Obese, but going to lose weight starting 1/1/2015

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm kinda blown away by the support. I was expecting a bashing I haven't (yet) received. Thanks!

To the one slightly-negative Nancy: I have a counselor. Nope, I'm not happy. That's the point.

I appreciate the "start now" advice. Obviously I am expert at putting this off, which is how I got to this weight. That said, I have two kids, family visiting, a fridge full of evil/awesomeness... There's only so much that is within my sole control right now, and I'd rather not set myself up to fall flat on my face first thing. The family knows that all leftovers, goodies and treats will be exiled on New Year's Eve. Husband is all too ready to take the candy to the office.

Right now, I'm making and refining a plan. I've gotten some great suggestions for diet resources, and am making a grocery list for 12/31 shopping. If anyone has at-home workout ideas, or an explanation for why "burpees" are so called (they look more like "barfies" to me), I'd love to know.

As for accountability, well, here I am! I can post updates here, and will no doubt bump this thread with questions as my plan is enacted. I recognize that it's not going to be a "wake up skinny" sort of experience; I'm planning to be at this for life. I like that this is anonymous. I'm not quite at the blog about it phase (and value my privacy a bit too much, I guess). No, I will not be posting progress pics.

Thank you again for the support.

YOU CAN DO IT!

If I can do it (and I am the laziest, junkfood eating person on the planet). I cut out soda, juice and drank only water. Don't worry about what's in your fridge now - but go to the gym tonight. Or do some walking around the block. Just do something today that is different than yesterday (even if you are still going to eat that brownie tonight). It's not the big change, but the small, daily little changes that will get you where you need to be.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am also excited for you. I am planning on starting the New Year with a healthier lifestyle than I've had these past few months. I'm 5'7" and weighed around 170 pounds before the Christmas break. I haven't weighed myself since the 20th or so, because I'm certain that I've added ~5 pounds since.

My plan: reduce portion sizes, cut carbs again, cut all beverages that are not water or black coffee (small exceptions made for glasses of wine here and there when out to dinner, but once a week, tops), start running again.

I lost 40 pounds in 2012 following this basic plan (with food tracking app) so I know that it will work for me. The hardest part is getting started and maintaining the plan until you get used to it. I found that once I had been following my plan for about 2 weeks, it was not as difficult.

Good luck! I'll be checking back.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, don't have too much to add, just also wanted to say I'm excited for you and pulling for you. I know you can do it!

I agree that cutting out any calories you drink should be one of the easier things. I drink only water, tea, and coffee with a little milk. I also cut way back on alcohol.

For me, city living made the biggest difference. I routinely walk 3-4 miles/day just living my life. Do try to get those steps in. Don't feel like you need to be eating and exercising at your ideal level on day 1. It's small life changes that will make the difference. You need the changes to be manageable so you don't quit. Good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

OP here again. This thread makes me happy. Thank you for the support! I know we're all anonymous internet strangers, but this thread is great motivation.

Updates:

I started Sunday.
All the junk food went to the office with my husband. His coworkers are apparently quite happy about that. Happy Monday to them, I guess.
I took a walk to the park with my kids, and did some lunges and push ups (on the back of the bench, because my wrists are surprisingly weak). I also did a 30 minute yoga video both yesterday and today. I think I'm going to keep it pretty low key this week and just focus on moving. I haven't done a whole lot of that, and there are some creaks and groans going on over here!
Diet wise, I've taken the "don't eat processed foods" advice, plus a bit of that daily apple Paleo site. Not sure I can get away with full Paleo while cooking for the family, but I'm sure I can incorporate some of the basic ideas. Instead of crackers/bread/chips (OMG carbs nom nom nom), I had carrots with hummus. I'm sure there are snacks with fewer calories, but this one is crunchy and has a bit of protein to it.

I weighed myself. I don't plan to do that more than every other week or so (I don't want to obsess), but I wanted a baseline. 263. Ouch.

Everybody starts somewhere...

[Anonymous]

Gastric bypass. If you want any hope of keeping it off long term.

[Anonymous]

I've tried everything and now know what works for my body and mind. You may need to experiment with your body before deciding what works for you. For me, too much protein constipates and gives me headaches; too little and I'm not satisfied. Too many carbs (even healthy carbs) makes me hungrier and fatter. Too many fruits /veggies and I'm not satisfied. So, for me, it's a healthy fiber and small protein in morning (oatmeal w/whole milk and natural sugar like dates or fresh fruit. For lunch, protein & salad. For dinner, protein & heartier veggies like squash, sweet potatoes (fiber is filling). No snacking, unnatural sugar, or flour. Weekends are a party. Works well for me. Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. This thread makes me happy. Thank you for the support! I know we're all anonymous internet strangers, but this thread is great motivation.

Updates:

I started Sunday.
All the junk food went to the office with my husband. His coworkers are apparently quite happy about that. Happy Monday to them, I guess.
I took a walk to the park with my kids, and did some lunges and push ups (on the back of the bench, because my wrists are surprisingly weak). I also did a 30 minute yoga video both yesterday and today. I think I'm going to keep it pretty low key this week and just focus on moving. I haven't done a whole lot of that, and there are some creaks and groans going on over here!
Diet wise, I've taken the "don't eat processed foods" advice, plus a bit of that daily apple Paleo site. Not sure I can get away with full Paleo while cooking for the family, but I'm sure I can incorporate some of the basic ideas. Instead of crackers/bread/chips (OMG carbs nom nom nom), I had carrots with hummus. I'm sure there are snacks with fewer calories, but this one is crunchy and has a bit of protein to it.

I weighed myself. I don't plan to do that more than every other week or so (I don't want to obsess), but I wanted a baseline. 263. Ouch.

Everybody starts somewhere...

This is a great start!!! Keep up the good work. I'm right here with you. My weakness is night time eating. I have gone to bed at 9 pouting because I really wanted to eat the entire fridge.

[Anonymous]

Hi Op,

Now that I see you are looking at marks daily apple, here is a link to his whole philosophy--everything, soup to nuts--on one page; keep scrolling down. He has a 21 day challenge. You might want to give it a try!

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-primal-blueprint-21-day-challenge/#axzz3EzArhlQE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gastric bypass. If you want any hope of keeping it off long term.

+1000
BTDT it was the only thing hat worked. 10 yrs later, and I have easily maintained the 125lbs weight loss that brought me down to normal weight.

Threads like this crack me up. I recall another woman started one in 2014 (or was it 2013? Or maybe it's just been every year!) proclaiming the exact same thing and posting updates, etc. by mid jan the posts had stopped and then never heard from OP again. Long term weight loss is boring - the day in and day out are not exciting. It's tough, it's boring and honestly being that overweight it can be really hard to stay focused. The reason there are magazine stories about a handful of women who lose in excess of 100 lbs wo surgery is bc their stories *are not * the norm and that makes them magazine worthy.

Btw the after gastric bypass surgery diet is very simple - high protien, low to no carbs - no fruit, no white bread, no sweets - for at least a year plus easy exercise - walking 30 minutes. So if you really do want to lose weight and lose it quickly ( and you need to lose quickly at your weight to keep motivation), then this is the plan to follow. It's boring, it's hard to do without the surgery ( with surgery, physically eating any surgar is very tough and painful), but it works. So if you say you can't, won't, "it's not healthy!" ( which clearly it is bc weight loss surgeons prescribe it for patients), etc than the only result you are likely to have is this thread and 20 lbs more weight next year.

[Anonymous]

Most people don't realize if you walk one lap around the National Mall, it ends up being 2 miles a lap. That will add up. That is why people jog it, it is flat so it won't hurt your legs as much. I can walk two laps in under an hour.

You won't get bored because you are consistently paying attention to your surroundings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, laugh. Obese people always get slammed on this forum, so let's just get all the fat jokes out of the way, k?

Now, I'm 34, 5'7" and 250. I carry it well, no Jabba, but I'm obese. No getting around that, and I'm tired of it.

I've been keeping a food journal for all of December, just to watch and see what I'm doing (wrong). I snack a LOT more than I thought I did. I'm going to try to cut back on that, but I work from home and have easy access to food all day, so that's a tricky one.

I have a FitBit, and log 5000-6000 steps in an average day. I think just meeting a daily goal of 10,000 steps would start some sustainable weight loss.

I have a history of anorexia that I have used as an excuse to stay fat ("If I diet at all, I'll take it too far" etc.) While there's some concern there, because the only way I know to lose weight is to starve and smoke, I don't think it's much more than a crutch right now.

Thing is, I need some hand-holding when it comes to what, exactly, to eat and how, precisely, to workout every day. Everything I read is either "Paleo" or "Atkins" or some other faddish shit.

Can someone just give me a daily plan that isn't extreme? I don't want to do crazy shakes or ridiculous WOD crossfit stuff. I want a lifestyle that will help me lose weight.

Suggestions?

Weight Watchers. Practical knowledge, support and accountability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't eat past 6 pm. Eat mostly protein in the morning and then don't eat again until noon. Exercise. That's all I got. Good luck op.

Sorry but this is ridiculous if you work full time, have a commute and have kids. I'm not even home by 6 pm. You just cook dinner every night for the rest of the family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. This thread makes me happy. Thank you for the support! I know we're all anonymous internet strangers, but this thread is great motivation.

Updates:

I started Sunday.
All the junk food went to the office with my husband. His coworkers are apparently quite happy about that. Happy Monday to them, I guess.
I took a walk to the park with my kids, and did some lunges and push ups (on the back of the bench, because my wrists are surprisingly weak). I also did a 30 minute yoga video both yesterday and today. I think I'm going to keep it pretty low key this week and just focus on moving. I haven't done a whole lot of that, and there are some creaks and groans going on over here!
Diet wise, I've taken the "don't eat processed foods" advice, plus a bit of that daily apple Paleo site. Not sure I can get away with full Paleo while cooking for the family, but I'm sure I can incorporate some of the basic ideas. Instead of crackers/bread/chips (OMG carbs nom nom nom), I had carrots with hummus. I'm sure there are snacks with fewer calories, but this one is crunchy and has a bit of protein to it.

I weighed myself. I don't plan to do that more than every other week or so (I don't want to obsess), but I wanted a baseline. 263. Ouch.

Everybody starts somewhere...

OP, I'm trying to lose weight too. I know we can do it. Be kind to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gastric bypass. If you want any hope of keeping it off long term.

+1000
BTDT it was the only thing hat worked. 10 yrs later, and I have easily maintained the 125lbs weight loss that brought me down to normal weight.

Threads like this crack me up. I recall another woman started one in 2014 (or was it 2013? Or maybe it's just been every year!) proclaiming the exact same thing and posting updates, etc. by mid jan the posts had stopped and then never heard from OP again. Long term weight loss is boring - the day in and day out are not exciting. It's tough, it's boring and honestly being that overweight it can be really hard to stay focused. The reason there are magazine stories about a handful of women who lose in excess of 100 lbs wo surgery is bc their stories *are not * the norm and that makes them magazine worthy.

Btw the after gastric bypass surgery diet is very simple - high protien, low to no carbs - no fruit, no white bread, no sweets - for at least a year plus easy exercise - walking 30 minutes. So if you really do want to lose weight and lose it quickly ( and you need to lose quickly at your weight to keep motivation), then this is the plan to follow. It's boring, it's hard to do without the surgery ( with surgery, physically eating any surgar is very tough and painful), but it works. So if you say you can't, won't, "it's not healthy!" ( which clearly it is bc weight loss surgeons prescribe it for patients), etc than the only result you are likely to have is this thread and 20 lbs more weight next year.

Other weight loss methods didn't work for you, so they can't work for anyone else either? There is no one solution to weight loss. There is no one "right" way, or only one way that will result in success. I am maintaining a 150 lb+ weight loss, and did it a completely different way than you did. You make a lot of assumptions in your post based on how YOU felt trying to lose weight, and none of them are remotely universal truths.

I'm glad you found a way to lose and maintain that worked for you; just understand there are other ways that may work for others. Congratulations on maintaining your weight loss for 10+ years. It's a great achievement.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP! Sending you positive thoughts! You can do it! A plan is good but don't fall for paralysis by analysis. Change something - calorie counting, a special diet, an exercise regimen - that works for you and stick with it til you see results. Change it when you plateau. Focus on the positives ("I have more energy!") and not the negatives ("I'm not losing fast enough!") invest in some good workout clothes and shoes. Good luck OP! Keep us posted!