Starting weight 280....

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dizzyray822
dizzyray822 Posts: 9
in Introduce Yourself
Hi, never thought I would be doing this but here I am. I'm not even 30 yet and very obese. Top that off, I'm a nurse. I recently took a position as a Disease Manager and feel like a hypocrite educating people on how to take care if themselves when I'm not doing it myself. So....starting August 12th I became serious about making a change. I've tried many times but never kept it off or stuck to my plan. Honestly...the three weeks I've stuck to trying to be healthier this time is probably the longest I've gone. Granted, I've slipped up a few times...my birthday weekend was not so good. And just this past Monday I went to the movies and caved in for popcorn and soda. But, what I've noticed this time is that even if I slip up I'm back on track the next day or even next meal. Over the last 10 years since I met and then married my husband I've gained about 100 pounds. He's gained too but not as much as me. 10 pounds a year can creep up so fast....and then I hit 280. My ticker says I've lost zero because when I downloaded MFP in 2010 I was 268 so when I logged in again now I had gained 12 pounds. I actually weighed 274 this week so that's 6 pounds down which I'm feeling excited about. I'm 5'7" and have a sedentary job. The new position I took is still an RN position but a desk job because my back couldn't keep up with being a floor nurse. Would love to loose weight and feel good enough to venture back out into floor nursing one day....or maybe not because that is high stress which I think is one of my eating triggers. Anyway....MFP says I can eat 1800 calories. I started out walking 30 minutes 3 times a week and cried my first walk because I realized how out of shape I was. It was a struggle. The next week I started swimming 2 days and then walking or doing the elliptical the other days. I made Sunday a rest day. Now that I'm committed to this I'm feeling guilty at any deviance from my plan. Ive been eating oatmeal mainly for breakfast, a yogurt, banana, or string cheese for snacks. A smoothie and whole wheat toast with peanut butter for lunch. I love carbs unfortunately and haven't cut back as much as I need to on those. I have made quesadillas with spinach and chicken in them....I know....not the best choice but better than I would have used to pick. I'm trying to just have protein and salads at dinner but that's been difficult. A huge change I've made is not eating out, which helps me greatly reduce my calories but I'm feeling limited in what I can eat. Anyway, I'm just rambling and would love any feedback, encouragement, or tips.

Replies

  • Isakizza
    Isakizza Posts: 754 Member
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    Totally get what you mean. I'm also a nurse and was tipping the scale at 244 lbs, only 5'3. It felt like a joke when trying to educate my patients on health when I couldn't even follow my own advice.

    The only tip I have is to include a weight training program along with your cardio, and make sure you get enough protein. This will help you maintain as much lean muscle as you lose weight. When I first starting losing I was eating between 1800-2000 cals a day and working out 4-5 days a week. At the time I was aiming for 100g of protein, the rest being carbs, fats, etc. I can never be a low carber, love me some carbs!!!

    I don't eat clean, but try to make the best food choices. However, if I really want something... I'll eat it and just fit it into my daily goals. That usually helps with binges and overeating.

    You can do it, best of luck!!!!:happy:

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  • CariJean64
    CariJean64 Posts: 297 Member
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    But, what I've noticed this time is that even if I slip up I'm back on track the next day or even next meal.

    This, right here, is your secret to success. Keep this up and you will make it!!

