Overwhelmed - I have so much weight to lose!
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A wise person once told me take it one step at time and set 10 chunks as my goal! You will do great! I posts have been a gold mine of tips and encouragement and that is what MFP is all about! Good luck and please feel free to friend me! Lets do this together!!0
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Hi Robin- sending you a special hug from "DownUnder" in Australia.
There have been some lovely posts on here, and you will get lots of support and as many friends as you wish.
One day at a time, that is the only way to go.
I joined a challenge here in Feb, 10 kilos in 10 weeks, I wasn't even thinking of a diet at the time but saw the ad in the paper, went and weighed myself for the first time in a loooong time and almost fainted. When it finished ( I just managed the 10 kilos off), I discovered MFP and I love the diary for my food and exercise.
I also started to walk, first around the block ( was exhausted when I got home), and gradually built up my walking time bit by bit, now I walk every day for at least an hour. I am older than you, ( in my 60"s) and yes I do have a few jiggly bits but after I get my hernia surgery done, I am going to do some kind of weight training which should help a bit. My BP is really good after being sky high for years, too.
Don't think of this as a diet ( that is a 4 letter word) it is NOT a diet - it is a lifestyle change for your life and in doing this, like me, you will be adding years to your life.
You have had some bad times, but a lot of folk have too, maybe not the same things but losses/ abuse./ serious health problems. You just have to stay your positive self, you sound like a lovely woman, and remember YOU ARE WORTH IT!!-NEVER GIVE UP.
As for Gary- he should make sure his brain is in gear before operating his mouth.
You can do this! Sandy. 0 -
No, no, no, no!
Don't look at your challenge that way, or it does seem overwhelming. You are going to do just fine if you take this one step at a time. As for the weight...
You only have 1 pound to lose.
That is all. ONE POUND!
MFP is set up for us to lose 1 pound every week, so just stop stressing, and take this one pound at a time. In a year, that's 52 pounds. In 2 years, you have over 100.
ONE POUND!
No stress - no drama and no turning back. As for everything else, just keep punching, and all will be possible for YOU!
Good Luck :flowerforyou:
What lovely advice. I'm going to snag that wisdom to apply to myself :happy:
I started out 14 months ago needing to lose 80 lbs. I lost about half of it last year, but stopped during the winter, happy enough I didn't gain any back, but it's time for me to finish this... at times it still seems overwhelming.0 -
i have a long way to go too but I'm sure we can do it!! Good luck to you!
Feel free to add me 0 -
Don't look at the total amount you want to lose. Give yourself small goals on the way to the total amount and go for each goal as if that is the end goal! Hope that helps!0
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.Don't look at the total amount you want to lose. Give yourself small goals on the way to the total amount and go for each goal as if that is the end goal! Hope that helps!
That's a great idea! That is what I am trying to do!0 -
Just goes to show how powerful words can be. Well meaning or not... When we speak things into the lives of others, it can have a profound effect on others. I tell my students (band director) -- You cannot fix yesterday.. You can only fix tomorrow by changing today. You have made some good choices recently and I encourage you to keep up with this lifestyle change... You are sort of in the same boat as I was at the beginning of the year... 344 with a bmi well above 40... Those numbers do not make our golden years a positive experience... So at 52, I started once again to make changes... I weighed 263 this morning and feel much better. I agree, a lifestyle change is key.. but what does this mean, Ms. Robin? It means making changes that you can maintain when you get to the point you aspire to be at.. Essentially eating now like you plan to eat the rest of your life..> This is what makes the difference between a lifestyle change and a "diet"... A diet will always change when you get where you want to be... a lifestyle change is just that... A new way of life. At 57 y-o, I encourage the following...
1. Focus on a quality weight loss over a quantity weight loss. Make sure you are losing at a rate that is consistent with a loss of FAT rather than LEAN MASS.. I buried two friends (one 60 the other 65) who lost weight too fast... They lost muscle mass and had a heart attack... I cannot say for sure that that was the cause... but I will say that it could not have helped.
