I have decided that I am ready to lose some weight.

[sdoll]

I am sick and tired of being overweight. I have not always been chunky but since I had my last son 2 years ago I have really ballooned up. And I mean really its so depressing.

I have made every excuse in the book and now its just time to face the music. Does it sound weird if I say I know I am addicted. I seriously wake up in the morning planning what I am going to eat during the day. I just don't understand it. I feel like I have a great life I don't think its not some hidden depression. I am lonely for a good friend here and I think I might eat to fill that void and I think I eat more because its the one thing in my life that's easy. I work full time about 50 hours a week. I usually get home around 6pm feed my boys, play with them, bathe them and put them to bed and then I sit down for the first time and eat junk. I do feel overwhelmed. I am not good at time management and don't take the time to plan out my meals or pack my lunch the night before. My husband and I both work in retail management and are rarely home at the same time. So its hard to cook when the boys are all over me and want my attention and I want nothing more than to give it to them.
But I am done being fat and feeling uncomfortable. And what kind of example am I setting for my kids? At McDonald's I make my boys get apples as I scarf down fries. Duh
I just feel like the luckiest woman in the whole world in some ways. I have an amazing husband and 2 beautiful boys, a job I truly enjoy but I turn around and inflict this upon myself. My husband is amazing and hasn't said boo about this and would support me in what ever I do. But I hate how I feel that I have let myself go.

I don't know what I am looking for in this post advise or a kind ear but this has to change. I used to feel so good about myself and I don't anymore.
I think it has to be like other addictions you get to the point where you are just done. I have hit rock bottom i just don't know where to go from here.

Thanks for listening I love these boards

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I know how you feel. A lot of times, it takes us (moms ESPECIALLY) a while to take a look at ourselves. We spend so much time making everyone else happy, comfortable, healthy, etc., that we completely neglect ourselves.

Like I said, I'm in the same boat. I've never really cared, but I have the weirdest desire to play softball. It's so random!! I played basketball in school, never softball (nor did I ever have any interest). Anyway, I'll never be little (I'm a 5'10 Samoan/Native girl...I'm never going to be petite in any sense of the word ), but I definitely need to get in shape.

I don't have much advice to offer, but I thought it might be helpful for you to know you're not alone.

 

[brekin67]

Hugs to you. Good luck with your journey.

 

[DISNEYNV]

I think most moms go through this to be honest. I feel for you as a women and a mom. I have also gained a lot of weight with my two pregnancies and even though I have joined a gym I still do not get there as much as I would like with my DH working late and no one really to watch the kids (there is no childcare at Planet Fitness!) I love going to the gym. It's my time for myself and to relax. Yes, exercise has become my relaxation and stress relief I am a SAHM but work outside the home as a product designer two nights a week. I love my job and my kids, but you need an outlet of some sort as a mom to do something that you enjoy or makes you happy that DOES NOT revolve around the kids! Weight loss is hard when you are making chicken nuggets for the kids lunches, but I try to eat amd buy foods that I can eat too for them. Low fat hotdogs and yogurt, Boca brand corn dogs and baked doritos or chips. Kids will eat what you serve them if they are young enough to no know the difference yet I think every mom needs a friend or someone to vent with. It is hard to find others who really understand how moms feel when it comes to ourselves when we are so focused on our kids and family. Feel free to PM me

 

[PaulaSue]

Good for you! You can do it!

WISH board, below, is very helpful. Also for me (I lost over 65 pounds a few years ago after being overweight all my life) breaking it into little goals helped me so It was not overwelming. (For me it was 25, 15, 15 and then I went 15 more under my goal of just hitting a healthy BMI for my height.)

Small changes really add up and be prepared to change your life and it soon becomes habit. For me I was out all day but can't relax until I do the ellipical for at least 30 minutes a day and now am doing it right now working on 45 minutes. (I do it while surfing online and watching tv to get my mind off of the work.)

