Helpless and Hopeless.

Start with small changes- they feel less overwhelming at the time. I weigh and measure all of my food because my eyes always wants more than my stomach needs. you can do this

DON'T GIVE UP!! I have struggled all my life with my weight, and finally have got to the point that I need to do something about it. I won't lie, it's hard. Especially when the family goes to Dairy Queen and I just have to sit there and watch. But it's about me this time, too bad if there are no chips or cookies in the house. I found that I need to have those 100 calorie snack packs around, so when I get in a mood, there's something to grab that won't totally destroy my goals for the day. And up your fruit and veggies, basically can eat all the veggies you want. as for portion control, take what you're going to eat. no seconds. I find if I dish out the meal, then immediately pack up the rest and put it away, it's alot easier to say I'm done at the end of the meal. It's work to bring it all out again. Hope that helps, good luck !!!

First - and probably most importantly - realize that if you get to be "Skinny Tonya" you will probably still have the same emotional unhappiness and unhealthy relationships you do now. Being skinny isn't the magic pill to being happy - despite what those commericals on TV tell you.

About 2 - 3 years ago, I was big - like BIG at almost 70% BF. I was unhappy, grouchy all the time, fighting with my SO constantly and so on. But then we broke up and I had all this time on my hands to devote to me. And I did - one day at a time. This isn't about a 6 month, 8 month, 2 year project . . . it's the rest of your life to make these changes and they will not happen over night. Start with small things - like reducing your soda intake. My SO and I used to eat out 4 - 6 times/week. When I start this journey we were still broken up but when we started talking again and trying to work things out I made it very, unmistakedly clear that I do not eat that crap any more. I am not saying you shouldn't - but for me, it's my weakness and I had to cut it out of my life at first in order to stay on track. Slowly but surely I can eat out now without being thrown right back into it but it took 2 years to do that.

I work out at least 4, usually 5 days/week. I feel great when I'm done and remembering how great I felt last time is my motivation to get up the next morning and go. Bottom line, you have to want to do it. Do you want to be able to run a 5K? Power lift? Whatever your goals are, set one big one (whatever it may be for you) and then work backwards to set those little goals. In my experience setting one BIG goal is good, but not having little ones along the way makes that big one seem so much further away. Like one of my big goals is 20% BF, I am not there yet but I set goals to hit 50 and then 45 and then 40 and so on. It's also important to measure NSV such as having to buy smaller pants or being able to fit into jeans you previously couldn't or whatever.

It's not an easy journey, if you'd like to add me please feel free because I know what it's like but you definitely have to be happy and love you before, during and post-weight loss because being "skinny" won't make you happy!

Good Luck!

I just hang out here and log even when I'm not feeling it.

Than sometimes I just totally snap into it.

I don't know.

You need to find another way to deal with your emotional issues outside of food. Therapy, spirituality, exercising whatever you need to try to find a way to deal with those issues. It will be an uphill battle if you dont.

i feel the same way every time i dress to leave the house and my pants don't button. I have resorted to wearing leggings that way it fits and i don't feel like hiding in the house. My kid now refer to me as fat lady, i get depressed and start the old habit again. I don't have any support just friends who ask why am i getting fat... I usually start of well and then end up at square one and i think its making me gain more weight. I have joined here yesterday and i am hopeful that i can find people who understand what i'm going through. Hopeful i can motivate someone and find motivation myself.

I agree with all the people who have made an effort to kick out the sugar it will help your overall cravings and honestly, if emotional eating is your issue you need to really sit down and consider what your triggers are and avoid them if you cannot avoid them you need to learn some healthy alternatives to eating. easier said then done I realize, have you considered yoga?

I've never felt helpless or hopeless...but I have felt overwhelmed.

Do you feel overwhelmed and that feeling has you confused about where to start or how to renew?

If that's what is happening, pick one thing. Maybe it's increase your water. Or giving up that pop. Maybe it's taking a walk every day. Just pick one thing and do it regularly, until it becomes part of your routine.

Then pick something else.

You might pick something to try and find it isn't for you. That's ok - if it's not sustainable, you're probably going to give it up eventually anyway. Pick something else. Do that instead.

One thing at a time. At the end of a month, look at the changes and feel good.

And empowered.

And in control.

And full of hope.

You can do it...if you want to.

I know exactly how you feel and what you are going through. The best way I deal with all of those feelings is by truly loving myself and appreciating everything I am as a woman. Once I began to love myself, it became a second nature to only want the best for myself which means a healthy lifestyle. Even by loving myself and being positive, I have started to go tired of toxic relationships and men and they are on the way out of my life next.

Also, I started a food journal and writing down everything I eat and how I feel when I am eating. So when my emotions get the best of me and I binge, I can later go back and see what I was feeling and what triggered the emotion. It truly helps to put a cap on it. I also found friends that I can talk to who pass no judgement... we go for walks and get spill all of our emotions. So we are getting a little exercise in and negative feelings out!

I am still a work in process but I believe that I am now fighting my own personal war with the best armor!! Good Luck! Feel free to write me if you just want to talk! I am a good listener.

emotional eating is what caused many of us to become overweight... you need to have veggie trays on hand at all times, make them yourself or buy them but have them ready to use when you are wanting to eat and know you shouldn't. Also sugar free/low calorie candies have them on hand... I use Werther's Original Sugar Free Caramel Chocolate... 5 pieces = 40 calories I put them out on my desk in the morning and that's all the goodies I can have that day... some days I don't even eat them anymore and I was a sugar freak!

Soda pop... OK I happen to rarely drink regular but even Zero's/Max/Diet are triggers and I use to drink a 2 liter of those a day!... so my rule is simple I cannot have any soda pop unless I am out getting a to-go meal. If I'm inside sitting I get a water. My soda pop at first I'd buy 1 - 2 liter bottle of soda pop and it had to last me 2 days, then 3 days then all week. At home I buy sparkling water, they come in all flavors and they give the feeling of drinking soda pop and studies have found sometimes that is all you are craving, the sparkle/bubbles. Those have now become something I rarely drink too, maybe a glass with dinner otherwise I stick to my plain water although I do add flavors often.

Don't beat yourself up, just take baby steps and remember you will find what works for YOU, we are all different and different things work great for one group and not for another, hence why there are so many diets out there, they work- just not for everyone.