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becomingellie
becomingellie Posts: 10 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I've been overweight my whole life. I've always fluctuated between weights and never seem to be able to keep it off. I try so hard, but then I lose track for a moment and it comes back sometimes worse than before.

I just want to finally take control, lose the weight the right way and keep it off. Sometimes I feel alone though, and that sometimes discourages me from making progress on my journey.

I'm open to making friends. If anyone has experience with losing weight lots of weight and keeping it off for a good amount of time, I'd love to hear what you've done to help yourself.

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Replies

  • s3rialthrill3r
    s3rialthrill3r Posts: 49 Member
    edited January 2017
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    I'm not in the same situation as you because I'm aiming to eat a bit more than I did before, but I'd be happy to offer suggestions and ideas all the same. It sounds like consistency and baby steps are needed in your case.
  • becomingellie
    becomingellie Posts: 10 Member
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    Well, I'm actually trying to gain some and lose some in the right places.

    I need to build muscle as well as lose the fat. My last trainer said I actually don't eat enough either - I was basically consuming too many empty calories in drinks (with soda/sweet coffees/energy drinks)
  • s3rialthrill3r
    s3rialthrill3r Posts: 49 Member
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    I guess our goals are about the same then! What happened to your previous trainer? I'm asking because I might consider consulting with one at some point in the near future.
  • becomingellie
    becomingellie Posts: 10 Member
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    I moved to a different city, still stabilizing. Haven't found a better trainer since. At least they taught me enough to go forward until I can get a new one. They helped me measure my body fat percentage, and symmetry. They designed specific workouts for my asymmetry also. For you, it might be interesting to find out what they can do to help you and your specific needs. It's nice to have someone like that pushing you as well. I definitely miss it.
  • s3rialthrill3r
    s3rialthrill3r Posts: 49 Member
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    I don't really need anyone to push me, but I could certainly do with an approach that fits with my current situation and history. How do you measure body fat percentage? Also, is asymmetry related to muscle imbalances or having one arm stronger than the other, for instance?
  • gamthe3rd
    gamthe3rd Posts: 9 Member
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    Have you ever tried Ketogenic Dieting? I was hopeless at losing weight until I got diabetes. Once I found out my condition I stopped eating carbs/sugar all together. Within 3 months I lost over 50 pounds. Keto isn't for everyone but it's really about finding the right diet for you and understanding why food that makes unhealthy is bad.
  • ccookie1111
    ccookie1111 Posts: 9 Member
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    New to mfp. How can I add you as a friend Ellie?
  • becomingellie
    becomingellie Posts: 10 Member
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    To measure my body fat, they just used a tape to measure me, and then took my weight on some fancy weight calculator thing. You have to hold onto it with your arms and stand with your feet, and it measures which side is stronger, as well as how much you weigh and how much of it is muscle vs fat.

    & I'm guessing my muscle asymmetry is most likely from me not being very active, except with my guitar playing (my guitar strumming hand is a little more muscular, while the other side has a little more fat)
    s3rialthrill3r wrote: »
    I don't really need anyone to push me, but I could certainly do with an approach that fits with my current situation and history. How do you measure body fat percentage? Also, is asymmetry related to muscle imbalances or having one arm stronger than the other, for instance?
  • becomingellie
    becomingellie Posts: 10 Member
    edited January 2017
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    I've heard a lot about keto dieting but it would probably be very hard for me. I get turned off of meat easily, unless it's a little chicken every now and again. & I hear you have to stay away from carby fruits and veggies as well? I've been trying to stay away from refined sugar/carbs, but I'm also trying to have more of a paleo way of eating things with a little amount of lean meat. I never did eat enough fruit in my life & I'm just now starting to get into it, lol.


    & Christine, I added you.
    gamthe3rd wrote: »
    Have you ever tried Ketogenic Dieting? I was hopeless at losing weight until I got diabetes. Once I found out my condition I stopped eating carbs/sugar all together. Within 3 months I lost over 50 pounds. Keto isn't for everyone but it's really about finding the right diet for you and understanding why food that makes unhealthy is bad.
  • s3rialthrill3r
    s3rialthrill3r Posts: 49 Member
    edited January 2017
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    becomingellie wrote: »
    To measure my body fat, they just used a tape to measure me, and then took my weight on some fancy weight calculator thing. You have to hold onto it with your arms and stand with your feet, and it measures which side is stronger, as well as how much you weigh and how much of it is muscle vs fat.