 

[AuroraBeauty]

Good for you for making this decision yourself and not feeling pushed in to it. You've admitted you have control issues with food, but you're not alone! And you've said you are overwhelmed. What overwhelms you? Food choices? Life? Lack of pre-planning? I'm sure it's lots of things, not just one. But whatever is overwhelming you, identify it (or them) so you know what your triggers are.

Sounds like your DH will be supportive, yes? You need his support so that you're not alone in this.

I lost 75 pounds and it took time. But my friends and family were so supportive and that really helped. We'd go out to dinner and they would help me make better choices if I was feeling stressed or overwhelmed by life or the menu, whatever.

You can do it! One step at a time. This is probably something you should talk over with your doctor, especially if you are taking any meds. Losing weight can affect your meds. Also, your doctor may be able to order some counseling with a nutritionist. Check your insurance and see if you have benefits for a gym or if your doctor can prescribe it for you. Doesn't hurt to ask!

There are lots of options. Search the forum for the threads about Losing Weight for Mickey. There are some terrific ladies there who are very supportive and have a wealth of information.

Don't sabotage yourself. You can do it. You can live a healthy lifestyle and not be hungry or need to starve yourself. It's about changing your habits and making different choices.

When I lost my weight I did it by watching what I ate. I didn't exercise. I had a little one at home and going to the gym wasn't something I wanted to do. So, it is possible to lose weight but not exercise at a gym. I did walk around the neighborhood or the mall though. And with your two boys you can go to the park and be active with them.

You can do it!!!

 

[JoRo]

Hi Mom of two here also - and we looked into Jenny but to $$, then I said I can do that on my own so filled up the freezer with foods like Jenny but didnt work out. Joined YMCA went for a couple months they started making excuses....what I finally did 12 weeks ago is join weight watchers - and I have lost 15 pds...slow but true! I would go to costco or sams or anywhere - spend the extra $$ on snack size carrots, already peeled apples, cut up vegis ahead of time put in containers - blueberries are great yummy snacks. Stick to high fiber stuff - eat salads at Mc D's just dont order fries - I have no will power so I just dont order.


I am going to be a little lighter for the rides in Oct - YEAH....

But good luck

 

[megsters]

hi

i thought id throw in my support for you too. i go through phases where im motivated to do better for myself to work out and eat right, and then other times, i throw it all to h-e-double hockey sticks and feel worse about myself when i eat junk and dont work out.

theres a website called sparkpeople...it reminds me a lot of the dis. theres a ton of support, lots of articles and a plethora of ideas.

its a vicious cycle, i totally understand where you're at. good luck!

 

[mitsybella]

The other thing I would recommend is a full check up, I have several friends that now have thyroid conditions since having children, they went thru weight gain and thought it was just a change in lifestyle, they are now on medication but it is still difficult for them to loose weight, I have had my thyroid checked but the doctor keeps telling me there is nothing wrong... I'm just fat I started on a weight loss program, did nutrisystem for a month, got to see what the calories on the foods were and portion sizes etc and have been doing it on my own for a few months, have lost 20 lbs so far, I prefer not to go to groups and have weigh-ins but I know some people do better with this so weight watchers would be a good option. good luck

 

[bellebuzzntink]

Another mom here, with post baby weight gain! It's so easy to get wrapped up in day to day life, and not take care of yourself. I've been trying to lose a bit of weight, but I think I've finally accepted that if I don't make a full commitment to a lifestyle change, I probably won't lose more than a couple of pounds. It sounds like you're ready to step up and start to make that change for yourself. I wish you all the luck, and hope that you can find a healthier, happier you!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Everyone's had great words of wisdom, so I just wanted to offer support. I think overcoming the feeling of sadness is going to be key to your success -- empowering you to realize you're just as special as your wonderful DH and kids, and taking care of yourself is only going to make everything even better still!

