Motivation

Howdy guys and gals!  I'm taking over this club, not because i think i have all the answers (i so know i don't) but because i'm super pumped up right now and motivated to help those people out there who have a lot of weight to lose.  we need a place that's more than a "can i join" place.. we need a place to talk about issues related to being this overweight.. 

Who here needs to lose over 100 pounds? Who needs to lose over 150 pounds? Or more?

I did! I did! And yes.. i did!

A small amount of background on me for those of you who don't know: i am a binge eater. I have had a problem with emotional eating, hidden eating, over eating, eating with a hang nail, eating because i have split ends.. you name it i stuffed my emotions down with the greasiest, nastiest food i could find!

Why did i do that (you might ask)? Because of many many different reasons.. frankly i think it was because this is how i was taught from a young age, this is how we handle stress and emotions. I learned that it's not proper to talk about your feelings.. or god forbid, express your emotions! You have to shove them down with a piece of cake and a smile!

Anyway.. onto the reason for this post.

If you are out there and need to lose a lot of weight.. just like i've got to.. i think we need to have a place where we can discuss these issues with each other and try and work through them together. Because, let's face it, people who are morbidly obese (yes.. i hate that word too) have uniquely different issues to work through and deal with than the average person.

Losing weight, for people who have this much to lose, have to deal with so much more than the formulas to figure out how much to eat.. and exercising. It's more complex than that. We have to deal with years and years of poor eating habits that have to be unlearned, we have to deal with the emotional torment of just being this size, we have to deal with the harsh looks and comments from strangers or from loved ones, we have to deal with our emotions for the first time in our life because we aren't shoving them down our throats anymore..

this is the hardest thing ANYONE has to deal with.. but, from my experience, things are different for us bigguns. :)

also, for those of you who don't know me very well.. (because i've kinda been in hiding and not posting much and there are so many new people out there) i started out in january weighing 324 pounds. I now weigh 232.5.. i have lost 91.5 pounds so far. I am not telling you guys this to get kudos.. i got those yesterday. I'm telling you guys this because i want anyone out there who is struggling with knowing they have, what seems to be, an insurmountable amount of weight to lose, that there is hope.. it IS possible.. you CAN do it.. but it's hard.. and you will hurt.. i know this because i've been there.. i've done it.. and i'm still dealing with it.

so.. come on in and share your stories.. i want to hear them and i want us to support each other until we are all at our goal weight!

Lainierains,

Welcome to our club.  You've taken that first giant step which is great.  I wish I could tell you some good ideas on how to curb those emotional eating cravings.  That's a problem I've had for years.  But, here's a pathetic example for you:

The other night my cable box died.  I had about 70 hours of shows taped and it looks like I've lost all of them because I understand there is no way to transfer it from one box to another.  I was quite upset about it.  That kind of stuff usually makes me want to just eat and eat.  I didn't this time but I don't know what makes me able to control it now.  I think a lot of it is that I've seen enough success since June that I've got great motivation.

In the last few days, a number of people have also noticed that I've lost weight and that has helped tremendously.

I get frustrated the most by stepping on the scale and seeing my weight go up on some days.  That also used to be enough to make me say, "forget it.  I might as well just eat."  But, this time, my husband is there encouraging me (not that he wouldn't have if I had done this before) and reminding me that it's normal for your weight to fluctuate.

I am now down about 55 pounds and am the smallest I've been in nearly 6 years.  I have a little over 115 to go to get to my ultimate goal.  I've been sitting little mini goals for myself though.  My next goal is actually the point at which I no longer have over 100 to lose.  I expect to be there by the end of this year.  I wanted to be at 200 pounds by the time I went to a big meeting in March but I think that is too aggressive.  I probably will be within 10 pounds though.  I'm really nervous about that business trip because it's 4 days and we do a lot of big dinners out with our Rep's.  High fat, high calorie and almost everybody is drinking.  And, our days are really long - meetings from 7:30 or 8:00 am through 6:00 pm and then out for big dinners that sometimes don't end until after 10:00.  I've been trying to go to the hotel gym when I travel but schedules like that make it tough.

Pam

hubbaji -

I have the same feelings about not wanting to say anything to people.  I want them to just notice.  I've now had two or three women that I don't even talk  to say things about it.  I didn't even know that one of them really knew who I was say something in the hall.  She made my day!!  So, it is getting better. 

I've also lost a LOT of inches from all the exercising I've been doing.  I didn't ever think I'd get to that point, but I actually enjoy exercising.  Now, I need to get into muscle building some and toning my arms.  I have huge upper arms (always have - family trait) and would like to have them as toned as possible.

My niece mentioned a DVD to me called the 1 mile 15 minute workout.  Her mother (my sister) had it so I asked if I could borrow it to see what it is like.  It's called "walk aerobics" and it's done by Leslie Sansone.  If anyone is looking for a light impact but good workout, it really is pretty good.  It's equivalent to about a 4 mile per hour pace which is very fast but there's no reason you couldn't do it at a little slower pace.  Her whole idea is really just to get your body moving.