2. As soon as you are able, get on a good exercise routine... See your Doctor first, though. Aerobic activities such as walking, running, elliptical, etc will help with the weight loss and resistance training of some type will help increase your lean body mass AND hopefully help with the loose skin issue... I have lost 81 lbs so far and really do not have a loose skin issue ... and again, I am 52 yo and have been obese for quite some time. Slow methodical weight loss with good water intake will help with this as well. Also, this can help with those hips as you get close to your ideal weight. Fat will come off where it wants to... and for you , I suspect the hips will be last to go.. BUT eventually , it has to go as well.. and by working those hip adductors, you can tone the muscle mass in that area so it is firmer.
3. You have a long way to go but the journey of a 1000 miles starts with but one step. When I am on a long trip, I often think in terms of making it to the next town.. It helps me to break it up a little better... Right now you are 285... Think how WONDERFUL it will be to be only 250 again.. Then 225 ... then... You get the picture.. Think about the day that you are no longer considered "obese" (for me that number is 240 though I am sure yours is lower)... Break it down into bite size chunks... That is the only way to eat an elephant... one bite at a time...
Best wishes on your success. Keep the faith.. You got this.0 -
We are all in this together!!!!...Like many previous posters have stated, take it one day at a time, and set mini goals. Heck, I even set day goals. It has not been easy, if you look at my profile, you will see where I started. I still have around sixty lbs too go, but, now I just want to get faster and stronger in everything I do. It's funny, I think, I found my one great passion in life and MFP has helped me see that....Stay strong!!! And don't forget to give yourself a pat on your shoulder, you have taken the first step!
:drinker:0 -
There are some amazing people here. Just reading their comments reinforces what an amazing community MFP is! A friend of mine mentioned in passing that she was using MFP - I went away and looked it up, and I'm so glad I did. That was a week ago and now I'm now 5lb lighter. Just by simply eating the recommended daily amounts. No quick fixes, no food group eliminations, no expensive products, pills or surgery.. Just eating less. One small victory at a time. Like you I have over 100lbs to loose but I have every confidence I have the right tools here to be able to acheive this. A big thank you to MFP and a big cheer to all those here that are a part of it.0
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Overwhelm is the amygdala's way of telling you that you are in fight or flight and that it thinks the monsters are going to eat you. It's mistaken. You are going to eat the monster, one bite at a time and your prefrontal cortex is just the buddy you need to do so.
I learned a long time ago that the weight melts off me faster than the thinking changes. Changing my thoughts actually changes more than my attitude. Newest neuroscience research indicates that our thoughts and our actions resculpt our brain. You can actually get a Functional MRI or a SPEC scan and measure/see the changes in our physical brain structures from choices like eating differently, moving differently and THINKING differently. It became so much easier for me succeed at my goals when I learned how to harness the brain's own design to accomplish my goals.
You have a LOT of support here that can be tapped at MFP. You have a lot of chances each day to stick with the old patterns or to take a courageous action, like this post, and change EVERYTHING.
