Starting to Eat Better, etc, etc

[Jodi1980]

I lost weight once a long long time ago. I remember that I was just ready to do it and did. Now, I'm in my 40s and can't seem to want to start eating better, exercising, etc, let alone stay on that path. I guess my time may or may not ever come again!

 

[DoeWDW]

It's never too late to live a little healthier, but trying to do it all at once can be overwhelming. Maybe you could pick just one habit to work on for now - daily exercise, or drinking 80 oz of water a day or eating a healthy breakfast. Don't worry about the rest of it until you've successfully mastered that habit for a week or two.

Baby steps will still get you where you want to go!

 

[mowsie dreamer]

You know what, Jodi? I think your time will come again and it may not be long in coming! The very fact that you are thinking about this, shows that these things do matter to you. And that's the first step.

I agree with Doreen. Focus on one thing, whatever feels right to you. Once you've taken that step, you may find it easier to take the next. And whenever you're ready, we're here for you at WISH! I hope you'll come back and join when you're ready. The support of all the wonderful folks on WISH makes all the difference in the world when you're trying to lose!

 

[CALIFLADY]

...as Dr. Phil would say. Just because you're over 40 doesn't mean you can't lose weight or can't adopt a healthy lifestyle. You're right, though. Like before, something has to click upstairs to the point where you want this so badly, you'll work really hard for it. And stick to it. That "right thinking" has to stay with you throughout the process until you get to a healthier style of living that's easy to maintain. But something has to really click to want to drive you over that mountain to a healthy lifestyle.

But you can do it. And if you keep hanging out here at WISH, you'll stay inspired to get there! Good luck!

 

[LisaTx]

I was right where you are just 6 months ago, Jodi, and today I'm just 1.1 lbs away from losing 50 lbs.

I've been overweight since high school. I lost 35 lbs about 7 years ago, but that diet was not a lifestyle I could maintain. I got off and gained all of the weight plus much more back. I got used to being heavy and didn't really care.

Next thing I knew my DH started having some serious health problems, I turned 40, I was starting to be physically uncomfortable with achey joints and such, I was tired and slept way too much. I knew I was going to have to do something about my weight or I would be having serious health problems as well. I sure didn't want my kids to have to face life with no parents. Still, I did nothing. I did lurk here on WISH and watch the other people having great success.

Like CALIFLADY said, finally "it clicked" whatever "it" is and I decided it was time to do something. I knew I would get another year older and I would either be worse off or better. I finally chose better.

I agree with Mowsie dreamer, you have taken the first step by posting here. You wouldn't do that if you didn't want to make a change.

And like Doe said, make changes in steps if that's what you need to do. You don't have to do it all at once. I started by finding an eating plan that I felt I could live with for the rest of my life. This is not a short term fix. You need to be able to maintain after you've lost the initial weight. Next I cut back on caffeine. I still have not eliminated it entirely, but I'm much better than I used to be. After I was comfortable in my eating, I slowly began to add in exercise. I'm still not where I want to be in regard to level of activity, but I'm working on it.

Anyway, that's my story. I hope you can find something to relate to and know that you can make positive changes in your life too. We'll all be here to support you when you decide you're ready.



Lisa

 

[sueg]

I'll be 50 in May & this is the first time since I had my 2 DSs, that I'm at a healthy weight. Menopause is over & its time to get my life on track. The time demands of being a working mom kept me from losing weight for years. Now its my time.

 

[Christine]

Jodi,
I know how you feel. In fact, I was thinking of starting my own thread with this very same subject matter. I feel like I cannot stop eating and I can't get off the couch. I KNOW what I should do and need to do, I just cannot do it. Something in my head is just not clicking. For me, I think part of it is the winter season. I'm absolutely sure I have a touch of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and that is a big factor in my lack of motivation. Last winter I packed on 8 lbs and managed to get very motivated over the summer and lost it all. Since that time I have fallen and fallen in a big way. The only fortunate part for me is that I am not very overweight. I really only need to lose 10 lbs but I feel that I am going up rather than down. I went out last weekend and bought lots of health foods/snacks etc, just to try to eat better. But, now I find myself STARVING and I munching constantly.

I am getting very depressed. I also turned 40 about 2 weeks ago and things just aren't going well. Joints hurt, I'm tired, etc. I'm seriously considering staring South Beach but at Phase 2 since I don't have much weight to lose, but again, I can't get started. Boo hoo........that's how I feel.