Biggest Regret

Disability definitely makes the whole process harder.

I am sorry for everything you have gone through. That’s some very difficult stuff. But you’re here now, and ready to move on. This is big news.

Welcome to MFP. There is a group for exercise and weight loss with disability. It’s not terribly active but I’m hoping to change that.
Send me a friend request if you wish.

Something I’ve realized is that I feel most depressed about my body when I’m not taking care of myself the way I should be (sleep/rest, some form of movement, eating reasonably, etc.) and it has less to do with how my body looks. Knowing I’m doing the things I need to to take care of myself are really what contributes to my happiness, which in turn makes it easier for me to continue improving my physical health. Start by focusing on the small things you can control, like sticking to a certain number of calories per day/week and hitting a movement goal. Walking and listening to music is actually my favorite form of exercise and is super underrated. It’s great for health both physically and mentally.

Also, while cardio is important I think a lot of people place more emphasis on it than is necessary. I was able to achieve my lowest weight and favorite body shape while doing only walking for cardio (30 min a day), and sticking to a daily weight routine (which really wasn’t that strenuous.) The key was keeping within my daily calories most days, over an extended period of time.

I think finding some kind of movement/activity you actually like will really help you feel better about your body, since it sounds like you (understandably) have a lot of negative feelings about what your body can’t do without causing distress. If you’ve never tried a weight/lifting routine, that might be something you want to look into too as it will improve body composition and you’ll feel stronger and looker better at the same time!

There’s a lot of great info on these boards, and the wiser users are great about calling out people who spew misinformation. It’s helped me figure out a way to lose weight & maintain a healthy weight for the last 4 years.

My main point is that whatever you do, it doesn’t have to be intense/extreme. You’ll have better long-term success finding a new way that works for you now that doesn’t feel like torture.

bbtwins0906 wrote: »

Hello all,

I am not new to MFP. I lost 100 lbs previously between 2014-2016 through dedicated lifestyle of diligent food logging and consistent exerise, particularly running. In 2017, though, I experienced a traumatic injury at work in which I was shot, shattered my tibia, I've had three surgeries to my leg. But since then, I have put much of the weight back on. Losing my mother Jan 2020 did not help, either. In fact, I've gained back 73 lbs since 2017. And for that, I live with constant regret and anger at myself. For a long while now I've tried/wanted to get back to "how I was", over and over again. I've had various gym memberships, dieted, etc., but I do not "feel" that energy/trajectory that I did before all of this, and lose steam repeatedly. I can cut myself a "break" considering the uncontrollable and understandable mental effects the shooting had on me, but those breaks don't help me get healthy again, or feel good again, or get to where I desperately need to be. I'm depressed about my body, and my body is making me depressed. I'm sure most of you know this feeling. So here's to a new effort. God willing.

I also cannot really run anymore. Before, I was up to doing half marathons and running 15-20 miles a week. It truly became my passion. Now, I can literally walk faster than I can jog and due to the injury, running/jogging specifically is painful.

Thank you for reading or feedback!

So instead of your legs running, use your arms. BOXING is a great way to get into shape and doesn't tax the legs like running does. There's always something out there different you can do if hampered by injury to an area of the body.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'm so sorry for all you've been through. Life can be so incredibly unfair! I hear you when you say you want to "get back to where you were," but you are not the same person anymore. You have had life experiences (physical and mental) that won't let you be that person anymore. Grieve for her, but then pick yourself up and start working on the "new" you. She can be amazing too, but you need to figure out what will work for her. Maybe it's new habits. Maybe it's new exercises. Maybe it's new foods. Explore, and show yourself some kindness when you take "wrong turns." Some things that have worked for me:

• Planning - pre-logging food, scheduling exercise, etc. helps
• Learning my "problems" - I cannot sit on the couch at night and not want a snack. I've tried...I can't do it. So instead I've been watching a show on the treadmill (rather than the couch), and earning a snack afterwards if I want it.
• Trigger foods - Candy is a huge problem for me. I haven't given it up, but I only eat it in controlled settings.
• Moving past the all or nothing mindset - I know I'll make some mistakes. That doesn't mean I should give up. It means I can start over THEN, or the next day, etc.

You'll find what works for you! Start with one thing (logging, drinking more water, exercising, etc.) and go from there. Good luck!

I'm so sorry to hear what you've been through - that has to be intensely challenging.

I'm in a similar boat, although without the trauma. Lost 100 pounds on here 10 years ago and it alllll came back. My mentality right now is that losing weight is not even close to the hardest thing I've ever done or gone through (and my hardest things doesn't come CLOSE to your hardest thing!) and that if I made it through those things, I can do this.

You can't go back to how you were, but you can just keep moving forward, one day/one hour/one minute at a time.

Wow! My jaw literally dropped when reading your post. I identify with you in some ways, though I have no particular reason for falling off track. I lost ~50 in 2014 (thru CICO, tracking, moving more, etc.) and maintained it for a few years by doing 5k, 10k, 1 half marathon each year. Those events helped me stay motivated to keep moving. My best was running about 10 miles of a half - and the lack of events in the past year+ has not helped me.

I was in a car accident in 2003 and broke my legs, 3 weeks hospitalized, surgeries, later bone grafts, etc. Not the same thing as being shot. I do have some minor recurring issues, but in general when I stay active and at a healthy weight my body feels better & has less aches. That may be true for you in time also. If jogging and running are out, I'm sure that stings because you loved it, but walking is great for cardio. And maybe in time, as your fitness level improves, you may even find that you can return to some form of jogging or running.