Newbie needs advice!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Newbie needs advice!!!
9
Sat, 12-04-2004 - 11:05pm

Hey all...I have lurked here for about 2 months or so and now I finally got up the nerve to post! I am a 28 year old single mom who needs to lose half of her body weight!!! I have been having chest pains for a couple of weeks and finally got the nerve to go to the doctor. Luckily, it's not heart related...it's costochondritis...this time. Next time it could easily be heart problems. So, I talked to my doctor about getting him involved in weight loss since I have been trying to lose weight to no avail for 4 years now. He told me to pick any weight loss system and go to some sort of support group. Here's where I could use some advice...Does anyone have any suggestions about which diet plan to use?? I've tried WW and Atkins and South Beach and many many many fad diets (ie ice cream diet, soup diet) but I just don't know which to use this time. I would like to go to WW but I have a 4 yr old son and I don't really have anyone who could watch him while I go. Plus, being a single mom, I'm on a budget and I don't know that spending that money on WW every week is feasible. I can't afford it monetarily, but otherwise I can't afford not to pay it. I thought maybe doing a plan and coming to the board might help. What are your results with the board? HELP!!! My doctor also suggested weight loss surgery...but that kinda freaks me out a little too much right now. But, if anyone has a good website that I can visit it would be appreciated. *sigh* My goal weight seems sooooooo far away right now...but I have no choice anymore. I don't want to end up with diabetes or have a stroke. I'm way too young for that. Thanks for reading and any insight is welcome!

Maggie
307/307/150

Avatar for jess9802
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Sat, 12-04-2004 - 11:25pm

Welcome, Maggie.

I've heard good things about Weight Watchers, but in essence it is your basic calorie reduction plan. Since you're concerned about someone watching your son while you're at meetings and also the expense involved, I would recommend you count calories. Many people use and like http://www.fitday.com, which is free. You can keep track of your food intake and your daily exercise. I'm not personally a big fan of fitday.com, so I just use an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of my calories.

I've been counting calories for about 18 months now, and seriously trying to lose weight for about 14 or 15 months. I've lost 62 pounds. I aim for around 1600-1800 calories a day (though lately I have been slipping), and try to exercise 90 minutes a day four or five days a week. I strongly, strongly urge you to walk, buy exercise tapes, whatever you can do or afford. Physical activity is really important for losing weight, maintaining bone and muscle mass, and achieving optimal health. I'm sure with a young son you'll have plenty of opportunities to exercise.

Good luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Sun, 12-05-2004 - 9:59am

Hello Maggie :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2003
Sun, 12-05-2004 - 11:00am

I really like fitday. One, it's free. Two, it encourages me not to eat things I don't know all the ingredients in, since they are too hard to enter. It's less expensive for us to eat meats, veggies, and fruits than it was when I was buying a lot of pre-packaged stuff, and it takes much less time at the grocery store to just hit the produce and meats. Once the habit is there, it will be better for your son, also. Way too many kids have weight problems and develop diabetes because of the snack foods we feed them in the name of love.

I am by no means a nutritionist, but I would suggest trying to get less than 25% of your daily calories from fat, and at least 1 gram of protein for every pound you want to weigh at goal. I read a lot, and both of those themes seem to carry through most of what I read. When I first started trying to get my train back on track, I had to go to 30% fat because I couldn't deal with the food cravings, and fat satisfies hunger. After a month, I cut it back to 25% and have done alright. When I get closer to my goal, I will move it to 20% and try to keep it there.

Exercise will also help you so much. Even walking, or stretching and moving your muscles in the floor enough to break a sweat for 20-30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week will help you tone up and give your mind some quiet time. Your skin will fit your new shape better, and by exercising you will keep your lean body mass, which is another good thing.

Melissa

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 12-05-2004 - 12:03pm
Thanks for the great messages. I think I'm really going to like it here. It helps not having to do this alone and I think that's what has gone wrong lately. I didn't have any support. Anyhow, to answer the question...Costochondritis is the inflammation of the chest muscles and the breast plate...kinda like rheumatism. Doctor told me to take two aleve in the am and two in the pm and it should go away in 4-6 weeks. *crossing fingers* I'm taking this as a sign from God that I need to start taking care of myself. That's why I am where I am...I put everyone else first and me last. Slowly but surely...right?
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2004
Sun, 12-05-2004 - 5:31pm

Heya, welcome here Maggie (: I don't really have anything to add because I

- cl-Yavie, sig in  still in progress :D

I am just a young girl in need of some

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2004
Sun, 12-05-2004 - 6:26pm

If your insurance will pay for the surgery....search your heart to see if you should have it done....My sister had it done and she has lost over a 100 pounds since February of last year. Do go to the web sites on the surgery because there are somethings you will never be able to do again.

She looks awsome. I would like to do it but my insurance won't allow it.

So I am doing Atkins hoping to lose a few pounds at a time until I reach my ultimate weight goal.

Good luck on your new diet and welcome aboard Newbie...we are glad to have you here.

Sussie_Q
312/306/280 (for now)

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2004
Mon, 12-06-2004 - 9:09am

Hi Maggie! Welcome to the board! I agree with the suggestion of just counting calories, watching your fat intake and exercise. I started doing that 8 weeks ago and so far have lost over 25 lbs. Be sure to drink LOTS of water!!! That was the biggest thing for me, I think. I used to be a Pepsi-holic and I quit drinking them all together (I'm allergic to artificial sweeteners, so I can't drink diet). I now drink almost 3 liters of water a day and it's made a huge difference! Fitday.com is a wonderful tool to use; it makes me more aware of what I'm actually eating. And the support on this board is amazing! Hope to see you around often! You can do it!!

Aggie
276/250.5/135

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Mon, 12-06-2004 - 9:13am
Congrats Aggie on your weight loss!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2004
Mon, 12-06-2004 - 11:39am

Thanks Shawna!

Aggie