Will this be the Year?
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| Sun, 12-31-2006 - 1:08pm |
Well,here we are at the dawn of a brand new year. And here I am again wondering if this is the year I will finally get rid of this weight for good. On Christmas Eve 2005 I had a pretty serious accident and suffered a displaced hip and broken pelvis. Needless to say, 2006 wasn't a banner year for me! I was out of work for 3 months. Just walking around my house and office has been an issue, let alone real exercise. I have gained at least 30 pounds (this is on top of already needing lose 75!) The bone is healed now, but I'm walking with a limp. I know that all this excess weight is making things SO much worse. I have always been active, loved to walk and bike for exercise. In short I want my life back! I am tired of using this accident as an excuse to sit here and get bigger.
I never had a weight problem when I was younger. But two children and a bad marriage took its toll. I've been reading all these posts, and am glad to find a supportive place to go. The sad part is, I know all the right things to do! I know about drinking water, I know about whole grains and good fats and high fructose, and not eating after 7 p.m. All the advice I've read here is such good advice and right on the money. The big question is why can't I do it? Why can't I stick to a lifestyle change? Why can't I walk past the food laden table when we have a "food day" at work? Why do I think I just CAN'T pass up the Blue Bell ice cream because it's on sale?
I'm very tall (5'11) so most people wouldn't guess my weight (270). I guess it's just stretched out a little more on my frame! And I'm also basically healthy. I don't have high blood pressue, I'm not diabetic, and don't have other medical issues associated with obesity. Therefore, I've never had a doctor say anything to me about my weight. But now, because of this accident, I hurt all the time. My knees hurt, my hip hurts and I know I would be 90% better if I could get this weight off.
Anyway, enough of my ranting. Thanks for listening and I will look forward to getting some support and advice here. I've never posted to a message board before, so maybe this is my first step toward some real change. Here's to an exciting and healthy new year!

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Hey Ann (?)!
Your story sounds much like mine. I know all the right things to do as well, but just can't seem to implement them. I'm tall also, so people don't think I'm as heavy as I am. Maybe we can give each other some support on this board. I'm new here, but I am ready to get started!
Michele
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Thanks for your note. Helping each other out on here would be wonderful. I need all the help I can get!
Hi - and thank goodness it's a new year with another opportunity to focus on this weight issue! I can so relate to you because I, too, am 5'11" and have my 280 lbs. stretched on a bit bigger frame than others. BUT, I am feeling really fat and more importantly, unhealthy! I do not have an accident to blame for not moving more than I do. I have had problems with my ankle over the last couple years, which have prevented me from walking as much as I'd like to ... the catch 22 here ... because I need to exercise to even keep my weight in check somewhat.
I have tried many different diets over the years - Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Trevose, etc. And like you, I know about eating the right things - low fat, whole grain, etc. But still, I can't stick with the game plan - and even when I manage to (last year I lost 25 lbs. with Jenny Craig) - I ALWAYS stop following the plan and then gain back the weight I had lost - plus extra for good measure!!
One difference, though - I was not heavy as a child, which makes me feel even worse for some reason. Most people who have a weight problem start out by saying "I was always overweight..." No, I gained all my weight over the past 30 years (I'm 50) - when I started working, got married and started a family. I have been up and down so many times and I just want to get it right this time! Also, as I get older, I have more fear for my health and long term well being. We have some cancer in the family - and a lot of arthritis - and I think to myself, if I feel this way at 50, how bad am I going to feel at 55 or 60 if I keep all this weight on? It's frightening!!
So, being new to message boards also, I am looking to provide some support, as well as get some support from all the people out there who I know are going through the same thing I am.
I have been watching a neighbor for the last couple months. He started walking around the neighborhood and I was impresseed because although his pace was slow, he walked every single day. He still walks every single day, but you can really see the progress he has made. There is a spring in his step and he seems so much happier and looks so much more fit. He wasn't a big man to begin with ... somewhat overweight ... but he definitely looks better and looks like he feels better. That is what I want to do. I want to start on a fitness program that lasts more than 2 weeks. I want to start on an eating program that carries through FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! I am hoping this will help me accomplish those goals!!
I am starting out slowly and surely ... with baby steps ... and hoping to turn this effort into a new way of life, for good! I hope others want to join me!
Thanks for your note and the encouragement. I'm trying to take it slow and one day at a time as well. I also know what you mean about not having a weight problem as a child. I was always tall and skinny. My whole family is tall and thin. My 78 year old mother is absolutely statuesque!(sp?)My brother is 6'4" and at 45 still fills out a pair of jeans like a 22 year old! Imagine how that makes me feel?? I can also relate to your arthritis issue. That is the one problem I do have. I have genetically bad knees (according to the orthopedic doc) and this weight is really wreaking havoc with them. Now, after a broken hip, I know if I don't get this weight down and under control I'm looking at major arthritis in my hip.
