Need Support and Encouragement

Hi,
My name is Julie. I just downloaded the my fitness pal app today hoping for help and support during my weight loss journey. I currently weigh 275lbs. Im 41 years old and have diabetes so I have to do this. My goal is to lose 100 lbs which is a lot but after all the yo yo dieting Ive done in the past, I feel I can stick with it this time. I saw your post and I too needed some support and encouragement so I understand what youre going through. I wish you lots of luck!!

Nice to meet you. I think alot of us struggle with this. We have this image of what we once looked like, and think happiness cannot be achieved until we reach that weight again. But let me tell you, if you don't love yourself at this weight, there is a chance that you will continue finding things to be unhappy about at your ideal weight as well.

Recently, I accepted myself at my current weight. I am 80 pounds over what I weighed in my 20s, and I have beaten myself over it for years. My self-esteem suffered horribly as I struggled to lose the weight and failed. But one day recently, I said, "I accept that I may be this weight for a long time to come. Maybe forever." It was liberating. I literally let myself of the hook.

But that doesn't mean I gave up on getting healthier. Without all that pressure, I don't feel so rushed to lose weight. I'm taking things slowly. I can just feel it that I am going to succeed at getting healthier.

Here is what is working for me so far:

For the next 3 weeks, your only goal will be to track your food. It doesn't matter what you eat, just track. During the first 3 weeks, you don't have to worry about what you eat or if you stick to the calorie goal. As long as you are tracking, you are doing good.

There are days where I can been 1500 calories over my goal (yikes!), but I still tracked. The purpose of this period is simply to get you in the healthy habit of tracking your food.

If you are like me, you will find that the longer you track, the more you actually want to hit your calorie goal. It becomes like a numbers game.

At the end of 3 weeks, you can add another "healthy habit" to your list. Just one. It could be "I will eat within my calorie goal at least 6 days out of the week." Or something else.

It may seem frustrating to start slowly, particularly if you are putting alot of pressure on yourself to lose weight. I had to force myself to relax and stop pressuring myself. I like tracking as a first goal because it produces an immediate sense of control and accomplishment but is pretty easy to do.

Keep us updated!

Casey