Really hard and embarassing question about portion sizes

[LeesyUD]

Hi folks,

So I am unfortunately "obese". I am 28 yrs old and 5'1 and 290lbs (So hard to write that). I was 8 years ago down to 170....the thinnest in my life (and that is still considered bad for my height). Unfortunately, right when I had lost all that weight i got very sick with mono. Because I could not work out or get much activity for a long time I gained all 40 lbs back. I have tried to lose weight for years but it has been so hard because my metabolism is sooooo bad. Instead I just kept gaining. I was actually 310 lbs at one point but have lost a bit. I never considered myself that much of an "over-eater" until the last 2 -3 years. And I do still eat some very unhealthy stuff sometimes....but have really cut out alot and now eat alot of fresh fish and poultry. However, I have found that for the first time in my life, I am honestly having problems with overeating. I find that my portion sizes are huge and over the last few years it has taken more to fill me up. I am trying to cut down on my portion sizes but it is so hard at this point. I was wondering if there are others that have had this problem and have been successful in cutting down their portion sizes even though their stomach expanded so much. Because I am so "obese" I was going to try to get the gastric bypass at one point but unfortunately I am in a situation right now where I do not have medical insurance. Anyway, how did/do you all deal with this and the frustration that goes along with it?

 

[adsrtw]

I think the frustration (for me at least) is when I try to change too many things too quickly. I have learned to master one thing at a time and it helps! For me, I changed parts of my diet first, then moved on to adding water, then exercise here and there. Baby steps will really add up.

 

[tiggerlover]

You have to work your way over that hunger hurdle, when you reduce what you are eating you have what I call this intense hunger until your body adjusts to less food. Sometimes this takes a week or so. My suggestions for "fillers" while you are reducing your food intake is to drink tons of water and warm tea and to chew gum. I have found that both help me through those extreme times. Also, try not to eat all at one sitting, it takes your body 20-30 minutes to feel full, so try eating a little and walk away for a half hour. Iif you are still hungry after 30 minutes come back and have a little more. Still not feeling full, wait another 30 minutes and so on and so forth.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Lisa...you were very brave for writing that post! Good for you! And great job making healthier choices! My advice is similar to tigger's. You have to let your body adjust. And while your body is getting used to taking in less food, you really want to make sure you eat food that makes you feel fuller more quickly. This means lots and lots of veggies and anything high in fiber. And very little with refined flour/sugar (as this burns off so fast that you are left feeling hungry again very quickly).

Also, WATER. Many times when we feel hungry, we are actually thirsty! Drink 16 ozs. of water before each meal. This will not only help you to eat less, it will aid in digestion, help flush fats and toxins out of your system and everything else.

Finally, join one of the groups here on WISH. All of these threads have wonderful giving people who are or have been in your place. Support is a big part of success!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I agree with tiggerlover, you WILL feel hungry. Just because you feel hungry doesn't mean you should eat when you're trying to adjust the amount you're eating. But that feeling does go away if you work through it and your stomach shrinks.

My suggestion is try to figure out how many calories a day you're eating currently and then cut out 100-500 per day for a week or two and then go for a little bit more. Keep doing that until you get to the amount of calories you should be consuming in a day.

Good luck! You can do it and we're here for you!

 

[LeesyUD]

Thanks guys...it was actually really hard to post, because for a long long time...I ate normal....like everyone else but I was just always heavier because of my metabolism. I took dance lessons and was on swim team for years! And now, I don't binge eat or go crazy on any food in sight....It's just the portion size thing, particularly at dinner. I really appreciate all the tips. I always tell myself to drink water before my meal but for some reason I seem to forget and then just have some with dinner.

The other thing I am going to cut down on is Iced Tea....I don't drink soda at all....but Iced Tea is my downfall. I am really trying to work on not drinking sweet tea so much, but rather have unsweetened tea and drink more water. Those calories add up!

Lastly, I am planning on starting a workout routine soon and getting a wii fit eventually. I made a New Year's resolution to do this and of course I got sick New Year's Eve. I have been really sick for about 6 weeks with a bronchial virus that is going around and I have been really weak and tired and on top of it have really bad rib and muscle pain from the constant coughing. While I wait for it to run its course I am taking new vitamins, trying to do some stretches to keep my muscles loose. Unfortunately, there is only so much I can do until my ribs start to heal

Anyway I am rambling....Thank you so so much for the support!! It really is so embarrassing....my self esteem is so low these days that I hate even talking about my weight sometimes. Hopefully I can make a permanent change this time.

 

[Mickeyherewecome123]

HI Lisa,
I bet that was really hard to post. I have not gotten up the nerve to post my weight here.

I agree with the pp, try to to make too many changes at once. Maybe try adding in a 20-30 minute work out every other day and work up to working out an hour a day.

I just recently started working out, DH brought home and elliptical machine home that he got free from one of his coworkers and I hoped on it and at first I thought I could do this for an hour. Well I was very wrong, after 6 minutes I had to get off....lol I had not worked out in months.
Well I am pleased to say I have been working out on it for about 2 weeks and I am up to 30 minutes every day. Just take is slow. You'll do it!!!

Keep a positive attitude. Have you ever tried Weight Watchers? I have had some really good luck with them. And it teached you portion control, by weighing your food and counting the points. I love it. I think they have free registration going on right now.

BTW, I took a peek at your pics on your myspace page. Totally adorable!! I love the Mickey scarf and hat. Tooo cute!!

Good luck
Fran

 

[My2E's]

I agree with everyone's posts above. They have great ideas. Sounds like you are on the right track. Just remember you didn't gain weight overnight, so you shouldn't expect to loose it overnight either. I have to remind my self of this all the time when I feel myself start to think that at a pound a week, I will never see a difference. But in reality, studies show that people who loose weight the right way, and at a slower pace keep the weight off long term compared to those who use fad diets and loose it too rapidly.

I would also suggest a visit with your doctor if you haven't already done this. You might want to get your thyroid checked. I don't know from personal experience, but I think that hunger and metabolism problems could be a sign of your thyroid being out of whack.

Either way, GOOD LUCK!

 

[Mary Anne]

I so agree with what everyone has told you. You have taken the first step and acknowledged that you have a a problem. That is one of the biggest steps you will take on this journey. Next is to decide on a plan that will work for you. Like someone else posted, WW is a good plan, I know it works and it works for me. If money is a problem, then join the on line group, it's about $14 a month, cheaper then the price of a meeting and you get the support of the group and information on the plan.

What I found great about WW is that it helps you adjust your eating portions as you go. When you weigh more you NEED more food. When I started on WW I got 26 pts to eat per day, plus 35 weekly points to eat anytime I wanted, needed to. As I lost my weight I'm now down to 19 pts (soon to be 18 -- YIPPEE (or maybe not LOL) and still have the 35 weekly points to use. In addition as you add exercise you can earn activity points to eat. So if you have a bad day at the dinner table, you can take a walk after dinner and earn some points to counter what you ate. Every day is a new day on WW and if you have a bad day, pick yourself off and start over. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

If you do nothing else now, find a thread on the Wish board to participate in, get to know the people and their stories. Find a common thread and start to weave your own success story.

Good luck to you.