I have almost completely given up hope.

Don't give up hope! I noticed you only joined in February and you've already lost 11 pounds!

I know how hard it is to not give in to temptation. Keep reminding yourself of your motivation! You want to be healthy for those two beautiful boys and your husband! Tape some pictures or reminders of some kinds on your refrigerator and cupboards, and make a plan for when you are tempted. When you want to eat stuff you shouldn't - chase your older son around the house and see how many jumping jacks the two of you can do together. Nice weather is coming - spend as much time as you can outside moving around! Push the little guy in the stroller while your older child practices on his bike,. etc. Find a friend to hold you accountable and share your daily food plan.

You can do it!

Hi

You can do it!!!!!!
I think the first week or 2 is the HARDEST
KEEP busy take your baby out as much as possible...keep NO junk in the house
If it isn't there u can't eat it
One day at a time...((HUGS))

Kim

Think about why you want to lose weight and post encouraging words somewhere you will see them when temptation arises. I have a couple notes on the fridge saying things like "you won't find happiness in here" and "nourish your body". I also keep a list of reasons in the car of why I don't want to eat fast food and why waiting until I get home will be SO beneficial. As far as exercise goes, google the term N.E.A.T. (non exercise activity thermogenesis) to find out ways you can get a lot of exercise in without making huge changes.

There is power in you to do anything you want to do! You can do this!! I too suffer with temptation, I had to make my 6yr old daughter hide the easter candy so I wouldn't eat it anymore. :blushing: It wasn't something I wanted to make my daughter do. In life there are many hurdles to climb, for me sugar is one of them. Here are a few things that have helped me-- Make a list of the reasons you want to get rid of your extra weight and post them where you can read them. Like avoiding health problems, to fit into that size again, to be able to try on clothes and not get depressed. Then set small goals for yourself, things that give you room if temptation is unavoidable but you still reward yourself. I have rewards for every five lbs lost. when I reach 175 (10% lost since I started this however many months ago) I get the ipod that has been up in my closet since the sale back in December. :laugh: Next decide the best way to do what you want to do--Will exercise be your goal, will sticking to the calorie count be your goal? Even if you do snack and give in you can still lose weight--it may just be a little slower, which is ok! I find the thing that helps me more than anything is to focus on getting my fruits and vegies, they are so low in calorie, I was amazed at first. Just make a goal to eat four-five servings of fruits and vegies everyday for a month and then give yourself a non food reward, and see what happens--throw in a little exercise too and I bet you will lose!:drinker: Best of luck to you, I know you can do it!!:bigsmile: BTW there are mom and me exercises, pick up a video from the library, then start with ten minutes of walking, weights, or pilates during his nap--you will find a huge difference in how you feel! I have been there, I have wanted to give up, I have before--But remember your son needs you to take care of yourself so that you can take care of him!! :flowerforyou:

I have issues with food temptation also! I told my husband I need to go on Temptation Island, food edition! lol. I have forced myself to stop buying not so healthy foods for the house. It is hard when you are walking down the aisle in the grocery store but I just look at it and tell myself "If I eat this, this is one more hour I need to work out that day." No thanks!
And summer is coming! Take your kids outside and go on walks, the park, anything that gets you moving. People tend to lose more weight in the summer just from being outdoors and doing more things.

I agree with what people have posted before me:

1) don't keep the food the tempts you around. If that's fast food in the car, make sure to pack a lunch before you leave the house.


I just went to your profile and you don't have any inspirations listed... I think that could be a HUGE reason why you are hitting this wall. The fact is that when the going gets tough, the only thing that keeps us going is that thing that is more important than all of the excuses, than all of the frustration, than all of the 'I'll just start tomorrow.'

Do this. Do this for your sons and your husband, but do it mostly for you. You really are worth a healthy body and a full and active life. You want the primary example of a woman in your son's lives to be confident and happy. Do this for you: the will reap countless benefits, but you have to do this for you.
:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: hang in there. You are worth it. :flowerforyou:

It feels like no matter what I do, I cannot lose weight. I try to eat right but I'm so overcome by temptation that I always give in. As far as exercising goes, the most I get is taking care of my 5 month old son everyday. I really feel like I don't have it in me to do this. I feel like I don't have a strong enough will power to say no to certain foods. I just feel so weak. Any advice is welcome. :sad:

