Stepped on the scale and panicked - 286 pounds...

Skyebella27
Skyebella27 Posts: 62
in Introduce Yourself
I stepped on a scale at someone's house recently, and I was freaked out when it read 286. I'm in my 20s, a 5'2" female, married, and would like to have kids in the near future.....but not at this weight. I'm scared for my health and I need to do something. Even losing 130 pounds would still put me in the overweight category, but I've never been a healthy weight so I need to start somewhere.

I'm looking for some friends that have a lot to lose or people that can help motivate me. It's going to be a tough journey, but I don't want to fail. I'm thinking of this as 13 10-pound goals (not thinking that 130 pounds is an average woman....oops....just thought about it...).

Good luck to everyone!!! And if anyone has lost some weight and had any tips, I would love to hear them...no, I NEED to hear them. Thanks in advance for all the support :)
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Replies

  • donyellemoniquex3
    donyellemoniquex3 Posts: 2,384 Member
    5'3 female single 22y/o
  • CharleneG_Barnes
    CharleneG_Barnes Posts: 25 Member
    5'4" lost 127# so far, biggest tip? log every single thing you put in your mouth. be honest with yourself if you "cheat" by not logging it, your only cheating yourself.....that being said, do not be afraid to treat yourself this is a marathon not a sprint and you want to change your habits not DIET and then return to old habits.
    good luck
  • eonni
    eonni Posts: 7
    Haha! My highest weight when I started was 300. :)
    And my weight loss might not be alot to some people, but it's progress!
    During the journey it's important to keep staying positive and not to think about how far you have to go, but think about how far you have come!
  • amrw85
    amrw85 Posts: 7 Member
    @ skybella27 - Same thing happened to me yesterday!! I realized I weigh more now then at any point in my pregnancy.. My son is now almost 10 months old and I am quickly losing my "I just had a baby" excuse :( My goal is about 60lbs...
  • shirleygirl910
    shirleygirl910 Posts: 503 Member
    What worked for me was celebrating each little pound or piece of a pound as I lost it. I didn't look at how much I had to lose because it was overwhelming. I went from 314 to 185 back up to 210 and now down to 189.
  • randicooper1989
    randicooper1989 Posts: 15
    Hun, I know the feeling. I weigh 239 and I'm 5'4". My ultimate goal is to lose about 100lbs. I am having the bariatric surgery done in a couple of months, but I have to lose 10 lbs first. I am finding if difficult. Add me if you want to work together to get a start!
  • randicooper1989
    randicooper1989 Posts: 15
    Awesome work!!!!!!!!
  • ChristineinMA
    ChristineinMA Posts: 312 Member
    I'm 5'3" married 48 y o - starting weight 213. Current weight 200.

    Like you, I have a number of smaller mini-goals -

    1) Get outta the 200's! :-D I am real close!
    2) Next goal: 192 - which would represent having lost 10% of my starting weight
    3) Get outta the Obese category on the BMI Scale - somewhere around 168 for me
    4) Get to the top weight for Normal on BMI around 140.

    If I look at - OMG I've got to lose 73 lbs - I wanna just collapse in frustration. I gotta do it one day at a time, one meal at a time :-) Feel free to add me as a friend!
  • AmyZ46
    AmyZ46 Posts: 694 Member
    Well, you took the first step ,good for you .

    every step will be closer to your goal .
    They will be hard , this will hurt sometimes .
    But boy will you feel great. I swear exercise will get fun later .
    make your self do it every day .
    when I started I could only walk 10 minutes on the treadmill . I walk and hour every morning and sometimes in the evening for fun ...what? I can't believe it.

