219 pounds....UGHHHH!

**KarenTeig** · 02-21-2010 06:10 PM

Hi! My name is Karen. I am here looking for support for weight loss. I have fluctuated all my life with my weight. I need support to lose the weight but also make the life changes that I need to keep it off. I bike to work and back, 10 miles round trip, April to December the past couple years. I walk a lot. My big thing is snacking and eating when I am stressed, frustrated, or just bored. The weight is affecting my back and I have back problems anyways that I go to the chiropractor for. I have been to lots of message boards for things like, quitting smoking and drinking, both of which I have done in the past and am still smoke free and sober, so I am comfortable in the forum settings and receiving advice from people. I need to make this change. I am 44 and not getting any younger and really want to get healthy and stay healthy before it affects anything else.

I will check back daily, have this in my favorites. Have a great day.

Karen

**sourpuss** · 02-22-2010 06:36 AM

Good for you for taking charge of your health. And kudos for biking to work, I think that's awesome.

What kind of things do you snack on? Can you keep a food diary for a week and write down every little tiny thing you eat? It might be good to also keep track of how you're feeling at the time.

Like:
11:00 am :: 3 cookies,
bored at work, food was in the break room, ate it for no reason, not even hungry
3 cookies,

or

8pm :: bag of microwave popcorn,
wanted something to do while watching TV

just examples, but you get the idea. Then after a week you can see when and where you are eating so many calories and make the changes you need to.

**andreawantstolose** · 02-22-2010 12:00 PM

I agree that keeping a food diary should be your first step! You would be shocked at how those snack calories add up. Do you go to the gym at all or is your only exercise biking to work and walking? I weighed in at 224 at the beginning of January and have dropped down to 200 by cutting my calories to 1500/day, including many fruits, vegetables, and TONS of water. I go to the gym 5-6 days a week and don't leave until I burn at least 500 calories and weight lift for 20 minutes.

**sourpuss** · 02-22-2010 12:58 PM

That's awesome andrea!

**KarenTeig** · 02-22-2010 02:48 PM

Thank you for the replies. I do not belong to a gym yet as cannot afford it but will be checking into it when I can. I bike back and forth to work like I said and on my days off and do a lot of walking but I know I need to do more. A food diary is a great idea and will start that tomorrow. Thanks for the info and support. I will check back daily.

Karen

**cinnamonheart88** · 02-22-2010 09:19 PM

congrats on your decision to become healthY!!!

im 22 and struggling with the same thing.. im 160 pounds :s my heaviest and hate it.. trust me my advice is even though it is so hard right now, you will feel sooooooooo much better in the future.. its like detoxing.. changing unhealthy ways is like detoxing off a very addictive drug. people get so ingrained in their habits and chnaging that can be painful :s... if you can make it through the first three days the subsequent days will get easier and easier... remember to exercise everyday.. even if its just walking for 30 minutes... also if you go to the gym... try to go everyday for 30 minutes rather tha once a week for 3 hours.. thats what i used to do and it did nothing! obviously!.. a little bit of exercise every will make a huge difference!

**jvin** · 02-23-2010 12:43 AM

Hi Karen!

I'm currently 202 pounds down from 210 and know exactly how you feel! I'm a fairly active person and its frusterating to see myself so heavy. I would say watching portion sizes is really important too. Try to cut back on how much you have. So, rather than having 3 cookies, savor just one with a glass of milk. Make sure you eat lots of fibres & grains foods of sustinance so you'll be less likely to snack. As I recently posted, I find protein bars to be delicious and a superior alternative to unhealthy snacking. Incorporating them into my diet has made a difference on the scale. But, my battle continues with yours. Good luck : )

**Millania** · 02-23-2010 11:27 AM

Congrats Karen for starting your journey! make sure to keep us updated, I really enjoy these boards, they help with support and advice thats for sure
I too gained a lot of weight I am extremley heavy for my 5'2" frame, working hard to loose it, I just got an idea to start a food journal too, I just need to remember to keep it by me more often
Andrea-Wow thats awesome! what a great diet/excersise plan you have, u will loose wieght in no time
Cinnamonheart-I feel your pain hon, thats about my weight, its tough feeling this heavy, working hard to loose it 5 days a week at gym, eating as good as I can its tough
lets all keep each other motivated and let each other know if we loose any weight
*it can help us push each other more when we start seeing others are loosing the weight

motivation is key
Jvin-thanks for the good tips

**MissLyss** · 02-26-2010 11:20 AM

I so admire you biking to work! A food diary/journal is a great idea and something I've done for a few years now -- writing down what you eat definitely makes you think about it more.

I was told once that "time's going to pass anyway, whether you lose weight or not." This helps me sometimes when I want to eat something I shouldn't -- and later on, and the next day, you feel so proud. It's something to think about when you have a weak moment!

Coming on the forums is also a good idea. You can do this!!