This year I take back my life.

dawnvankuiken
dawnvankuiken Posts: 1 Member
edited November 2024 in Introduce Yourself
Hi there!
I’m Dawn. I live in NW Indiana. I’ve been on this site a few times - but it’s been several years. I’ve gained a lot of weight and pretty much been ignoring it. However after turning 30, I realize I really need to change my lifestyle into a much healthier one.
I weigh 360 pounds and suffice it to say, it’s the heaviest I have ever been. I know I have a long way ahead of me.
But I’ve made two great steps in the right direction - I quit drinking pop (I was at 3 McDonald’s sodas a day).
And today was my first day at Planet Fitness. It was intimidating and I only was able to work out about 25 minutes. But I am so proud of accomplishing that and looking forward to continuing on.
Would love some encouraging friends! Feel free to add or message me.

Replies

  • steph_is_happy
    steph_is_happy Posts: 33 Member
    I don’t know you, but I’m proud of you. Keep it up and never EVER give up!
  • BreannaB473
    BreannaB473 Posts: 87 Member
    Add me!
  • Momepro
    Momepro Posts: 1,509 Member
    Here are some tips that have really helped me keep going without feeling like I am trying to punish my body for being such a jerk and letting me down so much :)


    Break things down into individual behaviors and habits. Instead of looking at this as an all at once, or all or nothing proposition, find ways to break things down into smaller and more sustainable habits. That makes it much easier to pinpoint where something is not working, and fix it, rather than staring at the whole jumbled mess of NOT WORKING. Plus, when you do backslide, you are less likely to drop everything, just one or two habits, that can then be fixed again. Otherwise, trying to everything at once, means that you are likely to leave out something important (like weighing food), and pay excessive attention to things that aren't. (Like fiber drinks and vinegar)
    Don't demonize foods that don't actually make you feel bad. Obviously if you have food sensitivities avoid those things, but don't cut out all your favorite goodies because they are not "healthy". Think of your calories as a type of currency. You should purchase the nutrient rich stuff first, budget for regular treats, and don't waste any calories on stuff you hate, even if it is theoretically good for you.
    Log EVERYTHING.Don't even bother changing your diet much at this point, for a couple of weeks.
    Don't JUST weigh (with a scale is best) everything you eat, also write why you are eating it (i.e, lunchtime, hungry, kind of bored, out with friends, watching tv) and how you are feeling right before, right after and an hour after (hungry, comfortable, normal, full, very full bloated, drowsy, OMG I am so damn sick of this crap I want to throw the whole plate out a window, etc).
    This gives you a baseline pattern for your normal habits and routine. From there, it's just a matter of experimenting. Are you very full after dinner? Cut back on a few things. Does lunch leave you bloated and gassy after an hour, try less or no mayo, and see if there's something you don't mind dropping each meal (fries, or cheese, or maybe only 2 tacos instead of 3).Are you starving an hour after dinner?Maybe more fats during.
    It's amazing how quickly these small and easily sustainable changes will add up to big calorie cuts. Only cut one or two things at a time, until they become habit instead if trying to do everything at once. That way they become individual habits instead of one big "diet".
  • xDaniDragonflyx
    xDaniDragonflyx Posts: 201 Member
    Hey Dawn, I'm Danielle! The heading for your thread really caught my eye, because I, too, am taking back my life this year! So way to go! (highfive) And awesome job getting into a gym! I'm not really shy, but going to a gym is intimidating! I'm afraid of all the looks and stares as I struggle to do anything. I think you're super brave to put yourself out there like that!

    I love what Momepro wrote! So many great advice in that! I've been keeping a food diary now for about 3 months, and since I've made the switch to MFP, I love it even more, because it really holds me accountable for everything I put in my mouth. I'm doing the keto lifestyle, I'm on day 3, and while it is hard seeing such small portions on my plate, I haven't really changed anything I'm eating (except to add more butter! It's a high fat diet...). I suggest weeding out things like refined sugar and processed grains out of your diet slowly so that in a year's time, you're not eating as much bread, chips, candy, cakes, etc. And I mean slowly! It has taken me a year to cut off bread entirely. Pizza is my favorite food group!

    Anyway, I hope that you keep going and if you'd like to be friends, by all means friend me, because I haven't figured out how to do that yet! lol! <3
  • mjrebel4273
    mjrebel4273 Posts: 8 Member
    WTG Dawn! I am too afraid to step foot in a gym, so in my eyes you have accomplished something A LOT of people are afraid to do. I also have been eating just crappy food and I can totally relate to having McDonalds a little too much on almost a daily basis. Please hit me up for support :)
  • Aderlay
    Aderlay Posts: 59 Member
    Great job so far- those aren't just baby steps, they're leaps into a better you. Side note for those afraid of, or worried about the gym- I worked at a gym and honestly no one there is judging you! The workers are happy to see you come in, and other gym goers are secretly watching your progress and giving you props in their head.
  • xbowhunter
    xbowhunter Posts: 1,313 Member
    WTG! Weight/loss management is 100% mental. Admitting you have an issue then reacting to it in a positive way will enable you to get your health back on track...
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