Struggling with this journey

I was stuck in a rut gained 25lbs back. I kept snacking, or eating out a lot, and it felt like everyone was keeping me too busy all of the time.
1. First thing I did to start back on the journey was tell everyone I was taking a certain amount of time for myself, they could come with me, or stay home, but I'm going.

2. I started lifting/walking again, not worrying about the diet yet (other than some protein shakes for healing

3. Then I started making meal plans (not diet meals just simple things I liked, but no second helpings or snacks larger than 1 handful.

4. Then I added a gallon of water a day.

5. Finally I started following this...
Chicken breast, ground turkey, tilapia, shrimp, eggs, egg whites, oatmeal, brown rice, unsweetened berries broccoli, green beans, asparagus, sweet potatoes, butter squash, black eyed peas, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, salad, protein shakes, gallon of water, robust seasoning rack, teriyaki sauce, and salsa.

Breakfast: Start the morning with 2 whole egg, and 1/2 a cup of egg white with a side of oatmeal (1/2 cup when raw) w/berries (add any veggies you may want) if you have some prepped turkey meat add around 2oz for an omelet. (If you're pressed for time just do oatmeal berries, and protein shake double scooped)

3 hours later: Protein shake double scooped

3 hours later-Lunch: 6oz Chicken, tilapia, turkey, or shrimp (no frying the meats). 1/2 cup brown rice, 1 cup any green veggies. (use the seasonings, teriyaki, or salsa be creative, you can also make use of the onion, and bell peppers here)

3 hours later: Protein shake double scooped.

3 hours later-Dinner: 6-12oz of Chicken, Round steak, or Pork chop (no frying the meats) 1 cup brown rice, 1 cup any green veggies, 6oz Sweet Potato (baked, or steamed) (You can replace the sweet potato with, Butter Squash, or black eyes peas.)

exercise at least an hour 6 days a week. Preferably an hour and a half.

Perhaps there's possibly an emotional reason behind food/eating issues? To really be able to lose and keep off the weight the issues should be addressed - there's counseling, therapy, groups that can really help with that. Being healthy is about more than just diet & exercise.

And maybe start with manageable baby steps, like not worrying about formal exercise right now (unless you like it or you have a particular activity you enjoy doing) & focus on the food first. Don't buy foods you probably won't eat just because they're "healthy". Still continue to eat out but make some lower calorie (or lower carb or higher fat, whatever eating plan you choose) choices. And don't expect perfection, especially from the get-go - be reasonable with yourself and celebrate the small accomplishments without jumping to feelings of failure over a "dang I screwed up" moment.

Good luck

cschof18 wrote: »

Hi Everyone,
I've posted something similar before and got a lot of "you must not really want it then" responses. I am respectfully asking that I don't get those here because I find it quite discouraging. The opposite of what I am trying to achieve here today. I am heavier than I have ever been. I lost weight once before and want to lose it so bad. I am constantly thinking about exercising and losing weight and have even gone a few times but just can't seem to get the drive and motivation to push myself. I honestly think I am addicted to food. I don't seem to have any boundaries and will eat whatever whenever. I buy healthy groceries and they go rotten almost every week cause all I do is eat out. Picking somewhere to eat isn't even special anymore because I go so often. I have gained over 100 pounds in the last year and am gaining at an astronomical rate. Averaging anywhere between 2-5 pounds a week. I have always been bigger but used to be fit. I used to be able to run, play sports and never had an issue doing anything. Now I find I get winded just bending over and when I go for a walk I have intense foot pain that is unbearable, I look in the mirror and don't recognize myself because my belly is so big.
Where do I go from here? How can I finally put my thoughts into actions and start to do this for real. My period has stopped and I am afraid that I can't have kids anymore because this. I need some motivation and inspiration to do this once and for all. Thanks for listening and anything you can offer as support would be so helpful. Thank you

I think a lot of us have probably been in the situation where we WANT to lose weight, but we don't feel driven or motivated to taking the steps to lose the weight. I know personally, I was really big into "I'll start tomorrow," or "Monday, I'll start." That day would roll around, and I might try for a day and then stop the next day. Back to "Well, I messed up this week. I'll start again next Monday."

Perhaps it might help you to start looking at things in a different way. Sort of a re-conditioning of your thought patterns. Before you eat unhealthy foods, be it at home, a restaurant, or on the go, think about the reasons you want to be healthier (for example, the things I made bold in your OP). It may help put things into perspective for you. If having children is your motivation - I know it's one of mine - think of it like this: "Is eating this going to help me be healthy? If not, is it more important than having a baby?" That's not to say that slipping up once in a while is going to destroy all chances at achieving your goals. Of course not! But, it might help you get into a better mindset and be able to find the motivation within yourself to do what you feel you need to do to become the best version of yourself.

Whatever path you feel helps you the most, I wish you the very best!

The first step is deciding you want to change. Just one year ago, I was the biggest I had ever been. I spend a lot of time crying because I hated how I looked, how I felt. I decided to give it my all. I started walking every day for 20 minutes. Eating healthy... And I mean no junk whatsoever. I absolutely wouldn't give I. To my junk food cravings. After just one month, I had lost 10lbs! So I kept going... I moved on to interval walking/running. By the time three months had passed, I had lost 30lbs! At this point, I was completely addicted to running. I have now lost 51lbs in total. I run every day for 60 or more minutes. I do circuit training, yoga and weight lifting. The point of my story... You CAN do this. Habits are so easy to form. Its just part of my life now. I'm gonna add you as a friend. I will try to help you through your tough times, while making you hopefully laugh along the way. You've got this sweetie...