    Good luck !
  • Skyebella27
    Skyebella27 Posts: 62
    Thanks for all the responses and encouragement everyone -- and congrats on the weight loss for those who've lost any amount, it's really awesome to read successes!
  • relentlessjoy
    relentlessjoy Posts: 4
    I just started here as well recently but you can do it!! Your motivation -- your own health and the ability to be a healthy mother in the future -- will carry you through.
  • SidsMom80
    SidsMom80 Posts: 97 Member
    33yr old, I told myself I'd never let myself get over 200....well I started 226.4 currently 212. Took me 60 days to lose 14 pounds. Sometimes i get impatient and just want it all gone already, but I keep reminding myself I'm not "dieting" to get a quick fix, I'm changing my life. Each pound is a victory...I can't wait to be under 200. I log everyday honestly no matter how ugly it might be.
  • Alyssah09
    Alyssah09 Posts: 357 Member
    21 year old female and have very similar goals!

    SW 245
    CW 220.6
    GW 160

    Feel free to add me if you would like
  • Darla4K
    Darla4K Posts: 1
    Good luck SkyeBella27 - literally just joined myself. Looking at trying the weight loss thing AGAIN. I should know by now that I need to adopt the lifestyle, but apparently I'm a slow learner. ;-) Aiming to lose 60 pounds. Add me if you like and good luck with your weight loss journey!
  • flitabout
    flitabout Posts: 200 Member
    I am 36 5'3" and 173lbs. Right where I have been stuck for the past like 2 months. I think it's great that you are setting smaller goals instead what seems an impossible number! Right now for me that 160 seems so far away because I can't seem to get to 165 and stay there or climb right back up. I just take it one day at a time and I have to remind myself that it is 90% diet.
    But you started and that is the important part you got this! And don't forget to reward yourself at those goal points. get your hair done buy a smaller size in clothes get your nails done. Just something to make remember what you have accomplished. Yes there will be hard times, times when the numbers aren't what you want to see. You may have times that you gain but that is when you have to try harder and remember what you already done! just remember one day at a time one step at a time, one pound at a time. here is a smaller goal that may help to me personally I have another 43 lbs that is 172 sticks of butter but I have already lost 132 sticks of butter! Remember to have fun with this!
  • sav3175
    sav3175 Posts: 47
    Hi I'm savannah I dont have alot to lose because i lost it already but if you would like to add me for support please do :)
  • heidicalif
    heidicalif Posts: 114 Member
    Hello! I started using mfp 6/19 and hit my first 10 pound goal this week. You can do it!

    I have been following mfp's calorie recommendations and by no means starving myself. The first few weeks there was a learning curve, but I am far over that hump now. There were days that I exceeded my calorie goals, but I was still eating less than before and headed in the right direction. Now pretty much any day I exercise I have extra calories I don't know what to do with. A few nights a week I have dessert. I find eating what I want, but only a third or a half, makes it feel like I'm not sacrificing.

    I was lightly active before (evening walks and bike rides with my 3 kids, occasional mountain hikes, on again off again Jazzercise membership, etc) but really stepped it up when i started logging and i feel that without that i wouldn't have had nearly the same level as success. At first any night i didn't exercise I went over on food, but even a short, brisk walk (usually with my dorky ankle weights) was enough to get me back where I wanted to be. Just do what you love, even if it feels small, and add from there. As I get healthier and stronger it makes me want to do so much more, things that have always been out of my comfort zone. I did end up buying a treadmill because the weather or cranky kids was keeping me from my goals. Some days I am less motivated than others to get my body moving, but if I can push past that first 30 mins to where I am warmed up it gets fun. There have been days where I've even stopped at 15-20 minutes, given myself a break, and then go back and find I'm past the hump. I love Jazzercise, but don't live close enough to one anymore, but recommend it to all my girlfriends. Groupon has great deals on exercise in m area, an easy way to try something new out at a discount without the commitment.

    I find watching Extreme Weight Loss (ABC) really motivates me. Watching someone who weighs 400+ lbs exercise reminds me I have no excuse. We all start somewhere!

