 weeks ago and I'm now as thin as I was 10 years ago at age 25!

    I am finding it hard to lose the last 5lbs though.

    I think the key is to find exercise you enjoy, and to not starve yourself. I've been using MFP just under a year now and I think I finally get that I need to eat to lose weight and maintain that loss.

    Good luck!
  • erikkmcvay
    erikkmcvay Posts: 238 Member
    you story sounds a little like mine. for me i eat my feelings Happy yea! lets have ice cream sad waaaaaaaaa lets have chips. i went from single diget size to mid double digets in 10 years. 5 kids and an amazing husband and i still cant find the motivation i lose 15 pounds and well lets celabrate an have a bag of doritos. i offten wonder what is wrong with me. but this slow process is working i am keeping it off and i am feeling better that i do. So you are not alone and I wish you the best of luck in your journey.

    I would argue that there is nothing wrong with you ;) indeed I'd say your body is performing exactly the way it's supposed to.

    Having said that: the problem is the food itself. Most of it ISN'T. The issue is that the foods you can buy in today's 'super' markets is often processed and lacking in nutrients so the body craves things -- when you're happy it might crave something different too -- often this can be translated with a little help. Example: it is often thought that a craving for sweets (ice cream perhaps) is due to a lack of protein in your diet. Try adding protein instead of ice cream :)

    I think most of us have no learned, or forgotten, how to eat property and just eat what Uncle Sam (FDA, USDA etc) says is good to eat (hey, it's approved so it must be ok right?).

    So I always suggest looking at your diet and cutting out ALL processed foods, all fast foods, all refined sugars or artificial sweeteners etc and try finding natural alternatives.
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    Start telling yourself you kick *kitten* at losing weight, and you will! You're only as good as your beliefs!

    You're a funny writer, though, so blog away! ;)
  • plumptastic
    plumptastic Posts: 7 Member
    Thanks for the replies everyone! I know I can do it, of course I freakin' can (I can do anything 'cuz I'm Wonder Woman, don't you know?). I start day one (again) tomorrow. Will start with baby steps - just looking to get to day seven!

    My trend is I get to about day 5 and fall off the wagon. I mean, I fall off the wagon in an overly embarrassing way. So if you remember, kick me up my backside on Saturday!

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