Need to lose 200 pounds! Who else is terrified?
Katherinelittle24
Posts: 63 Member
Hey guys! I need some motivation desperately. I weighed myself the other day and I am in the 390's which terrifies me. I look at my weight and all I want to do is cry. I think to myself, how can I let this happen? It was just six years ago when I left for college and I was just at 200lbs. I definitely let myself go and I have no idea how to get back on track. Its like one day I would do so well but then the next day I would order food and just eat horribly once again like I've no control. Yesterday I was doing so well. I had a big lunch but then ten minutes later goes by and I feel like im starving. No matter what, I'm always hungry and I just hate this feeling that I get....what do you do when you are having hunger pains but you just ate so you know you shouldn't eat again? How do you stay motivated? ....also if anyone here would like to add me that can definitely relate to how I am feeling, please do! and if you have a lot of weight to lose like I do, please message me and tell me your story because it would be great to know that I'm not alone.
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You're not alone
I drink water before every meal and in between... It helps me fill the gaps. I have never stuck to a diet like I am this one and it's working I don't have as much to lose as you but anyone who is unhappy with their weight can empathise... It's hard work but worth it. You've started by joining MFP so well done Log everything you eat and drink, eat back half your exercise calories, keep yourself hydrated and keep your chin up 6 -
Katherinelittle24 wrote: »Hey guys! I need some motivation desperately. I weighed myself the other day and I am in the 390's which terrifies me. I look at my weight and all I want to do is cry. I think to myself, how can I let this happen? It was just six years ago when I left for college and I was just at 200lbs. I definitely let myself go and I have no idea how to get back on track. Its like one day I would do so well but then the next day I would order food and just eat horribly once again like I've no control. Yesterday I was doing so well. I had a big lunch but then ten minutes later goes by and I feel like im starving. No matter what, I'm always hungry and I just hate this feeling that I get....what do you do when you are having hunger pains but you just ate so you know you shouldn't eat again? How do you stay motivated? ....also if anyone here would like to add me that can definitely relate to how I am feeling, please do! and if you have a lot of weight to lose like I do, please message me and tell me your story because it would be great to know that I'm not alone.
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Katherine I know how you feel I weigh 353 so I to have a great amount of weight to lose and I need all the help everyone out there can give me please be behind us2
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I'm also scared to death to try again I've tried so many other times1
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First of all, stop beating yourself up right now. The fact that you are here, taking the first steps already puts you in the winner circle.
Second, don't focus on the "100lbs" or 150lbs" etc, focus on 5 or 10 or even 2lbs at a time. Rome wasn't built in a day and it's going to take time for the big numbers to come off. If you focus on the big numbers, the little ones won't mean as much and it's easy to stay in the camp of "discouraged and disheartened."
Reward yourself for meeting each one of those small goals. They matter and want you to pat their little heads and say well done!!! But reward yourself smartly! Put a dollar away for each lb you lost or piece of cake you skipped out on. Buy something for yourself.
Melody - the hunger pains are natural in the beginning because your stomach has stretched from processing excess food. It will shrink. The body is resilient. Drink a lot of water with lemon and/or lime. It detoxes the body and the citrus causes the stomach to contract. Just know YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOUR STOMACH! You are worth a healthy, happy life.
You can do this and the fact that you are here is YOU telling yourself and the world YOU are ready for this! - Stay active on the boards and in MFP. It helps.
We're all here for you and mostly, we believe in all your awesomeness!.20 -
To combat the feeling hungry constantly, I suggest drinking water, and doing something that keeps your hands busy (coloring, knitting, musical instrument, etc). Are you drinking diet sodas or other drinks with artificial sweetener? I've found that after I drink a diet coke I feel more hungry than if I had drank just water.