I'm cheering for you.0 -
I know just how you feel I am 53 years old been overweight for most of my life. my journey started on Dec 6,2011 on that day I went to the Dr. to talk about surgery my sons both went with me I had my mind set that I was going to do this. after talking to the Dr my sons said they thought I could do it on my own. SO to prove them wrong I decided to try it on my own. I started small I eat everything but within my calorie goal for Christmas they got me a treadmill Ugh LOL I started MFP about two weeks into my life journey and it has changed my life Nothing goes in my mouth with out it being added on this site. My son told me to give it 28 days because it takes that long to change a habit. I picked a habit to change in that 28 days it was small but hugh for me it was to eat more veggies (I hate veggies) so I did and now I eat them everyday and lots of them. I learn to try new foods and found they are good. Now everyday I try something new and most of the time I find it is not to bad. I eat no sweats and I drink my water before I treat myself to a soda. My Favorite snack that I love is popcorn. I do not think I could do this if I could not have my popcorn. I found an exercise that I LOVE to do I joined the YMCA ( if money is tight they so have a scholarship program that you can apply for your payment is based on your income) I found water aerobics it has changed my life that is for sure. I am in the water for 2-4 hours 3-5 days a week. it is so much easier on the body and the workouts burns calories tone and strengthens . I have lost to date 95 pounds:-) I feel so much better. I started out at 357 and I have a long way to go. for every 50 pounds i lose I treat myself to a charm for my charm bracelet and i wear it proudly. It reminds me to keep going. I am thinking of get in more charms for every 25 pounds I lose still thinking on that . when I go out to eat I plan ahead i ooh on line to see their calorie counts for the food and decide before i go what i am going to get and only order it. I do not eat out much but when traveling i eat at subway and that really is the only time I have bread. I use spray butter on my food and popcorn I drink 64 oz of water a day sometimes more when it is hot. but no more than a gal a day to much water is not good for you. I always set small goal each week and med goal back in march I set a goal to lose 100 pounds by june 30th I was 5 kinds short I was so happy that I got close The old me would of gotten mad and threw in the towel and over ate. this new me is celebrating that I got with in 5 punds of my goal. It all about your mind set and how bad you want it. i chew lots of gum to keep from snacking. I still could sit down and eat a bag of chips if I let myself. Instead I eat pretzels and separate them into snack size bags that equal 110 calories easy to grab and easy to keep track. I eat lot of fruit that is my sweets. I tell everyone that I am on this journey the more support the better. I tell stances everyone at the Y know my church members know all my friends and their family know I figure this way so may people know that I can not stop I have to keep on going. I do not want to tell all them people I failed LOL My next goal is 150 pounds down by Christmas Oh how I want to make that Goal. 150 pounds in a year that be awesome. I believe I can do it and I will sure try hard to make it. Right not I just want to see 100 pounds lost. I tell everyone I lost my 2 granddaughters.LOL take pictures of your self all angles that way you can see the changes. It is hard to do but when you look back you see ow far you came and it motivates you to do more. I make signs on how many pounds lost and then take front sides and back pictures. I look back and I am so amazed how much my body has changed. I think the biggest thing is I never eat what i burn in my workouts I stick to the calories set here on MFP so if I workout and burn 1000 Calories and i eat 1600 cal I do not eat another 1000 cal just because I burn that. Now I know when I hit my goal weight I will have to eat what i burn at lease some of it to Maintain my weight but to lose my weight right now I do not. I know there are people that do but they do not lose as well . Plus my DR told me not to eat what I burn. I do follow up with the Dr. to make sure I am doing things right and I do have a dietitian that I see 2 times a year incase of questions. but on the most part I am doing it on my own. no WW NS or any fad diets for me. I want to keep it off this time and if I am eating everything I love I know I can do it. You can do it to start small set up 3 goals a longterm goal and mini goal and a weekly gaol and you will be just fine. when you start reaching those goals it will motivate you. I am here if you need encouragement you can friend me if you like. the more friends the better. :-) as you can see I have proven my Sons right LOL you can do this yes it can be overwhelming if you only focus on the longterm goal. but it not so overwhelming if you set those little goals you can do this. we are in this together. I call myself the incredible shrinking Woman. LOL I can not wait to see how successful you are. keep up the good work.0
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Hey huni,
you've had a bit of a rough road to be sure but what a great attitude to start with and I know its a big journey but they all start with a single step. You're one step closer than you were yesterday! Please feel free to add me and we'll do this together!! xxx0 -
Don't give up! I'm in the same boat...if we keep rowing side by side we will get to the end of the river! One day at a time!0
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I think you have to think about it not as a diet but as a lifestyle change. That's what has helped me. I've lost 111.4lbs since january 1, 2011. feel free to add me.0
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Hello! Please remember to take everything one day at a time. It's so easy to be overwhelmed looking at it all as a whole - I do it all the time, but broken down, it is a task anyone can accomplish! Feel free to add me as a friend to motivate each other! 0
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What I hear from you, is that you are ready. When we finally make our minds up; things begin to change. I am proud of you for overcoming so many obstacles and you should be proud of that too. This time make it all about you. You deserve this. You deserve it! One day at a time. One pound at a time. You can do this. You are not alone in this journey and we support you, and we believe in you! Concerning, Gary........well, from this day forth he will no longer have control over your self worth! And, in case you are not a "TV" person or "Celeb" person, BIG BOOTIES are REALLY "in style", these days. Google Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez. "Junk in the Trunk" is very vogue. Happy Week! 0
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I think you are making a great decision to keep positive! It's never too late so just stick to it. Do this for yourself, to get your life back, and don't worry about what other people say about your looks (that guy was SO rude!). Pear shapes are sexy too so don't let it get you down!
