Newbie :) Almost 300 pounds and scared to death
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My suggestions would be to set small goals such as 10 pounds in the next 2 months. Small goals are easier to achieve and reduce stress. Also log every BLT( bite lick and taste) that goes in your mouth! When I started MFP I could walk only 2 minutes and now on a good day 60. An app for your phone called Happy Scale lets you set small goals. Good luck! You can do this!
Nailed it. Small Goals that you can see will lead to success. I can't remember where I read it but a wise person told me that my goal should be the next 1 pound loss, not the 75 I wanted to lose.
Here is a link to a great example of success.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10121474/this-is-what-a-lifestyle-change-can-do-for-you-in-five-months-65-9-pounds-less-with-pics
A few more good reads to help you on this journey.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/31676636#Comment_31676636
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ihad/view/the-power-of-habit-part-1-why-habits-matter-688130
http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/nutrition-101-calories-infographic/
http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/ask-the-dietitian-is-a-calorie-a-calorie-2/
http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/13-unexpected-benefits-of-exercise/
http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/101-health-fitness-resolutions-that-rock/
http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/ask-the-dietitian-should-i-eat-back-my-exercise-calories/0 -
Great suggestions. I've found (in my 13 day newness & other times I have tried to lose) that the first 3-4 days were the most difficult. Almost like I am resetting my body for something better. I love what Juliet3455 said. Work on small goals. Every pound you shed should be recognized and celebrated.0
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I also have lots to lose and it's not easy but we CAN do it. Found this quote the other day and put it on my bathroom mirror. "Losing weight is hard! Maintaining weight is hard! Staying overweight is hard! CHOOSE YOUR HARD."0
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I'm no expert and this got to be a lot longer than I anticipated. Sorry about that.
I started at 292 in Feb. 2014. As of this morning I am 175. You can do it. I am a typical mom to lots of kids with a busy schedule and small changes are what worked for me.
*Make small goals...10 lbs worked well for me.
*If you mess up...forgive and move on immediately. Don't blow off the entire day because you gave into the temptation of a donut for breakfast. One slip up won't ruin weeks of good choices but one slip up can lead to more slip ups if you aren't careful and if not checked it can lead to a bad place.
*Remember that weightloss is not linear. There will be ups and downs on the scale. There will be times where it won't move for what seems like endless amounts of time. There will come a time where the weightloss will slow down and it seems like no matter what you do you can't seem to get the results you were getting when you started out or any results at all. Keep at it. Don't give up.
*Take pictures and measurements. If you are anything like me it will take a while for your mind to catch up to your body. I still don't recognize myself in store windows. I still see myself as a much larger person. Even when the scale doesn't move there are times that differences can be seen in pictures or measurements and that will help you keep going.
*Find some form of exercise you love and do it. I started with walking...ehh more a chore than fun for me. Then I got a mountain bike. I never miss a chance to use it. Now I am starting something that kind of resembles running. It has become a habit and my body craves the movement.
There are some really motivational threads on here...unexpected benefits of weightloss is one that comes to mind and the success stories. This will be hard. You will think about quitting more times than you can count. You will wonder if it is all worth it. The years you add to your life will be worth it. I am a completely different person than I was a year ago.0 -
Hi. I also need to loose 133lbs (I´m currently 286). I started 14 days ago (or so) and took white flour, sugar and yeast from my diet and i have lost in these 14 days around 6 pounds so I´m smiling all day.
We CAN DO this
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You guys are so beautiful and I love you already Thank you, thank you, thank you! 0
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Keep it up! One day at a time.0
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I am very familiar with the fear and anxiety you might be feeling at the beginning.
I wrote a similar post to yours on my first day:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1039534/insurmountable-odds
With the help of both an online and offline community of friends, I eventually succeeded beyond my original expectations.
You can do it too.
Frank0 -
Small attainable goals are the key. I started walking around my apartment complex at the beginning of this February with barely catching my breath. MFP is a great friend for me, it will tell you as is, no excuses. I lost 14 lbs so far and very excited about discovering new delicious healthy recipes almost every day. I eat everything, just count my calories here. It does not have to be a struggle at all. I treat calories just like money, u know how much u have to spend(eat), save aside(exercise), and plan accordingly. Nothing is complicated. You absolutely can do this!0
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Started a few days ago, and love this program. I keep track of everything that goes in my mouth, and the exercises. Never realized that crabmeat in store bag had so much sodium in it and the carbs on some of this food, wow.., this system is fantastic. Hang in there, I usually write down everything so I know when I have over done it...., lol0
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Thank you all, again, for the welcome! xo0
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Yes, to add to the many others, small goals! Needing to lose about half of your body weight can seem like a lot. So, for now just lose 5 pounds, celebrate it, and lose another 5 pounds. It is much less daunting to do it that way!0
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moonjewel76 wrote: »Hi Everyone!
Yesterday was my day 1. I logged exactly what I ate, thinking I had eaten 'light' that day because I wasn't feeling good. Seeing that I went OVER my calorie goal for the day by 300 calories on a day that I thought I didn't eat much was a real eye-opener.