    Lose the guilt, though. NO ONE always has perfect meals. Hang in there!
  • shaporev
    shaporev Posts: 1
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    A bit of advice (based on my own experience):
    1) even if you know that you eat too much, DO log it into MFP anyway. Say to yourself: "I am not going to use MFP to control myself, for the beginning I just want to know how much I consume to learn why I weigh that much". This way you will not be feeling guilty (not that much at least) - and (in my case) this guilt feeling was what lead me to abandonment of MFP. Try to get rid of this "I feel guilty" - try to convert it into constructive "OK, I made a mistake, but tomorrow I will take additional cardio" (and take it!). Nobody is ideal, and the fact that I ate 5000 calories more than I should last weekend (and this is a fact...) is not a reason to hide from reality (and these 5000 calories were saying to me this week - "Do you really want this donut?" ))) )
    2) baby carrots! Amazing snack filling your stomach and almost calories-free
    3) drink more water than you did, best - a glass of water 15 minutes before your meal
    4) walk! Try to avoid car at least couple times a day and go for a walk. If you can walk outside - use one of apps that track your walk (I use MapMyRun - and this is not ads) - with your weight 30 min walk can give you extra 200-300 calories - and the app will tell you how much (btw, this app can be synchronized with MFP). I have time to walk 1-2 hours per day, and it gives me about 800 calories. Not bad, right? If you can do it during your workday - even better, walk to another building, walk to restroom on another floor, etc. It may look silly to hunt for 10-20 calories, but it really adds up!
    5) Do not cut your calories too much! Starvation only means that you loose your muscles and at some point you will return back to eating much within couple weeks (that's body's instinct)
    6) Again, forgive yourself for "bad days" - nobody's ideal. Keep watching your calories and your mind will do the job by subconscious "ban" of bad food

    Sorry for that much of text. I know, it is obvious and you probably already read this. I just shared this to highlight things that helped me - and thus you have another confirmation that these methods work for some people.

    Good luck!
  • acg30
    acg30 Posts: 1 Member
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    I am really just starting out with MFP and I am 27 and obese (i hate that word, can't we just say heavy??) I've done what you have, mostly tried many diets, none working well. I was a highly competitive wrestler in my late teens/early twenties, and that is when I tore my knee. It took two years for surgery, and in those two years I was immobile a lot, barely able to go up stairs somedays and gained 100+lbs. I've started going to a bariatric specialist and he and I are working to create a completely personalized all encompassing plan to lose weight healthily and to keep it off. I'm very excited and have already lost 4.5lbs!
    Also, you can change your starting weight, heres how :
    goto My Home -> Check-in -> Edit previous posts.
    This way you can change the weight to what you actually are now that you are serious about loosing the weight and you can see your progress on your ticker, rather than be like yay I lost 2lbs.... but it still says i haven't lost anything :(
    I did it because I had started prior and then come back a bit heavier. Good Luck!
  • dizzyray822
    dizzyray822 Posts: 9
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    Also, you can change your starting weight, heres how :
    goto My Home -> Check-in -> Edit previous posts.
    This way you can change the weight to what you actually are now that you are serious about loosing the weight and you can see your progress on your ticker, rather than be like yay I lost 2lbs.... but it still says i haven't lost anything :(
    I did it because I had started prior and then come back a bit heavier. Good Luck!

    Thanks!! I fixed it. Feels better now that it shows my progress.
    Thank you all for your encouragement! I didn't realize what a great resource MFP was going to be.
  • QuillensMom
    QuillensMom Posts: 100 Member
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    welcome back and yes just get back on track when you slip up, it's human :)
  • Gwennie9476
    Gwennie9476 Posts: 45 Member
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    Hello there! I am 5'4" tall and as of right now even though I have lost 39 pounds, I weigh 281 pounds. I know how you feel . It creeps on without you noticing it. But, look at what you have done! You are making a difference and baby steps lead to huge giant steps.

    You can do this. And, like everyone else says...you are human and humans make slip ups. Don't let one meal or one bad day ruin all your efforts. Just keep plugging along. :flowerforyou:
  • apetranovich
    apetranovich Posts: 55 Member
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    I'm in the same spot you are, 27 years old, 5'6 and starting weight of 274lbs. Within two weeks I have dropped 5 lbs. You have to forgive yourself of the bad days. It's ok to cheat every once in a while. Best of luck to you, I truly hope you don't give up and succeed :)
  • jrline
    jrline Posts: 2,353 Member
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    Walking or any cardio is a great start do what you can every day. One day off should work well also. Try to get more distance in each time you walk for the 30 minutes. Good Luck