    Best of luck to you!
  • ThinnerTimesAhead
    ThinnerTimesAhead Posts: 11 Member
    Hi! I just started this lifestyle change about (2) weeks ago - believe it or not around the same weight you did! 288lbs. It was an eye opener for SURE. You are welcome to add me if you want! I have been updating daily. I would love to help cheer you on reach your goals! I like your idea of "13" 10lb goals! What a great way to look at it!
  • Dollfun1
    Dollfun1 Posts: 42 Member
    I started on Wednesday. I understand the frustration as I am also at my heaviest ever.

    SW: 244
    GW: 150

    My goal weight will still put me about seven pounds over my ideal, but I know that at 150 I am going to feel GREAT!

    I really enjoyed reading the other comments, great advice and wonderful inspiration.

    I'm always up for new friends.

    Take care and best of luck!
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    Hi Sky,

    It's so tempting to say Sky, hi. Oh where was I. Oh yeah if you want to not think about how much you have to lose you can turn this around and think of it as meeting health goals. This is how I started well this is where I still am.

    So maybe for the first couple of weeks you log food and don't do anything else so you can see how much you are eating and weigh yourself first oh already done at the end of two weeks weigh again if you lost weight well then logging got you to change something. But, if you stay the same then you will know what your maintenance calories are. Cut your calories by 250 or so and exercise about another 250 away you will lose a pound a week fairly easily.

    You can change things bit by bit first maybe add more fiber. Maybe then up your protein later on. Your diary will be a big help showing you where you can make these changes.

    Just ask yourself what you can do today to make tomorrow better. There is always something and if you do at least one thing a day well two log and meet your calorie goal, you will lose weight. I wish I could say how fast but everyone is different. But, you will lose and at the end of the year you will be considerably lighter.
  • sbrociousstewart
    sbrociousstewart Posts: 8 Member
    Hi everyone!

    I have already lost about 80 pounds on my own, meaning that I started my journey at 280. I was doing well until the last few months when I really hit a plateau. I've just started here this week and I'm desperately hoping to kick the last 40-50 pounds in the butt!! Right now, my goal is 170. What is most important to me, though, is the ability to change my lifestyle! I know that integrating exercise has been really important to my success thus far, but right now I have double knee injuries (ouch!). I'm hoping that some fairly religious tracking on my part will be able to get me through my recovery while still losing some pounds. Honestly, even staying the same weight without any exercise for two-three weeks would be absolutely amazing! I can't wait to start hitting the gym again!

    This weeks goal: Not get discouraged about the lack of gym time and hit the under-200 mark!

    Feel free to add me for some support!

    --Sam
  • terry1067
    terry1067 Posts: 9 Member
    Well I need to lose 70lbs. It is very hard for me to lose weight too. I am 45 5 7' tall and weigh 219lbs. That would put me at 149lbs. I am also a type 2 diabetic since 2002 and have sleep apnea as well. I think we can support each other if you want to become friends on here that would be great. Keep trying I know it's hard but I think we can do it!!
  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
    Hi. I have 76lb to lose before I reassess where I want to be and I'm doing a similar thing to you. My first goal is 16lb which takes me to 14 stone and then it will be only 60lb more to lose. I'll be doing 10lb goals after that .

    I'm finding it difficult too due to thyroid problems. I'm not going to let it beat me though! Feel free to add me :smile:
  • nicolegillies106
    nicolegillies106 Posts: 2
    In a similar situation :0) not dieting just living a better lifestyle & being active x

    Wish you all the luck in world :0) x

    Add me as a friend I'll be here for awhile and could do with motivation myself :0)

    My starting weight 237lbs

    Currant weight 220lbs
  • Skyebella27
    Skyebella27 Posts: 62
    Thank you all again for all the support and friend requests and tips and encouragement! There are so many of us in the same boat, and so many who've lost a lot of weight. It's really inspiring and I can't wait until I can put in my first pound lost in my ticker!
  • Sewweaver
    Sewweaver Posts: 33 Member
    Haha! My highest weight when I started was 300. :)
    And my weight loss might not be alot to some people, but it's progress!
    During the journey it's important to keep staying positive and not to think about how far you have to go, but think about how far you have come!

