27 years old ---------> 300 pounds :'-(

I'm 28 and started at 317.... I am down to 306 right now, in just under 2 weeks. I know how you feel. I've been there most of my life.

I am morbidly obese.

That is so hard to type.....but I need to realize that. I can't pretend that I'm okay or that I'm healthy because I. AM. NOT.

On the way home from our friend's house yesterday, my husband and I were talking about losing weight together and it was a pretty normal conversation...

Me: "We need to lose weight. "
Hubby: "Ya. I am going to cut out sugar and start going to the gym next week."
Me: "I need to stop eating fast food and cut down my portions."

Blah blah blah.....The same conversation we have had over and over again with the same results - nothing.

But then the bomb dropped. He said something he's never said to me before...

"I'm obese, but you're the type of obese that people die from"

He grabbed my hand and I realized, for the first time, that he was really concerned about me and my being around.

For years, I avoided those fears....I wouldn't voice them...I wouldn't even think them, but now, my amazing husband said those words that I needed to hear.

As soon as we got home last night, I made an account and today I logged my food. I went over my calories...did I fail? Maybe to some, but I measured my food today and I ate less - a lot less - than I normally would, so I'm proud of myself.

I would love some support and motivation through this journey...I need to lose more than half of me! It's scary, but it beats the alternative - dying.

Admitting there is a problem is the first step to fixing it. My wife and I danced around losing weight for a long time. We made excuses, or just buried it so far that we didnt think about it. The first week or two, in my opinion, is the absolute hardest. There is a saying that "3 weeks makes a habit" and, as someone who is now two months in and having great success, this is SO TRUE. When I started, I wanted EVERYTHING I couldn't have, because they had become staples of my diet. If you can just stay SUPER strong for the first few weeks, then I promise you, it will get MUCH easier.

I messed up the other night and had an eating binge. Now, keep in mind, this is like a month and a half in. I felt guilty as hell, and I beat myself up about it. Guess what I ate....

Celery and a measured amount of all natural peanut butter.

Never, in my WILDEST dreams, would I have thought I would have felt GUILTY about eating something that, as I started my first week of clean eating, I would have classified as a great, healthy snack. That's just a testament to how your mindset changes.

Another thing that you HAVE to do is start INVESTING in your health. My wife and I would buy unhealthy, cheaper foods at the grocery store to save a dollar here and there. Since the change, our grocery bills have gone up quite a bit and our "fun money" has dwindled because we are investing it elsewhere. This sounds like it sucks, less money to do fun stuff, but I'll be the first to tell you that eating healthy and feeling great all the time beats ANY night out. We had to pitch out ANY food in our house that was not healthy, we had to remove ALL temptation from our home. It's hard at first, I love firearms, computers, and gadgets, but I came to a realization. I love myself more.

The overall number you want to reach, your final goal weight, may seem like it's in another galaxy. It's very important to keep that number in mind, yes, but make sure to set small milestones. Think of it like celebrating each "planet" you pass on the way to that new galaxy that will be your fit self. First five pounds, 10 pounds, 20 pounds, 30 pounds, all these little things serve to motivate and gratify you. Start small! Can you believe you're around 10 years out of high school? Time flies, doesnt it? Doesn't it feel like 2012 was just yesterday, and 2013 was a blink? Small changes, small losses, they add up BIG over time. Now that we have referenced just how much time flies losing however much you want to lose doesn't seem too crazy, does it?

I was eating 5000-6000 calories a day before I started tracking my consumption. Just moving down to the amount MFP recommends, or even close to it, was a HUGE change in my eating habits.

Remember, this is about your HEALTH. DO it for you and your future.

Feel free to add me. I have been there too!:flowerforyou:

You took the first step. Do not look at the goal as a whole but rather a journey and really the best advice I can offer is take each day as it comes, forgive yourself and always get back up and try again. Please feel free to add me as a friend.

Hi, I decided enough was enough last Christmas when my scale read 342 lbs! So I started using MFP from New Year's Day and this time I didn't give up! I'm log everyday, I walk, do Wii Zumba, weightlift, stretch etc. And I'm seeing results which is soooo encouraging!

The most important thing is to admit you have a problem and actually act upon it! And stick to it even if you feel like giving up! It will be worth it! We can do it together so please, feel free to add me! The more the merrier

You've found a great place to start! I had tried to lose weight off and on for many years but nothing ever worked, then last year I gained another 15 pounds, late Dec 2013 I weighed myself for the first time in 6 months and was up to 260 pounds, and I'm almost 29 years old. At the beginning of January I happened to see a post from someone that had lost over 100 pounds within a year, from 270 to 170, I was so inspired I asked her how she did it, she gave me some great information on how many calories I should be eating and how much I should be exercising. I stuck to her advice and counted every single thing I've eaten for two months and as of March 11th I have lost 26 pounds, without starving myself! Most important thing I learned is to eat more, NOT less, but within reason and only healthy foods, no food means no energy. I try to eat only whole foods, about 1300 calories on days I don't exercise or when I only exercise 15 minutes or less, and about 1500 calories on days I exercise between 30-60 minutes. For almost the ENTIRE first month I either walked around the block or exercised to Richard Simmons DVDs, low impact aerobics that you enjoy is the best way to start exercising. I don't like gyms, so I do all my exercise at home, at the park, or around the neighborhood.

I wish you great success!

Well done for starting! Friend request sent! always looking for new people on here for motivation

Yesterday was yesterday, today is today. You can so do this. It is a series of baby steps, learning everyday. People here are so supportive and so informative. Take one day at a time. Please add me if you want. You can do this...

Hi,
I read your post and know that you feel like it is a long road ahead of you. Think of it like climbing up a hill. You take one step at a time and every step takes you closer to the top. Don't focus on looking at the top of the mnt. just on where you are and with time and the right eating habits, you will get there.
If you'd like to email me, I'd be happy to give you some food guidelines and tips. I am a nutritionist /trainer with 18 years experience.
well wishes to you both
Rose

Sent you a request. Don't worry about going over your goal, sometimes it takes us a few days to adjust to everything. After that, then logging becomes a part of your everyday life, at least it did for me. I started at 196, and currently at 165 and nearing my goal weight. You got this! Good luck! :flowerforyou: :happy: