I'm a woman who is 270 pounds. Ask me anything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What size clothing do you wear? Are you married? Have you always been this big or is this a recent gain? Are you trying to lose weight or do you feel okay with the way you are now?

I wear 16w pants or elastic waist skirts XL. My weight is all in my shoulders (look like a linebacker), ass and boobs (40 G).

Not married, and no boyfriend.

I've gained 120 pounds since around July 2009.

I do try to lose weight, but it's hard because I use food for comfort. Now that I'm so big I feel hopeless and food just makes me happy. I'd love to lose it but don't know where to start. I was 150-160 for years always trying to lose 20 pounds and now it just seems impossible.

OP, I am as tall as you and 150-160 has been my target weight my entire adult life. I've gone down to that a few times, but after the past few babies, the closest I got was in the 170s. I'm a lot more than that now, and it feels absolutely hopeless. Because I never, ever see results. I eat so little and so well, exercise so much, and my weight stays exactly the same.

I just want to share my empathy and give you the thought that keeps me sane: I want to be healthy. That's all. In every way: physically, emotionally, spiritually. So the food I eat and the activities I do are for the purpose of health. That is what I choose.

I don't control anything else. And that's OK. I'm not in control. I don't know if I will be around tomorrow. But today, this moment, is a gift. I can embrace that gift with arms wide open. I can feel confident that I am eating what nourishes me, I am doing what strengthens me, and I am loving my neighbor.

How I wish my body would show my efforts! But that exercise in humility can be something I offer up, and something that makes me more empathetic for all the hidden burdens we all carry around.

You are a beautiful woman, OP. I am so proud of you for overcoming your bulimia. Just be strong, as strong as you can be.

[Anonymous]

OP, it's hard enough for me, someone who has fought to lose weight her entire life. I can't even imagine how hard it is for you. I'm so happy that you're not throwing up all the time and damaging your body but losing is just a completely foreign challenge for you I assume?

I'm 5'8, currently 239, down from 255 at the beginning of June. Ive never been small, normally around 160-170, but i had the curves in all the right places. After having children and sitting at a desk for years, it catches up. I recently started a meal replacement program with Inova. I've done Jenny, WW, south beach, Atkins, etc. This is the first time, and the first program I've been in, that I actually feel like I can lost the weight I want to lose,I feel I have all the tools I need to succeed.

I will pray for you to have the strength to make the first step. The first step, whether it's going back to therapy, signing up for a weight loss program, or joining a gym, is always the hardest. I also recommend MyFitnessPal. There is a user community with some very inspirational stories and before/after photos.

No questions OP, just know that so many of us are there with you.

[Anonymous]

PP 0900:
Could you please tell us about your meal replacement program at inova? Would love to learn more about it. Which Inova, cost and how do you like it so far? thanks so much and beast of luck to you. It is SO hard.

[Anonymous]

8:55 - have you been checked out for any thyroid/hormone issues? if you are truly working out and eating well, you should see results. the other consideration is that perhaps you are not eating enough. if your body is in starvation mode, you will not lose. also, make sure you are weight training as well. cardio is not enough. good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it's hard enough for me, someone who has fought to lose weight her entire life. I can't even imagine how hard it is for you. I'm so happy that you're not throwing up all the time and damaging your body but losing is just a completely foreign challenge for you I assume?

I'm 5'8, currently 239, down from 255 at the beginning of June. Ive never been small, normally around 160-170, but i had the curves in all the right places. After having children and sitting at a desk for years, it catches up. I recently started a meal replacement program with Inova. I've done Jenny, WW, south beach, Atkins, etc. This is the first time, and the first program I've been in, that I actually feel like I can lost the weight I want to lose,I feel I have all the tools I need to succeed.

I will pray for you to have the strength to make the first step. The first step, whether it's going back to therapy, signing up for a weight loss program, or joining a gym, is always the hardest. I also recommend MyFitnessPal. There is a user community with some very inspirational stories and before/after photos.

No questions OP, just know that so many of us are there with you.

agreeing with bold statement here. After kids and a more sedentary lifestyle than before I fluctuate all the time. At 5'6 I was 233 after having childrenand felt like I would never get back to the old me again. Like the PP, I tried many diets and somehow the modified Atkins worked the best for me and went down to 175 in a year, then down to 160. it was the healthiest, smallest i had been in such a long time. I believe it was since high school, really.

Long story short, some things in life happen and drag your spirits down. I eat for comfort too and I got depressed and gained most of it BACK. Here I am in the same diet trying again to get down to 180 as a longterm goal. This took loads of time for me to decide that I could do it and find the right time for "me". I'm sorry to hear you are feeling sad and struggling with weight loss. But just think that you beat bulimia. YOU CAN DO THIS!! So proud of you, OP. No questions here just ((hugs))

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8:55 - have you been checked out for any thyroid/hormone issues? if you are truly working out and eating well, you should see results. the other consideration is that perhaps you are not eating enough. if your body is in starvation mode, you will not lose. also, make sure you are weight training as well. cardio is not enough. good luck.

