I Am Looking For Opinions and Support

[BethR]

Hi All! :wave2:

I signed up for WISH not long after it first began, but I have not been active for some time. :( And of course in that time, I have only put on more weight. I am now at the highest weight that I have even been, my knee is giving me trouble, and I am at a really low point physically and mentally.

I am sure that many of you have "been there." You have lost weight (and regained it) too many times to count. Each time you tell yourself that this time will be "THE" time. You have done WWs, Atkins, South Beach, and SlimFast. You know each program so well that you could BE the WW leader, you could recite the rules of Atkins induction from memory. You can do this all in your sleep.

So what do you do when you know that it is time to try again? How can you get past all of the uncountable failures in the past? How can you feel at all positive about trying again?

And has anyone here gone the eDiets route? I have not decided on what program I want to follow yet. I am considering WWs online (and I am very familiar with the WW program), but I was looking at the eDiets site and see that I can choose from a number of programs - I would choose either Atkins or the eDiet itself. It is less expensive than WWs and, of course, that is always appealing.

As you can see, this is something that I need to do, but I am just not feeling positive about starting, or succeeding. Can anyone help me???

[Tiger Lily 03]

Beth,Welcome back!
The thing with all of this is that it can only be YOU who decides. Motiviation is such an individual thing. I am proud of you for coming back to try.

Please, don't take offense to what I say. I know it is certainly easier said than done...

First off from your comments, you know the program, be the program.

I would definitely recommend to keep getting up no matter how many times you fall. Don't EVER use that D-word. Get your mind to realize that you are making healthy choices for the rest of your life.

If you need to, look yourself in the mirror every day and tell yourself you are worth it! Make yourself believe it. You are worth it you know. What would you do for someone that you loved so much...do it and make that person be you!

Pick something oh so small and make it happen. Then pick another. Don't make any goal that you cannot achieve. Just be striving for a healthier you.

I WISH you success. Come often post lots. Keep on keepin' on.

[BettyCv]

Hi Beth :wave2:

I'm probably not the one to be giving advice to anyone since I am only on Day 10 of the SB diet, but I can at least tell you what I *THINK* is making it work this time for me...

First off, I started with a physical. I was prepared to tell my doctor that I wanted him to MAKE me report back in four weeks, but he beat me to the punch! LOL! Surprisingly, my test results (cholesterol, bp, blood sugar) all came back great. Really surprising when you consider that I'm about 50 pounds overweight! I had myself sick with worry before the appointment. I was just sure I was going to get really scary news.

Anyway, I have lost 4 pounds in 10 days. Probably doesn't sound like very much to you, but considering that I have tried, tried, and tried and have never been able to stick to a diet, I am very happy with 4 pounds so far. Especially since I have not been hungry on this "diet." Also, I really did not do Phase I as strict as they say. I pretty much went right into Phase 2, though, and still lost weight. Phase 2 I think I could do indefinitely. If I only lose 2 pounds a week, that's okay. In the past, I always had a "number" in mind. I obsessed about "how many pounds will I have to lose each week to weigh 140 by _____" etc. I don't have that mindset now. I see this as a lifestyle change - one that I can really live with. In fact, I cheated the other day. Had a Pepsi (not diet), a hamburger from BK (the bun, too), and a cookie! Any other time, that would have been enough to make me quit the diet entirely. This time, I put it behind me and got right back on track the next day. I used to drink 3-4 Pepsi per day. I have only had one in 10 days!

I am not trying to discourage you about trying one of the on-line programs, but I will tell you that they would NOT have worked for me. Too easy to cheat. Not really accountable to anyone that can "see" you. If you are like me (and I'm not saying that you are), just the fact that you've spent money (on-line subscription, WW, treadmill, etc.) is not enough motivation to stick with a program.

I have willpower, and I'll bet you do, too. Motivation is something else entirely. I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant, and I followed the nutrition requirements to the letter, because it was my babies that would have suffered. That was all the motivation I needed then, and that is why I succeeded. However, to lose weight now, I just could not find the motivation for the longest time. That fear I felt going into that doctor's appointment, and the accountability to be back in four weeks (to actually meet with the doctor, not just get "weighed in,") seems to be the motivation I really needed.