    anyone who says your weightloss is not alot or whatever, is smoking something really horrific. You are crazy inspiring!!! Simply outstanding! Thank you for posting, needed to see this today!
  • missraye33
    missraye33 Posts: 5 Member
    I'm 5'4", currently 292 (down from an all time high of 317). My mantra is one pound at a time. Feel free to add me.
  • Sabrena619
    Sabrena619 Posts: 7
    I remember when I was in my twenties and had an opportunity (like you) to get healthy. I dropped a few pounds, but didn't like to exercise, so eventually, it all came back. Then I was in my thirties. I had gained even more weight and now I had a job where I was really sedentary. I had a baby and then the weight really shot up. When I was in my forties, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. And can you believe it, I still didn't do anything about it. When I came into my fifties, I was taking medication for high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, and acid refulx. I was taking both oral meds and injecting insulin for my diabetes. Then it finally dawned on me. I think more of myself than this.

    I started walking. It was pretty slow at first (probably less than 2 mph). In the first year, I didn't lose a lot of weight, but I kept doing it. I gradually built up my endurance and strength to where I could walk 3 mph. I lost a little more weight but I still needed to lose at least 60 pounds. The walking was hard on my ankles, but I kept going and building strength. After having a couple years of success with the exercise routine and gradually losing about 15 pounds--and feeling much better physically, mentally and spiritually--I decided to go on a real diet. Jeez it was hard, but I knew that the exercise alone would never be enough. Now I've lost about 40 pounds. I'm 5'9" and 175 pounds. Still not a model, but I look so much better and feel wonderful. The only problem now is that I've gone from one poor body image to another. I have a lot of saggy hanging skin and unless I have surgery, it will be there for ever.

    So why am I telling you all this--because if you're still in your twenties, you have a chance to get healthy AND shrink that skin. You have time to enjoy the prime of your life as a healthy, beautiful woman. You have the opportunity to hit the brakes and do a U-turn in your life. Oh how I wish I had known then what I know now.

    Please do this for yourself--not for any man or some other perceived benefit (although those are really nice incentives). But you owe yourself this chance. Your self esteem with improve. Your confidence in everything you do will rise. You'll perform your job better. You'll take new pride in your home. You will just enjoy everything so much more.

    It's not easy, but it is so worth it. Just do it!

    If you want to friend me, I'll try to keep inspiring you. And I will also be inspired by your journey. Just remember the words of Shakespeare, "To thine own self be true."
  • lvacpblackwell
    lvacpblackwell Posts: 6
    My weight loss did not start when I joined this program. I started a new job this year and was told I had to take my vacation before the end of the year. So I was trying to think of were I wanted to go and decided that I wanted to go to Disneyland with my son. I walked around the block and found myself out of breath. I told myself that I couldn't go to Disneyland this year not until I could walk the whole day at Disneyland. The last time that I had weighed myself I was over 290 but I think that I was closer to 300 when I started to walk. First it was just around the block then it was on every break that I had at work. At this time I cut out the sodas and added water. When my work offered a challenge of walking 10,000 steps a day I took up the challenge. The program that they offered told me that I needed to walk 14,000 steps a day for weight loss. So that was my goal. Then when I did that I challenged myself to walking 20,000 steps a day and did it. I placed 2nd in the whole company by walking 1.1 million steps in 8 weeks. It got really hot here in Las Vegas,up to 120, so I joined a gym. They signed me up for this site which I am glad. I have lost a total of 45lbs and still losing. My goal is to take my son on vacation to Disneyland next year. I will do it!
  • Sabrena619
    Sabrena619 Posts: 7
    I forgot to say that I am completely med-free now. No more injections, no more pills. I also used to use a c-pap for sleep apnea. Not anymore. I'm totally free of every thing that used to hinder me.

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