60 pounds overweight, seriously done..

**Winged_Muse** · 01-23-2012 01:26 PM

Details:

Height: 5’ 7”
Weight: 205 Pounds
Age: 21 years old
Healthy weight range: 128-160 lbs
Current BMI: 32
Healthy BMI range: 20-25

Alright guys, I’m sure you can see my problem from the list above. I can’t tell you how sick I am of not being able to loose weight, regardless of what I do. I’ve tried multiple things to try and lose the weight I want. I’ve tried eating less, eating smaller meals, going without sweets (which is surprisingly easier than I thought sometimes) and I’ve even tried the whole Weight Watchers type of thing with the points without joining the program itself. Also gone as far as counting calories and that just drove me insane.

So a little about me. Well, I’ve been working as a Cashier for the last year or so. I’m always moving, walking, lifting, etc. I’ve been on and off birth control for the last year, finding it giving me more issues than I could deal with but right now I’ve been off of it for about 4 months straight now. A typical day when I have to work goes like this:

Breakfast: Cereal (mostly whole grain cereals like Cheerios or currently, honey bunches of oats) with a yogurt or piece of fruit later on.

Break time snack: Usually a Granola Bar. Lately it’s been those Fiber One bars, which I think are amazing!

Lunch: Always bring a sandwich on wheat or whole grain bread with usually just ham or turkey and a piece of cheese. Always bring a piece of fruit of some kind ranging from apples to bananas or rarely a fruit cup. I sometimes bring chips, whether or not I eat them depends on my mood. Lately I’ve been bringing Pretzel Crisps which are a lot better than regular ol’ potato chips. With where I work we have a Subway inside so once and a while (not very often) I will get a 6 inch sandwich from there with all the veggies I want and usually it’s a sandwich with some sort of chicken but like I said, I eat there once in a great while. Cheaper to bring my own lunch.

Then after lunch I don’t eat anything else until I get home and most of the time, as of lately anyway, it’s been fairly late when I get off. Usually if nothing is made for dinner I will pick up a salad from work. If something is made I just eat whatever is left for me. Most of the time its some sort of meat, a veggie and potatoes of some kind. Rarely we have pizza, which I only have small pieces of. Sometimes it’s things like Spaghetti, which gets real dull real fast. Very rarely do I have anything sweet once I come home besides maybe a fruit of some sort.

Once I’m home I really don’t want to work out or anything. If it’s been a busy day I just want to relax. Some days when it’s nice I will go out and bike ride but that’s usually in the summer and right now it’s in the middle of winter. I have work out videos here at home but a lot of them either aren’t hard enough or are to hard and I get tired WAY to fast.

I don’t know what my deal is. I’ve tried working out, eating less, eating more, I’m at a loss. My fiancé thinks maybe it’s genetic since both of my parents are kind of big in size (not CRAZY huge or anything). I’ve looked at things like Whey Protein, protein shakes, things like Slim Fast, etc but I don’t want to waste the money on them if they don’t really do anything. I’ve actually been looking into the actual Weight Watchers program but there again, I can’t afford the monthly payment right now and with my trying out the whole thing before just drove me nuts. I always ALWAYS drink water. Sometimes I will have tea but most of it is water. I always carry a big bottle of water with me to work that I sometimes have to refill once or twice.

I’m seriously at a loss of what to do. I’ve tried everything I can think of. I don’t want to be SUPER skinny or anything like that but I want to be on the right track. Do you guys have any pointers? I know I could work out more but trust me, I work so hard at work that I break out in a sweat, regardless of it being hot or cold in the store. Anyway, help is appreciated. Thanks!

**KMonte85** · 01-23-2012 02:40 PM

Well Winged, there are 2 things I see right off the bat that will help you. And at least 1 I already know you're not going to like.