I've tried sending you a private message but I keep getting a "server" error. I'm facing a similar challenge. I had a car accident last week, and went to the ER because I hit my head and wanted to make sure I didn't have a concussion. Unfortunately, I couldn't get an MRI because their machine has a weight limit of 400 lbs, and for the first time in my life I've creeped up to 405 pounds. So that was a wake up call. My boyfriend is helping me start Keto, along with cardiovascular and weight lifting and he believes that I can do this. I'm not so sure, but I gotta try. My blood work has always been ok, no high blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar issues, so I've taken a laid back approach with my body. But I want to lose weight so life isn't so difficult sometimes. I've always been heavy, since I was a teen. But in the last few years, especially since I turned 30, everything just got more difficult. I have less energy, I've put on about 50 lbs, my knees and back hurt sometimes, my periods got way more painful, etc. So, today is day one in making new habits to do better for my body. I have a hard time imagining hitting my goal (around 200 lbs. I don't want to be "skinny". I quite like curves and softness), so I'm starting small. 2lbs by next Friday should be possible, I hope!
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I started at 375 last July. Really stressed about it and barely lost and got frustrated a lot. I would be so strict during the week and blow it weekends. I stopped in jan.and then picked up this May. The mind frame this may was different. Its been more focused in living than dieting. So the gym is just trying to do better than yesterday and food is not all limited to "healthy" food. I have stuck to it. One day at a time. First 3 weeks were the hardest and now 3months later this seems like life. I've also lost 20lbs since I got back into it mid may. So today I weighed in at 333.4lb. I have a long way to go, but I'm stronger today than I was last week and next week I'll be ever stronger. And it really feels like each good choice or time I say no (esp to emotional eating) the more empowered I am to continue saying no. Just 1 day at a time.this is about what lifestyle you want...not what you wanna weigh. I wanna be active and feel good, I'm losing weight to do that. The better I eat and more I move the better it gets!9
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Save your life. No one can do it for you.
I used to tell myself that hunger was what losing weight felt like.
Every day on this board people post about being wrecked by their own brains. Whatever it was you were feeling after lunch yesterday it wasn't starvation and likely wasn't hunger. Your mind is playing tricks on you.
Please do something before you do real damage to yourself.4 -
Good Afternoon,
I saw your post today on the forum and I wanted to reach out to you. I wanted to let you know that although I do not have as much weight to lose as you do, I still would like to be a motivator for you. I have 90 lbs. to lose. I went to the doctor because I was having issues with my menstrual cycles being off kilter for about 10 years. Next thing you know it, I'm being diagnosed with pre-diabetes. I have made quite a change in my lifestyle already.
There have been multiple days where I feel like I have been out of control but I always rely on my food tracker, diary, and some good anxiety coping mechanisms to get through this. Since I have a medical condition, I actually eat at scheduled times to keep my blood sugars stabilized, which may also help you to not be so hungry throughout the day.
Either way, I would love to be added as your friend if you would allow that.2 -
Hi, Katherine!
First, by joining MFP and then by posting here, you've already achieved several NSV's (non-scale victories); you've recognized that you need to change, and you've admitted so to others, AND you've asked for help! So you've made good progress already today!
Second, I would be glad to help motivate you or anyone else who has posted in this thread, just friend me, and if you're not sure how to do that, (I couldn't figure it out for a couple weeks!), then post here and I'll friend you.
I'm 64. I have fought with my weight for 55 years. Tried every diet, fast, whatever that came along. Finally had a lap band installed in 2008, then had it removed and a gastric bypass performed in 2012. These are very helpful tools, but I still have to do all the work, and neither of them help with the stuff between my ears!
At my highest weight, I was 430. I had all the issues: high blood pressure, diabetes, aching joints, high triglycerides. My wake-up came when my doctor told me I had less than five years to live, unless I did something about my weight.
I now weigh 290.2. My successthus far is due, I believe, to a) tracking every bite, and documenting it! I cannot figure out my issues unless I have all the facts and data. (Sorry, retired engineer here... ) b) ensuring I get at least 85 ounces water in each day. I use an app, Water Time Pro, to track liquids, since 8 ounces of water is not the same as 8 ounces of coffee. c) making sure I get some exerxise in each day. I just got a Fitbit, but even before I had it, I made sure I got something in each day, even if it was only a five-minute walk. and finally, d) joining in the Community of MFP. There are a lot of wonderful people on this site, and they have really helped me in my journey. I'm part of the Fat-to-Fit Challenge; you might want to check out that group, we're divided into teams and have many separate challenges going on, and weekly weigh-ins, so we all feel accountable, but very supported. We share challenges and setbacks and triumphs.