I have PCOS and hypothyroidism. I am on medications for both, as well as a supervised diet (1500 calories/day, 40/30/30). I exercise six days a week, an hour of cardio and then weight training, and I am always on the go.

So goes PCOS and hypothyroidism. I have been able to lose weight in the past, slowly, slowly, slowly. But not recently. I can't tell you how awful it is to work so hard and see zero results. My doctors just smile and shrug and say, "At least you aren't infertile, and you need to do this for your health, not just for vanity." I can't use weight loss medications because I am breastfeeding, and could become pregnant. Every once in a while, when I feel I can't take it anymore, I pay my $35 copay just to be told there is nothing else anyone can do. I just need to keep doing what I am doing.

For some people, this is their medical reality. It's humiliating and depressing, isn't it?

[Anonymous]

13:20 - i think you needs new drs.

my friend was in a similar situation and once she found the right dr, she improved. you don't have to accept your current dr's treatment. also, she found that going vegan for a bit really helped her.

[Anonymous]

Prepregnancy with twins I was 282. I am 26 weeks now and 290. Babies are ahead of schedule in growth. Surprised at lack of weight win but doc said not surprising and actually preferable when you start out obese. I am 6ft tall and it is spread out proportionately. 42e bra. 20w or 2x sizes. I have a hourglass shape larger boob and hips with a smaller waist. I was an athlete during college in my 20s and was 175 chiseled and low body fat. I put on weight at a steady pace over the years and seem to settle into the 270 to 280 range with no effort. When I make an effort I can get to 255 usually. It has been a struggle to get below that without diet pills over the years which I have not used in a long time as I have been trying to conceive, nursing and having kids the last three years. I haven't had any fertility issues. I have normal cholesterol, I have normal blood pressure, do not have diabetes or other health problems that one would assume at is weight. I have contemplated a lapband after I give birth and finish nursing the twins. I would be happy to be a size 16 whatever weight that is on me....I think it was low 200s. At 175 I was a size 10.

[Anonymous]

OP, can you put yourself into places where there is little food? A job that makes access difficult, like working in a park? Also have you tried radical stuff like getting rid of your refrigerator or wiring your teeth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, can you put yourself into places where there is little food? A job that makes access difficult, like working in a park? Also have you tried radical stuff like getting rid of your refrigerator or wiring your teeth?

OMG. Nut job. Really, don't you think those "methods" would just make OP's problems worse over the long run?

[Anonymous]

Not to be harsh on OP and other posters trying to lose weight and gain healthy lifestyles, but it's all about choices. Choices you make on an hourly, daily, and weekly basis. The vast majority of people will lose weight and get stronger and healthier by eating a balanced nutritious diet and exercising properly. There really is no excuse. Make the time, make the plans and just do it. Just make it a priority. Nothing else gets in the way! You can do it!!

Eat 5 times a day but smaller meals each time. Eat protein in the morning within 30 mins of waking up. Drink nothing but water. Cut out most fruit. Eat lots of greens and beans and cut carbs and sugars down. Do both cardio and weight training. No matter how little you do just do something several times a week (but make sure it includes weights.) Do weights before your cardio.

Meal sample:
7am: breakfast - 1 egg white with 1 whole egg scrambled; handful of spinach; 2 glasses of water
930am: snack - handful of almonds and dried cranberries; glass of water
12pm: lunch - romaine lettuce wrap with 2 slices of turkey with mustard (add a few raisins for sweet); 2 glasses of water
3pm: snack - handful of sugar snap peas; glass of water
6pm: dinner - black beans; spinach salad with peas, broccoli, carrots; light dressing; grilled chicken slices; 2 glasses of water
930pm: 2 tsp of almond butter before bed; glass of water

Do wall pushups, lunges, and bent rows with light weights - start at 20 each work up to 100 each. The walk/jog as fast as you can for 2 mins, then walk/rest until you can do it again for 90secs, repeat for 60s, 45s, 30s, 20s. Do this routine at least 3x week.

No one can do it for you. Just do it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to be harsh on OP and other posters trying to lose weight and gain healthy lifestyles, but it's all about choices. Choices you make on an hourly, daily, and weekly basis. The vast majority of people will lose weight and get stronger and healthier by eating a balanced nutritious diet and exercising properly. There really is no excuse. Make the time, make the plans and just do it. Just make it a priority. Nothing else gets in the way! You can do it!!

Eat 5 times a day but smaller meals each time. Eat protein in the morning within 30 mins of waking up. Drink nothing but water. Cut out most fruit. Eat lots of greens and beans and cut carbs and sugars down. Do both cardio and weight training. No matter how little you do just do something several times a week (but make sure it includes weights.) Do weights before your cardio.

