Another newbie
Find a Conversation
| Sun, 08-12-2007 - 12:11am |
Hello to all, I am brandy-new on this board. I am 51 years old, two teenagers, and weigh 335 - unbelievable to even myself! It definitely is a health issue, but also self-esteem, etc. I do not make much eye contact, if possible to avoid it, because I have seen that fleeting look of surprise, disgust or even revulsion from people who don't know me and are meeting me for the first time. And on and on and on, I'm sure if you are on this board, you know all too well what I am talking about (can you say "avoid mirrors", don't sit in restaurant booths, seat extenders on airplanes, avoid movie theaters, don't dare sit on a park bench, discreetly "test" a wooden chair in a restaurant to make sure it feels stable enough to hold your butt, heavy breathing from taking a shower or tying your shoes, yada yada yada.) My oldest left for college yesterday (youngest is still in high school) and I felt immense pangs of regret for not being able to fully do things with her -- because of my weight. Things like going on Girl Scout campouts and hikes, riding rides at Disneyland, even sitting in a college lecture hall during her college visitations - I couldn't do it because I could not even squeeze into those little desks they have. Honestly, I'm not throwing a "poor me pity party" here, truly I'm not - I'm just trying to be honest about some of the issues I have and have had and I truly want to change. MOre later about all that I've tried, which I'm sure will sound familiar to you :) (has anyone else ever tried the electric shock to lose weight treatment :) )
Well, enough of my story for now - I'll try to check in again tomorrow - just looking for some positive support here, like everyone else :) Thanks to all for listening...

Pages
Welcome
are you on any program now? there are many good ones around that include healthy eating, exercise and journaling all part of the whole picture to succeed. You need to find one that will fit into your lifestyle and something you can do the rest of your life.
I for one can relate to all you said but turned it around when my youngest son announced his engagement and decided i wasn't going to his wedding being obese and miserable. So I joined WW and now have been a lifetimer for almost 4 years.
do your research and post often.
Good luck
Sue
302/139/160
Sue
<
Welcome aboard, and wishing you best of luck.
I didn't even know they had a program such as electric shock for weight loss so I am of no help there.
Anyways, just wanted to welcome you!!
Angela
Hi,
The first step is deciding you're ready to do this. So you're already successful!!!
This board is filled with people who are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with you. I've gotten a lot of comfort by reading the parallel struggles that people experience, things that I thought I alone was going through. But I'm not--we're all fighting the same things. So we stand and fight together!
Since you've already taken the first step, now just keep the path. Change your eating habits. Exercise. That's all you need to do and you're GOING TO SEE A DIFFERENCE.
Start slow. Walk down around the block and instead of finishing that bowl of ice cream, leave just one or two bites uneaten. It killed me when I first started to leave my beloved dessert unfinished, but what I've learned is that I can always buy more later.
The other thing I want to reiterate is that it's a life change you've got to make. It can't be just a temporary diet. It's got to be a new way of life. BUT...it doesn't have to be a life of deprivation, just a life of MODERATION.
So read this board often, post often, and remember we're all in this with you. We're walking the walk and talking the talk. It can be done, and the feeling of happiness you can have by getting on that scale and realizing that what you've been doing is working, even if you have just lost part of a pound, is the greatest feeling in the world. I promise you! :-)
Mandy
Mandy
243.6/
Hi, Brandy!
Welcome! I too am 51, but single/childless.
I started on this journey four years ago-I thought it would take three years to lose the weight I wanted to lose, and I figured that was less than the tme it took me to earn my degree...and snce I had stuck that out and stayed committed, I could do the weight loss thing...I underestimated the time, but I have learned a lot about my ability to be committed.
I don't know how long it will take you to reach yur goals - none of us can predict. But I bet you have some expectations about the efforts your college bound daughter will make over the next four years. May I suggest that you earn your degree in 'healthy living' while she is earning hers?
Do you have a plan? If you need some advice to get started, and reading the board doesn't give you some good ideas, let us know and we'll suggest. If you know what you want to do, let us know and we'll encourage, cheer, celebrate, kick a** and whatevever else you might need.
You can do this.
Best wishes
SJ
225-164-135
Mary,
That's so funny. When I graduated from high school, the girls were 'supposed' to be teachers, nurses, or secretaries (the boys were all going to be engineers). I didn't much like children, fainted at the sight of blood, and wanted a little more than being a secretary (no offense meant to anyone...) But I had read a ton of Perry Mason mysteries, so I decided to prepare for law school. But when it came time to actually apply, I realized that unlike Perry, some of my clients (most/all) would be GUILTY! And so I chose another path...fortunately Gloria Steinem, Ms magazine, burned bras and feminism came along and more doors were open for me than I ever expected...but I still like Perry -will probably watch an old movie tonight on the Hallmark channel...
SJ
225-164-135
I had planned to be a defense attorney in the Perry mold until I realized that a) as you say, most of the clients would be guilty, and b) any REAL attorney who did a third of what he did would be disbarred!
Welcome!
Just adding my voice to the chorus of welcomes and hellos - you CAN DO THIS!
<
HI again,
You know, there's something I forgot to mention...I don't know how your younger child is but if she is of the helpful sort, you could ask her to help you.
It'll be good for her too because she's going to be missing her older sibling. It will make her feel special, especially if you confide in her and tell her you need her help. She could become your second in command--go on walks with you, encourage you--she can help you chart your calories and be your own personal cheerleader/team captain. It could be an amazing thing for your relationship too.
Think about it.
Mandy
Mandy
243.6/
I'm coming on this board just to let you know that many of the topics I blog on are related to weight and health.
Pages