I am 38 years old and weigh 295. Anxiety and panic over dying due to my weight has crippled my life, and fear has taken hold in an almost non-stop nightmare. I am afraid to do almost anything: ride rides at theme parks, travel, climb stairs, dance, do things I used to do without fear. Any little thing my body does makes me afraid I'm dying. It's sad, it's controlling and it's no way to live.
I just want to LIVE and be here for my kiddos' lives for as long as I can. I want to run, frolic, dance and do things that look exciting without being afraid of dropping dead. I want energy.
I need to lose about half of myself, and that is just so daunting on this first day of beginning. But I am confident I can do it, and reading your success stories is such an inspiration to me!! I could really use a friend or two (or three), so I hope I meet some new people that have been through this same journey or are on the same path as I am. One day at a time, right?
xoxo Julie
Hi,my name is Mark 39 yrs.old. I was 295 lbs.an walked ALOT an counted calories, an watch my carb an sugar numbers an I went down to 200 lbs in four or five months,but again that was when I was in my twenties,so now I've gained a lot of weight back because I came disabled, an cause I've been lazy,but since my health turned bad from an injury I decided to try to lose weight an get back own to 200lbs.
I can tell you that just walking ALOT or as much as you can everyday Will help an make you lose weight, but you have to keep track of calories an carb an sugar intake,that's the trick.you can walk all you want but if you don't eat right,you're just waiting your time walking.
So my advice to you,is walk,ride a bike,walk on a trend mill,an watch calories, carbs,an sugar.an watch all that weight go away,like I said before, it took me like 4 or 5 months to lose 95lbs.it's a slow process but if you stick with it you will lose weight, I walked on the road an sidewalks,an still do,I don't waste money on a Jym. This worked for me,an in winter I didn't walk as much.
Mark.0 -
This is Mark,that post was for Julie,an advice for all others.0
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OMG I can so relate to you. I am going through a lot of the same things you are. I didn't realize how bad I was eating until I started tracking, which I have fought for years. I weigh 270 lbs and although I don't look like I do, I know I do and I was beginning to feel every pound of that weight. We can do this together! I too need encouragement so I'm going to send you a friend request so we can keep each other motivated.0
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I started on February 23 and have lost 13 pounds so far. I just have to take it one day at a time and not give into sweets or fast food. I replace one meal a day with a smoothie and log EVERYTHING! I also started walking and it's helping. Don't give up, we are here to support each other.0
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I understand exactly what your going through! I'm 28 and 227 lbs and I'm sooo tired of feeling sick and tired and being afraid to live. We can do this together! I sent a friend request0
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I tend to find that if I go walking that I can lose weight even if I go a bit over my calorie goal. I have the runtastic pedometer on my phone and I stick Harry Potter on my ipod and walk - it doesn't even feel like exercise that way. Depending on how fit you are, build up the walking slowly. At first would walk for ten mins then after a week I upped it to half an hour... that was a year ago, last week I walked 2 hours to another village (caught the bus back).
Planning what you are going to eat the day before can help you not to go over your calorie goal. Once you've been doing this for a while it will be easier for you to know the portion size you can have.
Oh and take a full body photo of yourself now... I regret not having a before photo of myself.
If you start feeling down/can't be bothered, come on here and tell us about it. Everyone here knows what you're going through... we're either going through it or have been through it. The people on here are all great and have will plenty of advice for you.
Good luck.0 -
I definitely need to incorporate movement into my life. I have a desk job that I work 10 hour days at, then sit in the car, then want to just sit on the couch for the rest of the day. I know that just by adding a little bit of movement and really noticing what I'm putting into my body is going to make a big difference. I'm so grateful for all of your words of advice and motivation!0
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Hello.
I have really broken all records of being fat. At 220 lbs in a 5'3 inch frame and just 21 years on my personal watch... I think I have really abused my body. Not that I didn't try. I just am not motivated enough and I don't have enough self control. Combine that with a razor sharp brain and hence, the talent to exert myself as less as possible by using my grey matter over my body.
Anyway. I hope I derive motivation from all you awesome people. I will support all of you and I just expect less of ridicule and I will derive a bit of solace from any positivism from your end.
