Healthy Weight Loss

[Zimmeh]

Congratulations on all of your successes. I to, had to learn how to let negative friends go and learn how to live my life for me.

Hugs,

Zimmy

Originally Posted by sylvie

i've made some really big, and hard changes in my life, and am doing the hard work right now and it's difficult, but i'm celebrating some small successes.. This is why i haven't been around for a bit, though around just not "around", being active here, i guess are the right words.

i've sought out help with my eating disorder - i'm a binger...(was once binge AND purge) but for the passed 6-7 years it's been binge only... i keep falling off course with my wanting to lose weight and be healthy, because i go back to binging and i needed to get to the point where i recognized i have a real problem here and it's not only making me unhappy, but hurting my health.

what causes me to binge? stress, sadness, happiness, anger, exhaustion... in other words, many things, but sadly i pushed a lot of people out of my life both friends and family, due to the binging.. food has become my peace in life, and so i've finally taken some steps to work through this eating disorder of mine and making some changes..

1/ OA - difficult beyond belief, i've mixed feelings about this.
2/ counselling - i have 2 more sessions and then i start counselling at another level..
3/ Crisis and Coping Skills course - for panic, anxiety and relaxation & stress
4/ frequent visits with a dietician who is helping me reshape my entire food plan, way of thinking, portion control, etc.
5/ frequent online OA meetings
6/ blogging, lots of blogging...
7/ Abstinence from lots of foods and drinks i love - is my greatest challenge right now.

i have never in my life taken such steps nor wanted to, admitting i had a real problem was the biggest step i've taken until recently, and putting all of this in the works has been extremely overwhelming and emotional for me.. i 'am' proud of myself, and hope now i can really work at taking the steps i need to be a healthier, happier and thinner me!

i'm extremely lucky for Mtn in my life, He's been the most amazing support & encouragement, and literally holds me together in my weakest moments.. i have just started to tell my family who have had no idea all of these years and am finding some support through them as well..

-----
so my goal with all of this is to keep at my healthy eating plan, use all the wonderful tools i have in place, couple all of that with some exercise each day and really be successful at doing this!

Admitting all of this, is one of the hardest things i've had to do in these passed couple of weeks, and doing this helps me be held accountable to keep doing my work ...

[sylvie]

Originally Posted by ZimmygLrL

Congratulations on all of your successes. I to, had to learn how to let negative friends go and learn how to live my life for me.

Hugs,

Zimmy

it's a difficult task! i can soo relate..actually dealing with some situations in my life that i am learning to let go of, so i can completely focus on my well being - some people really drag me down, down and then down some more.. toxic!

thank you Zimmy bunches! As hard as it all is, it's the positive outcomes that have me smiling! it feels great =)

[sylvie]

i soooo struggle with motivation for exercise..
i get out and walk when i need to go places, but i need motivation to get up and moving every day, more than just walking to work and back..

i have tons of things i could do, i have a gym membership, i have an elliptical here at home, ive DVD's, i have a stepper and other small exercise tools, weights, i have a bike i could ride the trails at the lake here near home - the list goes on and on...

what things get you all motivated to just do it!?
i know once i get at it, i feel great about doing so.. i need to be consistent though, thats where my motivation lacks!

[Kelt]

Originally Posted by sylvie

i soooo struggle with motivation for exercise..
i get out and walk when i need to go places, but i need motivation to get up and moving every day, more than just walking to work and back..

i have tons of things i could do, i have a gym membership, i have an elliptical here at home, ive DVD's, i have a stepper and other small exercise tools, weights, i have a bike i could ride the trails at the lake here near home - the list goes on and on...

what things get you all motivated to just do it!?
i know once i get at it, i feel great about doing so.. i need to be consistent though, thats where my motivation lacks!

What do you like to do that involves moving around? Do any of those things bring you true pleasure? Maybe you just need to do your favorite thing often enough that it becomes a habit and a reward together. You have mentioned some of the challenges you are overcoming with the mental associations, could there be a denial of pleasure involved? Don't worry too much about which is the best workout for now, just do what is fun and form some new associations to physical activity.

[Zimmeh]

I enjoy power walking and what motivates me to do it, is the fact that I can forget the world exists an hour a day!

Have a great day!

Zimmy

Originally Posted by sylvie

i soooo struggle with motivation for exercise..
i get out and walk when i need to go places, but i need motivation to get up and moving every day, more than just walking to work and back..

i have tons of things i could do, i have a gym membership, i have an elliptical here at home, ive DVD's, i have a stepper and other small exercise tools, weights, i have a bike i could ride the trails at the lake here near home - the list goes on and on...

what things get you all motivated to just do it!?
i know once i get at it, i feel great about doing so.. i need to be consistent though, thats where my motivation lacks!

