It's Confession Time!

[DisnyMama]

I have put this off for years so here goes. I have made four trips to WDW and not been able to ride most of the rides that I wanted to due to my weight. I hear about folks alot heavier than I am that ride RNR, TOT, etc. with no problem but they carry their weight differently. I do not carry hardly ANY weight in the front (I can see my toes perfectly) but I carry it all in my hips and thighs which makes it almost impossible to fit into some seats from side to side. Let's just say most. Let's not even discuss the airplane seat flying from L.A. to Orlando. I have been tempted to buy the third seat so that I don't have to squish my poor son. He is so great about not minding lifting up the seat arm so his mom's butt can fit. I have annual passes to Disneyland and we rarely go because it such a bummer for me to have to just sit on the side lines and not be able to ride. I even avoid rides like the Jungle Cruise just so that I don't have to go through the turnstile (I am afraid I'll get stuck because I have before and slowed down the line whle I went through pain getting through the dumb thing). My gradual weight gain of 50 lbs over the past few years has been brought on starting with my doctor thinking that my weight was caused by depression so he put me on Paxil. BIG MISTAKE! I gained 20 lbs before my first trip to WDW and was on the stuff at WDW and it makes you not want to get out of bed in the morning. You are just so tired and want to sleep so we did not get going till after 1:00 p.m.. However-Paxil numbed my feelings. I could watch stuff that would normally make me cry and nothing. After a year and 35 lbs heavier went off the stuff. (I never needed it to begin with). Then, my new insurance company would not cover my Topamax for my Migraine prevention so they said I had to take Depakote for a couple of months (trial before they would approve the Topamax) and gained even more weight (15 lbs) so now I am approx. 50 lbs heavier than I was at my original overweight self (that I could live with and live in my skin and felt pretty). Ok- now I do get depressed about the way I look. I feel like I look older and not very pretty and what is so stupid is that I have lost large amounts of weight with diet and excercise before so I know that I can do it. Unfortunatley it is very true what they say that as you get older it does become more difficult. I am 41 and cannot loose weight by changing my eating habits alone. Oh sure, I lose maybe 5-8 lbs but that's it. Anything more will have to be done with excercise. My son and I have a YMCA membership but I cannot get myself motivated to go-I am so lazy. I absolutely do not want to go back to WDW next December the same way as before. I want to fit into my airplane seat (even if I have to squeeze as long as I can get into it that will be something). I want to ride RNR, maybe TOT, Test Track, fit on the bus seat, Star Tours, not get stuck in the turn styles-maybe even design and ride a vitual rollercoaster at DisneyQuest with my son. I have missed out on so much.

Well, thanks for taking the time to read my long confession. My plan is to get my b**t into the Y and hit that treadmill. Hey, if I break it down into mini goals of 5 lbs each that is only "10" 5 lb goals- when you look at it like that it doesn't seem so bad!

Bless you all here on the Wish Board,
Shannon

 

[chimera]

Come on in, Shannon. Everyone here is at different stages of the weight game, so you'll have all kinds of support.
Sounds like you're ready to take the first step...that one is often the hardest. But you can do it! Just start slow. If 30 minutes of walking is too much, start with 10 and work your way up.
I think splitting up your weight loss goals into smaller sections is a great idea. That makes it more manageable!

Insurance companies don't like Topamax...it's dreadfully expensive.

You're here now...you're among friends. Everyone here will help you. You can do it!

 

[crzy4pooh]

It sounds like you are on the right track now - you've made a commitment to go to the Y, and you are coming to these boards for accountability - Yea for you!!!! I'm so sorry for all the medication issues you have been through, but today is a new day. You've got that trip in December as great motivation, and you can get your son to be your exercise partner! You can do it! I, too, had trouble getting through the turnstyles, and I got stuck in that rollercoaster-design-thingy at Disney Quest. But you are right about it being just 5 pounds - several times over. Yea for you - now go exercise!!! And thanks for the motivation that I need to do the same - I think I will take my son for a walk right after breakfast.

Have a super day!!!

