I am now older and fatter than I have ever been. My knees hurt and I generally feel bad all the time. I have Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and my feet swell. So why am I telling you this rather unpleasant truth about myself, you ask?
So, what to do? Now that I've made the decision to eat healthier, the first thing that came to my mind was that I need to eat what I have in the fridge and pantry so I don't waste money (and, by the way, it is cheaper to eat fattening food than not). Why am I making this confession? Uggg...why this crazy thinking? Because, when I put something in writing, it's harder for me to get into denial. Also, I have met wonderful people through this blog who have helped me more than they know with a variety of things going on in my life. I believe that there are some people who have this issue and can relate. I know that there are many of you out there who don't have this issue and I hope you realize how blessed you are. Please, if you've never had to struggle with excess weight and the recurring struggle, don't email me and say, "just cut back and go exercise". Anyone who says that has no idea what some of us go through.
20 comments:
I feel your pain!!!! It is a terrible struggle and don't ever think you don't have plenty of sisters out there going through the same thing. I know I struggle everyday - with little results. Good luck - I wish you a health and happy new you!
You have me in stitches!
I find I can limit pretty much everything I eat as long as I have (dark) chocolate...(Stress must be relieved in some way!)
Hugs to Charlie and Lola,
Good luck. We all have a struggle, or two or three. I'm slowly losing some weight, not a lot, but I'm hoping to keep it off!
I too am the heaviest I've ever been and have struggled with my weight almost all my life. Good luck-I'll be trying to eat better too!
when you find the way let me know
I totally understand your struggles. Two years ago I embarked on a dramatic change of my eating habits in order to be healthier and lose weight. I was so firm in my resolve, and it worked!! I lost 40-45 pounds over about 6 months. I felt so good. I wanted to lose more, but at that point I was feeling so happy with my loss. However, I started to relax my eating habits and fell back into old patterns. And of course, I gained much of the weight back. So I'm starting again. I had a conversation with my sister who also needs to lose much weight. We feel that it is somewhat akin to addicts of other substances - fighting food addictions may be a lifetime struggle. But, we can overcome it if we work at it every day. So much support and best wishes to you, and to everyone who struggles with this issue.
LOL.. but oh so true. 6 of us threw in $20. ea and we weigh every Monday evening.. Doing this for 8 weeks (half way thru) and the person that loses the largest % of body weight wins the pot. We are all hoping this helps us lose some weight... but oh so painful.
I have been struggling with my weight for about 10 years. When I was younger, evidently my metabolism was much higher as I could eat whatever and never gain weight. I broke my back and spent the better part of 6 months bedridden. After that no matter what I try, I can't lose. I am trying to eat healthier and am trying to avoid meat. I have lost a few pounds and will continue to work on it. I wish you the best of luck and please do post about your progress. If you find changes that work for you, please share them.
I am going to start dieting and exercising as soon as we get back from vacation. The reason I never start my diet is because I always insist on eating what is in my pantry first but then keep buying the same junk.
Feeling for you; I had my own wake-up nearly 3 weeks ago with a little cardiac episode. It has scared me straight, you might say. Yes, I have done this before and the last time I was derailed. So I know it is possible and I wish it hadn't taken this scare to put me back on the right path. Best of luck to you and don't be afraid to share. I can relate to all the same issues but as my doctor said, this is the time to be selfish and save yourself first.
I hope you are able to find a path that will help you with your weight loss. It's a struggle I've been dealing with for almost 20 years. And like you, my ankles are swollen, my knees hurt, and every Monday I wake up and say, today's the day to start that diet. But somehow, it never seems to happen. I've got so many diet books, I should have lost weight ages ago. Maybe this Monday will be the day I follow through.
Bev, I know it can be a struggle, I wish you all the best. You have already taken the first step and should be so proud of yourself for putting your struggle out there. The only advice I can offer is to take baby steps. remember "Rome was not built in a day"
You can do this. xx
You have my support. Stick to your plan and it will happen slowly but surely!
