Healthy Weight Loss

[girl_dee]

Originally Posted by justkim

When I look in the mirror I still see that FAT girl...
Today I went and got some new clothes for work...
I have been wearing my larger sized clothes to hide...
Hide who I was and who I am becoming... It felt safe... I felt safe...
Then I got the promotion at work and realized I needed to not look so frumpy...
You can not work in this industry and look frumpy...
Even though the sizes were much smaller than I expected, I still saw that FAT girl in the mirror...
I am trying so hard to change how *I* see myself...

(((((((( Kim )))))))))))

i am so frustrated, same few pounds coming and going and for 6 weeks have done whatever i know how to get it to MOVE off and stay off.

My goal was to be down those 15 pounds by my NOLA trip in June. It isn't happening and i'm completely down about it.

[sylvie]

Good Morning Healthies,

Off to walk uptown, and then heading to the Gym.
i am really humbled by some of the people in my life, who are so willing to use their own time and help me develop a program..

A guy i work with, is really going above and beyond for me ..
And Candace and i have been working together everyday as well, via Skype and sharing our journeys, she's amazing, inspiring & came along at such a good time .. We share the same journey and passion to healthy ourselves up..

And then, you all here.. Between reps, messages, motivation & tips..
Thank you all for being here each and every day!
Sincerely, i am so grateful for you all ♥

[justkim]

I think you look fabulous! Ride the bike everywhere... I bet you will be dropping the weight by the time you leave now that you can get outside and move.
Be kind to yourself... This is something I keep reminding myself to do...

You got this!

Originally Posted by Cajun_dee

(((((((( Kim )))))))))))

i am so frustrated, same few pounds coming and going and for 6 weeks have done whatever i know how to get it to MOVE off and stay off.

My goal was to be down those 15 pounds by my NOLA trip in June. It isn't happening and i'm completely down about it.

[Lady_Di]

From someone I respect greatly... we were discussing pain and suffering, don't even remember why that was the topic, but this is great way to look at it.

...about change

changing

challenges and everyday stuff

There are 2 ways to grow...


Thru pain because we have to

OR

Thru love because we want to


The decision is ultimately yours


I think this was in reference to my complaining about why o why does pain have to be part of this change process, not even sure which changing process I was talking about. But the truth is resistance is futile. lol...Change is gonna happen. The point I think she was making to me is how we can choose to view that change. Thru the eyes of love and care, or by resisting and arguing, fighting.





...not that pain is always a bad thing, just sayin~

[JoSchmooze]

On the way home from the gym,
I stopped at the Costco to get almonds and walnuts...
They had shorts on sale....
AHA!! I got into a smaller size.....
Neener, neener, neener
to being angry......

Keep on trucking, folks....
It does get better.....

[Medusa]

Looks like I'm not alone in having a bit of a low point!

I am STUCK at 289. Have been for months. I had gotten down to 284 at one point and have crept...well, no I haven't crept, I leapfrogged back to 289 almost overnight.

I really want to break out of the 280's but have caught myself eating more junk lately and just over all not giving a shit again. I hestitate to say I don't give a shit because I do but it's more about energy. I have had to focus my energies elsewhere lately and didn't realize that it takes a LOT of energy to focus on the self.

Needless to say, nothing to add except a biggo "I hear you" to all of us who are in a lull. I think that fact that I can even come in here and admit it without fear or shame is a huge healthy point for me.

Gotta take what I can get!

[sylvie]

Tonya & Medusa , (((huggs)))

The two of you are not alone..Believe me..
The last two months have been something difficult for me as well..
It's true, it takes an immense amount of energy on working on self.
i lost complete motivation, and these last few days have been much better, and i can thank Candace for that, sincerely.

She has been going through the exact same thing, sometimes i think it's power in numbers.. Candace and i have been meeting via skype, messenger & email everyday, keeping ourselves accountable and motivating each other.

It's nice to have someone who really understands, and we both lend a side of this to one another that the other didn't have before.. And really, just having someone to chittychat with about anything.. Seriously, even if it's merely 5 mins - it helps..

Join us, we should all have one another's details and lean on each other.. i think that's the magic of this thread, friendships and having that 'real' motivation.. Even if distanced, having someone at the end of the day that you can say okay, this is what i did and tomorrow will be a better day..

For the first time in a long time, i am feeling that motivation.. i'm still stumbling a little here & there, but hell it's more than i've been doing.. i feel it building each day..

You most likely already have Candace, but add me (and anyone else who would want to, Skype, or email or messenger or all 3.. It's such a helpful tool to do this with friends..

[starryeyes]

I have not been doing anything or actively tracking. Ugh I hate losing my motivation. I am not gaining weight tho, just being stable. I really want to get out and walk/run 4 days a week again. I am going to work on that goal.