Good luck on your journey -- you can really do this!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Sounds like you are ready to make a change.
I waited till I was in serious medical troble to make a change. I had a stroke at 43.
Don't wait. I lost 100 lbs about 1 1/2 years ago and kept it off. I did it on my own becasue I knew I had to. It is tough but it has to be a lifetime change. I tried to think "healthy" not weight loss even though that was my goal. Being home alone with kids is really hard!! My biggest suggestion is to get and keep the junk out of the house!! Do not allow it in. Now at me goal we will "sometimes" have a treat but then we get the food out of the house even if it means throwing some away.
Buy lowfat or no-fat everything. You get used to it fast.

It's fine to think about food and it has been shown in studies that allowing yourself to think about food can HELP in weight loss. Planning your foods for the day is fine but then review to see how you did at the end of the day.

allow a cheat sometime but then get right back in there.

It will not be easy but so worth it!!!!! Let us know how you are doing!!!

 

[mdsouth]

I am sick and tired of being overweight. I have not always been chunky but since I had my last son 2 years ago I have really ballooned up. And I mean really its so depressing.

I have made every excuse in the book and now its just time to face the music. Does it sound weird if I say I know I am addicted. I seriously wake up in the morning planning what I am going to eat during the day. I just don't understand it. I feel like I have a great life I don't think its not some hidden depression. I am lonely for a good friend here and I think I might eat to fill that void and I think I eat more because its the one thing in my life that's easy. I work full time about 50 hours a week. I usually get home around 6pm feed my boys, play with them, bathe them and put them to bed and then I sit down for the first time and eat junk. I do feel overwhelmed. I am not good at time management and don't take the time to plan out my meals or pack my lunch the night before. My husband and I both work in retail management and are rarely home at the same time. So its hard to cook when the boys are all over me and want my attention and I want nothing more than to give it to them.
But I am done being fat and feeling uncomfortable. And what kind of example am I setting for my kids? At McDonald's I make my boys get apples as I scarf down fries. Duh
I just feel like the luckiest woman in the whole world in some ways. I have an amazing husband and 2 beautiful boys, a job I truly enjoy but I turn around and inflict this upon myself. My husband is amazing and hasn't said boo about this and would support me in what ever I do. But I hate how I feel that I have let myself go.

I don't know what I am looking for in this post advise or a kind ear but this has to change. I used to feel so good about myself and I don't anymore.
I think it has to be like other addictions you get to the point where you are just done. I have hit rock bottom i just don't know where to go from here.

Thanks for listening I love these boards

Thanks for sharing. I am in the same position as you. I hate the way my body looks and how I feel. I, too, think about food a lot. I just have to get up and moving.

 

[Nancyg56]

You are not alone! If you go down to the WISH board you will see a lot of people who feel or felt the same way that you are feeling. I did too.

I knew that I was eating the wrong foods and that I should make better choices so I made sure that I ate when no one was looking. I would bake a cake for "DH" but I would have a piece to see if it came out okay. Sure, the same cake I have made for years and I needed to check it? Then I would wait til after dinner and have a piece with my family. Morning would come and I would have a piece after Buddy left, and one or more pieces before he came home.

Meals were outrageously good! Yes Maam.....I cooked and baked every day and used butter and cream to make sauces and gravies and to flavor veggies toppings and fillings.

And I was sick. I felt so lousy, lethargic and exhausted for well over a year. I thought that it was normal to feel like that though and was afraid that I would feel that way for the rest of my life. Naps, early bedtimes, asthma, and sleep apnea.

My DD and DDIL joined WW so I cooked for them, we all ate what I cooked. Funny how I was willing to make changes for my family but I was never willing to see that I was worth changing for. DD bought me a month's pass, she knew that I would never waste 48 dollars and would go to those meetings.

One year to the day later I reached my goal weight at WW. I will not pretend that I am always 100% on board with the plan but I can tell you that the first meeting was like the first day in the rest of my life. I know that I am like an addict with food, I avoid sugar and white flour and processed foods as much as possible because I will get horrible cravings if I indulge too much. Perhaps food addiction does not seem to have the repercussions of alcohol and drug addictions but I am living proof that food addicts can be self destructive too, just ask your DR if you have increased your chances of developing diabetes, cancer, breathing problems or joint pain.

