Getting Started … Again … once and for all

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SHester
SHester Posts: 1 Member
in Getting Started

Hey Everybody

Stephen here … from Florida. 54 Years old … weighing in @ 316.5 this morning. Recently went to the Dr and my numbers were off the charts … Type 2 Diabetic, HBP, hyper tension … u name it I’ve got it …

got to get this weight off … that’s the only way the diabetes is going to go away

I want to make the changes to get fit … could really use some encouragement as I start this journey

Replies

  • crazykate72
    crazykate72 Posts: 2 Member

    Hi

    Kate here, just starting myself, 52.went to Dr too, time to make a change!

  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,791 Member

    I'm glad to hear that you know you can make the changes you need to - that's great! Now it's time to make a plan. Did you enter your stats here and get a daily or weekly calorie goal? What small step can you make today? Keep up with that and then add on another: drink more water, take a short walk, etc. You can do this!

  • ddsb1111
    ddsb1111 Posts: 1,051 Member

    Please share your plan and ask any questions you have. There’s no judgment here, so get comfortable with the platform and make yourself at home in the community boards. I’m sure you’ll be here often to stay consistent and track your progress.

  • firemamaof3
    firemamaof3 Posts: 1 Member

    Florida friend here. I just started back on this app after originally signing up in 2017. I am starting small by just logging my food and learning how to stay within my calorie goal. I agree with others that one small step at a time is more manageable than doing a complete 180!

  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 9,715 Member

    Stephen, I started at 56, and lost ten sizes, despite being in the dreaded “post menopausal gain” zone. (Thank goodness I hadn’t heard that nonsense before when I started or I might have fallen for it!)

    You can do this. It doesn’t have to be fancy, or white knuckles, as others have described it. In fact, I enjoyed the process because I took it as an opportunity to learn, particularly about myself. What a luxury!!!


    start by simply logging, honestly and accurately (using a scale). That alone opened my eyes to what and how much I was eating. I made simple changes first. Cut out sugary sodas and coffees. Fruit versus candy.

    Getting a fitness tracker was a great investment. That was when I learned that an hour of light exercise doesn’t offset half a tub of Breyers or half a key lime pie. Not even close. But I was naive enough before tracking to assume that it did.

    Assumptions are deadly in weight loss, whether you’re eyeballing and “assuming” your scoop of peanut butter is one serving, or that an hour lifting in the gym burns a ton of calories (it’s awesome, but nope, it generally doesn’t.)


    having the resources to make connections will change your world.

  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 9,715 Member
    edited June 18

    also, take advantage of every opportunity to move. 6 mornings a week I walk the dog a mile and a half and ride the recumbent for 30-60 minutes before going to the gym to train or swim

    On Wednesdays, I take the dog to the north side of town, walk a couple miles with a friend, then take the dog to the coffee shop for a special baked dog cookie he loves.

    I ignore the baked goods but treat myself to an iced coffee (2 calories).

    This morning I found myself running 20 minutes early, so I hopped on the recumbent and did 18. Not a huge workout, but it got my joints moving before our walk, which isn’t typically a very large burn because of my friends knee problems.

    So a tiny calorie buffer, maybe enough for a pretzel rod, or some cold foam on my iced coffee as an extra treat . 👍🏻


    Workouts don’t have to be 30,60 minutes. I squeeze movement in every chance I get, whether it’s parking in the back of the grocery lot, or running the dog out for quick extra trips around the block (we don’t have a yard).

    If I sit longer than an hour, my joints will seize up and it becomes painful to move and I’m more likely to continue sitting, exacerbating the problem.

    My fitness watch reminds me to get up, which I love, because I can easily while away an hour doing needlework or watching HGTV. Usually at the same time, lol.

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