A friend of mine suggested Slimquick. It is drink packets you put into water. I am on my 2nd week. I have not had any weight loss with it (surprise, surprise) but! It gives me energy and takes away my bloat. I have nothing but positive things to say about it, and it tastes good. It also helps suppress my appetite. I have noticed a big difference. I am sure if I added some exercise I would see more results!

[*Anya*]

I have not posted in here for quite a while.

I had not been doing too well myself-just feeling stuck.

Since March 8th as I have posted elsewhere, I have had two major surgeries and at least 3 invasive procedures under general anesthesia. I still have one more to go before hopefully, I will be finished.

I have lost 14 pounds in two months which is a record for me. I would not recommend any of it as a weight loss technique.

I did my BMI this morning and am still overweight for my height. Now at the low end instead of teetering on the upper end but overweight, none-the-less.

It is hard for me to cook for myself now or even to eat. I literally have to force myself sometimes. You would think the weight would be melting off but having virtually zero exercise does not help.

I used to walk 30 minutes in the AM and 30 minutes in the afternoon, plus a series of exercises (including sit-ups) but barely can drag myself from living room to bathroom most of the time. I am trying to get myself to get on the floor to do sit-ups but do fear the pain from my two abdominal surgeries so just keep putting it off. I know I need to just try it and it may be OK.
I used to haves fairly high pain tolerance but it is now pretty low after these last couple of months.

I can't really say I have been eating unhealthfully- well, except for the pint of Ben & Jerry's I ate a week or so ago in lieu of breakfast and lunch for a couple of days. I really hate copping to that publicly but it is the truth.

We all struggle in our own way. All we can do is the best we can and keep on trying.

I will work on following my own advice.

[PinkieLee]

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing what's going on in your lives, too. If this journey wasn't so hard, with so many factors that come into play, we would all be skinny minis by now

I have been overanalyzing every single word of that simple conversation (that perhaps some others would have considered motivating) looking for answers as to why it left me with such an low feeling. I've been beating myself up because I let old negative self talk creep into my thoughts. Maybe it was a last straw on my already frazzled mental state... who knows.

All I know is that I want to succeed at every goal I have ever envisioned for myself and I refuse to go down without a fight... and yes there is still fight left in me!

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

I have not posted in here for quite a while.

I had not been doing too well myself-just feeling stuck.

Since March 8th as I have posted elsewhere, I have had two major surgeries and at least 3 invasive procedures under general anesthesia. I still have one more to go before hopefully, I will be finished.

I have lost 14 pounds in two months which is a record for me. I would not recommend any of it as a weight loss technique.

I did my BMI this morning and am still overweight for my height. Now at the low end instead of teetering on the upper end but overweight, none-the-less.

It is hard for me to cook for myself now or even to eat. I literally have to force myself sometimes. You would think the weight would be melting off but having virtually zero exercise does not help.

I used to walk 30 minutes in the AM and 30 minutes in the afternoon, plus a series of exercises (including sit-ups) but barely can drag myself from living room to bathroom most of the time. I am trying to get myself to get on the floor to do sit-ups but do fear the pain from my two abdominal surgeries so just keep putting it off. I know I need to just try it and it may be OK.
I used to haves fairly high pain tolerance but it is now pretty low after these last couple of months.

I can't really say I have been eating unhealthfully- well, except for the pint of Ben & Jerry's I ate a week or so ago in lieu of breakfast and lunch for a couple of days. I really hate copping to that publicly but it is the truth.

We all struggle in our own way. All we can do is the best we can and keep on trying.

I will work on following my own advice.

Anya, It sounds like such a hard time, but my sense is that you are moving through it. Would any kind of physical therapy be available or useful to you? I'm glad it's spring and not fall and hope that the slowly improving weather helps your morale a little. I haven't been on the site as much but noticed your post right away. Here's a big hug to you, IslandScout

[yotlyolqualli]

Diabetes runs through my family tree, like watered down sap. It comes from both sides, and so, it was no surprise to me to be diagnosed with it when I was 31 years old. My eldest sister, ten years older than I, had been fighting the disease for about seven years before I was diagnosed. By that time, her diabetes had affected her eyes and had begun to affect her feet and legs. By the time I was 37, she had lost one foot, several toes and her eyesight to the disease. My diabetes was more out of control and took much larger doses of insulin, than she did. She is now 52, and in total renal failure, needing dialysis, three times a week. I was also on medicine for high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

So, knowing, by my sister's example, what was in store for me, I began looking into what options I had. My doctor began pushing me towards gastric bypass. Insulin, while controlling diabetes, also damages your kidneys. He told me that I was too young to be on so much insulin. Anyway, after prayer, alot of back and forth self arguing, I finally decided to go with the bypass, but on my terms. I refused to use the bariatric center he wanted to refer me too, and took it upon myself to find the best doctor and the best medical center. After searching, I settled on the bariatric weightloss center at Hershey Medical center in Hershey, Pa.

