New to the board!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
New to the board!
3
Wed, 08-18-2004 - 3:53pm
Hi everyone! I have just recently discovered this world of message boards. I am finding them very helpful. My name is Carrie and I am 23. I am overweight...about 285 lbs. It varies a few pounds every so often. The doc says my ideal weight would be somewhere around 140lbs. So I need to lose almost half of myself.

The hard part:

My family are all overweight, so it is a genetic thing I'm sure. I have tried Weight Watchers and lost 20lbs one summer before I went back to school, but I was kinda cheating my way through the program. I tried the Adkins diet which only left me feeling sick to my stomach, which during classes was not good, so I stopped. Done the Slim fast plan, it was easy enough, but I never lost weight on it. Now I am on my 3rd day of South Beach, and feeling nauseated. My body is starting to react to not having enough food because since I feel sick, I am not eatting much because I really don't want to vomit. My dad is worried about me because of this.

I am also back on birth control because I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Since I am having a rough time with job hunting (recent college grad), I went back on Zoloft. My body and stomach are protesting.

My doc recommended this diet after doing a bunch of blood tests. Although my thyroid is enlarged it is working normally, I have no signs of diabetes, kidney or liver problems, my cholestoral is fine and my blood pressure is normal.

My dad has mentioned weight loss surgery a few times in the last year. I'm starting to think that my be the answer. Although at my age, I feel concerned because of the risks involved...and the price.

I'm experiencing a lot of distress over this matter, and need support from others possibly experiencing similar dilemmas. I hope this helps in my introduction to the group.

Carrie, 23, WA, 285lbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-2003
Wed, 08-18-2004 - 4:26pm

Welcome to the boards Carrie!

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2004
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 12:14am
Welcome Carrie! I have similiar stats to you. I've also tried many diets with no luck. WW does work but I get bored too easily and find it frustrating to go to meetings where there are rarely 100+ pounds to go members.

My family is also all obese. My 41 year old sister just had the gastric bypass surgery last year. She's lost over 100 pounds. However, the surgery isn't for everyone.

I'm only 29 and my DH and I want to start having children. I thought about the surgery and then realized the risks involved are too great for me to do it b4 we are finished having children. If you do want children someday, then I caution you about any surgery at this point in your young life.

I'm finding this board to be a very helpful tool. I finally can see that I am not alone and I can relate to many things that are said.

I'm in counseling to deal with my emotional eating habits. I've started to pay more attention to what I put in my mouth and I've finally started a regular exercise routine for the first time in my life. I refuse to weigh myself...instead I focus on how I am feeling and how my clothes are fitting. I also find water is a huge factor. I drink at least 10 - 8 ounce glasses a day.

I'm glad you've found this board! I've found it a atrue inspiration and I hope you do too!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2004
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 9:29am
Welcome, Carrie! I think a lot of us here have a lot of the same issues as you do. I know that my weight is hereditary. Both my parents were overweight as are some of my siblings. I'm not letting that stop me from doing the best I can to lose this weight, though! I'm sure you'll find the right approach to your weight loss efforts. In the meantime, keep posting here, there are a lot of great people here :)

~~Linda

246/209/199(for now)

~~Linda