Katherine, I'm so glad for you that you are doing something about your weight before you develop all the morbid obesity issues! I'd be glad to help; I've lost a lot, but I want to lose at least another 110 pounds. Let me know how I can help you.2 -
You know, I feel the same way a lot of the time. I've lost 12lbs but knowing I have so much more to go makes it feel like nothing. And honestly, the first 2 qweeks I was logging I felt hungry all the time. But it wasn't that I was hungry, it was that I was cranky about logging, feeling deprived even though I wasn't, that kind of thing. It got so much better as time went by. I'm only 5 weeks in but it's a lot better now than it has been.
It's a lot of work and that's daunting. It was so easy to put the weight on, and so hard to reverse it. But it is possible, it just takes time and patience. Patience is so not one of my virtues.0 -
as others said, you are on the right track in coming here and trying, and the key is to keep trying, even when you fall down on your face. If you keep trying, eventually you'll succeed!
I echo the sentiment in taking baby steps. You didn't get this big overnight; you aren't going to lose it quickly. What are you doing? Have you cut out a ton of food groups? What calorie limit are you at?
Don't go to extremes; that's just a recipe for failure, especially when starting out. Don't necessarily cut any food types out, but start focusing on portion control. Look for food with a good amount of fiber and protein, and don't be afraid of fats - whole foods with protein will help you feel fuller longer. Also, if you find yourself starving, try upping your calorie intake so that you are losing about 1 lb a week. Give yourself a couple of weeks to get used to this calorie limit, then strive to lower it a little. Or even look to see what MFP says is maintenance for you, and start there, then as your body gets used to the limit, lower it a bit.
And may I also suggest that you might consider speaking to your doctor or a therapist about your relationship with food? A good therapist may be able to help you find ways to gain some control over that feeling and to learn to handle those cravings in an appropriate manner. It's just a suggestion! But I know other friends of mine who have said that they didn't realize that part of their problem was they had a poor relationship with food and that they had much better success after seeing a counselor to learn to handle it.
Best of luck to you, and welcome to the trailhead! This is a rocky, tough road up some pretty steep mountains and through some dismal swamps, but the journey is worth it in the end!2 -
I've never posted before or replied to anything but for some reason I clicked in here today and saw your post. I know you are scared. I am too. I started using the app on March 10th and just tracking everything I put in my mouth. I am following the recommended calories and nutrition percents on here and that's all. I'm not even exercising yet. I have almost 200 pounds to lose but I will settle for falling into the "overweight" category someday rather than "obese". I just want to feel better. Anything we do is a step in the right direction.
Two things I am doing that have helped. I'm talking L-glutamine which has helped SO much with sugar cravings and I am only weighing myself occasionally. Don't focus on that number on the scale. That's not who you are. We can do this.
My mantra that keeps me motivated is this:
Losing weight is hard.
Being overweight is hard.
Choose your hard.
Sending you much love.8 -
I'm with you...200 lbs to lose. I've been doing this three weeks and have lost 12lbs but it's so hard knowing that even after I lose 100lbs, I'll still be 300lbs!! Its heartbreaking. Id add you but have no idea how!3
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I just wanted to comment to let you know that I hear you and I believe in you.3
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I'm just starting today and know that it's gunna be hard but I am going to so this for my self so I can be there for my girls. So stay strong you can do this. I know we are strangers and don't know each other but if you need to chat send me a message and we can talk our selfs threw it together.0
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I suggest, I beg, that you log all your food. All the "good" food. All the "clean" food. All the "bad" food. All the "dirty" food. We'll work on the morality and hygiene of food later, but for now just write it all down. It is when you write in your food diary honestly and accurately that you start to see the choices and you make the choices that you want to make, those choices are the beginning of the new life of healthy you.
Further, please open your diaries to the public. You're going to want to ask for help and it is really important that we see and understand your food choices before we can say anything useful.4 -
It is so scary! However, I had to tell myself that even scarier is continuing down the same self-destructive road. YOU CAN DO IT! My suggestion is that if you feel starving, eat. Just make better choices about what it is you're eating. If you try to change too much too fast, you're going to be miserable and you'll likely give up. Slowly ease yourself into the process. If you were eating 4,000 calories yesterday, you can't expect your body to feel satisfied with 1,500 today. I love to follow others' journeys, add me if you want!