Please encourage me 0 -
I agree with Mark all the way. Walk. Walk. Walk.0
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You can totally do this! I am 37. I am 5 ft tall. I started at 266 in Oct. I weigh 210 today. I have a bunch of things that work for me. I started by eating smaller meals and thinking in my head I can eat in an hour or 2 if I am hungry. It did 2 things for me whether it is true or just in my head I don't know but it made me like my stomach size had shrunk decreasing my appetite and made me realize how little food it takes to satisfy the hunger. I seriously felt like I was bottomless before. I could out eat everyone I know even my husband who is 6'4! I always eat on a salad plate because it looks like SO much food instead of on a dinner plate with lots of empty space. I NEVER drink my meals. I am not a fan of smoothies because I personally like the sensation of eating and chewing. I chew ice a lot for me it gives my mouth something to do and also gives me a bit more water. I hate to admit this but I never exercise. I am lazy and out of shape and I just don't have the mindset to do it yet. I am going to start exercising when I get below 200 which should be soon My point is that IN MY OPINION especially when you are overweight you cannot exercise enough to create enough of a calorie deficit to lose the weight. Yes exercise helps obviously but some of us especially when you are very obese like me just cant work out. IT CAN BE DONE without exercise and you can still eat awesome food! I will share some of my recipes if you like? MFP is an amazing source of support. If you get your head straight and COMMIT you can totally do it. Don't make excuses. Don't feed your emotions with food. It only feels good temporarily ( I am a binger, snacker, emotional eater, food addict) BUT you know what feels better than over eating?? Seeing the scale move as you lose weight Seeing your face change! Moving faster! Actually peeking in the mirror now and then when you used to avoid it like the plague before! Taking a selfie and not being completely horrified at how your face is so fat that you don't even look human (I am talking about myself not you or anyone else) anyways feel free to add me as a friend. 0
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You sound like a naturally encouraging person. I started this weight loss enterprise twenty months, and ninety pounds ago. At that time I was most afraid of falling and seriously injuring myself. My mobility was already seriously compromised.
It's been a thrilling time. This past summer I rode a bike for the first time in years. I now routinely run 2 KM. I would have never believed it could be so good.
And it was all done in baby steps.
At your current weight and mobility, I suggest walking to start. Just to get used to moving.0 -
moonjewel76 wrote: »Hi Everyone!
Yesterday was my day 1. I logged exactly what I ate, thinking I had eaten 'light' that day because I wasn't feeling good. Seeing that I went OVER my calorie goal for the day by 300 calories on a day that I thought I didn't eat much was a real eye-opener.
I am 38 years old and weigh 295. Anxiety and panic over dying due to my weight has crippled my life, and fear has taken hold in an almost non-stop nightmare. I am afraid to do almost anything: ride rides at theme parks, travel, climb stairs, dance, do things I used to do without fear. Any little thing my body does makes me afraid I'm dying. It's sad, it's controlling and it's no way to live.
I just want to LIVE and be here for my kiddos' lives for as long as I can. I want to run, frolic, dance and do things that look exciting without being afraid of dropping dead. I want energy.
I need to lose about half of myself, and that is just so daunting on this first day of beginning. But I am confident I can do it, and reading your success stories is such an inspiration to me!! I could really use a friend or two (or three), so I hope I meet some new people that have been through this same journey or are on the same path as I am. One day at a time, right?
xoxo Julie
Welcome and congratulations on wanting to make positive changes.
I started here in March 2014 weighing in at 296.5 pounds.
I could barely walk one city block without having to stop from both pain in my knee and being out of breath.
One year later and I'm down just about 75 pounds, I swim for 6+ hours per week, walk and bike without pain. I feel like a new person! Still a long ways to go to meet my goal, but I know it's doable.
One day at a time, you can do this!
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Oh and i would DEFINITELY take measurements today!! I so wish I had done it 0
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Yes! Pictures and measurements will be taken tomorrow. I'm not really sure how to go about the measurements, so any tips are appreciated. My belly....um...hangs at the moment. How do you measure that?
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I have not done measurements but a tip for taking pics which I did not do is wear tight clothes! I wore my usual baggy clothes and I can't see a difference no one has to see the pics but you. Also take pics from all angles and take pics of your hands and feet. Those seem to be the first things to change lol 0
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Much love and encouragement your way! I am about that weight as well. The idea that I may die an early death scares me. I feel like I can contribute to the world, and I'm not willing to cut down the time I have left. So, I decided to buckle down and lose the pounds. 0
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moonjewel76 wrote: »Hi Everyone!
Yesterday was my day 1. I logged exactly what I ate, thinking I had eaten 'light' that day because I wasn't feeling good. Seeing that I went OVER my calorie goal for the day by 300 calories on a day that I thought I didn't eat much was a real eye-opener.
I am 38 years old and weigh 295. Anxiety and panic over dying due to my weight has crippled my life, and fear has taken hold in an almost non-stop nightmare. I am afraid to do almost anything: ride rides at theme parks, travel, climb stairs, dance, do things I used to do without fear. Any little thing my body does makes me afraid I'm dying. It's sad, it's controlling and it's no way to live.
I just want to LIVE and be here for my kiddos' lives for as long as I can. I want to run, frolic, dance and do things that look exciting without being afraid of dropping dead. I want energy.
I need to lose about half of myself, and that is just so daunting on this first day of beginning. But I am confident I can do it, and reading your success stories is such an inspiration to me!! I could really use a friend or two (or three), so I hope I meet some new people that have been through this same journey or are on the same path as I am. One day at a time, right?
xoxo Julie
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I'll definitely be glad to help keep you motivated, so long as you maybe do the same for me? 0
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