Finally getting serious...hit rock bottom...

truelove7
truelove7 Posts: 79 Member
Hi there! My name is Mary Lynn. I'm 35, 5'9" and currently weight 300 lbs. For the past couple of weeks, I've tried to get a handle on my eating habits and I've started moving more. I didn't realize exactly how bad it was until I saw this photo of me from Saturday night:
IMG_6705_edited-1_zpsb502f5d5.jpg

I threw a big party for my parent's 60th birthday and we all had so much fun. I was totally crushed when I saw the pics though. I'm embarrassed of myself and am worth way more than I've allowed myself to become. I'm on task and FINALLY found the motivation I need to really get going.
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Replies

  • Vickil57
    Vickil57 Posts: 1,882 Member
    Good luck. Logging your food and exercise on MFP helps alot. It keeps me on track.
  • Feel free to friend me for support :) we can do this together!
  • farway
    farway Posts: 1,264 Member
    Fried request sent
  • voyager17
    voyager17 Posts: 6
    I'm so happy for you that you've made the decision to get healthy! I know exactly how you feel in terms of seeing yourself
    in pictures. If you need support or anything feel free to message me :) Lots of luck!
  • I can relate to those pictures :( Add me if you want. Down 41# with about 90 to go
  • iwannabe140
    iwannabe140 Posts: 3 Member
    Good for you!!! YOU can do it!!!

    I know how you feel. About 2 months ago, I saw a picture of myself my daughter took with my phone when I wasn't paying attention. I could hardly believe it was me. I thought I had hit rock bottom too, but I still haven't managed to get on track on a consistent basis. I think I should print that picture and put it on the refrigerator -- maybe that would do the trick. Otherwise, it's out of sight, out of mind. I don't feel as overweight as I look. :-)

    By the way, don't be so hard on yourself. You still look gorgeous in the picture! Stay positive! You can do it!
  • kw67
    kw67 Posts: 30
    Good for you! We are all here together and will help you along..
  • yelliezx
    yelliezx Posts: 633 Member
    Hi Mary Lynn! Congrats on taking the first step to a healthy new you! You can do it! :)
  • jesskahh87
    jesskahh87 Posts: 40 Member
    last night I saw a picture of myself & I decided it was time for a change... I know exactly what you're going through!
  • purpleiris82
    purpleiris82 Posts: 22 Member
    Joining MFP is a good first step. I have only been on here for five days, but it has helped me. You can friend me, if you'd like. We can support each other.
  • highervibes
    highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member
    The first step is the hardest, I bet you will be surprised at how effortless it can be! May I suggest you DON'T use the MFP guidelines and figure out your TDEE by using any online calculator and cut from that? I know you didn't ask for advice on that, but I hate to see new people's motivation get an *kitten*-whopping by a 1200 calorie diet. :) Friend me if you want!
  • AverageUkDude
    AverageUkDude Posts: 371 Member
    Good luck! The hard parts are followed by great parts, try and remember that.
  • Leannek74
    Leannek74 Posts: 374 Member
    This is a great site and it WORKS!!

    BTW, you are beautiful! Just sayin'!!!
  • Pinkprettyplz
    Pinkprettyplz Posts: 6 Member
    Congrats! I'm finally getting serious also. My realization was when I got on the scale and noticed.I gained 35 lbs over the last 2 years!! I totally blame relationship weight...lol. I've been logging and keeping track for the past few days. This really seems like a great community to help you stay motivated. Have fun on your journey! =)
  • melissaka7
    melissaka7 Posts: 277 Member
    Good luck! MFP really helps & I love the message boards. I've gone down 23 lbs since May. You can add me as a friend if you want. :)
  • alliemarie77
    alliemarie77 Posts: 378 Member
    You can add me. I was 298 pounds, and the pictures my friend took were horrible!
    Still.... It took something much worse for me to hit rock bottom.
  • thezorb
    thezorb Posts: 67 Member
    I'm right there with you--I saw some photos of myself too, and thought, "That can't really be me!" But it is, so here I am. I'm down 12# in a little more than three weeks. I love MFP! Add me as a friend.
  • marciebrian
    marciebrian Posts: 853 Member
    your next picture will be one you are proud of ;-) good luck and if I can help send me a Friend Request. :flowerforyou:
  • conniemaxwell5
    conniemaxwell5 Posts: 943 Member
    YES!!! You can do this!! One day at a time, or one bite at a time if that's what it takes. It will not happen overnight but it is so worth it. Push yourself past what you think your limits are! When you are feeling weak, reach out to the community here. There is great support on this website.