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Hi, OP, and welcome!
I didn't have as much to lose as you when I signed up on MFP, but I literally grumbled out loud the entire time I was setting up my profile because I was sure weight loss was going to rob me of the one joy in life I still had... eating! I gritted my teeth and decided I was going to do it anyway, because I felt so bad physically and knew my window of opportunity to do anything about it was closing. But as it turned out, I wasn't miserable. My initial calorie allowance with a weekly weight loss goal of 1.5 lbs/week was something like 1760- very doable for me. I'm sure your calorie allowance for 2 lbs/week will still be very generous. You're just not used to it, is all. Some ease into their deficit gradually, but even if you jump right in, it will only take your body a couple of weeks to accept that this is the way it's going to be. The only thing is, don't try to overhaul your entire diet right off the bat. Getting accustomed to your calorie allowance is the main thing for now... you can tweak your nutrition and what not all you want as you go along.
Try not to be scared... just focus on the math. 2 -
I started at 378 after some downs and ups and downs I'm 284 and losing. It is easier than you fear, be consistent and log everything you will do great.2
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Please, Katherine, don't be afraid! You're not alone -- as you can see. I started at 343 and I'm now at 288; it's not a fast project. You're building a foundation for good health for the rest of your life, so take your time and do it mindfully. It won't be simple, but you'll have lots of friends here to help out and answer questions for you. Welcome!1
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Katherine, what your WHY? What is the big reason that you can put on a poster or dry erase board in your room and see every day? Don't answer that - it's private and you can share later if you want. With a big, clear WHY, the journey will become less scary and you won't have to bear daily failures. A big picture helps you not self-blame so much because now it's a "road trip" instead of a six foot fence you're trying to claw your way over.
I know how you feel right now, I've been there so many times - for 20 years. You do well, then over eat, then self-shame, then repeat. You absolutely have the power over calorie addiction. You can reverse it. I promise you this is true. I used to lay in bed and eat chocolate cake and chinese food late into the night and still be hungry. Then I would look in the mirror and curse myself. Then do it all over again a couple days later. I used to leave my girlfriend's house at midnight, stop at Mickey D's and get a whole meal. Now I weigh food, quit pasta and rice, no longer make big meals and eat it all. I used to buy king size m&m's all the time, I haven't had that in months. It just a waste of calories.
Be encouraged. You can do this. Get started right away! Everyone on this site is behind you 100%
DM me if you want to know how I "cheated" with my WHY.
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Rachellackmeyer wrote: »
To combat the feeling hungry constantly, I suggest drinking water, and doing something that keeps your hands busy (coloring, knitting, musical instrument, etc). Are you drinking diet sodas or other drinks with artificial sweetener? I've found that after I drink a diet coke I feel more hungry than if I had drank just water.
I've tried sending you a private message but I keep getting a "server" error. I'm facing a similar challenge. I had a car accident last week, and went to the ER because I hit my head and wanted to make sure I didn't have a concussion. Unfortunately, I couldn't get an MRI because their machine has a weight limit of 400 lbs, and for the first time in my life I've creeped up to 405 pounds. So that was a wake up call. My boyfriend is helping me start Keto, along with cardiovascular and weight lifting and he believes that I can do this. I'm not so sure, but I gotta try. My blood work has always been ok, no high blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar issues, so I've taken a laid back approach with my body. But I want to lose weight so life isn't so difficult sometimes. I've always been heavy, since I was a teen. But in the last few years, especially since I turned 30, everything just got more difficult. I have less energy, I've put on about 50 lbs, my knees and back hurt sometimes, my periods got way more painful, etc. So, today is day one in making new habits to do better for my body. I have a hard time imagining hitting my goal (around 200 lbs. I don't want to be "skinny". I quite like curves and softness), so I'm starting small. 2lbs by next Friday should be possible, I hope!
I don't have that problem with drinks, I go through artificially flavored fizzy waters and diet Pepsi like crazy, with no issues. But I've discovered that fruity gums , (I usually eat sugar free gum) will have that effect on me. It's like I constantly haveto have something sweet, if I've been munching on sugar free gum.0 -
As others have said, don't worry about losing 200 lbs. It will happen. Concentrate on doing the best you can on improving yourself right now. Over time, those litfle choicez will help you to improve yourself today. Eventually it will be this week, this month, "Hey I've lost 10 lbs!" I just got rid of a sack of potatoes off my belly and *kitten*!
