I don’t like myself right now..

cbw232000 · October 2017

I’m 42, and just started a new job. I went from a very high energy job to a desk job. While that makes me happy because I finally have a set schedule, I’m no longer as active as I once was. Matter of fact, I gained 20 lbs. I wasn’t skinny to start out with but was happy with what I looked like. I now slid into plus size clothing and I hate it. I’m 5’9” and now 227 lbs. I’d love to lose about 30 lbs. While I’m a fairly confident person, I’m now feeling self conscious looking in the mirror. So here I go. I’m changing my nutrition (sugar cookies for lunch are probably not the best idea), and am determined to work out about 2-3 Times a week...

MrSith · October 2017

First step is starting the journey. Things happen and like everything else we must face our choices whether from past or present head on. Just stay focused and don't give up no matter if you miss a workout or eat something you believe that you shouldn't have.

The only bad choice is not making one to be a better you.

fitdaisygrrl · October 2017

We've all been there. Some days I'll feel great, other days I'm wondering why I can't lose weight and get frustrated. it's not easy, but it's easier than just throwing in the towel. If not for weight loss, think of this journey as getting healthier and feeling better. Start with small changes and track your calories.

One thing I did recently (actually at the beginning of September) was creating a physical journal. I knew my weight loss issues were more than counting calories. I knew I had this side to me where I could track well and eat under or at calorie range all week and then say *f* it and binge on a Friday night, and maybe the Saturday night too and be right back where I started on Monday morning. I went to the journal to start "cartooning" and writing down my weekly goals (and actual weekly weight) and making it look pretty with markers and just putting myself out there in a way where nobody was ever going to read it and I could work through things.

I'm no expert and certainly not a walking success story (and like many I've lost and gained weight over the years), but having that journal and listening to motivational podcasts on my evening walks with my dog are helping quite a bit. I'm only down 4 lbs this month, but hey, that's 1 lb a week. I keep constantly re-evaluating my goals and progress (ie: today I'm aiming for 10,000 steps or today I'm doing a 30 minute workout). Focus on what you CAN do instead of what you can't have. Instead of "no sugar cookies today" turn it to "I'll have at least 5 servings of vegetables today."

I digress, I feel ya and you're not alone. Start tracking your food to see what you're really eating in a day and that is an excellent place to start.

tinkerbellang83 · October 2017

A good start is to get a food scale (it's amazing how badly we overestimate food portion sizes) and get into the habit of logging a few days of normal eating, this can help you determine how to reduce your food intake to the calorie allowance in MFP.

With 30lbs to go set yourself to 1lb per week loss and settle in for the long haul, it's far more sustainable than trying to rush it. That will give you a deficit of 500 calories per day. If you make small changes over time, you are far more likely to stick to it in the long term, for me this was things like:

meal planning a week ahead and creating a shopping list based on the meal plan, so I don't have a bunch of food sitting around that I am not going to use or that I eating just because it's there (this has also saved me a fortune in shopping).
Making small swaps/alterations to cooking methods - I used to pan fry a lot of things in Olive Oil - Chicken, etc, I have now switched to Frylight Spray which saves me around 200 calories per meal. Instead of buying a large bar of chocolate, I keep some small bars in the fridge which are around 100 calories each. Little changes add up.
Foods that I can't control myself around I don't keep in the house - bread, crisps, cereal, etc
I too have a desk job, but I try to make an effort to get up from my desk at least once an hour, I go for a run or walk some lunchtimes and I walk to/from work.

emmanov22 · October 2017

Hi

I know how you feel. I've been trying to diet off and on for months, but for every two or three days of being 'good' I had three days of bingeing on wine, bread, crisps etc over the weekend, and MFP calorie counting would go out of the window. "Dieting". Ha! I finally weighed myself this morning and I'm more than a stone heavier than I thought I was - 14 stone 7.5 lb and I'm 5ft 5 inches. Three years ago I lost two and a half stone (about 40lbs) and I've put all of it back on minus half a stone.I've really been deluding myself about how much weight I've put on.
I feel a bit daunted about how much I've got ahead of me - remembering how long it all took last time - and disappointed with myself for undoing the good work.
I know that the key is not to buy stuff I can't resist - multi packs of crisps - and if I have a treat, it has to be one treat instead of three. I also need to dial back on the wine at the weekends, or maybe cut it out altogether as my willpower dissolves once I've had a glass or two.
Any advice gratefully received. Stay strong everyone!
Emma

abryson819 · October 2017

I understand how you feel. Over the past seven years I've gained almost 100lbs. I keep trying to loose weight and nothing have seemed to work. I finally did an honest examination of myself and found I wasn't giving it everything I thought I was. I was actually half assing it a lot. When I would try I would give up for a few days so my body had no consistency. I'm brand new to all of this and learning to live a healthy lifestyle I've found is like learning everything else - challenging and unfortunately due to habits unnatural at first. Hang in there! The only advice I have is Day by day, journaling, meditation, and excersize.

pokeberry53 · October 2017

I think my problem isn't programs not working --its me not working. I do get in pain--but that shouldn't keep me from doing anything. I quit weight watchers, nutrasystem Curves complete, also have been very lax about a pre-diabetes class. My bloodwork was good recently so I'm not sure I even am Pre-diabetes--but I should be testing 2x a day to chart it. I'm well over 200 & only 5-5 so I feel like a roly poly although I don't look as bad as I think. I check myself at church there is a full length mirror in bath room--however I also got pix from son's wedding this summer and did not look as good as I thought. Should have worn the girdle.

pokeberry53 · October 2017

Also quit spark people

JennieDiB · October 2017

I'm a graphic designer and have had a desk job for 10 years and it took its toll. The first 9 years of that were for a university dining services company which meant free lunch and lots of snacks brought back to the office. At this new job there are still lots of tempting snacks around, but I just choose a different path to walk that doesn't pass the department that always has cakes and cookies out to share.

I'm lucky that my new desk job is pretty flexible and I can get up from my desk when needed (which I know isn't always possible with call centers and such). I use that to my advantage and fill my water bottle very frequently. Every time I need to use the restroom I also fill my water bottle again. It helps me make sure I don't get so sucked into my work that I never leave my desk all day. It's also been great for meeting more people where I work in the break room.

I don’t like myself right now..

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