Pam

I love that this post is still soooo active and always on the 1st page!  b/c just when you get sad and down b/c you haven't done what you are suppose to and gain 4 pounds....here it is! Can you tell I'm talking about myself???  The thing is, I know what I'm doing wrong. 

Thanks to all that keep this thread going, it is sooooo much help for me!

have a great day!

pamt1998,

Thanks for the encouragement. I understand the difficulties of having to try to maintain a diet while at big events, where other people are eating high calorie food all around you. It is also great to see that this diet is working well for you and it encourages me to try to stick with it. Thank you so much for welcoming me and making me fell comfortable to open up about my struggles. I know what you mean about your husband, mine is finally joining me on this diet and it will make it much better. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers about your business trip, and don't worry I know you will be strong enough to make it through.

itsmytime,

I am new to this sight but I am encouraged to hear that when your struggling that this site encourages you. I know now I have picked the right thread to share my journey with. I am an emotional eater and I know the struggles of losing weight and then gaining 4 or 5 back. It is a struggle that I constantly battle. You know where you went wrong and today is a new day. Now you can start over and move on, dont let one slip up keep you from continuing to reach for your goals.

Keep up the Good work!!!

thanks lainierains!  You are sooo right!  This is why I love this site!

Good Morning Ladies, 

Reading all these posts makes me realize how much we have in common.  Since March 8th I have lost over 85 lbs and have dropped several inches.  Didn't keep track of inches the first 4 months, (now I wish I had). 

I have the flabby arms too. Just invested in some new DVD's for strengh training with 5lb weights and those strechy bands.  I love to "Walk-away-the pounds"  with Leslie Simone....she is awsome and you can walk at your own speed.  Can't wait to do her 2-mile pace after my coffee in a few minutes.

Dec 9th is my goal date when I started. My daughters graduation date. I want to see my ex's face when I show up wearing my size 16 slinky little black dress !  I bought a size 20 last month, but I have another size 16 on hold.  I'm now at a size 18 so I really hope I can lose that next 10 (only 4 weeks from today)  I've been really kicking it more at the gym, so I'm pretty sure I'll be fine.

kuddos to us !

dm304 -

85 pounds since March is FANTASTIC!!  I have also dropped several inches and regret not measuring when I first started in June.  I kept meaning to buy a measuring tape but didn't and when I was on vacation at my parent's house in July, I used my mother's.  Then, when I got home, I bought one AND found the one I already had.  LOL

It's so cool to see the inches drop off, isn't it?

Good luck on that 10 lbs.  You can do it!!

Pam

thanks for reminding me about the tape measure!  I used to do that all the time...but I haven't thought about it!  It's such a great way to see results!

My name is Ray and I'm a Big Fat Loser!!!! I've lost 48lbs so far and have 121 more to go.

Can I join? I definitely fit the criteria!! Plus, I need more people in my life who are going in the same direction. Sometimes I get discouraged.

itsmytime,

I can really relate today.  Posted a gain for the first time in over a month.  I had even lost after my trip, but then I really blew it over the weekend.  Well, like someone said, I know what poor choices I made and I can choose not to choose them again - at least not all in a row!

It's hard to keep at it, but the disappointment I felt at weighing in today will NOT be repeated next week!  I *can* turn it back around!

Hi ray,

definately join in. I have just started my weight loss program and lost 4lbs this first week and I have 150 to go It is so awesome you lost 48lbs, what was the key. I get discouraged constantly but the keeping in touch with support will help alot. Good luck, keep posting updated and encouragement and I will do the same

just found this board and i'd love to jump in... as i have now reevaluated my situation on dieting and definitly chosing a healthier lifestyle  (once peaking at at least 290, not sure the 0 came back round again on the scale... eeehhhh)  i still have 121 to lose... so i'm coming to play

welcome ray and java!  How's it going?  getting better with better choices? 

This is a great place to be!  Even during my yucky stages, these wonderful people cheer me along!!!  All you have to do is let them know!

i'm very excited right now.  i've tried SO many diets its ridiculous, clearly I was not ready.  (whats scary is that i've said that with each diet) but i think this is going to work.

i can't seem to get my tool bar to work... any tech geeks wanna help me out?

Man, you guys give me hope.  I have lost 40lbs of the 70lbs I have to lose and often the whole prospect seems overwhelming, but to see all of you with goals over a hundred lbs DOING IT, It is AWESOME.  You all deserve a big WHOOP WHOOP!!! ;)  I tell every person I see about this site.  It should be on Oprah because it shows real americans making the hard choice to get healthy the right way.

Let all give ourselves a hand

htide

healthytide-------wowowowwow!!!  great job!!!  I agree about the Oprah thing..she would love it!

java--wish I could help.  umm....I'm sure my 13 y/o son could help!  (He's not home) what is your tool bar doing...or not doing?

Howdy !!...I started to lose weight by going to the Y.I water Jog about 45 mins a day.

I started at 398 and now weight 368 (this is not a misprint ) LOL

I am looking forward to using this forum to keep me on track and remind me that I am far from being alone.

I Do drink plenty of water..so I am good there.

The only exercize I do is water Jog and light house work.

Again hello and I look forward to sharing thought with y'all

Smiles ,

Christie (SoberGal)