Hello

chezmama · March 2011

I have been here awhile but have not yet introduced myself. I am going by the name Chez'Mama because that is the name of the imaginary restraunt I used to have for my kids at lunchtime. I love to cook and I love food. I like to joke that I cook like a Wisconsin Farm Wife (lots of butter and cheese, etc) and I have the butt to prove it. I told my dad that one time because he was one person with whom I could make light of my eating and weight. He lovingly pointed out, "Yes, honey, but you don't work like one." I guess that was my first inkling that it really wasn't funny anymore...not that it ever was. But if I couldn't crack jokes with my dad about it, then there was no one left with whom I could make light of it.

I guess I kind of convinced myself, when my weight got over 200 lbs, that I was done gaining weight because 200 was so much. On one hand I gave up and on the other, I didn't believe it would just keep going up. That wouldn't happen to me. But I didn't change a thing and before I knew it, I was 227. Oddly enough, it is my neck that has been the thing that has become too fat for me to tolerate. When my son graduated from high school last year, there were lots of pictures taken . I couldn't stand most of them because I had no neck, just chin. I even got too fat to wear a few of my necklaces. I knew I had to do something.

This program has been teaching me so much about the way I have been eating and has shown me how manageable it can be to watch my calories. I learned that I don't often eat much during the day. Night time is when I run into problems. And I was shocked when I learned how many calories I was drinking in wine each night. I have since relegated wine to the weekends. I have lost 4 pounds since Valentines Day and 2 since I started here. It's not much but noteable, when I remember that I had been gaining about a pound a month. My main goal now is to go from being obese to overweight. It should take about a year, but I want to do this in a way I can make a lifestyle change. Slow and steady wins the race.

Stormywinter · March 2011

I want to congratulate you for realizing you need to make changes and dedicating yourself to do so. Often we decide to loose weight but are not mentally ready to do so, and we end up snacking or cheating. Making a dedicated effort is the first step to success. Give yourself a pat on the back for accomplishing the first step. The second step ( I don't know if you have done this) is to make small goals that you can accomplish. You want to get from being obese to becoming just overweight within the year. That is great but continue to make smaller goals like drinking your water daily, going on a walk or exercising 3x per week, etc. Then reward yourself at the end of each month if you reach all your goals with a non-food reward like a date with your loved one, a mani or pedi, new clothes, jewelry etc. I lost my weight and then gained it back because I got caught up in doing everything for everyone else and dealing with stresses that weren't mine. I forgot to give time for me and to think about myself everyday. Always remember that whether you are loosing or maintaining you have to be at the top of your priority list so you are healthy enough to be there for others. I hope that helps. You can add me as a friend if you need support. -Stormywinter

chezmama · March 2011

Thanks for the feedback. I will celebrate when I go below 220, 210 and certainly below 200. I have been walking at work and I have found that works well for me. I had been trying to fit into the mold others had and tried to exercise in the morning, but I am just not a morning person, and I hate exercise as it is. That is why I have decided to do my walking in the evening ( I basically work a second shift job, more or less), as that is when I am more likely to stick with it. Thanks again for your encouragement.

Hello

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