anybody else just getting started?

2

Replies

  • vannessasheane
    vannessasheane Posts: 35 Member
    Hi everyone,

    Well this is my first time ever using one of these calorie counters or well.....anything really. I have always been really, really good at yo-yoing my weight, if I'm happy the weight usually is kept at bay, however, if I am stressed the weight is attracted to me like a magnet. I do realize that I probably eat more, or make unhealthy choices, but with never ever really keeping track, who knows.

    Thus the reason for me signing up, I am highly motivated by all of your stories, it makes me realize that I am not alone on this dietary journey.

    Vannessa
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  • @LalLewis re: smoking

    lol. i almost reported your post. i hit the wrong button thinking i was replying, typed a whole big reply and was about to submit when i realized i was in the report post, not reply to post

    eta: sheesh! then i hit the reply instead of the quote. you'd think i'd never been on a forum before.


    Anyway...

    I just wanted to mention a study that found that smokers who quit gained, lost, or maintained weight at a 1/3 to 1/3 to 1/3 ratio. The conclusion was that it was more the psychology related to the act of quiting and not the act of quiting itself that had the significant impact on weight. I quit cold turkey in May 2000 and that had no effect on my weight at all... it just kept on going up-up-up.

    Just some numbers for thought
  • Okay, I hit the quote button this time.

    The 'out of body' thing is something I am very familiar with. I do it all the time. I'm thinking in my head, "Okay, right now you're having one of those out of body episodes - you're putting balogna and mayo and cheese and peanut butter on two slices of bread at 11:38pm when you should be asleep and your'e going to eat it and you're going to feel like cr*p in the morning and you'll have peanut butter moring breath but you're going to do it anyway, aren't you - yep. there you go. that was really dumb. maybe tomorrow...."

    been there

    Hey everyone :)

    I've been using MFP for probably about 8 months now and found its been a great and easy way to keep track of what I've been eating. I have (well, did) manage to lose about 10kg (about 22lbs) in just under a year (Oct 2010 - Jul 2011) through a healthy diet and exercisem and reached a weight I was happy with... but in the last few months I've fallen off the wagon big time, gained back half of what I'd lost due to these horrible binges where I just eat absolute crap to the point where I feel physically ill. I've put it down to "emotional eating" - I'm stressed with my job at the moment and feeling quite down on myself in general so I know what's causing it and I know what I need to do but for some reason a switch in my brain triggers - its almost as though its like an outer body expeirence - I know I'm doing it and I know I shouldnt do it but at the same time it almost feels like its not me doing it but another person (if that makes sense!)

    Anyway so I've decided I really need to stop it because not only work stress bringing me down but the weight gain has made me feel uncomfortable, unattractive, overweight and its bringing me down. So thats the reason why I've decided to post on here becuase I think by talking about it to others it's going to hold me accountable because I dont think I've been honest with myself about how bad my eating habits (and thats what the binging has become) really are, and I definitely am not honest with the people around me. And what better place to start than with others who understand what I am struggling with :)
  • veronica110
    veronica110 Posts: 2 Member
    Hey Ryan,

    I'm just getting started as well. I feel like my weight has just creeped up on me, and I'm in the same position as you, not tons to lose, but if I keep on going at this rate, I will be in real trouble. This websight is great, and I think just learning to eat and when to eat, and also being able to see the nutrional information and calories is a big help, some of the things I've been thinking about eating freaks me out when I look at the calories, and carbs, I just need to be more consitent in the evenings....so good luck we will all do this together, with the help of this great websight.......I have some buddies that just joined with me soooo..let's do this!!!!!
  • A11883
    A11883 Posts: 13
    HI! My name is Amelia, I signed up for this site a long time ago and then installed the app on my new iPhone a few days ago completely forgetting that I had an account from an earlier time. I find the app very useful especially with the barcode scanner, it has been a helpful tool and I am excited to keep monitoring what I actually eat.

    I am 28 years old, in Chicago and at the moment have about 70lbs to loose. I like Vanessa in the past was good with my Yo-Yo dieting but find that stress has been my downfall. I gained about 60lbs last year due to an extremely stressful job that had me working very long days, commuting 80 miles each way to work on top of the log day, eating a lot of crappy food and obviously not sleeping very much. Prior to this job I had previously lost 30 lbs and gotten to a “comfortable” weight so this gain has been quite depressing. I haven’t been to my goal weight since college but hope to be able to achieve it by July. However since the 60 lb gain I have lost 15lb so far so good I guess.