    You have gorgeous red hair and blue eyes!
  • antonjanik
    antonjanik Posts: 12
    We all started out with a picture! I still look at mine and am so happy with how far I have come. Just remember, its not about one good day, one great weekend workout, one great lo cal meal. Its about doing it every day, every meal. Over and over and over. You will train your body to lose the weight. You can do this. Your desire to be different will beat your craving to overeat.

    And then don't go hungry. At least not starving. I ate a lot of greek yogurt between meals. Not the crappy fake kind. Real stuff (I like Fage and Chobani. I hate yoplait, etc.). And lots of vegetables and grains. Eat stuff that is not made from other stuff. Drink a lot of water. Track everything you eat and exercise in this app. Make your lunch. Always have some food with you.

    Take a picture of yourself every week. Post them on your mirror. Look for the positive changes you see. Know that your scale will go up and down due to the workouts, but your pants don't lie. You will shrink.

    Also, plateaus happen. When the weight stops falling off, look around at what you are eating and how you are exercising. Cheating? Not working out hard enough? Make the necessary changes, and the weight will start falling off again.

    Be well. A.
  • arkansas300
    arkansas300 Posts: 24 Member
    Hello MFP Friends
    I can relate to you. I started my journey June 5,2013. I weighed 308 pounds. I was sick and tired of being the biggest person at work. I have losted 18 pounds so far. I move each and everyday. I work 3-5 miles a day. i plan on losing 120 pounds within a year. I will never abuse my body again with junk food. I take it one day at a time. you can do it stay focus each and everyday. My goal is 170 pounds. I want to live again. Being overweight is no fun. Pictures of my sisters. I'm the blonde. You can do it Take small steps daily to change your old habits to healthy new habits.. :flowerforyou:
  • Binkie1955
    Binkie1955 Posts: 329 Member
    get the science right. start with 'Good Calories, Bad Calories' by Gary Taubes. long read but worth it. cut the carbs.
  • treesloth
    treesloth Posts: 162 Member
    This may sound sarcastic, but congratulations on hitting rock bottom and having it mean something to you. I say that seriously. A lot of people would see that and turn away and immediately start rationalizing it away. You didn't. You saw it, took a hard lesson from it, and decided to change it. That's a real strength. Welcome to a new way of living, and a chance to inspire other people.

    MFP is a great tool. Be honest with it. Don't allow unrecorded treats. The improved health you'll gain is better than any "I deserve this"-type treat you will ever eat. Keep a photo record. That's one thing I wish I'd done. I came up with a substitute, though. I have a very nice daily-wear belt that I've just started adding more and more holes to. It's 52" long, and I used the third hole when I first got it. I now use the 13th hole. I've had to add a bunch. My wife can't figure out why I keep it, but it's become my daily reminder of how far I've come and where I want to be. I think I can get up to the 15th at least.

    Friends help. Talk to people you know and tell them what you're trying to do. That creates a barrier to lapsing into old habits-- you have to let others see you fail, and who wants that? Online friends help, too, so please send me a request if you'd like! I'd say good luck, but I don't think you'll need it. Instead, how about "welcome to your best self"?
  • arkansas300
    arkansas300 Posts: 24 Member
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  • KayaVice
    KayaVice Posts: 24 Member
    Sometimes hitting rock bottom isn't such a bad thing, especially if it motivates you to do something about it. I keep myself motivated by getting naked and looking at myself in the mirror (if I don't have time for all that, I at least take my shirt off....my stomach and bat wings are enough). Anytime I don't feel like working out, or if I find myself really wanting to binge on something unhealthy, I pull up my shirt and look at my stomach and ask, "Do you want to get rid of this fat or not?"

    Keep your 'motivating' pic handy in case you start lagging behind in desire. Get a game plan for exercise and food changes and you WILL get somewhere.
  • Barbieg428
    Barbieg428 Posts: 18 Member
    Congrats ! on first making the choice that's the biggest part ! There is GREAT motivation and encouragement here on MFP, I have a group of AWESOME friends that keep me going and like wise I do the same for them. YOU CAN DO THIS !!! and I am here if you need me. Feel free to add me :flowerforyou:
  • The other poster said it perfect. We all start with a picture. I'm new here too, and after a few weeks doing it myself, I found that support is key. Sending a friend request :)
    Don't lose hope, we can do it!
  • chaoticrunner
    chaoticrunner Posts: 32 Member
    Congrats on your new start! Having a strong support system like MFP is so important. Please feel free to add me.
  • RockClimber69
    RockClimber69 Posts: 82 Member
    Feel free to add me too. You can do it, you've already taken the first step!
  • Hey Mary Lynn

    As they say the only place from rock bottom is up so there is always a positive, I am slowly reaching that place myself with more than weight being an issue I have other demons to deal with but looking forward now I want to get things back on track.

    Good luck, there are alot of good people on here.