1. You need to integrate more veggies into your diet. Right now you're eating lots and lots of nutritionally void carbs where a serving of veggies should be. So that fiber one bar you're eating.. sure - it's tasty, but it isn't great for you other than it's got a good amount of fiber in it. Want the same amount of fiber for less calories, more satisfaction and more nutritional value? Cut up veggies and snack on them instead - anything you like! Cauliflower, bell peppers, carrots, and celery are a few popular options. The same goes for the pretzel chips you're munching on. Throw a few veggies in that sandwich of yours! And at dinner time, fill your plate up with more veggies than meat and potatoes. Protein shakes aren't going to help you with your goals, whey protein isn't going to help you either... you're getting enough protein in your diet based off of the example you gave for what you typically eat in a day anyway. It may be hard to believe, but the veggies will really help. You'll feel better, have more energy (for example, more energy at work, more energy to exercise), and you're going to get the metabolic boost you need to start burning the excess fat you're trying to get rid of.

2. You need to exercise more. I did the exact same job you're doing now (even the same company if I remember correctly) for a number of years and I was also overweight. It is a more physical job I will absolutely agree with you there, but it isn't the same as getting a good exercise/workout session in 3-6 times a week. Once I started legitimately exercising for 45 minutes or more every other day- like going out and trying to jog, riding a bike, or even just doing some moves at home with my own body weight - THEN I started to see results.

On a side note, have you thought about joining the fitness challenge going on right now with other WH members? I think this one might be almost done, but there should be another starting up soon if you're interested in joining in from the beginning. It's a great motivational tool!

**Beautiful Disaster** · 01-23-2012 05:39 PM

WM - As you know, many of us "veterans" have seen you through from literally the beginning of your posting here until now. First, ditto to what KM said. Second, getting tired WAY too soon during exercise only points out one thing : You need to do it MORE. Stopping because you're tired will get you nowhere. Pushing yourself past that "I'm tired" point will. I know you're thinking "But I've tried that"...but I've been around...I've seen your posts, and I know that many of your attempts at a good physical fitness routine have been short lived for one reason or the other. We are all tired after a hard work day. Some days more than others. The first incling is to go home and veg out for the night. MOST of that is mental. A workout should be part of your workday...and vegging out shouldn't even be an option until you've done that. Depending on taking walks, or riding bike on the occasion the weather is suitable is just not going to cut it. You're working now, why not join a gym?

Using some of the calorie counter websites is a FANTASTIC life changing thing to do. There is no valid reason (that I have ever heard) for it to drive anyone insane unless you just don't like what it tells you. The sites (I use myfitnesspal, but Calorie Count is great as well) make logging SUPER easy. And it is less about counting calories and more about monitoring your nutrition to ensure you're diet is balanced. I have watched numerous women on here and in my daily life successfully lose weight using these sites, but most importantly, learn an INCREDIBLE amt about what their bodies truly need. You'll also learn that some foods you think are "healthy" are far from it. This is a VITAL part of losing weight AND keeping it off. I recommend this over Weight Watchers ten fold, and it's free.

I know youre frustrated. And I know you've heard this from me more times than we both can count...but your biggest problem is that you always find ways to defeat yourself. It's time for a change. Your health and well being is literally depending on it. Diabetes, high blood pressure, clogged arteries, high cholesterol, high risk of stroke......these are all things you're heading toward if you don't set your mind to making a change. I have total 100% faith that you are completely capable of doing that.

**Aeryn Sun** · 01-23-2012 06:20 PM

I agree with the above.
Eat right, work out more.
Count your calories in, and your calories burned.
If you aren't working out, the healthiest diet won't matter.

When you look at what you are eating, upfront it seems healthy, but reading the nutrients, it isn't. Get yourself into only eating things on the outside of the grocery store.
Fruits and veggies....Meat....Dairy.
If the lable has more than say 10 items, and you can't pronounce any of them, skip it.
If it has HFCS, skip it.
Eat this, Not that has some really good info on what seems healthy and isn't, and good alternatives.

9/10 breads/pastas/whole grain items in the store suck.
Go for Quinoa. It costs more but you get so much more nutrients per serving and it cooks the same as rice.