    & I'm guessing my muscle asymmetry is most likely from me not being very active, except with my guitar playing (my guitar strumming hand is a little more muscular, while the other side has a little more fat)

    Damn, I was hoping that I wouldn't need any special equipment to do that. It sounds like I would have to visit a specialist, and I'm too lazy to do that just to satisfy a mild curiosity. I guess I have imbalances too then since I predominantly use my right hand.
    becomingellie wrote: »
    I've heard a lot about keto dieting but it would probably be very hard for me. I get turned off of meat easily, unless it's a little chicken every now and again. & I hear you have to stay away from carby fruits and veggies as well? I've been trying to stay away from refined sugar/carbs, but I'm also trying to have more of a paleo way of eating things with a little amount of lean meat. I never did eat enough fruit in my life & I'm just now starting to get into it, lol.

    According to what I've read, a strict ketogenic diet would require taking some supplements since some nutrients may otherwise be missed. If you ask me, weight loss doesn't mean much if your body is still deficient in other areas. Perhaps the good old fashioned balanced approach to eating still wins out. Isn't it all just about the calories in the end anyway?
  • cake91
    cake91 Posts: 46 Member
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    becomingellie wrote: »
    I've been overweight my whole life. I've always fluctuated between weights and never seem to be able to keep it off. I try so hard, but then I lose track for a moment and it comes back sometimes worse than before.

    I just want to finally take control, lose the weight the right way and keep it off. Sometimes I feel alone though, and that sometimes discourages me from making progress on my journey.

    I'm open to making friends. If anyone has experience with losing weight lots of weight and keeping it off for a good amount of time, I'd love to hear what you've done to help yourself.

    Hi ellie

    I have been in the same boat as you. Struggled with my weight. Tried to lose and sometimes i was successful till suddenly i'm back to square one and weighing more.

    I joined my fitness pal in 2014. And i am proud to say that i have lost 4 stone. I have had ups and downs where i have sometimes gained a little weight but overall i have kept the weight off. But my eating habits and tastes has changed so much and for the better.

    What helped me the most was the support from my husband. Who wasn't afraid to steer me away when on occasion i lost will power.

    But i also kept a diary. Where i recorded my weight, set myself challenges. Took pictures and messurements. I also began to research health and fitness and cut out nutrition and exercise tips from magazines and clued them in. I love looking back and seeing how far i have come. I would recommended trying it.

    At the beginning i started swimming. Then going to the gym. As i became more confident i started trying different things like spinning classes and having a go at some weights.

    All the best for you and your future. I would add you as a friend but i have no idea how lol

    Amy :)

  • s3rialthrill3r
    s3rialthrill3r Posts: 49 Member
    edited January 2017
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    cake91 wrote: »
    I would add you as a friend but i have no idea how lol

    Try clicking on her name and then clicking on it again. The "Add as Friend" option should be there.
  • becomingellie
    becomingellie Posts: 10 Member
    edited January 2017
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    Calories are a big reason to why someone is overweight. However, in my situation, I don't lose weight as easily as someone else could, because I don't have a lot of muscle. My last trainer said building muscle and eating enough of the right food (protein) would really help with my weight loss. So yes, it's mostly calories but I guess everything else can play a part in the end result too. All a part of the human machine :)

    As far as the keto goes, I tend to try to listen to my body at least with things it doesn't like. Too much meat and fat gets heavy on the stomach. A little bit every now and again feels fine. Everyone is different, my sister did the keto diet to lose 10 lbs and seemed to like it. I feel like in my situation, a balanced diet would definitely win.
    s3rialthrill3r wrote: »
    According to what I've read, a strict ketogenic diet would require taking some supplements since some nutrients may otherwise be missed. If you ask me, weight loss doesn't mean much if your body is still deficient in other areas. Perhaps the good old fashioned balanced approach to eating still wins out. Isn't it all just about the calories in the end anyway?
  • cake91
    cake91 Posts: 46 Member
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    s3rialthrill3r wrote: »
    cake91 wrote: »
    I would add you as a friend but i have no idea how lol

    Try clicking on her name and then clicking on it again. The "Add as Friend" option should be there.