There are plenty of people and groups around here that have people in your age and weight range. I encourage you to join some of them to get support from people like you.
And if you would like another friend, feel free to add me!
You can do it!0 -
Everyone has ups and downs. I found if we find something physical we love it makes staying in shape easier. I have been battling my weight for a long time. I've had guys tell me if I was skinner I would be pretty and I'm a size 10/12. People can be jerks, it just means they aren't worth it.
YOU need to get into shape for YOU. I stopped thinking of it as a diet and a lifestyle change. to be healthy and treat my body well. when I want that piece of cake or those fries, I have to force myself to think about what nutritional value I would actually be adding to my body and if I had a "treat" this week. the trick is taste everything not eat everything.
get rid of the word die and use the word change. I have been told by a few people that it takes 21 days to make a habit. Make some good habits in your life.
Also make small goals. weigh yourself at the same time whenever you set your weigh-in. say in 4 weeks I am going to lose 5lbs and go from there. every time you meet a goal you'll feel accomplished and it will go by so much faster. Tackle the now and don't focus on the future!
The last thing I'll say is don't think of it as losing weight, think of it as feeling better and energized and giving yourself a long happy and healthy life. do it ALL for YOU.
Trust me I am still struggling but its all in our minds- we can do whatever we put our minds to. it's our bodies.
Positive thoughts to all of you on our journey to feeling better0 -
just keep swimming..... (repeat)0
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First of all, congrats on joining this site! It has its plus and minus like everything, but it is a great tool if used properly. Myself started with 100 pounds to lose last July, and now more than half way over that goal. My advice to you is not to look at the whole picture, but 3-5 pounds at a time. This makes it easier to focus instead of a big number which can be overwhelming. I wish you all the best!0
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I've felt the same way only I'm three years older than you...You lose weight one pound at a time...but really it's not about losing weight...it's about being healthy and making healthy choices...exercising, eating right, being active...and having fun...good luck!!0
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No, no, no, no!
Don't look at your challenge that way, or it does seem overwhelming. You are going to do just fine if you take this one step at a time. As for the weight...
You only have 1 pound to lose.
That is all. ONE POUND!
MFP is set up for us to lose 1 pound every week, so just stop stressing, and take this one pound at a time. In a year, that's 52 pounds. In 2 years, you have over 100.
ONE POUND!
No stress - no drama and no turning back. As for everything else, just keep punching, and all will be possible for YOU!
Good Luck :flowerforyou:
ITA! I have been a yo-yo dieter because I always wanted to lose the weight NOW! And the I would give up when I wasn't dropping 5 pounds in a week. Now I just make the effort, EVERY day, to eat healthier, move more. I've tried to put the words "I'll do that once I lose the weight" out of my vocabulary. I'll darn well do it NOW, thank you very much! If you don't like the way I look while I'm doing it, look the other way! :P
Keep that attitude! I have no doubt you'll be asked out again...and again...but if you aren't, who cares? Take yourself out for a nice, healthy, dinner. Better yet, cook healthy meals for yourself, and light candles and listen to nice music while you eat. Dance around the house...all by yourself!