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by sylvie

i soooo struggle with motivation for exercise..
i get out and walk when i need to go places, but i need motivation to get up and moving every day, more than just walking to work and back..

i have tons of things i could do, i have a gym membership, i have an elliptical here at home, ive DVD's, i have a stepper and other small exercise tools, weights, i have a bike i could ride the trails at the lake here near home - the list goes on and on...

what things get you all motivated to just do it!?
i know once i get at it, i feel great about doing so.. i need to be consistent though, thats where my motivation lacks!

What works best for YOU? Do you need an immediate reward or can you work towards a reward goal?

For example, I could go buy a dress that I really wanted if I worked out for x number of days continually or on schedule. Or I could allow myself a half an hour of personal, just for me time after each workout of a half hour or more. Or for every day you work out, put x amount of money aside for a future pleasure.

It's nice to say that the workout is motivation enough, but sometimes it's not. Sometimes you need that extra push to get you there and through it, even though you know it is good for you.

I do agree that doing something you enjoy for the workout is important, otherwise you'll come to resent the workout and that's not the path to follow.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by Gemme

What works best for YOU? Do you need an immediate reward or can you work towards a reward goal?

For example, I could go buy a dress that I really wanted if I worked out for x number of days continually or on schedule. Or I could allow myself a half an hour of personal, just for me time after each workout of a half hour or more. Or for every day you work out, put x amount of money aside for a future pleasure.

It's nice to say that the workout is motivation enough, but sometimes it's not. Sometimes you need that extra push to get you there and through it, even though you know it is good for you.

I do agree that doing something you enjoy for the workout is important, otherwise you'll come to resent the workout and that's not the path to follow.

I love this idea.

I'm not a person who enjoys excercise...unless flopping around in the pool in slow motion is exercise.

I like walking on the beach, but we don't get to do that as often as we like due to work schedules....at least not often enough to qualify as regular exercise.

We got the Mobia, and I just need to get my rear up on it and walk every day. It (clearly) will work....it just isn't fun. I can distract myself with TV and it's in the air-conditioned house - which helps a great deal. But that's like removing some of the pain...not a reward.

I think I need to set up a reward system for myself. Maybe I'll print up a calendar and check off every day I get on the Mobia....and give myself a new book on the Kindle for every x number of days or something. Details to be arranged.

[sylvie]

Originally Posted by Gemme

What works best for YOU? Do you need an immediate reward or can you work towards a reward goal?

For example, I could go buy a dress that I really wanted if I worked out for x number of days continually or on schedule. Or I could allow myself a half an hour of personal, just for me time after each workout of a half hour or more. Or for every day you work out, put x amount of money aside for a future pleasure.

It's nice to say that the workout is motivation enough, but sometimes it's not. Sometimes you need that extra push to get you there and through it, even though you know it is good for you.

I do agree that doing something you enjoy for the workout is important, otherwise you'll come to resent the workout and that's not the path to follow.

Gemme!!
thank you! its kind of funny, my counsellor just suggested this very thing for me yesterday, even. to set some goals, if i complete the things i want as a way to motivate myself, and i have to say it works.. today i jumped right to it =)

but i also love your idea of putting money aside too, for someone who lives pay to pay and has 2 teenagers eating me out of the home - money has been a struggle of mine.. but putting a lil aside here and there, would be the best idea because then it wouldnt be so hard come reward time ..

you always have such great ideas!! ♥ *smiles* thank you!

[sweetfemme247]

I am having a issue with exercising to lose weight, I dont want to walk alone, if I have to I wont do it. no one in my family will go with me.... it is hard for me to lose weight also due to my thyroid and it doesnt work very well.

[amnesia.bfp]

Do I think it's healthy to obsess about calories?

I can't remember.

Who am I?

[Thinker]

WW is still working for me. I admit that I'm getting a wee bit bored with it, but that's only because it is way more fun to eat whatever it is I want when the mood strikes. But... That's life; I would be happy in that moment and kinda miserable the rest of the time.

Anyway... Back to the positive.

After 7 weeks I've lost a total of 12 pounds; that's half of my goal.

Good stuff...

[foxyshaman]

I like WW, I like having a witness. Between that and CBT I am making real changes that are lasting real time. I have lost 25 lbs, and inches off everywhere. I am fitting back into my 'older' clothes. This time I am throwing out the clothes I shrink out of. I really feel like I got it this time. The CBT has really worked for me.

I also have worked the gym into my routine. It is a six block walk from the office, classes start at 5, I am off at 4:45. It works perfectly. I try to go Mon - Thurs every week, but lets face it that is not always possible. I do go a min of twice a week. I love my Zumba classes, love to dance & my weight lifting class. I am not looking for muscles... like I need more bulk <geesh>. And I *try* to get out to walk every weekend, but again that is just not always top on my list of things to do. And there is a GREAT gay yoga class on Sundays and if I have no patients I go to that one. And he does make me sweat.