    I would love to have some support and accountability if anyone out there would like to be friends. I was also wondering if anyone has invested in one of those monitors that counts the calories you burn for accurate representation of exercise etc and how they like it.

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  • Hi, i think grazing encourages your body to crave food all the time instead of around meals, and as portion control is not my strong suit it is easier for me to overeat. Protein snacks and a balance of meals snacks works best for me. I find it better to be satisfied after meals but not full. You can and will eat again.:) Its the recognition of true hunger and needing water that is tough.Hope this helps. tracking and exercise are my top "secret weapons" in weight loss and maintaining weight. So far I am still in the needing to lose cycle....
  • hrg77
    hrg77 Posts: 2 Member
    Hi Ryan I just started yesterday!!!
  • Hi everyone. I just started using this site a little over a week ago. I got out of the Army 2 years ago and put on 30 pounds. I figured it was time to try and lose the same amount I put on. I'm 6'1" and weighed 260 when I started. My goal is to get down to 230 pounds. When I got out of basic training, I was in the best shape of my adult life and weighed 220, so I figured that might be an unreasonable goal since I can't work myself nearly as hard as a drill sergeant can :wink:
  • Wow it sounds like you're taking the right step to stop this though. Binging is definitly tough, sometimes it is overwhelming to just eat. I hope sharing and knowing the stress triggger is a problem helps you find an "off" switch. Are you able to physically distance yourself from food during the "binge attack"? I literally freeze certain foods that my hubby and kids love but that I can not seem to say no to-sugar cookies- I can not eat them frozen and when I feel out of control I may actually remove them from the freezer but knowing I have to track them-record them usually helps me to put them back and the fact that I have to wait for them to thaw...now I also run so going for a run to burn the potential calories aso helps....
  • kardowling
    kardowling Posts: 221 Member
    Newer here too...welcome :smile:
  • Hi everyone! I opened my account on MFP on 10/23 and have lost 16.4lbs to date. It has been very hard to get started because I really used to hate exercise and also a very big emotional eater. But started out slowly, just walking for 30 minutes here and there and watching portion sizes along with calories...has taught me a lot. For the most part, everyone here is amazing and it's great to have the support and motivation from others trying to get healthy and stay healthy. I have a long road ahead, but mini goals and friends' motivating words are helping to get me through. My first mini goal is 20lbs down my Christmas, looks like I'll reach it earlier and I'm ecstatic. Feel free to add me, good luck to all and keep it rockin' =)
  • Good Morning!
    I am Jen and I too have just started moments ago. I posted a picture of myself as a little girl, as that is the goal for me. To be healthy like I was, play like I used to and laugh so much it makes my eyes sparkle. I have lost this dog gone 80 pounds 4 times now, and wish this to be my last. lol
    I am so glad to have the chance to read your posts and hope that I will be here everyday to get the much needed support from writing down my meals and (((exercise)) . Must really work on that.
    Glad to meet you!
  • Been off and on for a couple years now! Good luck...just keep pushing yourself.
    You never know what you can do until you come to the point where you lose it... NO MATTER WHAT!
    At 55 it gets harder every day to make myself eat right...that's just it...it's an every day or every minute thing!
    You can do it!
  • finna619
    finna619 Posts: 2 Member
    Feeling better already :) Should have done this sooner!!
  • phanatic82
    phanatic82 Posts: 27 Member
    Hey Ryan, i am ready to get off this roller coaster! I am looking for support, motivation, friends, yummy low calorie recipes, etc! Anyone out there looking for the same, friend me! Good luck everyone!
  • gcowan74
    gcowan74 Posts: 1 Member
    Hello Ryan (and all others). My name is Gayla and I am new(ish) to this site. I tracked everything for a whole 3 weeks before I quit and gave up for a while. I am back now with a vengeance and really want to get this weight off!. I am in Oklahoma and we too have the best Mexican food here---so hard to control yourself eating queso, guacamole, salse and chips! I eat out at lunch almost everyday and find it difficult since my coworker/lunch buddy is not as intense as losing weight as I am. I would love to have some support and "friends" to help keep me on track. By the way, this is the only picture I have on this computer...i will try to find another that does not involve alcohol :drinker:
  • ryanperna
    ryanperna Posts: 24 Member
    Hi everyone. I just started using this site a little over a week ago. I got out of the Army 2 years ago and put on 30 pounds. I figured it was time to try and lose the same amount I put on. I'm 6'1" and weighed 260 when I started. My goal is to get down to 230 pounds. When I got out of basic training, I was in the best shape of my adult life and weighed 220, so I figured that might be an unreasonable goal since I can't work myself nearly as hard as a drill sergeant can :wink:

