Where Do I Start?
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| Sat, 07-15-2006 - 7:33am |
It's been a while since I weighed myself, but I'm pretty sure I'm probably about 360 pounds. Outside of the obvious, I believe I'm pretty healthy. I don't have any major health problems (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, "female issues", etc.), but I've now gotten to the point where I want to be smaller.
I've never been a small, thin, or "in-shape" person. I was a fat kid, a fat pre-teen/teenager, and now I'm a fat "20-something". Because it's always been so commonplace with me, I always felt "normal", however, now that I'm not only tipping the scales, but also having problems fitting the largest size available in the Lane Bryant department store, I now realize that I'm in need of a big change.
The majority of my family has weight/health-related issues, and I want to avoid all the problems and issues that I see them having now as they're 40+. My problem is, I don't know where to start. I live alone in a community where I don't have many friends or know too many people. I'd love someone to work out with, so I wouldn't feel so conspicuous, however I understand that might not be too much of a reality. I'm sure that the first step would be to stop eating so much, and adopt a diet and exercise regime, however I'm not really sure of how to go about doing that. I'm in the unfortunate situation that a lot of americans are, where I don't have health insurance or a regular physician to get healthcare advice from, so I decided I'd start here.
I feel like getting out and doing something, but I'm not sure what I can do, and I don't want to hurt myself or break/sprain anything. I'll be moving soon, so I'm throwing away all the "bad food" that I've had on the shelf for months, and I'm looking at this move as an opportunity to start over and try to eat and cook healthier. Again, I'm moving to a community where I won't know anybody, but I am willing to do whatever it is I can do personally to improve my situation. Any words of encouragement or advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

Well, hello there!!!
First of all, you should be EXTREMELY proud of yourself by taking the first step to losing weight....CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You have lots of good ideas already - I feel that getting rid of all the junk foods is the very first step in trying to lose weight. If it's not there, you can't eat it! I buy light or non-fat ice cream for a sweet tooth and those 100 calorie pack chips, doritoes, or lite popcorn for a salty snack. Stocking your home with plenty of fruits and veggies is a MUST!!! See, I am following weight watchers points system and LOTS of veggies are "free" and a serving of most fruits is only 1 point, so I constantly eat those without feeling guilty. Also, exercising is key...take a 30 minute walk, or two 15 minute ones a few times a week to start.
I am 32 years old and have had high blood pressure since I was 28. I thought I was having a heart attack, went to the hospital, and they said my blood pressure was in stage 3...danger level. It was 160 over 120. Doctor said "no salt...and you need to lose weight" I still procrasted, unfortunately for another 2 1/2 years, but then, just like you, realized I wanted to be smaller. I started at 319 pounds (size 32), and now weight 267(size 24) and would LOVE to weight 175 (size 16) eventually. SOooo, being that your family has health issues, it's GREAT that you wanna do something now, while you're young.
Let me know if there's anything I can help you with do for you.
Hope to see you around!
----Melissa
I don't really have advice to offer, cuz I am still learning myself, BUT I do want to say welcome aboard and good luck to you in whatever you decide!!!
Angela
Angela
Good for you, the first step really is recognizing that you want to do it, and that it's for health reasons. You're already on your way!!!
A few years ago, I was 296, and I went to see a nutritionist. It wasn't covered by my insurance at all, but it was only $35 per session. I knew my health was important to me, and I wasn't making a lot of money at the time, but I sucked it up and did it. I started out doing two sessions a month, then after two months or so, backed it down to one.
My weight loss started that first day, as she went over my current eating habits and then gave me a book from the American Diabetes Association, to learn what proper serving sizes were and calories and whatnot. She developed an eating plan for me, one that was really do-able and worked with my lifestyle. It made sense that the Snickers and ranch dressing weren't helping me. So, I started shopping for fresh stuff, and planning meals, and lost 30 pounds. I stopped seeing her only because I changed jobs and couldn't afford it. My weight loss stalled at 268 because I didn't have anyone to be accountable to. (I'm now doing LA Weight Loss, which feels like a similar eating plan.)
Anyway, without going on and on about it, I really think you might benefit from the same kind of meeting. My nutritionist was affiliated with my doctor's office, but again, I paid out of pocket. Perhaps once you make your move, you can contact a local doctor's office and get the name of their nutritionist, and see how much a session would cost? I bet there might even be someone in the yellow pages!
I'd already been exercising when I embarked on the nutritionist thing, but I wasn't seeing weight loss until I controlled my eating. But I agree with the previous poster, about starting off with some short walks, just to get started. Exercise is an important part of the whole package.
You can do it!!
I was in the SAME boat as you! Same size same histroy with Weight problems. I can give you some advice. Skip joining a gym and all that. Start out by just walking, it's the safest and easiest form of exercise. Try to walk for half an hour a day. Go as fast as you feel comfortable, no faster. I've seen lots of women want to get in shape and they join a gym and plunge right into intense exercising and either end up getting hurt or quiting altogether because it's to hard and impossible to sustain.
Start slow and work your way up is the key. Start by walking and than gradually add to that as you feel comfortable.
That's how I started, after I had lost some weight and got in better shape I added in aerobics and such. But start out by walking. At your weight walking will actually burn alot of calories.
For support, if you can afford join a diet plan. I go to LA Weight Loss, it's expensive but weighing in 3 times a week and having their enthusiasm and support on a continious basis has really helped.
That's my advice.
Sara
320/211/169
Hello there and welcome to the board. The ladies already gave you a lot of advice and I am not sure if I have anything to add. I also encourage you to walk.. walking is great and free and you can go on your own pace. But if you have trouble with your joints you can also try something with low impact like cycling. Also I recommend journaling. You can write down the things you're eating and after a couple of days look at your journal and see where you can make better choices. A bit here and a bit there will add up big time. And I also find that drinking a lot of water is very helpful.
And don't worry about ongoing support and accountability.. you can always count on us here for that :)
Again welcome and good luck in your journey
Aiming at my