Each day is a new day. Every week is a new week. I don't expect miracle weight loss. It took me years to get this way, its not going to go away in a jiffy. I feel great. My goals are in 5 lb increments. The end goal is going to get there when I get there... in the mean time I have lots of mini goals to accomplish.

[Zimmeh]

I have found counting calories and portion control helps me to maintain my weight.

Zimmy

Originally Posted by amnesia.bfp

Do I think it's healthy to obsess about calories?

I can't remember.

Who am I?

[Rockinonahigh]

I found a way to get the weight to go away but it takes some time for it to work,for me it ws 2 weeks.Since the doc said I was as colse to being diabetic as I can be I had best watch it by cuting carbs,I thought I was doing a good job cause I was loseing weight with the exersiseing I was doin but when I took my ac1test it was a 6.6...yeah right.So I told the doc I wanted a meeter to track how my body uses carbs or am I cuting enough carbs out to do any good with out doing harm..I mean the bod dose need some carbs,Useing the meeter by testing three times a week both day and night I have found the carb leval that works to keep my suagr levals anywhere from 85 wich is right on to 104( I fudged that day and ate something I shouldnt have) mostly I stay about 90to 101.I had to change a lot of my fav friuts to only the ones that are as low as possable in carbs to only haveing bread once or twice a week,no cereal ect,ect.Anyway its working just fine,I also joined a wellness center and am going as many days as I can, usely four days.I am loseing a bout two pounds a week last weigh in was down to 264 from the last weigh in a t 266.What I have found that really burns calories for me is the rowing machine,I can go into zen mode and row my little hearts content,I use the other stuff to keep body balance but I dig the rower.

[Leigh]

Hi everyone,

Well its summertime, and I've decided to kick-start My weight loss now even though I will be indoors most of the summer watching My sister. I don't mind it, but I also need to work on getting some of this weight off. I know that I will be supported greatly here, and just want to look for ideas to help Me in getting started but also to have that support that I may not always have here. I do have My parents and a couple of friends to support Me, however I think being among friends here too is going to benefit Me in the long run.

I put on My facebook status the other day that I was thinking of joining Weight Watchers, what do you all think of that? Should I just stick to trying exercise and eating right or would that be a good idea too? Does anyone have experience or know someone who has been to WW and if so, what was your overall opinion of it? Right now this is just a thought in My head but I'm just looking for feedback whatever it may be. I plan on using the summer to read over this thread, write down idea of things to try plus I'm also thinking of buying a bike this summer and getting a gym membership. I have a doctor's appointment next week and plan on getting weighed but three months ago I was 374 ~ thats the highest I've ever been.

I look forward to having this thread, and My Planet family, there to help Me to finally begin getting healthy :-)

[PinkieLee]

Hi Matthew

First, CONGRATULATIONS for taking that first step to living a healthier life! WW is a great program... for me, it keeps me accountable for what I eat and how much physical activity I do.

I would first suggest keeping a food journal and writing down every single thing that you eat. Sometimes, as we go about our day, we don't even realize how much & when we eat (out of boredom, stress). Once I started keeping track of it all, I was more aware of when/what I ate and was able to control eating habits.

Another thing that I've always had a problem with is protion control. Go to any restaurant... the plates are the size of platters now and can easily be split between 2 people, or saved for 2 meals! At home, we've switched to eating meals on salad plates. It tricks my mind thinking that I've got a full plate!

Another thing... drink TONS of water!! I can't stress this enough!

You mentioned about exercising over the summer. Even indoors, you can exercise. There are millions of workout videos or tv exercise programs on every single day. If that's not your thing, just grab your sister and take a walk around the block. It's good for both of you... and let's you enjoy some quality time with her

GOOD LUCK my friend!

[sylvie]

Originally Posted by PinkieLee

Another thing that I've always had a problem with is protion control. Go to any restaurant... the plates are the size of platters now and can easily be split between 2 people, or saved for 2 meals! At home, we've switched to eating meals on salad plates. It tricks my mind thinking that I've got a full plate!

