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| Thu, 03-31-2005 - 9:38am |
Hi All,
I'm trying to find my place on these boards. I have 65 pounds to lose, which is a considerable challenge for me, since illness and injury (injuries somewhat healed, pain persists) keep me from exercising, except very minimally, and because above inflammatory illness means I'm treated with corticosteroids. I'm 39 (well, in 4 months) and mother of 3 daughters--one has a disability--and caregiver for an elderly relative of my husband. I work from a home business, and my husband's job keeps him in the travel mode most of the time.
Sixty-five pounds seems like a tremendous challenge, and I'm just under 5'4", small-framed, so it is a lot of excess!
I know I use food for comfort, anxiety relief, and cheering myself. During my (fairly rare) breaks during the day, I tend to curl up with a couple candy bars. This is usually late-morning, but sometimes mid-afternoon. I need lots of advice. My situation is such that I must reduce calories enormously--otherwise, with the inability to exercise, I don't see any change on the scale.
I'm trying to get some creative thinking going regarding how to take different approaches, not only to what and when I eat, but--well--a couple months ago, I'd never have posted to a diet-related board. So I think it's a first step.
I do have a goal--just the first of, I hope and plan--many goals. I want to start my challenge tomorrow, and in mid-July my parents are having a huge 40th wedding anniversary party. (Their 40th was last year, but my father was very ill, and they decided to do the official celebration this summer.) In any case, family will be there, as well as friends, I haven't seen in years. I want to be feeling better about myself. Fifteen pounds fewer to lug around would be great.
Please tell me if you think I'd do better on another board. I've seen some great posters here, and I feel as if I have a lot in common with you.
April 1st is MY DAY--and I'm not fooling!
Colly

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Hi Shawna, and thanks. You've had wonderful success, which will be an inspiration to me. I know I must get rid of candy to have any luck at all, because when you can't exercise--and walking more than briefly around the house is painful for me--every calorie truly counts. Even more so, it seems, when you take steroids often. Most days, I eat healthfully, but I know I'm going to have to make more adjustments. The toughest times are when serious things are going on in the family--and I'm afraid that's often--and for a while I just don't care. But you're right: I have to be healthy--healthier--for them, as well as for me.
This is launch day for me. I'm starting out today and over the weekend with a semi-fast: lots of water mixed with a little fresh fruit juice, and cups of hot broth. Probably some hot tea with soy milk too. I know that I have to see something happening on the scale or I'm going to sink into the slough of despair again.
Thanks again!
Colly
Thanks, Sharla! Do you--or does anyone--have more suggestions? What I need most are strategies to avoid comforting myself with sweets. With serious health problems in my family, and in myself, I'm up against the times when the stress levels are so high, I can't get myself to care.
Colly
Colly,
Have you ever thought about sugar-free hard candy?
Thanks, Lori. Good suggestion. Only problem for me might be what's used to sweeten the candies. Some (sorbitol/mannitol) cause g.i. problems for me, and even a little Nutrasweet seems (usually) to give me a headache. I haven't tried Splenda. Have you?
Emotional eating is so hard to deal with. The last time my daughter had to be in the hospital, I just didn't care what I ate. And yet, I should have very much. (To be strong and well for her.)
Yesterday, I got started--I plan on 3 days--with liquids: water flavored with juices, teas, and broth. It worked well. I wasn't hungry, though I had to remind myself about no solids. Last night, the family didn't object being fed my broth--but with a difference for them. They had pasta stirred into theirs, and cooked veggies, and cheese melted over. So far, I'm doing fine today.
I know I can't keep this up for more than 3 days, but I do hope the scale looks different Monday morning! I'm asking for suggestions for the best frozen meals--Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, to use for my dinners next week. I've tried some in the past, but not lately.
Thanks again...
Colly
Yes, I've tried Splenda...I like it, and it is especially good for baking...not sure if it would affect the GI system...I think it'd be worth a try! :)
As far as frozen dinners are concerned, I like Smart Ones by Weight Watchers...I haven't tried all the varieties, but what I have tried I've been generally pleased with.
~Lori
Hi there Colly and Welcome! I hope you stick around on this board.
Everyone has given you good suggestions so far. Here are a couple more:
As Shawna said, more fruits are going to be key in getting that sweet tooth under control. Here's a tip: Buy some apples, oranges, or whatever you like, and some pre packaged, pre cut veggies are good too. The night before, make up some baggies of fruits and veggies for your morning/midafternoon snack.
When you go grocery shopping, to avoid that last minute candy buy at the register, carry a picture of what you look like now, to remind yourself of WHY you don't want to buy that candy bar.
It's very important to plan your meals like Shawna said. Make sure you take the time to do what YOU need as well as doing what everyone else needs.
Good luck to you!
Kerstin
Only as high as I reach can I grow,
Only as far as I seek can I go,
Only as deep as I look can I see,
Only as much as I dream can I be.
Karen Ravn
Fear
First, Shawna and Lori. All good suggestions. Thanks so much. Shawna, I'm really working at planning my meals--biggest challenge is dinner for the other 5 (which includes an elderly relative on a special diet). Lori, I'm going to look for things sweetened with Splenda for those really-gotta-have-something-sweet times, and will put Smart Ones on the grocery list.
Kerstin, wow, the PICTURE! I won't like it, and it will help! If I can persuade myself to do it! :) Fruit is a great favorite of mine. It doesn't always help with the sweet cravings, but I think if I have fruit nibbles ready as you suggest, it will be more effective. I do keep veggie snacks in the fridge for the girls, and I'll help myself to more of them.
I plan to check in several times a week. My liquids (water mixed with fruit juice, tea with soy milk, and broth) only approach over the weekend does seem to have helped persuade the scale to move in the right direction, so I'm ready to go on, but in a more healthful way.
Thanks all!
Colly
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