Meal sample:
7am: breakfast - 1 egg white with 1 whole egg scrambled; handful of spinach; 2 glasses of water
930am: snack - handful of almonds and dried cranberries; glass of water
12pm: lunch - romaine lettuce wrap with 2 slices of turkey with mustard (add a few raisins for sweet); 2 glasses of water
3pm: snack - handful of sugar snap peas; glass of water
6pm: dinner - black beans; spinach salad with peas, broccoli, carrots; light dressing; grilled chicken slices; 2 glasses of water
930pm: 2 tsp of almond butter before bed; glass of water

Do wall pushups, lunges, and bent rows with light weights - start at 20 each work up to 100 each. The walk/jog as fast as you can for 2 mins, then walk/rest until you can do it again for 90secs, repeat for 60s, 45s, 30s, 20s. Do this routine at least 3x week.

No one can do it for you. Just do it!

What an idiotic post. Why didn't I think of that? - "just do it?" huh...that's a great idea! Exercise and diet...you say? That's the first I've heard of that. Brilliant!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to be harsh on OP and other posters trying to lose weight and gain healthy lifestyles, but it's all about choices. Choices you make on an hourly, daily, and weekly basis. The vast majority of people will lose weight and get stronger and healthier by eating a balanced nutritious diet and exercising properly. There really is no excuse. Make the time, make the plans and just do it. Just make it a priority. Nothing else gets in the way! You can do it!!

Eat 5 times a day but smaller meals each time. Eat protein in the morning within 30 mins of waking up. Drink nothing but water. Cut out most fruit. Eat lots of greens and beans and cut carbs and sugars down. Do both cardio and weight training. No matter how little you do just do something several times a week (but make sure it includes weights.) Do weights before your cardio.

Meal sample:
7am: breakfast - 1 egg white with 1 whole egg scrambled; handful of spinach; 2 glasses of water
930am: snack - handful of almonds and dried cranberries; glass of water
12pm: lunch - romaine lettuce wrap with 2 slices of turkey with mustard (add a few raisins for sweet); 2 glasses of water
3pm: snack - handful of sugar snap peas; glass of water
6pm: dinner - black beans; spinach salad with peas, broccoli, carrots; light dressing; grilled chicken slices; 2 glasses of water
930pm: 2 tsp of almond butter before bed; glass of water

Do wall pushups, lunges, and bent rows with light weights - start at 20 each work up to 100 each. The walk/jog as fast as you can for 2 mins, then walk/rest until you can do it again for 90secs, repeat for 60s, 45s, 30s, 20s. Do this routine at least 3x week.

No one can do it for you. Just do it!

Are you a personal trainer? I wonder how you are so enthusiastic unless you have either lost the weight, are in the process of losing it, or have never had this problem to begin with. Please realize the hardest part is making the first step and that takes time for some people. My wish for them is that it is sooner rather than later. For some there are legitimate medical and/or emotional ties to their eating. I totally agree with you PP, and hope you are motivating but when someone starts off with "not to be harsh" that reminds me of people who say "not to be rude" only to then be rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to be harsh on OP and other posters trying to lose weight and gain healthy lifestyles, but it's all about choices. Choices you make on an hourly, daily, and weekly basis. The vast majority of people will lose weight and get stronger and healthier by eating a balanced nutritious diet and exercising properly. There really is no excuse. Make the time, make the plans and just do it. Just make it a priority. Nothing else gets in the way! You can do it!!

Eat 5 times a day but smaller meals each time. Eat protein in the morning within 30 mins of waking up. Drink nothing but water. Cut out most fruit. Eat lots of greens and beans and cut carbs and sugars down. Do both cardio and weight training. No matter how little you do just do something several times a week (but make sure it includes weights.) Do weights before your cardio.

Meal sample:
7am: breakfast - 1 egg white with 1 whole egg scrambled; handful of spinach; 2 glasses of water
930am: snack - handful of almonds and dried cranberries; glass of water
12pm: lunch - romaine lettuce wrap with 2 slices of turkey with mustard (add a few raisins for sweet); 2 glasses of water
3pm: snack - handful of sugar snap peas; glass of water
6pm: dinner - black beans; spinach salad with peas, broccoli, carrots; light dressing; grilled chicken slices; 2 glasses of water
930pm: 2 tsp of almond butter before bed; glass of water

Do wall pushups, lunges, and bent rows with light weights - start at 20 each work up to 100 each. The walk/jog as fast as you can for 2 mins, then walk/rest until you can do it again for 90secs, repeat for 60s, 45s, 30s, 20s. Do this routine at least 3x week.

No one can do it for you. Just do it!

Wow! You are ****ing brilliant! Diet and exercise? Now why didn't I think of that?

[Anonymous]

Food addiction isn't cured with portion control, exercise, and 'just doing it'