GOOD LUCK my friend!

i sooo hear you about portion control, it was one of my biggest problems (still is).. my dietician actually helped me with portions just recently, and my meal plan..

just as the suggestion, she said meat should be 2 oz.. that vegetables should cover half of the plate, the protein and starch should just be small bits.. this was a huge adjustment for me, i was doing the opposite lots of times lol..

she also said it's important to eat snacks between meals.. morning snack is fruit, afternoon snack is fruit and a protein, and evening snack is anything from 100-150 calories.. Along with my meals, breakfast (protein, starch and fruit), lunch (protein, starch and vegetables) and same for supper..

i find following that food plan (which is possible is much like ww) - i don't feel hungry, and even in the evenings which is when i would do most of my binge eating, i dont even go for food, i feel content and full .. it amazes me, i never thought i would ever get my night binging under control..

i have always been very interested in trying ww.. Just curious, are they meals you have to buy (ww meals) or is it a book of recipes that you follow? i know they do a point system right? do you just get points for eating what you want sorta thing and have to stay within a certain amount?

i'm starting to be in a safe place emotionally where i can maybe start following a plan like that as far as eating goes..

[foxyshaman]

I really like WW. I like it because it is a witness on my journey. I have good weeks and not so good weeks. I joined last year for the first time and did not fall off the wagon...nope I lept off the wagon.

This year is different because I started at the same time with a therapist and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to find out WHY I overate, or ate my emotions. I never realized that I was an emotional eater until January. In hindsight I can't imagine why I never saw it before <shoulder shrug> but I did not. I like the points system of WW. I love that fruits and veges are zero points that makes it simpler. I am a vegetarian and I have cut out dairy, which was hard but has really helped me physically. I tried eating Raw, but the most I could do and sustain for any amount was 70% raw and the rest cooked or processed.

I do think combining my process with exercise is key to me. I feel good. I have only had three overeating episodes since January and that is pretty darn good.

Good luck Matthew!! And PinkieLee...jogging... girl that is my "in the future I will" idea!! That is inspiring. 8 lbs is fantastic! Keep it up.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Matthew

Hi everyone,

Well its summertime, and I've decided to kick-start My weight loss now even though I will be indoors most of the summer watching My sister. I don't mind it, but I also need to work on getting some of this weight off. I know that I will be supported greatly here, and just want to look for ideas to help Me in getting started but also to have that support that I may not always have here. I do have My parents and a couple of friends to support Me, however I think being among friends here too is going to benefit Me in the long run.

I put on My facebook status the other day that I was thinking of joining Weight Watchers, what do you all think of that? Should I just stick to trying exercise and eating right or would that be a good idea too? Does anyone have experience or know someone who has been to WW and if so, what was your overall opinion of it? Right now this is just a thought in My head but I'm just looking for feedback whatever it may be. I plan on using the summer to read over this thread, write down idea of things to try plus I'm also thinking of buying a bike this summer and getting a gym membership. I have a doctor's appointment next week and plan on getting weighed but three months ago I was 374 ~ thats the highest I've ever been.

I look forward to having this thread, and My Planet family, there to help Me to finally begin getting healthy :-)

Congratulations, Matthew, on making that decision!

Pinkie's suggestion about water is so perfect! You will be amazed at how much better you feel once you start doing it.

I highly recommend head-to-toe stretching......at least 10 minutes.....every morning and every evening. Do every stretch you can think of for every part of your body and hold each stretch for about 4 deep inhale/exhale breaths. I like doing that instead of counting because sometimes I find myself holding my breath while I stretch. Concentrate on the breathing as well as getting a good stretch on the muscles.

Good luck, brother!

[sylvie]

wheeeeeeeeeeeee !!

look at you all!! *smiling big* congratz!!

it always tickles me pink to see people making lifestyle choices for better health, because it not only motivates me to keep at it, but reminds me of when i first decided i needed to do something.. it's still a struggle of mine, but i'm really on the right track finally..

one thing that helps me, is like Tonya said, to record everything you eat in the run of a day.. i'm much like she said, eating things i didn't even realize i eat and makes a big difference in the calorie intake..

Water, is the biggest thing for me as well.. i cut off my sodapop some months ago, as well as any sugary juices and drinks, and i drink lots and lots of water.. That alone makes such a huge difference in my energy level each day - i can't believe how much the sugar weighed me down.. Not to mention it just makes me feel healthier overall..

Something i could suggest is to make a list, of rules you want to follow each day, or a chart to follow each day and mark off as you do things.. i have mine hanging right next to my pc on my wall, so every little thing i accomplish each day, i mark it off.. i have set a weekly goal, and a monthly goal, to reward myself if i am successful in following my rules and doing everything like exercise, drinking water, eating breakfast, etc etc..

Oh and speaking of breakfast, make sure you eat a good breakfast each day, thats something i rarely did but now, i do and it makes a big difference as well.. Lots of fruits and veggies too!!

Good luck to those of you who started your healthy journeys too and keep coming back - cuz if we all motivate and encourage one another, it will be a huge help for us all..

and Tonya, super big congrats on the 8 lbs, thats wonderful!! so proud of you xoxoxo!