I went through a 6 month program, learning about the different procedures that could be done and learning about what would happen after surgery, what and how to eat after surgery. (I lost 91 pounds on my own, 31 of them, during this 6 month period)

I lucked out, was referred to the head bariatric surgeon, and on 12/10/07 I underwent a roux-en-y laproscopic gastric bypass. My pre-surgical weight was 268 and my lowet weight after surgery, was 135. I gained weight back, due to several things, and want to lose about 20 pounds now.

This is not the easiest path to take. The bypass caused me to have my gall bladder removed, to have a bowel obstruction and was, in part, responsible for a massive internal bleed in the spring of 2011.

Now, I am chronically anemic (to the point of needing IV infusions of iron, at times) I am considered chronically mal-nourished and my hemoglobin has a tendency to drop, causing the need for blood transfusions.

I am back to walking 3-5 miles daily but am not allowed to push myself. Anemia=dizziness= a high rish of falls. A high risk of falling + my bloods slowness to clot could = bad bad stuff, so I am limited to 5 miles a day.

In the end, the surgery, though having caused and still causing alot of problems, my daibetes has been completely resolved. All of my A1C's have been normal and I can eat pretty much, a normal diet. I am also off ALL midications, except for vitamin and nutritional supplements. I am cautious about what I eat, and can't tolerate any trans fat, but other than that, I'm doing alright.

This, again, was/is not the easy way to weight loss. It's just a tool that I used/use to reach and maintain a much healthier weight and lifestyle.

My motto, throughout all of this was and is... if I screw up today..I'll start over again in the morning. Like, if I eat a candy bar (it makes me sick to do so.. literally, but damn it... monthly homoromal changes DEMAND chocolate..lol) or I choose to stay in bed instead of walking; instead of allowing that to mess with my head and compound the damage, I simply wipe the slate clean and start over in the morning.

It can be done, no matter what tool you use, all you have to do is resolve to do it.

Also, when I look in the mirror, I still see that 359 pound woman staring back at me. I still look at chairs speculatively, to see if they will hold my weight. I still hold up a new shirt in the store and think, "no way in hell!" but I am slowly beginning to shed that "skin" as well.

Just learn to believe in yourself and it will happen.

Take care and God bless.

[PinkieLee]

Good morning & happy Friday Eve all y'all healthy peeps!

I know, it seems as though it's been forever since I've posted in here. I faithfully read about each & every accomplishment, struggle and celebration and have been cheering y'all on!

I'm not gonna lie... I've been struggling REALLY bad for the last couple of months. This year has been hard... fuckin' hard. It's taken a toll on me physically, emotionally & spiritually. Every day I wake up and say today is gonna be a better day. For the most part, it has been. We have two choices every single day on how we are gonna face the day... I'm doing my best to keep the positive energy flowing no matter what.

I've been dealing with some self sabotaging behaviors lately. Awhile back I let a conversation I had with someone affect me... and those old ways of thinking crept back in the forefront of my brain. I felt defensive, shamed & my vision of myself took a hard blow.

So, please know that just because I haven't been posting here as often as I should, I am continuing this journey (all be it back at square one) with all of you. Thank you for always offering words of support, encouragement and friendship to all those that come here. You all rock!

[deedarino]

My dad bought me a weight bench yesterday, it was one I had been looking at. Simple and small but I wanted to up my exercise (and needed very small for my apt). Anyway, it has the leg lifty thingy and the arm curly thingy and I am soooo happy! It is time to start the upper body stuff.

228. I haven't been under the 230 mark since....well...I can't remember.

Thinker, a picture was one of my first motivators; my drivers license picture. It is horrid, (no really) I hide it. I also haven't changed it so I can remember why I do this everyday. After that picture, I quit taking pictures for a long time.

At 210, I will be at the 100 lbs lost mark. I'm getting a new dr lic pic. :-)

[Novelafemme]

I lost weight while in Africa but only because I discovered that the chicken I was eating wasn't truly chicken, but rather a Ghanian delicacy known as grasscutter.

[girl_dee]

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

I lost weight while in Africa but only because I discovered that the chicken I was eating wasn't truly chicken, but rather a Ghanian delicacy known as grasscutter.

oh MY.

i once read a book about a woman who grew up in Africa as a Nomad in a large family, camel milk was the once a day meal. In the States, weight loss was something she was baffled about. She said if you wanna lose weight, spend a week in Africa.

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by Cajun_dee

oh MY.

i once read a book about a woman who grew up in Africa as a Nomad in a large family, camel milk was the once a day meal. In the States, weight loss was something she was baffled about. She said if you wanna lose weight, spend a week in Africa.

We were in the Central Region, so no camels for us. They do have a ton of goats but only used them as meat sources. I asked our translator why they didn't milk them and he said they have no way to refridgerate the milk. I think it was more cultural than anything.

We ate a lot of rice, boiled root vegetables and plantains. STARCH CITY!!!