I never had luck with any other weight loss plans, I needed to eat normal food, go out like a normal person and I hate frozen dinners and snack bars for lunch and dinner. I tried the diet drinks but then are because I needed food, not a shake. WW gave me the opportunity to learn how to make healthy choices for myself and how to shop for me. When I cook food now, I make sure that I have plenty of choices that are healthy for me adn do not feel guilty if teh fats are not added adn if I have tucked in whole grains instead of bread crumbs and fillers. My family benefits from my cooking now, my DH is healthier despite himself and I feel like a million bucks! Shopping will never be the first thing I choose to do but it was not the disaster that it has been for too many years to count.

You are a Mother, you care for your family and I imagine that they take most of your time. Now is the time for you to respect and care for yourself as much as you do your family. You are with the time, the effort and the money

 

[lustergirl]

Good Luck! I am going through a tough time rightnow as well. I have lost 72 pounds in about a year and a half and went down 2 sizes. In the past 4 months I have gained back 23 pounds and have just found out that I am menopausal- not good! I am only 41 but had a hysteroctomy 7 years ago so this is why I am suffering now. This weight gain has me struggling. My doctor told me it will pass and I can't hope soon enough. I exercise 5 to 6 days a week and am determined to lose this weight.

You can do it!!

 

[stacy6552]

About 12 years ago I hit that moment. I just woke up and got regimented about it. I got out of bed and walked every morning ( 2 miles in weekdays and 5 on the weekends) and got on Slim Fast because it was simple with no gray area. I took off 30 lbs in about 4 months and have never let myself get that big again, including having a baby after that. For me, I found once I hit my goal I simply had to never buy bigger clothes again. That's been a big factor for me, when my clothes get too tight, I get careful.

I think the biggest trick is to find what works for you. Retail can be a tough place to do it, so stay out of the food court! Good luck!

 

[reservations4five]

I just hit that wall myself- I have joined sparkpeople.com - which is like a free online version of WW. I LOVE IT!!! I am working on holding myself accountible for my caloric intake and water drinking. I am doing better- if you decided to sign up let me know and we can be sparkbuddies

 

[miprender]

Wow... I was looking for the thread Losing for the Mouse which I can't find because I feel just like you.

We were just at a wedding yesterday and I can't believe how FAT I looked. When I left the house yesterday I didn't think I looked that bad.

I too really need to start loosing weight. I have no excuse either, I have a nice treadmill, family membership to YMCA but all I am missing is motivation and energy!!

Reading all these posts really helps.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Kuddos to you for deciding to make a change. I too feel a little "addicted" to food. My whole day is planned around it. What to make the kids for lunch, what does DH want for dinner??

I started to work out and change my diet, but have since been sidelined with a heel spur... grr!!!! I do know that I snack a lot during the day (a bite here, a nibble there) so I've decided to replace a lot of the food in the house with fresh stuff. My last trip to the grocery was filled with produce and other things that were fresh.

Best of luck in your endeavor and I hope you can be as successful as you want to be.

 

[cheshireqt]

I agree with getting your Thyroid checked. It is a simple blood test. Symptoms of hypothyroid can be some but not all of these: fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, depression. Again you do not have to exhibit all the signs, just insist on the blood test to rule out hypothyroid.
Other than that GOOD LUCK!!!! Attitude is half the equation and you've got that going on! I just know you will be successful. Just remember that one day or weekend or even week of being bad does not mean you gave up, it just means that you try harder the next day. Each morning starts with the opportunity to make the right choices in food and exercise, no matter what happened the previous day. (I say this for me as much as for you).
btw just so you do not get discouraged like I did and do sometimes, I have found that with increased focus on exercise (aerobic and weights), I do not lose weight but do lose inches. If your scale does not budge concentrate more on how your clothes feel. I dropped 2 clothing sizes but have only lost 5 pounds. The lack of measurable weight loss on the scale has caused me some consternation but I do have some noticeable muscle now!
I would love to check back periodically to see how you are doing and to post with you. I am "on the wagon" right now myself. I have 12 more days before all those pictures at Disney!