I guess I will be the voice of reason and reality...as long as you say you cant or that you will give in...you will always fail.........youn need to make a plan and stick with it..you can excercise either before the baby wakes or after the baby sleeps ..or better yet put the baby in a stroller and go for some brisks walks....you have to determine if you want this bad enough or if you want the food more....if your not ready to give up over eating then perhaps this isnt the right time for you to go gung ho..perhaps tackle the excercise then the food

You may also need to do some self examination. Why are you REALLY eating that junk? Are you an emotional/stress eater? Has it just become a habit? Eat to live, not live to eat. There are some things I used to LOVE that when I looked at the calorie counts and realized how long I'd have to spend in the gym working that off, suddenly I lost all interest in eating. Other things are worth it so I have an occasional treat and then work it off at the gym that day. I love dark chocolate so I buy those 60 cal sticks and have one when I'm in a chocolate mood - it doesn't ruin my cals and it satisfies the desire. If that DOESN'T satisfy the desire for chocolate, then I have to look inside myself and see what's really going on, am I trying to comfort myself with food?

Well said! I completely agree - a huge part of my weight loss success was looking at the WHY I was eating certain things, and WHY was I still looking around the fridge after dinner! By examining those questions, and coming up with some answers, I've made the changes. Now, when I go to turn to something, I find the reason, and move. And I would say 80% of the time, something is bothering me, and I need to talk it out with someone close to me. The other 20% is boredome (give your self a manicure, pedicure, go for a walk, etc) or part of socialzing (you can just as much fun out with friends by drinking water and focusing on the people, and saying no to the food!).

Good luck!
:flowerforyou:

sounds to me like you're in the middle of the "it sucks". I can sooo relate. I tried to start eating better about 6 months ago and I just couldn't make the math work- my kids+stress+eating right-- it really was too much right then.

don't be afraid if you need to take a hiatus. it doesn't mean you're giving up- it means you're putting the progress on pause for a little bit. try not to get too "off the wagon" on your break, but say, for a week (my week stretched into 6 months and brought another 15lbs with it :embarassed: but I'm back )- you let yourself just be- have a nice meal out- don't count the calories, get in some bubble baths- and then, when the week is up- take a deep breath and dive in again.

the most important thing you can do for your family is to take care of yourself and if "dieting" is just another stress added to that mountain you've already got, then give yourself a break.

I'm probably going to be poo-pooed for this but I think as moms we have to be practical- especially when our kids are so young (my duet just turned 1yr and I have a 4yr old).

and as for the exercise-- check off one thing at a time, you know? it's all about accomplishing things in little bits, building up to it. just focus on getting in some healthy meals and drinking enough water- getting rest (:laugh: so much easier said than done) and in another few months when you've got the healthy eating down- add another piece of the puzzle.

you are soooo not alone. hang in there. it won't always suck.

sending a big hug.:flowerforyou:

Lynn


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Believe me, I know how frustrating it is. I have been on this site and working hard since January and I have only lost 5 lbs. I've been eating 1200 calories + exercise calories and working out for an hour 5-7 days a week. And I told myself no matter what, I was not quitting this time. I have cried and been extremely angry and disappointed over the lack of results, but have not given up. Today I got the results from my dr and I have to go on thyroid medication. I know that that won't produce a miracle, but I'm hoping it helps my progress. Just keep plugging away. And think of the Non Scales results. Like your health improving and getting stronger, etc.
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^^^^^THE ABOVE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A QUOTE, from Nlongenecker even though it isn't blue*****
I looked at your profile before commenting to eliminate one possibility, that you had so little to lose it was going to take a long time, but from what you put in your profile, it looks like you were trying to lose about 40 lbs.

While thyroid issues can certainly have an effect on your success, I have another suggestion.--calorie zig-zag-- which is where you eat more calories on certain days than others. That is the simplistic explanation. Do an internet search and you will find lots of info. The purpose of it is to fool your body so that you metabolism doesn't slow down and result in you maintaining weight on a limited caloric intake instead of losing. If your body isn't sure how much fuel it is getting on any given day, it won't slow your metabolic rate to starvation mode, which results in slow or no weight loss.

I am not an expert, but in the past 12 days, I discovered t seems to work. I didn't lose an ounce in the 1st week I was following a reduced calorie program and walking every day. Then I had a relative high calorie day because of a dinner I had to attend, and voila, 3 days later I am down 3 lbs. just like that.

It certainly can't hurt to try it. Good luck, and don't give up on yourself. When it comes to a lifelong battle with weight, "YOU," ultimately, are the BEST friend "YOU" have.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I did get a call from the dr that my thyroid is off. I started medicine yesterday. But I might try the zig zag thing. I've heard others talk about it.