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  • Zodia81
    Zodia81 Posts: 43
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    You can add me as a friend. I was like you, I started trying to get in shape many times only to quit over and over. Today is my 145th day in a row on MFP, more serious than I have ever been. I am only losing about one pound a week but I am ok with that. Loss is always better than a gain for me! My highest weight is just a little lower where you are now. And the first walk I went on I was so embarrassed and I still embarrass myself on hikes sometimes but I am getting better and better all of the time :) My husband bought a mountain bike for me and our first ride out I could only do 1.5 miles before I wanted to give up. Now 10 miles is no big deal for me. :) It's a long process but you will get there! And hey! Technically I have already lost weight in 4 months that it took 2 years to gain! And I allow myself "free days" every now an then. I think they really help me stay on track, since I don't feel like I am constantly restricting myself. But also, if I really want something, I eat it. I just try to make up for the calorie difference with my meals so it all works out in the end.
  • SpikeTailTurtle
    SpikeTailTurtle Posts: 60
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    Bad days happen. No need to beat yourself up over them. Just learn from them and move on. That being said I read what you are eating for snacks and breakfast and it made me sad especially about the movies. I don't know about where you live but at the AMC's in mine they have Dasani sensations in A LOT of flavors. (Lime is my favorite) They are low calorie and still curb my I'm at the movies soda craving. You can also ask for plain pop corn and get a small so you can control what goes on it. When I do that I find it pretty easy to work the extra calories in so I can have a night out without fretting. Special K brands and Skinny Cow are also great for those days where you just need to have something sweet. Special K has a lot of 100 Cal snack packs and Skinny cow gets you an ice cream sandwich for 150 calories. Enough to be tasty. Few enough where it's easy to work them off. Also if you can spare 50 extra breakfast calories, add a table spoon of chocolate chips or half a banana to your oatmeal it can really spice up the morning with a little extra flavor. Cinnamon too. Mmmmm.

    Weight comes off slow and steady and it gets easier as you go. You just have to get used to readjusting portion size and understanding where your calories are coming from. I believe you can do it. ^_^
  • adamitri
    adamitri Posts: 614 Member
    Options
    A bit of advice (based on my own experience):
    1) even if you know that you eat too much, DO log it into MFP anyway. Say to yourself: "I am not going to use MFP to control myself, for the beginning I just want to know how much I consume to learn why I weigh that much". This way you will not be feeling guilty (not that much at least) - and (in my case) this guilt feeling was what lead me to abandonment of MFP. Try to get rid of this "I feel guilty" - try to convert it into constructive "OK, I made a mistake, but tomorrow I will take additional cardio" (and take it!). Nobody is ideal, and the fact that I ate 5000 calories more than I should last weekend (and this is a fact...) is not a reason to hide from reality (and these 5000 calories were saying to me this week - "Do you really want this donut?" ))) )
    2) baby carrots! Amazing snack filling your stomach and almost calories-free
    3) drink more water than you did, best - a glass of water 15 minutes before your meal
    4) walk! Try to avoid car at least couple times a day and go for a walk. If you can walk outside - use one of apps that track your walk (I use MapMyRun - and this is not ads) - with your weight 30 min walk can give you extra 200-300 calories - and the app will tell you how much (btw, this app can be synchronized with MFP). I have time to walk 1-2 hours per day, and it gives me about 800 calories. Not bad, right? If you can do it during your workday - even better, walk to another building, walk to restroom on another floor, etc. It may look silly to hunt for 10-20 calories, but it really adds up!
    5) Do not cut your calories too much! Starvation only means that you loose your muscles and at some point you will return back to eating much within couple weeks (that's body's instinct)
    6) Again, forgive yourself for "bad days" - nobody's ideal. Keep watching your calories and your mind will do the job by subconscious "ban" of bad food

    Sorry for that much of text. I know, it is obvious and you probably already read this. I just shared this to highlight things that helped me - and thus you have another confirmation that these methods work for some people.

    Good luck!

    Just have to say thank you for this post. I'm learning more each day.
  • nancybuss
    nancybuss Posts: 1,461 Member
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    Congrats to you for sticking to it for three weeks!
    (and to the others getting into new plans)

    YOU have hit a key. A bad day, or meal is just that. If you were going on a long trip and you hit a detour would you say "Oh that isn't in the plan, I may as well give up and go home"? No, that sounds silly. But a bad day is really the same thing. No reason to give up, just a detour.

    Here's to being able to practice what you preach and inspiring others to make a change!!!!

    We are here to help!

    Nancy

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