If you have a bad day, figure out why, and how to fix it, and start over. You've got this!1 -
Joining MFP is a great start. Having goals and being aware of the macro- and micronutrient content of the foods you eat can be a big motivator. At least it is for me. I am right on the edge of diabetes (A1c was 7.2, I have gotten it down to 5.9) and I had a mild heart attack a couple of years ago. So those are big motivators for me. Even so, there are times when I eat for emotional reasons and it is really hard to say "no" when I'm depressed. I try to ask myself, "Is this mouth hunger or belly hunger?" IOW, am I really hungry or do I just feel the need to eat to soothe myself or to feel better temporarily?
The most important thing is - and I know this is a cliche - take it one day at a time, one pound at a time. You can't lose 200 pounds overnight. But you can lose 1 or 2 pounds in a week. And yes, it will take a long time, but those 1 or 2 pounds will eventually add up to 200 if you keep at it. Even if you slip, even if you fall off the wagon for a day or a week or longer, you can get back on.
I am much older than you are (from your description of leaving home 6 years ago for college), so I can tell you that if you can find a way to motivate yourself now and get control not just of your weight but of your HEALTH, which includes exercise and positive thinking as well as eating healthy foods in healthy amounts, when you get older believe me your older self will thank your "today self" for taking charge and getting healthy. So take it one day at a time but also think about who you want to be 10 years from now, 20 years from now. Imagine that healthy person that you are going to become. Keep that image in your mind. When you are faced with temptation, think about that future you.
I hope this helps. Just know you are not alone.1 -
Hello everyone first I want to say congratulations on wanting to be healthy.. my suggestion is this set small goals first don't look at it as I have to lose 200 lbs look at it as this week I want to lose 2 lbs .. set weekly goals like water intake and food intake. A goal I had in the beginning was this week I'm going to eat healthy and take soda completely out of my diet .. you will discover that after a week your body will no longer crave the junk and will start craving the healthy stuff .. also please do not beat yourself up over what the scale says because those are just numbers. Some days you will notice that you gain and some days you lose .. how you look and feel is what's important .. for all of you on the Fitness journey keep your head held high and we all applaud you it's a big step. Look in the mirror and you will see your competition only you can change you.. you will not start tomorrow everything starts today you can do it1
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I had 80 pounds to lose when I started this 18 months ago. I'm down 44, which is longer than I'd hoped it would take, but I have to tell you, I am stoked to be having any success at all. What I've found this time losing weight, as opposed to the many many other times I tried, is that self compassion is the key. I log everything I eat, including the days that I'm 1,000 calories over my budget. When I do that, I don't beat myself up, instead I think, "Today was luxurious and wonderful, and I'm thankful." It makes it that much easier, then, to stay on track, when I know that I've had/can have days that are decadent. Over time, my body has started to come round and the days when I overdo it, I naturally feel less hungry the following day. Likewise, if I work out too much, even though I enjoy it, I can't maintain a pace of going to the gym multiple days in a week. But I can do a little walk everyday. It's the consistency that has made this particular effort of weight loss tolerable, it's almost easy even. But it's slow, and that's what tests my patience.
The thing that I have historically self-sabotaged over was rewards for myself. So instead of rewards for 10 pounds lost or whatever (which makes you hyper focused on the scale) I give myself stickers for every day I log and every time I exercise. A certain number of stickers means a certain dollar amount, so that I can get myself something nice (new bra, pedicure, movie with a friend, etc.) The reward then is about the lifestyle, not about the results. That's made a big difference for me too.
I wish you well!
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Hi, everyone. First, I went though and sent most of you a friend request. No problem if you are not interested! For those of you who are not sure how to send a friend request, do the following:
1. copy down the "name" of the person you want to friend
2. select the community tab on the main menu above
3. select the Find Members on the second menu above
4. type in the name of the person you want to friend in the last box
5. when their profile comes up, review the profile to decide if you might be able to support each other, then Send them a Friend request. Suggest, strongly, that you indicate in the optional message WHY you think you can support each other!
Good luck!
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Completely understand where you're at.0
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