So, today is the first day of 2007. So far, I'm ok. I've had some oatmeal for breakfast and a small bowl of soup and an orange for lunch. I've kept busy cleaning out my refrigerator and cabinets. Now, I'm planning a trip to the market to get some healthy things for this week. I'm trying not to look beyond this week. Like you said, one day at a time!
Thanks agian for your note
Your post hit me ....certainly not because of being tall. I am barely 5 ft 1. But because of the age. I will be 50 in May, and I want desparately to feel much better by then. I know there is no way I would be slim by then...but feeling better is feeling better! I do know from weight loss experience, that you start feeling better fairly quickly. I also fear turning 55 and 60. I do not have married children...yet. But I imagine that they will be married some day, and I so want to be the kind of Grandmother that can play with the grand kids! I have already had some health issues. I am a cancer survivor of three years. At that point I had lost 150 lbs, or I cannot imagine how difficult the surgery, radiation and chemo would have been. Well I have gained much of that weight back, and am petrified that if I should become ill again, that I would not survive as nicely as I did three years ago. I look forward to your posts, and hope that I can share good news as the weeks go by.
Mary Beth
I am new to this board as well. I think you are right that the advice certainly helps but some things we know and just ignore. I've been ignoring good advice for far too long. Especially when 9 years ago my "freshman 15" turned into my "freshmen 50" and so on.
For the last three days I've been doing really well. My husband and I teach at the same middle school. Kids gave us mostly candy and other goodies too delicious to mention. I am proud of myself for saying no time and time again when I open the pantry. I don't want to throw out these "treats" since my it's my husband's descision if he wants them or not, too. This is a big step for me. I never say no...I'm always a "yes" kinda girl. Yes to oreos, yes to cheese, etc. Next time you pass my the "food" table at work...pat yourself on the back.
This can be the year for all of us. Celebrate your small steps and take things one day at a time.
Samie
Hi - Well, it sounds like you have a good plan. And your day, as far as eating goes, was better than mine. I had ingredients leftover from Christmas for 2 ham & cheese quiches - which I made and then had 2 pieces of for dinner - made with heavy whipping cream. But, believe it or not, that's actually a good day for me lately. And I threw away some cookies I had received as a Christmas gift (!?) from a co-worker (weren't that good anyway) and gave away some others along with another Christmas gift from a coworker - chocolate covered pretzels. So, at least I didn't give in to all of the temptations. But I also had a vegetable filled tortilla and an apple for lunch which I felt very good about.
My family does not have as much of a weight problem as I do, but we all fight the battle. My older brother recently went on a partial liquid diet under the supervision of a doctor and did well - he's managed to keep most of the weight off for about 6 mos. My younger sister is in the same boat as I am - this cycle of gaining and losing - but again, isn't as much overweight as I am. And my youngest sister, who was pudgy as a child (unlike the rest of us), is not having as hard a time of it as we are. But we all always talk about how our genetics plays a role in our size as well as just bad eating habits. My grandmother was queen of baking, candy, fudge, cookies, pies, etc. And our family grew up on Tastykake and soda...chips, cookies, etc... so it's a hard cycle to break.
I hope your trip to the market went well and you have some good things you're looking forward to eating. Day one almost done. Keep up the good work - and have a great day tomorrow. Keep in touch!
I know what you mean about wanting to feel better. I have a friend who is my exact age - born on the same day, same year as me. We celebrate each birthday by getting together and going out to dinner. She said she didn't mind turning 50 because she doesn't feel it at all! She does not have a weight problem - if anything she's too skinny. And she exercises a lot, going to the Y and walking/biking with her kids... I felt terrible because I feel older than 50!! So I really, really want to get to the point of feeling better. I feel pretty sure that if I just start out slowly and build a little each week that I can accomplish that.
It's wonderful that you are a cancer survivor and yet at the same time I can understand your fear about being ill again and being overweight. I am afraid too that should I become sick that I wouldn't handle it well simply because of my weight. I have never thought of myself as unhealthy, but am beginning to. And I don't want to go there because of something that I have control over! I can change this - we can change this! Have a great day and week! Keep in touch!!
Yes, this will be the year for all of us! Not because of magic or luck, but because we will make it happen. Some days will be hard, some will be easy, sometimes we'll want to give up but we will be persistent and, ultimately, victorious. It doesn't matter if it will take months or years; we are taking good care of ourselves and being our own health advocates...the pounds lost will be icing on the cake! Er...the low-fat dressing on the salad! LOL.
Best wishes to all you wonderful ladies and remember that when it gets difficult, we can come here for support and understanding. I know we can do it in 2007. All of you are inspirations to me and I hope I can provide the same to you. We can do this!
Take care and be well~
Mary
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