I am fat because...

[Anonymous]

I eat too many treats and I dont exercise enough.

Yes, I had 4 kids.
Yes, I am getting older.
Yes, I work full time.

But these are all excuses and I really need to stop making them. I want to cut down my sugar and carb intake but dont even know where to start. I have done WW and MFP in the past but I "cheat" and then dont lose and I give up. I wish I could eat whatever I want and not be fat but its not working. I have read all the books and understand the science, I just lack simple will power. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 13 and it never gets any easier. I am just so tired of trying and failing. I have approx 30 lbs to lose and it just seems insurmountable.

[Anonymous]

As far as sugar goes, you have to quit cold turkey and don't look back. If you even have a little taste it will set you back with a craving. When I feel like I need sugar, I drink green tea. It completely squashes the craving. The longer you go without sugar, the less your body will crave it...at least that is how it is god me. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

one thing I learned. set yourself up for success. don't buy things you know you have a weakness for. then take a week or so and cut out the starchy carbs and cookies etc.
they are addictive as is sugar. it is not possible to just eat one serving. treat yourself out of the house, but don't bring it in. if you have kids they probably don't need the crap either, but buy things for them you aren't that into.

once you cut down on the sugar you will feel better and not crave it and carbs. go all out on other stuff you do like, meat, fruit, anything not processed.

[Anonymous]

Carbs are not evil.
Sugar is not evil.


To lose weight, you need to cut down your calories, period. It doesn't matter if it's from meat, dairy, veggies, sugar, etc.

MEASURE what you are eating. EVERYTHING. If you put jelly on your toast, take out measuring spoons and measure how much jelly you are using. If you are going to eat a chicken breast, get out a kitchen scale and know how much it weighs.

RECORD what you are eating. Now that you know you ate 2 tablespoons of jelly or 5 oz. of chicken breast, write it down. Or find an online system you can enter it in.
At the end of the day you will know how many calories you ate total.

EXERCISE. Cardio is great, but don't forget about strength training. Don't try to go "all out" at once. Do what you can and have goals to increase it over time.

You don't need weight watchers or surgery (yes, I know OP didn't mention that, I'm just speaking generally) or a personal trainer.

[Anonymous]

I've been going to a doctor who prescribes appetite suppressants and another medication that curbs the cravings. I still have to do all the healthy eating and working out, but once I started seeing the tiniest bit of progress, it's been a lot easier to stick with it.

I've lost about 10 lbs. It's slow. But instead of gaining, I have lost. I work out regularly -- but not a lot as I have to fit it in with everything else. I've added some strength training and increased my protein. I always worked out, but I've focused on things that boost metabolism and muscle. Little changes with my eating and just stick with it. Drink only on weekends (though that wasn't an issue). When I go places, I take a few bites of something I know is bad and just overall eat less. I try to eat more veggies and protein, but don't deny carbs b/c if I do, I just want them that much more.

Find some small step that you can handle. I wasn't going to stick with any "diet" that eliminates something all together. I've done it before and it's not sustainable for me. Figure out what's holding you back and just decide that today you're done. Be positive.

[Anonymous]

PP is right. DO NOT eliminate sugar completely. Just eat less and move more. I'm in the same boat 6 months after the birth of DC2 and the scale is finally moving some. I use the LoseIt app, but there are others. I do a modified crossfit 30 day plan - it literally takes 15 mins in the morning - nothing crazy but enough to get some calories burned and for me to start feeling better and wanting to eat better.

[Anonymous]

I had an injury during child birth and can't exercise anymore it's been 4 years...

[Anonymous]

If you're like me, you can't handle sugar at all - one bite brings on the craving/binges. The Whole 30 might work for you if you can stick it out -and then you lose the cravings.

http://whole9life.com/2010/12/whole30-2011/

[Anonymous]

Dark Chocolate saved me - started off with lower percentages - 55% and worked up. Can still have a treat every day but doesn't have the calories or the impact of sugar on my cravings/energy/etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carbs are not evil.
Sugar is not evil.


To lose weight, you need to cut down your calories, period. It doesn't matter if it's from meat, dairy, veggies, sugar, etc.

MEASURE what you are eating. EVERYTHING. If you put jelly on your toast, take out measuring spoons and measure how much jelly you are using. If you are going to eat a chicken breast, get out a kitchen scale and know how much it weighs.

RECORD what you are eating. Now that you know you ate 2 tablespoons of jelly or 5 oz. of chicken breast, write it down. Or find an online system you can enter it in.
At the end of the day you will know how many calories you ate total.

EXERCISE. Cardio is great, but don't forget about strength training. Don't try to go "all out" at once. Do what you can and have goals to increase it over time.

You don't need weight watchers or surgery (yes, I know OP didn't mention that, I'm just speaking generally) or a personal trainer.

For some, it is a trigger. If I eat one Hershey's kiss, that will lead to cookies, which will lead to a full on binge. I am not saying no sugar ever, but stay away from the refined sugar. I will use maple syrup, honey or fresh fruit to sweeten my food. It doesn't trigger me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're like me, you can't handle sugar at all - one bite brings on the craving/binges. The Whole 30 might work for you if you can stick it out -and then you lose the cravings.

http://whole9life.com/2010/12/whole30-2011/

Gimmicky.

[Anonymous]

OP here -

I just started an exercise boot camp type class that combines cardio and weight training. I have been working out 3x a week for 15 years but it just never seems to be enough. I need to try harder and not phone it in. Showing up doesnt mean anything if I am not going to push myself.

I measure some food and generally try to stay
under my WW points for the day (or just not use the extra weekly pts, figuring it will work itself out as long as I am reasonable) but clearly this is not working and then I give up and eat a pint of ice cream. Its totally self-destructive bc I am so careful (and miserable) for a short time and then blow any progress I might have made.

I wish the fruits and dark chocolate tricks would satisfy my cravings but I dont like them, so its not helpful. (Thanks though!)

I am just complaining bc I hate it and I hate myself for how hard it is and how I am so weak.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you know what to do, you just need motivation.

What are the reasons you want to lose weight?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -

I just started an exercise boot camp type class that combines cardio and weight training. I have been working out 3x a week for 15 years but it just never seems to be enough. I need to try harder and not phone it in. Showing up doesnt mean anything if I am not going to push myself.

I measure some food and generally try to stay
under my WW points for the day (or just not use the extra weekly pts, figuring it will work itself out as long as I am reasonable) but clearly this is not working and then I give up and eat a pint of ice cream. Its totally self-destructive bc I am so careful (and miserable) for a short time and then blow any progress I might have made.

I wish the fruits and dark chocolate tricks would satisfy my cravings but I dont like them, so its not helpful. (Thanks though!)

I am just complaining bc I hate it and I hate myself for how hard it is and how I am so weak.

Yeah - you really have to find food that you enjoy eating and that is good for you. Different for everyone. I'm the one who posted about chocolate. If you like chocolate at all but just don't like dark chocolate - start off with a lighter percentage of dark and then "practice" getting darker. Interesting book:
http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Chocolate-Lose-Weight-Science/dp/1623361273/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400595055&sr=1-3&keywords=chocolate+is+good+for+you

I also try activity - if I want to eat then I go do something I really enjoy for 15-20 minutes. Distraction. And I track calories. Just keeping track makes you eat less because you are paying attention.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you know what to do, you just need motivation.

What are the reasons you want to lose weight?

Look better
Fit into my clothes
Feel sexier
Be a good example to my kids

I am pretty healthy, so I dont feel like health is a real motivator and my DH seems very happy with my body as is, so I dont feel compulsion from him. I just hate the way I look in pictures.