 

[keenercam]

Hi, Shannon! Welcome to the WISH board. Sounds like you and I have a lot in common. I am also 41 and need to lose much more than 50 lbs. I had been doing well up until 2 years ago when medical issues prevented me from exercising. I have been part of this board for 9 days now and have been cheat free the whole time -- I am following the weight watchers flex plan, trying to eat more protein than carbs, and have walked on my treadmill 3 times since last Thursday night. Every morning I make a commitment to myself and my family to strive for a healthier lifestyle.
I know what you mean about being inhibited about seats and rides. I carry a lot of weight in my hips and thighs and that makes it tough for airplanes, rides, movie theatres, etc. I am thinking that even a month from now I will feel so much better. Just think about how great you are going to feel in December if you make this commitment today and every day.
There is a lot of support to be had here. You can do it!

Feel free to PM me if you want an email buddy!

 

[Christine]

Shannon,
Your post made me feel like I was gonna cry.....I'm so glad you decided to post. I wish I could just fly out there and be your diet/exercise buddy. Honestly, I think you could really use that right now. Is there anyway you could afford a trainer? There are those that work with people just starting out and have a lot of weight to lose. I think that would give you some good motivation.

I feel funny responding to you because I am only about 15 lbs over my healthy weight. But, let me tell you, those last 10-20 lbs that ANYONE has to lose are the toughest. I am 41 also and I know what you mean--it really does get more difficult.

Please start tracking your food at www.fitday.com. It is really important to get an idea of where you calories are coming from and just HOW much you are putting in your mouth. A lot of times we don't think we are eating much but really are. I know that I thought I was dieting but when I entered it into fitday, I found I was at 2300 calories a day. Sorry, but no one is gonna lose weight on that. But having it all laid out for me showed me where I could improve and now I am successfully getting my calories down to 1600-1700 per day--and I managed to lose 8 lbs in 20 days. That much weight on a person who is barely overweight is good--imagine what you could do!!! A woman in my office has been on South Beach for about 1.5 months and has lost 30 lbs. You just have to make up your mind and get DETERMINED not to emotionally eat.

Besides going to the Y, go out and get yourself Leslie Sansone's Walk Away The Pounds tape. It is perfect for beginners and takes about 30 minutes. It will start to get you in shape before you have to face the gym.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Shannon,

and Welcome to the nicest and most encouraging people you will ever meet!!! I know exactly how you feel......but you are lucky...you can see your toes...I can't! I have been to WISH many times, but this time I am going to stay, cause I have found so much support and encouragement that it is really hard to walk away from.

I too have LOTS of weight to lose. Most of mine is in my gut. Currently, I am 263 pounds and WISH to be at about 150. So, you are not in this alone. I am sure there are people who have more and less weight to lose than me, but we are all in this together......Losing one pound at a time, taking it day by day....sometimes hour by hour. Not an easy task for sure...but doable as so many have done and continue to do.

I have to agree that taking it in small little chunks is the best way to look at the big picture. For me there is NO WAY I can lose 120 pounds....but I CAN lose a pound or two a week. I did nto get this way overnight....and I am not gonna get thinner overnight either!

I also would say that the Walk Away the Pounds tapes are excellent!! I started with the one mile and was winded...but I can now do the 2 mile. Still winded mind you....but I walk two miles in 30 minutes....HUGE accomplishment here!! You can always do more as you start to feel better about yourself.

For me, I NEED a goal. Saying my goal is to weight 150 pounds is just crazy!!! It seems so very far off and unattainable. So, with all this talk of the 1/2 marathon, I decided that was the motivation and goal that I needed. So, that is what I am striving for. I have just about a year to train and ready myself for the big event. Of course with training comes healthy eating and lots of exercise. That is doable for me.

I hope that you are able to find just what you need to motivate you. It is such a big step to "admit" you are ready face your weight issues......I feel like yes, eating is my disease....much like an alchoholics....so I have to treat myself accordingly. For me, I have to face it and deal with it. So admitidly, I have a food problem, and I need help. WISH has become my help.

I hope that you can find the help and encouragement you need here. There really are a BUNCH of people who care and are rooting for you more that you will ever know. Me being one of those people.

Should you ever need a buddy, PM me anytime. I totally understand where you are coming from. Be encouraged to know you can do this......so can I!!! We are all sharing much of the same problems and working toward a great goal.....a healthier, thinner bunch of people!! You can do this!!!

