43 y/o postmenopausal woman seeks......HELP!

[KatyMac]

Just watched Extreme Make-over weight-loss edition. Very inspiring, but I can't seem to get it together myself! I am 70lbs overweight and cannot find the motivation to lose. Pathetic, I know, but true! I am a nurse, in graduate school, have 2 wonderful teenagers and a terrific husband- all perfect reasons to do better, but i'm continuously exhausted! Need help, support, plan- something!

 

[Purrrrfecta]

Hi,

I have not been on here in a while. I saw your post. I am peri, but not post. That will be here soon, however!

Listen I think the way to start is to ask your wonderful family to help you. You seem to be the caretaker type. I am I can see the similarities in the two of us. I am a teacher, you are a nurse. We look out for others before we do ourselves.

Here's what I do:
Have your family start by making your meals for you. I have found when my husband gets my lunch ready for me I am able to do much better. I do not have to think about what it is I am going to eat, and it takes my mind off obsessing over whether or not I am going to like the taste of the food I eat for lunch. I also have my dinner ready for me when I get home. He will actually make the plate for me so I can have my portions controlled. I need him to do this. It helps me to not overeat.

So am I walking around thin? No, because I have not followed this wonderful plan. I try to take over and take control, and then I overeat. It seems to go hand in hand.

Maybe you could start reflecting in a journal to see what is going on with you, and that could help you start out a plan that will work best for you.

Post back, and I am sure others will chime in.

Hope for your success,


Connie

 

[pjlla]

It sounds like maybe Weight Watchers could help you. They offer lots of support.....in the form of weekly meetings and reading material and a website.

There is no prepackaged food requirement, so you could still eat regular meals with your family. But there is a lot of information about healthy food choices and portion control.

If you feel you are too busy for a regular weekly meeting, then perhaps WW online would be the way to go.... but (and I can't say for sure) I think that the "real life" support you get from a weekly meeting is superior.... especially in the beginning.

If WW isn't your thing, perhaps you could find another weight loss plan that offers support. I know that folks rave about Jenny Craig because it does offer a personal consultant....but you also need to buy their prepackaged foods. That may or may not appeal to you.

Join one of the groups here on the WISH board! They are all pretty friendly and supportive and informative! Feel free to ask questions.

Good luck, no matter what route you choose.................P

 

[Cin]

Hi, still peri here too, but dealing with the same issues. I'm 49 and sometimes I use the excuse of age as an excuse for letting myself go. Well, age, and work (I'm a Respiratory Therapist, so I know the hospital stress too), and family, and lots of excuses why not to take better care of myself - too busy caring for others. Anyway, I saw our vacation pics from WDW last Oct and I was shocked how "fat" I looked and how only 45 pounds could make me look frumpy and dumpy and that "Bridget Jones". I've lost 18 already by just watching what I eat, mainly just cutting out anything made with white flour or added sugars or fried. But, I have been unmotivated to lose the last little 25. I even gained back about 4... so now I started doing Zumba. Dance party, not exercise. It is so much fun that I wish I could do more but I tire out. I am by no means coordinated and have 2 left feet and still it's so much fun! I try keeping a journal of what I eat and find in recording every morsel, I tend to eat less and not snack. I use a smaller dinner plate and prepare smaller portions to start with so there are no seconds or no large portions for firsts either. I will often share an appetizer or entree with my husband when we dine out and it is plenty of food for both of us and helps our budget too. I do not keep any snack items in the house except for fresh vegetables and some fruit and cheese. I don't buy bread or cereals or other quick foods any more. I'm less tempted to snack if I have to go through the trouble of fixing something than a grab and go item, so I don't buy any convenience foods. Set a small weight loss goals for yourself and rejoice in every single pound gone. Even 10 little pounds makes a difference and you have to start somewhere. I'll bet once you start losing weight and toning up and looking better you will feel better and be more motivated to continue. But the first step toward your new you, should be right now, today. Don't wait until tomorrow. In the words of Nike shoes, "Just do it."

 

[KatyMac]

Thanks for your replies- you have all offered wonderful advice and I plan to incorporate that into a new "Me" plan- starting now. I am tired of feeling bad physically and mentally, tired of wearing clothes that cover me up and make me look like I weigh EVEN more than I DO! I appreciate the time you took to make a difference for someone you don't even know.

 

[Cin]

Yay! With help and support you can do it! I'm renewed now more than ever to stick to my plan and get those pounds off. I only try Zumba for 15 minutes at a time so far, but I found one routine and song I really love (it's only 3 and a half minutes so I just play it over and over) and I am starting to get the steps even though I still can't keep up, lol. After I get to where I can manage 45 minutes at once then I will actually go to a class. And I actually survived a whole day today with plain iced tea, no sugar and only 1 diet coke zero after dinner as a treat. Yay me. That's a first for a southern gal who lives on sweet tea and diet soda. I also did well with diet choices and avoided most of those tempting carbs, except a couple of bananas. One was good, but 2 was better! Taking it one day at a time.