Good luck in choosing a program. Let us know what you decide, and we will support you! :cheer2:

Betty

[cseca]

Hi Beth,
I'm pretty new in the WISH board too, but definitely a veteran in the yoyo dieting forum... :)
I've tried Jenny Craig, Medical weight loss, catered diet food, you name it. Essentially every single one of them worked wonders... just not permanently... :(

I finally figured out what works by chance.
Basically I started doing medical weight loss plus exercises, lost a ton of weight (65 lbs) for my sister's wedding. Everything is perfect until the wedding is over and I ate with abandon. Then I gained 20lbs within 1.5 years (surprise surprise). I was back being miserable and wished to get rid of the 20lbs. Dreading going back to my original diet (it was so restrictive that I got scared to eat outside of my home), I figured I want to do it my own way.
Because I already understood calorie counting, good vs. not so good for you food, exercises, etc. I decided to eat better and exercise.
No counting calories, no point system, no specially packaged food, or protein shakes. Just good old eating better - veggies, fruits, fiber, and of course exercise.
I also did not give myself any weight # goal, but instead clothes sizes/feel better goal.
If my normal pants feel looser then I'm doing well.

Fortunately my made up plan works well for me. I lost my additional 20lbs, toned up, felt better and have kept it for about 2 years now.

of course I fell off the exercise wagon a couple times since then, but then I just got back on and everything is good... :)

Anyways, sorry for rambling but what I'm saying is if you already know the rules there's no need for you to spend money on those systems. They're good to use as a stepping stone but after that modify it to your lifestyle.
I ate everything, carb, protein, and fats. I just pick better types of carbs, protein and fats. Never felt deprived on anything (except during PMS... LOL!!! :) ).

Good luck on whatever program you choose... I'm sure you'll succeed...

[BethR]

Thank you all for your kind words and support. After some thought, I think that I am going to start Atkins (again :rolleyes2: ) on Monday. I hope to take it one week at a time.

Wish me luck. I'm going to need it. ::yes::

[OceanAnnie]

Hi Beth! :wave:

I'm like Betty, I'm only on day 6 on SB. I probably shouldn't chime in, but I can tell you what helped me. The first few days were really hard. I was focusing on the wrong things! Instead of focusing on what I can't have, I started searching for things I could have that I liked or could like. It's made all the difference. :)

I agree with the posters saying make it a lifestyle change. That's what we're aiming for. Hopefully, we can just get in the habit of making healthier food choices. It isn't always easy, but if I have the food at home or snacks on hand (when we are out) it helps.

I used to really dislike diet sodas. But I found one I like and revisited one I liked long ago. Have you ever tried "Waist Watchers"? They have a really good diet black cherry drink. I'm hooked on that. 0 sugar 0 carbs. (Splenda). The one I came back to is Fresca. So I bounce back and forth on that. I try to drink water mostly. But sometimes you want something that has some taste!

Also, those sugar free fudgecicles are good and the carbsmart fudge popcicle is good too. (Just now and then but it does the trick!)

Anyway, those couple of things have helped me make it this week. I'm going through my SB cookbook to look for some variety for next week.

I do wish you luck, Beth. You can do it!

[TEK224]

Hi Beth,

Glad to see you back on WISH. I can't give you advice on which diet to use, because I don't believe in any of them. Don't get me wrong. They work for many people, just not for me. I just don't think I'm disciplined enough to eat only certain foods. Plus I was a junk food junkie until I joined the WISH board to train for the 2006 Goofy at WDW.

They say it's harder to lose the weight as we get older. I'll relate my mom's story for you. Mom has heart probs and high BP. She takes about 15 different meds for all her issues. She also needed to lose weight. But she is not a diet person either. So after talking to her Dr., who told her that losing the weight would help her breathing probs. she started.

