Hi, I'm hoping for some advice???

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2005
Hi, I'm hoping for some advice???
4
Fri, 02-04-2005 - 5:51pm
Hello, I am new to the boards, and thought I might ask for some advice. I currently weigh 265 pounds and have been overweight for about 12 years. I know alot of it is I need to exercise. I need to join Curves or something structured like that, because I hate to and I can't be trusted to stick to it on my own at home. I plan to plan to in a couple of weeks.
My employer recently had Blue Cross come in and do free health assesments. They took out BP, Sugar levels, and some test that measures body fat. I was shocked and mortified to find I have 172 pounds of fat!!! I should be at 143 pounds! That really gave me a shot in the arm. However, now I find myself wanting to find a plan I that will work with me. I feel like I am grasping almost desperately to find something that will help.
I have tried Weight Watchers, it works, then I lose interest. I have also tried Slim Fast, but I had a hard time sticking to it. Although, I am seriously considering trying their Optima plan.
I guess I am hoping for some miracle, but I know that won't happen. I was hoping to get some advice, any really you could give.Everywhere you look there are thousands if not millions of plans, diets, "lifestyle changes" and what not. I know we have all been here at one point or another, or else we wouldn't be here. I would love and welcome any advice you could give me.
Thanks,
Erin
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 02-04-2005 - 6:53pm

Hi Erin,

Yikes. What a wake up call. I don't even want to know how many pounds of fat I'm carrying around. lol But you know, I was like you. I'm a very willful person, like a spoiled child--I want what I want, when I want it. So I have the hardest time denying myself something I want (ahem...chocolate cake, brownies, cookies. lol). I never even bothered with stuff like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig cause I knew I'd be paying good money only so I can ignore their advice. lol And God knows I still have a lot to go, BUT...I'm finding that simply wanting to do it and making the decision that I'm *going* to do it helps me a lot. And my husband's behind me now, so he doesn't complain when I try a new recipes and even buys the lower fat stuff now. But I've made small changes, like making a point to buy healthy alternatives at the grocery store (sorbet instead of ice cream, fresh apples, low-fat yogurt drinks). I've even got my kids doing it, eating more fruits and veggies with me.

Ummmmm... another thing...water. Start with one glass a day for a week. Then up it to two if you have to. Exersize....shoot, if I walked my son to the park (about a ten minute walk from our house) I counted that as exersize. Grocery shopping is exercize. lol Also, I tend to be a bit snacker (little here, little there, usually bad stuff), and I find that if I eat three meals and three (healthy) snacks (or six small meals) a day that I tend to do better.

I'm still having trouble, though, especially with this exersize thing....I'm *starving* about an hour after I'm done and here lately I've been reaching for the wrong stuff. And despite that I exersize 4-5 days a week, I've gained 5 pounds in the last two weeks. Ugh. Anyway, I hope this helps you some!

~Joanne

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2004
Fri, 02-04-2005 - 7:38pm

Hi, ((((Erin)))))!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Sun, 02-06-2005 - 11:17am
Hello there and welcome to the boards!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2004
Sun, 02-06-2005 - 11:48am

Erin, speak with your doctor, she or he can refer you to a good nutritionist.

I don't belong to any particular plan but I do try to follow the Canada Food Guide as best as I can and commit myself to exercising whenever possible (usually 5 to 6 days a week for 30 minutes to an hour).

I wish there was an easy solution but there isn't....and you know, when you do lose weight it is so much more rewarding because it is so difficult.

The ladies here are wonderful at keeping you motivated and inspired but you may want to find an exercise buddy...someone to push you to the gym. Better yet, if you can afford it, see if you can get a personal trainer for a couple of months to get you rolling.

Hope it helps!