I need help!!

[Emmyfaye]

Every day of my life, I begin a diet...and almost every day of my life, I fail. I've started and quit WW's so many times, I am too embarrassed to go back (small town...)

My weight is creeping ever upward...sometimes I feel like I will weigh 800 lbs. by the time I'm 65!

Please, please, please give me some suggestions of what worked for you to finally begin and more or less stick with a diet.

I joke about my bulging tummy and double chin...but I feel like screaming every time I look in the mirror ... and the more I think like that, the more I stuff down my throat.

I have talked to my family doctor about the possibility of some chemical help (weight loss drugs, or whatever)...and all I got was a "you just need willpower" (which I already know, otherwise I wouldn't be at the doctor's!).

I am the only person I know who never loses her appetite, nothing that sickens others ever bothers me, I eat when I am happy, sad, upset, whatever....

HELP!

 

[wovenwonder]

I know exactly where you are at right now! I was there just last year at this time, and the year before, and the year before.......

In 2001 we had a cruise planned and I thought for SURE I would lose the weight for the cruise. I cruised Fat. We rebooked for April 2002 and I KNEW I would do it this time --- I cruised at my heaviest that year (247). I had failed AGAIN! I was ready to give up. Then I was reading the WISH board and a post by Glo - how she lost many pounds and was feeling so healthy! I just had to give it one more try......

That was June 17, 2002! I started eating Low Carb (Atkins). The great thing about this way of eating is that it takes away your hunger feeling naturally. The first two weeks were pure torture! I had major sugar/carb withdrawal and never thought I would stick it out. I was determined to get thru just two weeks. After that time I realized that I felt better than ever! A pleasant surprise was that my IBS sypmtoms completely disappeared. I had the loose bowl IBS symptoms and could barely go more than a minute away from a bathroom. I now am free of that!

I did really well from June - December and dropped 32 pounds. Then I temporarily swayed again. After gaining some weight I started the WISH challenge at 222. I am now on my weigh again and will never look back!

The first two weeks are the most difficult. Once you get thru that time it gets much better! I will tell you more if you are interested.

 

[Emmyfaye]

Please tell me how you got through that first two weeks!!! I sometimes feel like if I could even get through one week, that might be a start...

What did you eat? (What do you eat?)

 

[KathyFP]

I can understand how you feel. I felt the same way last Monday when I got started again. I think there were a few things that got me motivated, but what has kept me motivated was this board. I am still amazed at the power and influence of this supportive community.

I have found that making a commitment to journaling daily is working. Reading everyone’s post is inspiring. Now I am far from perfect, but after a rough weekend, I haven't given up.

This is a great place. Give it a try.

 

[wovenwonder]

The following are some of my favorite low carb links....

LowCarbIsEasy.com Website
A Beginners Guide to Low Carbing
"Taking off the Pounds" MSNBC.Com Article
Nick's Low Carb Story
Great site to order Low Carb Products

ENJOY!


The first two weeks are the MOST DIFFICULT since your body is going thru withdrawal. Here are some of the things you would eat during that time.....

Unlimited Meat --- steak, prime rib, roast beef, Grilled Hamburgers, chicken wings, grilled chicken breast strips, chicken on the bbq [no bbq sauce though], Fish, Lobster with real melted butter, grilled shrimp with real melted butter, scallops, crab legs, Pork and Kraut, Pork Chops, Bacon, Sausage, Ham, etc (get the idea). Eggs, Oils, butter, real salad dressing, real mayo, heavy cream, up to 4oz cheese or cream cheese a day. Up to 20 carbs/day of low carb veggies such as tossed salad, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, wax beans, asparagus, zuchinni, etc.

NO ---- Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, starchy veggies,etc. NO High carb foods or sugar.

There is so much to choose from. I now am hardly ever hungry -- but it can be a very healthy way of eating!