Bev, I think there are more of us in the same situation than not. I have started a new way of thinking about what to eat, and have been keeping a journal each day what I eat and drink. I also started a health supplement that is a powder drink with healthy ingredients, called Plexus Slim. It isn't a fast gimmick, or false promises. Just drink it daily with lots of water all thru the day. You can email me if you want to at my regular email: celiaambrose@hotmail.com
like you I am overweight, chocolate is my undoing, cannot eat just one piece, mind you of it is not in the house I do not miss it but cannot resist buying it along with butter toffees. Also find that I eat more as comfort food when life is tough, suppose I am half way to doing something when I admit to needing to lose weight, it is just taking the next step. Exercise what on earth is that! Do indulge in the odd alcohol too, when it is very warm a good glass of cider and sometimes have a bottle of wine but that lasts 4 days.
Bless your heart! Love your attitude, and your post. I will visit you again...
Carolyn
My dear sister-in-stitches,
I, too, know your pain. My battle with weight began in earnest after the birth of my third child. He was such a voracious nurser, my appetite went into overdrive! With constant diligence and exercise, I was able to maintain a steady weight, if not at my goal.
Then, five years ago, I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia, when I could barely shuffle along like I was 90 years old, so intense was my pain.
With a correct diagnosis and medication, my pain is mostly controlled. A well known side effect of my meds is weight gain. The med interrupts the pain signals but also turns on the appetite center in the brain. Everything tastes so damn good! Even things I never liked before like grilled onions and peppers, and potatoes! I went on a medically supervised 500-750 calorie per day fast and lost the 68 lbs I had gained. Unfortunately, it has crept back on. My knees and ankles ache and throb constantly and I know it's due to the excess strain my weight adds. I can't go through such a extreme diet again.
So my plan is back to basics. I found while doing weightwatchers years back, that I felt my best, most energetic when I was eating a pound of vegetables a day. Back then it was half a pound bag of frozen cauliflower, broccoli and carrots mix with my lunch and the other half with my dinner.
Now, I am enjoying the whole spectrum of vegetables. I love layered, chopped raw veggie salads with a light raspberry lime vinegarette dressing. And walking. I started slow. To the mailbox and back. To the end of the block. All the way around the block. Every day make myself walk, and try to go just a little bit farther.
I have a goal/reward. I want to be able to keep up with my younger sisters and niece when we met in Sisters, OR for the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show and walk the town to see all the beautiful quilts on display.
I think the key is balance. Balance in food choices, and activities. Sit down activities like sewing and get-it-moving activities. For me it's walking and gardening.
Wishing you the best on your journey! Keep your chin up and your feet moving! 😃
I'm there for you...here's a link my husband sent me just this week...as we both would like to knock off a few extra pounds. What a struggle. I can put on what took me a month to loose...in one sitting. seriously!! UGH!! Good for you Bev...one day or moment at at time. xoxoxoxo ~k
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/06/21/12-foods-that-control-your-appetite/
I too have had my struggles. After a serious car accident that left me unable to do much for almost a year I could barely bend over! I follow a Paleo diet which makes me feel real good, getting rid of sugar is one of the best things I ever did. My sister in law who is a personal trainer says it's 80% diet and 20% exercise. Good luck to you. I will be following along to see how you are doing, and you can do it!
There are lots of us. We started our journey to better health last year due to painful knees and other health issues. We each have lost 40 pounds. I firmly believe in cleaning out the kitchen and pantry. Throw or give away the "bad" stuff including flour and sugar. Then only restock as you need an item and only "healthy". Since I have no flour, I dont bake. That in itself is a blessing.
We eat huge amounts of homemade granola, yoghurt, spinach, lean meats cooked simply, veggies and fruit. A snack can only have less than 150 calories (and some cookies or muffins are 500+) and only one per day.
Wish you good luck.
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