**Winged_Muse** · 01-23-2012 10:46 PM

A lot of my problem now is money. Yes I may have money but it goes to my bills I have each month which leaves me barely anything. I know I need more veggies and trust me, when they’re available, I get more of them. Like I said, I love salads with mixed greens and I love anything with spinach. I use very little dressing if anything at all. The only problem I see with taking them for break time snacks at work is they won’t be in a cold environment unless I purchase them on the spot and like previously mentioned, money is a bit of an issue. I love love love carrots, probably my favorite veggie. Peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions are my least favorite though I’ve been trying to tolerate them more and more. Broccoli is another fave of mine definitely and I’ve been trying everything possible to get more into my diet. I love fruit which has always been a favorite so no big deal there. Just told myself earlier I want to start eating more applies. Love them!! But yea, I can try and do that for sure. I’d like to stop eating chips altogether though I rarely eat them anymore anyway. Been thinking of getting some baby carrots to bring a long as a substitute instead.

KMonte,
I work at Walmart if that rings a bell. Some days I don’t always cashier. A lot of the time my supervisor likes to give me projects to do, filling candy at the registers, helping with unloading palletes of boxes of seasonal things like with Halloween and Christmas and I’m sure I’ll be helping with the upcoming Valentines Day stuff as well. I hope anyway, love those kind of days where I’m out and moving around more often though I do everything in my power to ensure I’m moving.

Like I mentioned I have my own workout videos that I rented from netflix. Some work well, some just suck altogether which is usually the ones I stay away from. When it’s the same thing day in and out it does get boring. I know I tried working out for a month on end and while I know results aren’t there immediately, even after a month I seen absolutely nothing happen but I’m sure my diet played a little bit in that as well :P

I haven’t looked at the fitness challenge at all. I’m the kind of girl who asks for help and just tries to do it on my own without the need for motivation. I know a lot of my problem is partly my diet even though I try and try so hard to make sure it works for me. When you live at home it can be a bit hard from time to time but I do whatever I can.

BD:
You’ve helped me a lot in the past and I want to begin with saying thank you.
As far as working out, I don’t give up though I usually take a break before trying it again. I do get tired really fast but only because I am overweight and out of shape hence my thread! As for joining a gym, can’t afford the monthly payments on top of my other bills currently. Debt sucks. I’ve used calorie sites before and honestly, calorie counters just drive me insane. I don’t care really what they say, it just makes me obsessed with counting them. I’d rather do it mentally then anything else and yes, I do watch calories mildly if I absolutely need to know what I’m eating. I will definitely look more into them again though, just to give it a second (or is it the third?) try. I will say now that my doctor has tested me for everything and all things are good. No problems with thyroid, no blood pressure issues or anything like that but as you said, it may not be happening now but it can.

I’ll see what I can manage with what little money I can scrounge up. That is my biggest problem right now but all I can really say is I’ll try. I used to make smoothies as a lunch time meal and have since quit just because I’m busy at work either early or late so I no longer do that. Maybe I’ll do that again, use what fruit I can scrounge up whether frozen or fresh so we’ll see. I’ll give it a shot.

**snooks** · 01-24-2012 12:31 AM

Hi WM. Reading this thread I see some really solid adivise that actually works, and I see a few good intentions in response. However, I also read that you have been here before, know the answers and what works, give it a quick burst and then for all kinds of reasons, you give up and "take a break".

Healthy living is something you can't take a break from. It is a lifestyle that lasts forever, not something that is a five minute wonder to get you down a few pounds in weight. Before you start off on it the first thing you need to do is write why you want to be healthy(as opposed to losing some weight). Having a goal of losing weight is okay if you intend embracing the healthy life style that comes with it, but if losing weight is your chief goal, what happens to your resolve when you reach goal? Then when you come up with your endless excuses for not following your plan, remind yourself why it is important to you.

You have been around this forum for a bit and have dabbled in calorie counting so you KNOW what to eat and do. You really only need to seriously decided to actually stop dithering around over old ground and DO IT.