 

[thotfulspot]

Hi, Shannon! You are so completely in the right place! There is just so much help and encouragement to be found here, and lots and lots of people who know exactly where you're coming from and where you want to be!!

Like it was said above, the first step is the hardest, and you've done that by deciding that you want to be smaller and healthier! Breaking down your goal into littler goals is an outstanding idea -- it's so much more attainable, and you can think about rewards for achieving each goal (non-food rewards, like a special lotion or a manicure, or something else to make you feel pampered and pretty).

We are here 24/7, whenever you need a lift or advice or want to celebrate and achievement!

Go Shannon!! Go Shannon!!

 

[johde]

Welcome Shannon there always room for one more. I know what you mean about sitting on the sidelines. My problem wasn't my hips but my waist. Most rides at Disney though weren't a problem for me, but at other places it was. One time I decided to go on the bumper cars. I would fit but the car wouldn't move. I spent the entire time just sitting there. There were several Non-Disney roller coaster that I couldn't ride. Slowly but surely though those things are coming back. Breaking thing up into smaller goals is a good way to look at it. My overall goal is to lose 150 lbs. It still seems almost unimaginable. But right now making it to 80 lb or even 100lb total doesn't seem that far away. I just keep telling myself every lb I lose even if I don't make my goal is 1 lb healthier I am. As far as exercise go, start out just walking. It is still the only exercise I'm doing although I am thinking about getting into some upper body weight training. When I started out, I was winded after 1 mile. Now, my normal walk is 2 1/2 miles at a good clip about 3.5 MPH twice a week and I take a long walk of between 4 and 5 miles on the weekend (when the weathers nice) and I am looking at getting to a 10K walk sometime in the future. It can be done.

 

[DisnyMama]

to all of you! I so appreciate all your kind words and support. I knew this was the right place to be. I do have the "Walk away the pounds" tape and have done it a few times. My son laughs at the words in the music "walk, walk, walk....." He's 13-what do ya expect? I was so bored tonight , nothing on TV that I wanted to watch and I really felt like going to the "Y" but my son has a ton of homework tonight and needs my support (it's the single mom thing-dad lives in TX). I hate it when I have to say "single mom" because there are so many people out there that abuse that term. I know of married women that use it to get benefits. I just look at it this way. I am a mom who happens to be single due to a divorce-voila "single mom". Ok, enough of that. Anyway, I guess I could have put on the walking tape but I didn't even think of that. Bottom line....I need to make myself more of a priority. I may have to even take a little time off from work just to get myself started. I just have to do something. I gave some serious thought to making the 1/2 marathon next year a goal to work towards but I can't go to WDW that time of year but I do want to do it one day.

Thanks again everyone and have a great day,
Shannon

 

[chrismiss56]

Morning Shannon

You have come to the right place.

I have been visiting the boards since last August and while I have not been successful losing weight (my lack of commitment) I have received so much love and support that as of today I have recommited and you can too!!

This is a wonderful place to be with great people!!

We will all do it together

Happy Thursday and congrats on commiting to a better lifestyle!!

Have a magical Disney Day!!

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

Shannon, I have to send you a ! I felt your frustration as I read your post. Please think of this as a lifestyle change and not a diet. The fact that you have made the decision to change is half the battle.

Every time you go to the Y you are showing yourself some love. It will get easier every trip. And you have a great plan in the small goals you have in mind. Every pound you drop is one less you have to worry about. Take it one step at a time and focus on each day as it comes. Ask yourself "what have I done today to reach my goal"?

Good luck to you and stick around the people on this board are the greatest cheerleaders you will find anywhere!!!

Melissa
Whose body in under new management!

 

[wiskband]

WOW! shannon, you are a brave soul to bare that all here! It can only mean that you are very serious and really ready to do it this time! That was some raw feelings and I think you mean business! Did you end up going to the Y and get on the treadmill? I sure do hope so, if not do something at home. Shannon you should take some time out and look through this board, and read others stories, journals. There are so many of us who have lost so much weight. This is a wonderful place to find the support and advice you need. I must say though, I think you just took the first step to getting healthy by posted your story!
take care hon.PM if you'd like, Id love to talk.
renee