You've got this!! 0 -
:happy: I know how you feel started 360 on and off then finally got to 319 and found myfitnesspal and now am at 302.8 no matter what do not give up it is a struggle but it is one that it worth it!!! keep it up you are worth it :happy:0
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Hi ---
I'm fifty-sever years old I've had weight issues since I was twelve. I've been keeping track of my diet on myfitnesspal for about two months now and in that time I've lost 15 pounds, which is a major undertaking for me. I kind of threw in the towel with my weight many years ago after a well-meaning guy that I worked with told me he felt sorry for me because he knew I had worked really hard to lose weight (which I had. I was exercising and was in a size 12 jeans for the first time since long before puberty) and he finished off with a look of pity in his eyes as he said, "And you still have such big hips."
It's true --- I have a big butt and a pear shape --- That's just the way it is. But after that well-meaning, but obviously misguided comment, I took on a 'screw it' attitude and it's been downhill (Or should I say 'Uphill') ever since. Since that time I was married for 17 years, had three kids and have been divorced for seven years.and in that time my weight has ballooned to 285 pounds, give or take a few pounds as it fluctuated with yo-yo dieting as I half-heartedly tried one fad diet after another.
I'm 57 years old and I feel so old! I've been dieting a little more seriously off and on for the last couple of years and my weight is now down to 261 pounds, which I feel good about. But I have such a long way to go! And then, what will I look like after carrying all this weight around for so long? I worry about sagging skin, flab, loss of muscle mass and all that. It's frustrating and scary. But I just want to get my life back. I've been letting my weight hold me back from so much for so long! I'm embarrassed to be seen in public, feeling like everyone is looking at my enormous hips and rear end. Thank you, Gary!
I've got a new determination to make this lifestyle change. I refuse to call it a diet.I've always been a sugar junkie and I've cut way down on sugar. I've all but cut any kind of pop (soda --- We call it 'pop' in Western New York) including diet pop out of my life. I eat a lot less candy --- just enough to keep my sugar craving at bay. I've been exercising more --- mostly yard work and gardening, since I let that go for quite a while as well --- and have been eating healthier in general, eating all things in moderation. And a week ago I went out on my first date since my divorce almost seven years ago! I even amazed myself! It was terrifying and turned out to be a disaster, but hey, I've broken the ice! I'm a little depressed at this point, but it gives me a little hope that my life may not be over after all, since someone actually asked me out after all this time. After my divorce I threw in the towel on love, too, and just assumed that part of my life was over. But if there's one man out there who finds me appealing, there may possibly be more. Ya think?
So that's my long and convoluted life story. I'm glad I stumbled upon myfitnesspal. I've found it to be very inspiring and I hope to be even more inspired by having a support group that I can turn to online. Best of luck to all of you and, please, wish me good luck, too!
Baby steps! Take it one day at a time. When you look at the big picture it can be overwhelming. You have to keep a mentality of, "This is my life now....with or without weight loss, I'm going to make healthier choices FOR MYSELF." I really had to work hard at changing my mentality in this regard, and I'm still working on it, truth be told. I remember what it was like to be thin and fit (I lost 45-50lbs as a high school junior), and I want so badly to look like that again. However, the truth is, even when I lose my weight I won't ever look like that again because I'm 17 years older than I was when I graduated high school. Even if I hadn't gained all this weight, I still wouldn't look the same as I did 17 years ago. Is that a reason for me to be worried that I will be just as unhappy after I lose all the weight as I was at 297lbs? Absolutely not! Even if I don't look as good as I imagine I will, I will still be far better off. I will be more mobile, and more confident. I'll be able to participate in life again instead of sitting on the couch watching it pass me by. I'll feel healthier and more energetic. Many of the aches and pains I have now will have been nearly, if not completely, eliminated. There are a million and one good reasons to lose weight, and looking good may be one of them, but it is not at the top of the list...not for me, anyway.-0 -
Robin, definitely think of this as a journey, a life-style change...not a diet or a quick fix. Some folks will tell you not to think long-term, just focus on what you need to do today. But I wanted to lose 100 lbs when I started here at the end of February. I told myself that if I lose 1 pound every week, I'll be down 100 lbs in two years. Two years may seem like a long time, but it isn't really. Time flies! And if you keep doing what you're doing, you WILL get there. If I think of this as a life-style change, I'm eating healthier NOW to lose the weight...but I'll still be eating healthier THEN to maintain my fitness.