She ate everything she normally did, but cut the portions in half. She still ate dessert, but only had one thing, instead of 2 or 3. Over the course of a year and a half, my Mom lost almost 80 pounds. She said it worked for her because she didn't deprive herself of anything, just cut it back (and my Mom is a cook, who LOVES to bake) It's torture for my waistline :teeth: She did all this at the tender age of 76.

So whether you diet or just cut back, it all falls to you to have the willpower to make it work. Don't worry about a minor setback (cheat). Just move on and concentrate on each day as it happens to make it work for you.
You can do it! Us WISH-ers can do anything we set our minds too!

Terri

[keenercam]

Hi, Beth! Welcome back to WISH!

You sound a lot like me and like so many others whose stories I have read here. I struggle every day these days to make good choices but I keep reminding myself that every time I am about to put something in my mouth is an opportunity for me to make a good choice.

I will tell you what I have learned -- no one can motivate you but you. You have to make a decision that you are worth the effort and then you have to move forward to put a plan in place that will work for you. And most importantly, you have to surround yourself with people who will support you and find a place to go when you feel weak and tempted. For me that is the WISH board.

Lastly, but very important -- exercise changed my life. Just adding some walking a few days a week was enough to get me hooked. Hopefully, it will make you more conscious of a healthier lifestyle, so that it all becomes second-nature.

Good luck! :cheer2:

[DisneyLovingMama]

Just chiming in to agree with everyone. I, too, am at my high point - even more than when I was 9 months pregnant. For months, I thought about it, got depressed, ate some more. Finally, I had had enought. Part of it was medical issues I was having, but mostly, I was tired of feeling tired and bad about myself.

I decided to take it one day at a time. The 100-day challenge on the boards has really helped me with the one day mentality. I'm committed and am loving the results. Even with only 6 pounds gone, I feel better mentally. Like, I know I'm doing something about it, so that immediately puts me in a better place. Yes, it'll take a year or more to get to my goal weight, but I'd rather do that than be even sicker a year from now.

Good luck, and no matter what you choose, try and get through it an hour at a time. Post here for encouragement - we'll be here for you.

[BettyCv]

I, too, am at my high point - even more than when I was 9 months pregnant.

Don't feel bad - I weigh more than I weighed pregnant - with TRIPLETS! :guilty: (Not kidding, either). Hoping I won't be able to say that much longer.

Betty

[ohMom]

BethR :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: BACK!!!!!!!!

you can do this -- you have heard a lot of great words of wisdom so i won't bombard you anymore -- jump in a challenge for february, you will find alot of motivation in being accountable to your WISH friends. many a day i didn't want to workout but knowing my WISH friends were too and that I wanted to keep up with them got me moving!!

[BethR]

You all are so wonderful, supportive and motivating. :grouphug:

Although I am going to start out with Atkins to give me a jump start, I REALLY like what Terri's Mom did!!! :yes:
Although I love the quick results with Atkins, I know that it is not a program that I can follow for life. I get really crabby about making two meals almost every day - one for me and one for my family. If I could just eat everything that my family eats and have the discipline to just reduce the portions, that would be great!

One of my neighbors who I have known for almost 19 years. Well about 3 years ago or so, she did what you Mom did - "just cut back." She is so thin now! And has been that way for a couple of years now. ::yes::

I know that exercise is so important and I really do hate it. :) But I do go to Curves - although not as regularly as I once did. And now, with my knee giving me trouble, I am concerned about going back right now. :( Can anyone suggest a way to get some exercise in without putting stress on my knee? I really do think that my knee problem is associated with all of my weight. It is feeling somewhat better the past few days, but I don't want to aggravate things.

I would love to join the February Challenge! I will take a look at the particulars tomorrow.

So I think that I will save my $16 a month on eDiets and use that money for something else. And I will use this board for my support.

Thanks again for all of your help already! :)

Beth

[TEK224]

Beth - take that $16/month and start saving to treat yourself on your next Disney trip! :teeth:

terri

[ohMom]

beth -- do you have a Y or the like that offers water aerobics??

try out some yoga or pilates DVDs from your library -- i think Denise Austin does a great job explaining the moves