**snooks** · 01-24-2012 12:58 AM

PS Lack of money is an excuse. There are a million ways to exercise - and in all weathers, for free. A number were offered on an older thread of yours. Did you take any of them up at all? Re read the advise given there. It is still just as well meaning and valid as it was then. YOU are the only one who can change your life - if you want to that is.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 01-24-2012 07:08 AM

calorie counters just drive me insane

Do it anyway. My tough love here is, get over it!

I don’t care really what they say, it just makes me obsessed with counting them

It's time to start caring what they say. And if you truly WANT to lose weight and be healthier, you WILL care what they say. If you don't, I question your dedication.

As for joining a gym, can’t afford the monthly payments on top of my other bills currently

Yes, I'm being nosey here....but you're working full time (or at least part time...?), you live at home so therefore no rent, utilities, etc, no car payment (unless something has changed)...........and have no major debts other than student loans...so why is it you can't afford $30 a month to a gym? From what I recall, your fiance could benefit from a gym membership too, so why not look into joining together? I think back to my junior and senior year in high school, when I was working for minimum wage, part time.......living at home with no rent, utilities, car payment etc, and I was LOADED. Seriously..I had way more money to blow than I do now. So what's the deal? You KNOW that the self discipline aspect of this isn't working for you (i.e. trying to work out at home). You said the videos were too hard. You said the bike riding was causing you problems in your happy place. It's too cold. It's too hot. Get my drift?

As you said, there is NOTHING wrong with you. There is no, ZERO reason you can't lose weight and live a healthier life. You defeat yourself. When you get tired of defeating yourself, you'll change. If you don't...you will, like I said, have a life of bad health and hardship to look forward to. I want more for you than that. The question is, do you? And do you want it bad enough to make it happen?

**Cyndie32** · 01-24-2012 07:27 AM

i have been working on changing the way i live my life for almost three years now. i have have my ups and downs, but i am still working diligently on my "newplan". i don't call it a diet because diets fail. it is a life style change and it takes time. it is very hard to break old habits and you can stick to it for a while and then you go back to the easy way. changing the way you live your life is very hard but it can be done. i have found that the support i get from the wonderful women on fitness challenge has been most beneficial. i don't know if it is actually having someone to talk to or the fact that you can talk out your goals and problems. it seems as though when you put it in writing, it is much more real. i feel i have a sort of accountability to the folks on the site. when i started, i weighed 179 lbs. at last weigh in i was 136 lbs. and that is one of the main things you have to realize. it takes time. i have lost a little over 40 lbs in three years. it has come off very slow. the way it is suppose to. when i first started, i worked at it for 2 months before i even started to see progress. i was really ready to give up. but i knew, that with time, i had to start losing weight. and i did. so i believe that you need to focus more on becoming healthy and not so much on losing weight. if you become healthy, you will, inevitably, lose weight. and please join us on the challenge. we will help you with encouragement and with the wisdom that we have obtained just by going thru this life change (my newplan) together.

**Little** · 01-24-2012 09:05 AM

Working retail burns WAY fewer calories than you think. I worked at a big box home improvement store for a few years, as a cashier as well as a merchandiser. As much as you feel the burn climbing ladders, moving heavy boxes, walking everywhere all day etc ... it's not exercise. It's not the same as sustaining focused movement and KEEPING YOUR HEART RATE UP for the right amount of time. Keeping your heart rate up is what is going to "burn the fat." And managing how high your heart rate is going during exercise is what will keep you from working too hard for no gain and burning out.

Do yourself a favor and find out what your ideal cardio heart rate is ... and start monitoring it during exercise. It will let you know when it's time to step it up, and when you might be doing yourself a favor by backing down. Make sure you're keeping your heart rate up for 30-45 minutes (this time amount does NOT include warmup or cool down!) If your video is over before this happens, you're not done yet. Keep running in place while you rewind as far as you think you'll need.

And remember that your weight is not going to drop quickly - it will take you months of sustained change to make it happen.