    Thank you x
  • s3rialthrill3r
    s3rialthrill3r Posts: 49 Member
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    becomingellie wrote: »
    Calories are a big reason to why someone is overweight. However, in my situation, I don't lose weight as easily as someone else could, because I don't have a lot of muscle. My last trainer said building muscle and eating enough of the right food (protein) would really help with my weight loss. So yes, it's mostly calories but I guess everything else can play a part in the end result too. All a part of the human machine :)

    As far as the keto goes, I tend to try to listen to my body at least with things it doesn't like. Too much meat and fat gets heavy on the stomach. A little bit every now and again feels fine. Everyone is different, my sister did the keto diet to lose 10 lbs and seemed to like it. I feel like in my situation, a balanced diet would definitely win.

    I read somewhere that foods high in protein tend to leave us feeling quite full, so maybe that is also a reason for weight loss. It might have a lot do with the heavy feeling you described as well.

    Truth be told, diets which have specific requirements (keto, paleo, Atkins, Shangri-La, and so on) are too complicated for me, so a balanced approach is all I've got and it's all I've ever known!

  • lowerhogan
    lowerhogan Posts: 47 Member
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    Tipping away here the past couple weeks, trying to get back on the horse.

    Eat relatively ok
    Move a bit on the bike and by foot

    34 male from Dublin, Ireland :smile:
  • becomingellie
    becomingellie Posts: 10 Member
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    Haha maybe that's just the key to your success~
    I've always been an extremist of sorts
    (having too much of a good thing and never any balance) lol
    s3rialthrill3r wrote: »

    Truth be told, diets which have specific requirements (keto, paleo, Atkins, Shangri-La, and so on) are too complicated for me, so a balanced approach is all I've got and it's all I've ever known!



    Well, you should get back on that horse cowboy. I want to get on the bike a bit more but I'm worried about my legs getting thinner than my belly. Is that possible? lol

    lowerhogan wrote: »
    Tipping away here the past couple weeks, trying to get back on the horse.

    Eat relatively ok
    Move a bit on the bike and by foot

    34 male from Dublin, Ireland :smile:

  • s3rialthrill3r
    s3rialthrill3r Posts: 49 Member
    edited January 2017
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    becomingellie wrote: »
    Haha maybe that's just the key to your success~
    I've always been an extremist of sorts
    (having too much of a good thing and never any balance) lol

    Not sure if I can consider myself as having achieved success just yet, but thank you all the same. Maybe I will when I'm stronger and flexible enough to have workouts that are predominantly focused on the gymnastics rings.

    It'll take time to get used to bringing some balance into your life, and not just for eating. It's going to take some habit-forming, that's for sure. Try sticking with something for about 2 months and see how you go. Things might become automatic for you from then on.

  • becomingellie
    becomingellie Posts: 10 Member
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    I suppose I mean "success" as in not overindulging or whatever to the point of losing control like me. At least you can start from a clean slate. Or I guess that's just kinda how I see it? Though I know building muscle and gaining weight can be just as difficult in that respect, and of course you have your own goals.

    So far, I'm at least trying to stick with it but need to shoot for my calorie goal more often as well as establish some kind of active routine. At least making it a habit to come on this site is a far change from what I'm used to. You're right though... it's gonna take some new habit forming, rewriting things deeply embedded into my brain. Definitely not easy. I feel like I'm at war with two people inside me! :P
    s3rialthrill3r wrote: »

    Not sure if I can consider myself as having achieved success just yet, but thank you all the same. Maybe I will when I'm stronger and flexible enough to have workouts that are predominantly focused on the gymnastics rings.

    It'll take time to get used to bringing some balance into your life, and not just for eating. It's going to take some habit-forming, that's for sure. Try sticking with something for about 2 months and see how you go. Things might become automatic for you from then on.

  • LibraLuv2684
    LibraLuv2684 Posts: 22 Member
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    I'm starting over w/the intentions of eating base on my current weight (155 lbs) rather than base on my current condition
    You can add me

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