Feeling Overwhelmed

Sounds like you could use some positive encouragement. Are you a podcast listener? If so, there is a wonderful podcast called "Half Size Me". The podcast is led by a woman who lost 170lbs and has kept it off for 3 years. Every week she interviews someone with their own big weight loss story. Each and every person got to their goal in a different way....and I think it's really helpful to hear a lot of different approaches. And the show is always positive.

I love listening to her podcast when I'm walking...great extra motivation to get moving.

Don't' feel discouraged! Everyone on this forum is just like you, we all had to start somewhere, and we all deal with times of doubt.
queenliz99 has a good suggestion: just track what you eat for a week. No judgement. Either start using measuring cups or buy a kitchen scale and weigh out your food. Don't eyeball it! It's easy to think you're just having a "bit" of butter on your toast, but really you're putting 2 tablespoons worth! Also, be honest and accountable with yourself. If you sneak into the kitchen for a snack, make yourself write it down. Then, after doing this for a week or so, you will see some easy areas to make change.
As far as exercise, just start very slowly. It can be as simple as parking your car further away from the doors. You might also see if there are any 50+ exercise groups in your area. You can meet some new people and it will be encouraging to have others working out with you.
It's cliché, but weight loss is a journey. Sometimes you might stumble but the most important part is to not give up!

Everyone starts this a little afraid to try because they are afraid to fail. The only way to truly fail is to never try or to give up. You will have to get tough with yourself. You will have to be completely honest with yourself about how you got to this place and what you need to do to get to where you want to be. It's going to be tough, but you CAN do it. You have already started doing it by joining MFP and reaching out to people who can help, encourage, inspire you.

This is not a diet. You don't have to look at this as an all or nothing ordeal. It's a journey. You will have good days, bad days, and every kind of day in between. It will take time, more time than you may want it to, but that's a blessing too. That means that you can recover every time you fall. That means that there is no calorie binge that can wipe out all of the work you have done, or can stop you from moving forward. This means the power is in your hands, which is scary and liberating at the same time.

I agree with everyone about starting small, taking baby steps. Make a good choice right now, even if it's parking further from the door and walking a few steps more than normal. Show yourself that you can do it, you can make choices to change your situation, can follow through with those choices. Then be proud of your successes. That feeling of accomplishment will help you make more good choices.

Set a reasonable goal. Be realistic that it will take awhile to lose weight. You don't have to make huge changes all at once to be doing something good for your health.
Eat food you like. Eat smaller portions of higher calorie foods to stay with your calorie goal. Eating protein, healthy fats and fiber can help you to feel more satisfied and full. Drink water.
Log what you eat and drink honestly and as accurately as you can. It can be helpful to plan your meals in advance. Some of us find it helpful to pre-log our food before we eat. I usually pre-log my whole day in advance.
Exercise a bit. Start slow if you aren't used to exercising. Walking is good exercise. Gradually increase your distance or time. Try some beginner exercise workouts on you tube.
The scale isn't the only measure of progress. Take a photo and measurements once a month or so. Set a fitness goal.
Don't give up if the scale doesn't move fast or you have a bad day. Just log and move on. Every day is a new day. What matters is what you do today.

If you lose 1 pound a week in a year you will have lost 52 pounds. That would be pretty good.
You can do this.

I'm slowly working my way down from 230, I know how frustrating it can be some days. I also have a herniated disc in my lower back which has hindered my ability to exercise the way that I wanted too. One thing that I have been looking into getting for myself is the Jokari Healthy Steps Portion Control Diet / Weight Loss 10pc Utensil Kitchen Tool Set. You can find them on Amazon. My biggest problem isn't eating healthy, it's simply eating too much. I think these are something that are really going to help me, and help put my meals in to perspective so I thought I would share with you all

madsan64 wrote: »

This is my first time posting and I have to say I'm a bit frightened. I'm frighten because if I throw how I'm feeling I'll 1. get no responses or 2. get responses that make me take full ownership. WHICH is what I know I need to do. So here goes, nothing and everything. I turned 50 in September. I'm ok with that, I think ... But this past 6 mos I have gained over 20lbs AND I was already over weight to begin with. I am now, as of this morning, at 250lbs!! I need help! I have so much to live for & yet I know I'm killing myself slowly. My mom died due to her obesity and I'm heavier than she was at 50. So what does that say about me?! I've been mad at her for leaving us too soon, by choice, and yet I'm following the same path. I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle but yet a small part of me doesn't want to give up. How do I make that "small part" bigger? How can I become more motivated? What in all that is good makes me such a failure in living healthy? I feel so overwhelmed. I don't even like to "do" things anymore, because I'm so uncomfortable with how I look. I was never like this before, what has happened to me? OK ... probably too much. But my thinking is, by throwing this out into the void maybe I'll start looking at myself differently & take resposibility for what I've become. AND yes humiliate myself into doing something about it. I'm 50 and weigh 250, and something has GOT to change!

Don't be mad at yourself, be proud of yourself for taking the first step & wanting to get healthier!!!
Have you considered seeking support and assistance through programs such as weight watchers?

Have a read at this thread http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1343719/get-rich-quick/p1

It really is one the most sensible yet motivating things I've read on these boards

OP-An internet board is not going to help you deal with some of the deep seated emotional issues you discuss. It can help you address your eating behavior. Try to disentangle the two. Losing weight is math and discipline. If I waited to lose weight until I stopped being a screwed up mess, id never even get started