Instead of having a big steak, baked potatoe, and salad. Now I will have the steak, salad, and smashed cauliflower (I smash well cooked cauliflower and put the same toppings on that I would have put on a potatoe before --- butter, sour cream, bacon, etc). We still go out to eat but I'll order a big grilled burger without the bun --- topped with mayo, lettuce, tomatoe and onion -- and sometimes even a dollop of blue cheese! My favorite lunch time eat is Chicken Cheesesteak minus the bun!

Check out the websites I recommended for more info!


edited to add....

You must also drink ALOT of water to flush out your system. I try to drink at least 1/2 gallon a day --- but should really drink more. Atkins woe also says no caffeine --- I do still have caffeine and I know some other people also have it. They also say that some people will stall from artificial sweetners (they recommend splenda for sweetner). I do use diet soda's with aspartamene but actually enjoy the Diet Rite sweetened with splenda MORE! There is so much you CAN HAVE with this WOE and that is what you need to focuss on. Try to focuss on what you can have a realize that the other foods are not an option if you want to be succesful in your journey.

If you are considering this way of eating [woe] post a seperate thead asking of other WISHers experience with low carb eating. You will get alot of suggestions.

 

[ohMom]

Emmyfaye - welcome to our family! That's what we are a big family of LOSERS!

This is the place to come and lurk about until you are ready to start your new healthy lifestyle. There are several new committment to eating here (WW, Atkins, Zone, Jenny Craig, Portion control to name a few) I would suggest reading up on them and deciding which plan you can easily incorporate into your life. Pick one that doesn't really seem like "dieting" to you.

Start a journal on the journal thread and we will be there to support you 110% all the way!

Let us know when you're starting, until then get nosy and read all about us!

 

[Kabuli1]

Emmyfaye,

You've really come to the right place and have made the biggest start just by telling us your story. OhMom just took the words out of my mouth (er, fingers) - read, read, read and be encouraged by what is on these boards. Don't jump into another diet just cause it sounds like everybody else is succeeding with it - take the time to figure out what will work for you. Take a big breath, you're joining the best support in the world - and we want you to do what will work for you! Take a few days to figure this out - and in the meantime, try to cut down on portions and eat only healthy stuff - and drink lots and lot of water. We're doing all sorts of plans - and we're having sucess on all sorts of plans, too.

Personally I haven't settled into a plan - tho, I'm kinda working my way toward Atkins - started with the Zone - moved to Protein Power - and will stay there for awhile - by the time I get to Atkins the carbs won't even be an issue. But I couldn't have jumped in like some of the others have. AND my DH is doing this with me, so it has to work for both of us.

There's alot of sucess here with WW and someone else is doing fabulously w/ Slim Fast - others with just plain healthy eating. Find your place, and whatever/wherever it is, you will be loved through it - right here!

Karyn

 

[disneychrista]

Give up "dieting" because diets do not work. You have to learn to eat. Start with small changes. Do not "give - up" something you know you could not live the rest of your life w/o. The first thing the mind does when you "give up" something is crave it.

Exercise is the key to any weight loss. You have to burn more calories then you eat each day to lose weight. So even if you do not change the way you eat, you can lose just by exercising.

Pick just ONE THING to change and do it. If you eat a candy bar every day then maybe you could allow yourself to have half of it and save the other half for another day. Or if you usually eat a bag of microwave popcorn while watching TV, switch it to the light or smart pop version. When you feel you have control over that one thing, move onto something else.

And remember to think positive, you can do it.

 

[yasuern]

Emmyfaye,

Just echoing what others have said - WELCOME!! - Lurk learn ask tell - It's a great bunch of folks all with the same goal of losing weight - some small amounts some not so small amounts. This is a place of pure support - no judging here.

As far as willpower goes - I have lost and gained so many times in the past - and I always say this time... - but being able to read about the challenges others have makes me feel less on my own this time and I am 100% sure I will sucseed this time - because of this board And you will too! I am doing WW and I have done it before - I am sure many in your small town have been were you are now and will only offer support if you choose to do WW. But maybe WW isn't for you - find the plan that will work for your life and keep trying - I KNOW YOU WILL SUCEED!