You have so much going for you already...less sugar, less pop, etc. Personally I would suggest dropping most processed foods (anything in a box or a can) and drink more water. That is what's been working for me. And get moving. If it hurts to walk, get a stationary bike. If you have access to a pool, just walking in the water is a great workout...and not so hard on your joints. Just know that every move you make is getting you closer to your goal. You don't have to be moving all the time, but make sure you move a little more every day.
You can totally do this. Your age? Your weight? Ain't nuthin' but numbers. You are a strong, driven, independent woman. And you can totally do this!0 -
I think it's awesome that you are on your journey again. I think the first time when you heard that comment you did not feel powerful, and I hope this time you feel truly powerful through this journey. It really can't be about what other people think about you, but how you feel about yourself. Even though it seems like an impossible feet right now, it is completely possible. It is all about your commitment. You have to say to yourself everyday, I am worth every good choice. You have to remember that health is #1. The food you put in your body is the fuel for your day, so keep remembering that. I'm a sugar bug myself. I have found things that satisfy my craving without compromising my hard work. Live positive and live possible. Also, set realistic goals for yourself. Set your ticker to lose 10lbs and lose those 10lbs, Then you can adjust each time you hit those goals. We're rooting for you here. Good luck on your journey. :-)0
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You made the 1st step by joining here, so congrats on that great decision!! I had a starting weight on here of 263, so I'm in the same boat with a lot to lose. I try not to dwell on my total amt to lose (even though I know it's 100+ lbs). It's very overwhelming that way. I set small goals, so I can see achievements! It feels so much better that way! I made an excel chart with weekly dates through the end of this year. I use Friday's, as that's my weigh in day. I have this hanging right next to my bathroom mirror so I see it often. I write in each Friday what I weigh in at and each 5th week if I've accomplished my goal of 10lbs within that 5 weeks. So far it's working for me aiming for those little goals! Yes, I log on here and post my losses but the sheet next to my mirror is a constant reminder of where I started from and where I want to be. It keeps you focused on those little milestones that we tend to not congratulate ourselves on. Friend me if you'd like as we embark on the lifestyle change.0
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I'm so glad you joined MFP, that is a great positive change! I am currently 244 so I am not too far off from where you are. I too worry about saggin skin, and that empty feeling when its all said and done. But that will be better than the health risks that being obese is giving us. I have been on MFP for 2 weeks after a half hearted attempt for a few months prior. But this site works! Through guided nutrition and a supportive community. I lost 40 lbs on this site 6 years ago. It is awesome! you seem to have a new attitude and I think that is great! Welcome, and I hope you add me as a friend! 0
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deleted duplicate post.0
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Hi!
Great job on your weight loss!! I find logging what I eat helps a lot! Try to make small goals for yourself as far as the weight loss goes...don't look at the end look at how you're going to get there. It will take time but it's worth it...YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!
I would suggest adding exercise into your day...when I first started I hated even walking to the mailbox! I was very self conscience. I weighed over 300 pounds and was embarrassed to go out of the house. But I managed to get to work each day. lol! So I definately understand how you might feel.
I started with a Leslie Sansone walking DVD and I liked it...eventually loved it. By exercising it will help the sagging skin as you lose the weight. It will help your muscles become toner and you will feel great!
Keep up the fantastic work!! :flowerforyou:0
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