Struggling...

I’m a military spouse whose weight fluctuates every time I move. I moved to a new state a little over 2 years ago & have gained the 40lbs back that I worked so hard to lose. I’m struggling to stay focused on my weight loss & healthier eating. I joined a weight loss group but then I got sidelines from cardio after I tore my meniscus. I try really hard to eat good but then I fail...especially when there’s Halloween candy around. I’m looking for some support, advice, & motivation to help me.

Replies

  • Steff46
    Steff46 Posts: 516 Member
    Is there a workout facility you can go to and do light weights or some other kind of activity that doesn't affect your injury? If so, that's a good place to start with filling up your time and taking your mind off Halloween candy. I agree with getting rid of the candy. Give it to neighbors or trash it, I bring mine to work and it's gone immediately.
  • amiablerose
    amiablerose Posts: 4 Member
    Hi! It makes sense that you would gain weight when you move. Stress is a very common trigger for people to eat more and gain weight. Stress also makes your body hold onto weight longer as that is an evolutionary survival response. I am similar to you. Things that have helped me are identifying my stress triggers and working through them, and avoiding them if I can. Mindfulness is also a really good tool to take emotions out of stressful situations and to curb emotional eating. Like someone said before, consistent food journaling is key too because our minds are not good at remembering everything we've eaten, and many find it surprising the amount after they start writing it down, another thing to note is how you feel mentally and physically at the end of each day. Tracking those things can help you keep track of calories and also help you to find out what foods make you feel better vs worse, and if you have and food sensitivities. 90 percent of weight loss is food intake. Go for nutritionally dense whole foods and cut out processed foods . Stay away from foods that say " diet" as they tend to have alot of bad chemicals in them. Start with gentle exercise like taking a walk outside, or recumbent bike, elliptical, or swimming. Make sure you are getting enough water and sleep. The more you take care of your mental health and nutrition the better decisions you will make and the more you will be able to achieve your goal. Add me if you like , we can be warriors together :)
  • Emmalovestorun
    Emmalovestorun Posts: 168 Member
    Weigh all your food, absolute game changer for me shocked at what I actually ate without realising it. Add me here too anyone if you like here daily and extremely active outdoors
  • blackkitty73
    blackkitty73 Posts: 32 Member
    I moved interstate to look after an elderly parent from a large city to a drought affected small village in the country. I gained about
    35 pounds in 15 months. I’ve been in this position before and was suffering depression and anxiety because I hated being trapped in a place I didn’t really want to live in. I decided to take back control of my health because it’s the one thing I did have control over. So I’m stuck living in a small town I’m making use of the time to lose weight and improve my mental well-being.

    Mindset is important. It doesn’t matter where you live your the one in control of what you eat. Start with the “why” do you want to lose weight. List down those reasons. Mine are taped to the wall in my bedroom.

    I had a horrific fall in 2017 and my knee, ankle back and hips are still affected two years on. I can walk a lot now but I had to build up to it and losing weight has reduced the stress on my joints. I’ve lost 26 pounds so far. 80 pounds to go.

    Start just by changing your diet. Ensure you portion control, so weigh everything. Weight Watchers cook books are a great place to start. Perhaps see a dietician as well. Weight loss is 80% diet.

    Then do small amounts of exercise such as walking/swimming. Build it up over time but be mindful of your knees limitations.

    You can do this.
  • AliNouveau
    AliNouveau Posts: 36,287 Member
    Track everything. Every taste, every bite. Weight and measure everything. Be super strict and make it part of your life

    Get active too. Go walking, explore the outdoors. Injuries suck. I'm recovering from shoulder surgery and it's so boring. I'm making it a challenge. Every day there's progress even if it's just a tiny bit. Make little achievable goals. It's super encouraging