 

[PAdisMOM]

I too have felt what you are feeling. This is a great place for you.

I spent several weeks just lurking and reading other people's stories. I am going to try Atkins starting May 20th. The great thing about these boards is that there are so many people doing different things. You are really able to gather a lot of information and compare and contrast the different methods. Nobody pushes one method. You will be able to decide what's best for you.

Then comes the best part!! The moral support that everybody offers is enough to get you through. Just knowing that there are people out there going through exactly what I am, and people out there cheering me on has made a huge difference.

Good luck!! You've come to the right place. We'll have you feeling better about yourself in no time.

 

[Emmyfaye]

Perhaps it's because I sense most of you are quite non-judgemental...unlike virtually everyone else in my life! Today I just felt consumed with self-loathing.

I walk 1 1/2 hours every day - in 3, 30 minute bouts - but unfortunately I seem to eat enough that it doesn't make any difference.

I like to blame all of this stuff on menopause, but then see others who don't have to use it as a "crutch".

Reading everyone's posts, however, makes me feel like I just got a bunch of hugs...maybe this forum is where I need to be, at least for some friendly company. (Don't I sound down, today?)

Hugs to all of you for making today a little brighter.

 

[wovenwonder]

Are you going to officially join us EmmyFaye? Grab a WISH clippie and you will be an official member. Take some time to decide what kind of program you want to do. Just take it baby steps if that is what will work best for you. Don't set yourself up for failure. This week set 5 goals each day that you will promise to accomplish. They can be a simple as your walking, flossing your teeth, drinking water, etc. Make 5 goals that you know you can live with. Vow to complete them each for every day for the next 7 days. Start a journal on the journal page of WISH and chart your daily accomplishments with these goals. This will show you that you can succeed at something for a week!! It will help you to feel successful and worthy of yourself. Then add to those goals one or two more things for the next week. Continue to journal to be accountable to yourself for meeting those goals. Take it one step at a time and you can do this! You can pick your 'plan' later --- but jump in and join us NOW! We'd love to have you as part of our group.

 

[Mskanga]

Emmyfaye, I can assure you that if support is what you are looking for, true genuine support is what you will find here, trust me I know.
Nobody is judgemental here because we are all in the same boat or have been at some point. I'm not one of those people that has a lot left to loose , I have lost so far 26 lbs and to be at the ideal weight for my height, I need to loose another 18-20 lbs, however I'm not in a rush, I just watch what I eat and exercise a little bit more than I used to. You are going to get a lot of good advice here , yes willpower is the key to success, however if you are alone, willpower is not easy to come by. We keep each other motivated here, and that I think gets us through the hard times.
Welcome , and join us LOOSERS .

 

[TigH]

Adding my welcome!

I do hope you decide to stick around. I think we are a very non-judgemental group! Seems like there is an unwritten rule around here that we don't like to see anyone be too hard on themselves. This is a terrific place for upliftment, support, inspiration, encouragement and friendship. It's amazing to see so many people setting goals and reaching them step by step. If you read enough posts, you can watch people transform along the way (not just shedding pounds and getting healthier, but building confidence and realizing that they are in control of their life, not just what they decide to eat or when they decide to exercise).

Don't try to make too many changes at once. Take small steps along the way until you get comfortable with new ideas. Don't give up if you have an off day or off week. Don't be afraid to ask for support or help if you need it. I find that it's easy to stay on track if I can respond to lots of posts. It helps me stay focused and I feel good when I try to help other people.

You can do it!!!

 

[Jiminy102]

I have started and quit so many diet over the yearsI have lsot count!! But WISH is great!! A place full of inspiration, motivation great ideas and love!! I think a loving family is the best way I know how do decribe this plae!! Welcome!! I hope you find here what many of us have!!