Glad to find this forum

[EsmeraldaX]

I'm glad I found this forum as well. I have been a member of Disboards for about a month. This week, for the first time in my life, I have started counting calories. I've been pretty good so far, but I am horrified I am going to fall off the bandwagon and start eating too much again.

My biggest problem is that I have a job where I literally sit at a desk for 10 hours a day. I enjoy eating all the things I shouldn't eat and I'm very very picky an d have a very sensitive stomach. I would usually tend to eat when I was bored at work and I'd snack on cookies, brownies etc.

Excercise is also a problem for me. I try to walk in the mornings and at night when I take my dog out, but I live in a dangerous area, where I can't walk alone (my dog isn't much protection) I really only have the mornings to walk because I have a sometimes hour and half commute each day ; each way, and in the fall/winter its dark by the time I get home.

Joining a gym is financially out of the question for me. The best I can do is walk around the block a few times a week in the AM.

So I have decided to start strictly limiting my calories to try and lose 1/2 lb each week.

I want to lose 20-25 lbs. My entire life up until a few months ago I was always 20-25 lbs lighter than I am now. Gaining this weight has made me feel miserable, my boyfriend has completely lost interest in me (I was 25 lbs lighter a year ago when we got together) and since i put on this weight constantly droools over "skinny" women, something he never did before. Needless to say, he is being very supportive of my decision and that helps a lot.

I can literally feel how heavy I am, because I have a very small frame and very weak bones so even a little extra weight looks bad on me.

It's been 4 days and I haven't had an un-healthy snack yet. But I always feel hungry. Is this normal when you are first changing your diet?

Sorry for whining. It's just really hard to look at myself and realize I can't eat whatever I like or want anymore. I hope this period of depression over my weight passes.

Any advice or encouragement would be much appreciated.

thanks for listening
sheri

 

[pumba]

because alot of people are desk people.......they need to get up and move a few times during the day......alot of the office people and computer people at the local doctor offices and hospitals....do the block walking during their breaks.......it also gets them the fresh air that the offices do not provide...(haha)......if it is bad weather ....they do the stairs instead of the blocks........
there are alot of good ideas and food recipes.....again welcome and hope you find the boards helpful

 

[TigH]

Hello and welcome, Sheri!

You came to the right place for support and encouragement! I think it's hard to sit in one place for a long period of time and NOT eat, but hopefully you can find something to do to help you resist those urges to snack. Baby carrots can be a bit boring, but they are a nice crunch and a handy treat! What about chewing sugarless gum? Also, can you get up to make lots of potty breaks? Because sipping on some ice cold water is a great way to fill up!!!

Good luck and keep up the great work! You can do this! Hope to see you posting often!!!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thank you. I'm sure I will be posting often.

On my way out for a nice afternoon walk with my puppy on my day off!

 

[jenanderson]

Sheri -
Welcome! You have come to the right place - the ideas and support on the WISH have gotten me going and feeling good about myself. Keep coming here and you will soon feel the same about your eating have have some great ideas to work with.

I saw that you were concerned about exercising. Joining a gym was not an option for me either. I have done a couple of things. First, I have tried walking on my break at work. Even on my 15 minute break I have been about to get out and walk a couple of blocks on nice days. On my lunch I can walk for 30 minutes and feel great. Getting up and away from the computers is great! I have also borrowed some exercise DVDs from friends and as much as I thought I would hate it, I love them. I have really gotten into a set of pilate DVDs a friend borrowed me (and is now selling them to me cheap because she never uses them). I didn't think it would do much good and I really thought exercising in the house was silly - however - I am totally changed. You might want to see if anyone has any tapes or DVDs you could borrow to try it out.

Snacks - I was so hungry when I first started. I think I ate through a big bag of baby carrots every day at first! It was tiring and I got sick of carrots but it did stop most of the snacking. I also swear by sugar free jello, sweet sensations candy bars (I have to have some chocolate sometimes), popcorn (I pop some low fat snack size bags before work and bring them with me) and other little things like this. I work on computers and usually don't even notice things go in my mouth as I am working because I get so into my job but I just found a lot of things that were low calorie/low fat and put them in my office. It has been working out and I am finding that I don't snack as much anymore. WATER - tons and tons of it. I finally got 2 really big water bottles and I freeze them each night. Then, during the day I drink them and refill them over and over. This will have to slow down a bit though because I teach computers and when the kids come back and I am teaching it is hard to go to the bathroom all of the time!

The hardest part is just starting. Good for you to see that you want to make the change. Once you get going here you will find motivation and inspiration from others that will help. Good luck and be sure you check in often!
Jen

 

[mickeyspal!]

Hi and Welcome!
I have recently joined this forum as well and have found it fun and informative. I have only one tip. When I was shopping around for what type of exercise tape to do, I borrowed several from the library. It's free and it will give you an idea of what kind of programs are out there. Good Luck!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thanks . Just got back from a long walk. Despite it being hot out, I feel great.

 

[MelanieC]

Welcome to WISH! This is such an awesome group of people.

For exercise, how about a work out video?? Walk away the pounds with Leslie Sansone is awesome for beginners! It's low impact, and the time really flies. She makes working out fun. I really enjoy them.

You mentioned that you are strictly limiting your calories. Just make sure that you eat enough. You can actually gain or not loose if you go too low, because your metabolism shuts down or slows down. Your body thinks it is in starvation mode. That is why I like Weight Watchers, because it gives me a range of points and I know that as long as I eat within my points and don't go below I will loose weight.

Also remember that this is a lifestyle change. If and when you want something, allow yourself to have some. Just limit your portions. By not allowing yourself to have some treats, you can get burned out. That is why I love WW's. I can eat anything! I have pizza 1-2 times a week (2 slices each time), I eat peanut butter all the time, hamburgers, steak, and bratwurst. I don't have them all the time, but I do eat them when the family is having them. I eat out ALL the time. I really do eat out alot! Gee, this week I have had lunch out almost everyday!

I work in an office, and my commute is about an hour each way. I have a drawer filled with all sorts of WW low points snacks. I keep a box of high protien/high fiber Kashi, some all natural granola bars, merangue cookies for my sweet tooth. I bring 2-3 pieces of fruit (usually only 1 point each) to between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and going home. I have 2 prunes and a glass of water before leaving for work and then have breakfast at work. (breakfast ideas for at work- Kashi, instant oatmeal, egg, fruit). Since I have added eating fruit and snacks throughtout the day I am not hungry! If I do get hungry, I eat my fruit. ( I have stuck to mostly fruits because I try to get the proper serving of fruits and veggies per day and the points are low)

Hang in there, the hardest part was starting. I know you can do this! Good luck!

Melanie