    Hey, sounds like you and I have a similar body type. I'm afraid the calorie recommendation on this thing is too low (for guys with some muscle). I actually got lightheaded today, ate a greek yogurt and now i'm fine. I'm going to try to stick to the 1600 calories but don't know if it's possible without passing out...?
  • Just started about two weeks ago! Good luck to you.
  • My name is Jessica and I as well just started trying to lose weight. I just had a baby boy 3 months ago and already lost all of my baby weight , but now i would like to lose at least 25 more before my birthday in march. Good luck to everyone!!!
  • 3GKnight
    3GKnight Posts: 203
    It seems like a whole bunch of us just started this week. I'm only a few days in and the encouragement is great. Just be willing to give as much as you get.

    As for your situation, I'm in the middle of a divorce. I hope your marriage survives and becomes great, but even during the tough times, one of the better things you can do for yourself is to focus on your health. At the least, it gets your mind off the worries until you need to think about it again.

    Good luck! FR sent.
  • ryanperna
    ryanperna Posts: 24 Member
    3G Knight:

    I hear you, I'm in the same situation. I need to get my confidence level back up after being shot down for so long... I'm looking forward to this. I've made it thru dinner under my calorie goal! 1 day at a time...
  • yes just check in and not doing well with food
  • wo1wendy
    wo1wendy Posts: 40 Member
    I have been on and off this for awhile but never totally involved with it. I would not mind having friends on here. So feel free to friend me. I am a 42 yr old stay at home mom and I am trying to lose 25-30 pounds. I have never really had an appetite and then I in 2007 I had a lot of changes in my life that caused me to turn to food, in 2008 I quit smoking and at this point in time I feel I could comfortably lose 25 pounds.Not sure of what type of support I can use. I have use of a gym and I am able to make any food but my will power is not the greatest. I manange to manipulate my food diary so I have enough left over for desert. Salads are a main staple in my life and the fuller the better but I am not sure if that is good or not. SO HELLO:wink:
  • Hi! My name is Shauna and I started yesterday!
  • wo1wendy
    wo1wendy Posts: 40 Member
    I am not sure of what type of support I can use but I am VERY good at supporting others.
  • I was wondering if anyone had any easy, inexpensive recipes to share! We are all starting an amazing journey and we need all of the help and encouragement we can get!
  • ryanperna
    ryanperna Posts: 24 Member
    There is a recipe section that I personally haven't checked out, but the mayo clinic website has some good recipes with all nutrition info handy. I go there when I'm looking for new ideas!
  • Hi Ryan!

    I've been on here about a week just basically keeping track of my food intake and exercising. It really has helped alot to see exactly what my body is taking in..

    As for "never feeling hungry," you should try peanut butter for protein (but limit it because it does have alot of calories) and stock up on fresh fruits because surprisingly eating 1 whole orange can make you feel pretty full.

    Hope you hit every one of your goals! This really could be the first step of you new wonderful life!

    Brittany:wink:
  • Hello Ryan, I, too, am new, I started on the 13th of this month. I came over to MFP from another program similar to MFP. I like MFP better though. I really like their format.

    Hi! I'm Patricia, I'm from Medford, Oregon, and I just turned 59 yrs young on the 11th of October. I think of myself as young because I keep myself so active even though I have some health issues that would probably keep some people homebound. I suffer with Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and OsteoArthritis in the small of my back...just to name a few of them. I live alone so I have no one to encourage me to eat healthy (which is my main downfall....I've never really been a healthy eater until more recently.
    My current eating habits lately are frozen tv meals, soup & sandwich, and a meal out now and then with a friend. I don't use my stove or oven since I live alone (I want to keep my electric bill down) although I do have a crockpot that I use from time-to-time. I have made a killer Corned beef and cabbage meal for Saint Patricks Day.
    I hope to make a few friends here to help with some tips on eating healthier. I'm not good at these things so I hope it makes sense.
    Thank you, and Good Health to All!
  • @3GKnight Good advice to Ryan. I could use some of that same advice......staying focussed on my own health but I'm always willing to give help where needed and if asked. Good Health JG.
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