I am fat because...

[Anonymous]

Processed food is LITERALLY made to be addictive. The simple carbs of breads and cookies stoke cravings in some people that are an actual physical addiction. Read the threads about people giving up sugar and going through withdrawal.

I remember watching a news show like 60 minutes and they were in a big food corporation. They had vials and vials of flavors and smells that they were showing off, all with the end game of producing snack food that was delicious but somehow left people craving more. This was actually stated by the food scientists.

Sorry for the slight threadjack, but it makes me crazy when people start talking about willpower and moral failings and don't address the widespread and insidious manipulation of the American food supply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Also overweight, and irrationally annoyed at you for this post. It just reinforces the stereotypes people have about all of us just lacking "simple willpower," and that is so much bullshit.

I honestly feel like it is about simple willpower for me. I started WW and was doing Great, lost 2 lbs one week and 1 lb week 2. Then I went off track due to poor willpower and had too much ice cream and onion rings and bread and cookies and pit 4 lbs back on. I have spent the past 2 weeks trying to drop those. Its my own fault and its mot due to anything but my inability to control myself.

Juicer here. This is why I juice and why I will incorporate some form of it into my life permanently. When I've tried low-calorie plans, it makes me fixate on food. How much of it I can have, what kind, when, etc. It was too much!

So instead you eat nothing, but drink some vitamin water. Check back in a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What is the benefit of trying to like dark chocolate? Just to have something thats not-so-bad to snack on? I like chocolate but it isnt really a trigger for me and if I like ice cream, I am very specific about only liking one flavor and 10 other flavors can sit in my freezer for months and I wont touch them, but then I will obsess about the flavor I want until I buy it and eat the whole thing.

Dark chocolate satisfies my cravings for something sweet and it is relatively good for you (in moderation). So, for me it keeps me from eating tons of other things like cookies, cake, brownies, chips, etc. And for some reason - I can stop eating chocolate after I've eaten my portion. It gives me something to look forward to eating but not feel guilty about. I realize this won't work for everyone but it has been the silver bullet for me. And yes, Ben & Jerry's double fudge brownie ice cream is never allowed in my freezer. Obviously, I have chocolate issues

What kind of chocolate do you buy and from where?

Mostly from Whole Foods - I love the XOXO brand. You can buy it online too but it is very pricey. I've tried every bar they stock and this brand is my favorite. I started off buying their 55% flavors - have now worked up to 62% which is harder to find. Might try to go up to 70% soon as it is more available. Will warn you - it is not cheap.

And other than chocolate - I eat a lot of lean protein, veggies and some carbs. I have to admit I'm not a good veggie snacker though veggies with hummos is a good one. I like parrano cheese on whole wheat crackers too. It's all about finding what is not horrible for you for the treats and eating well the other.

[Anonymous]

OP, just wanted to say that I am with you. I am 5'4 and have slowly ballooned to 155 in the last 10 years since I started college. I currently weigh the most I ever have. I also would like to lose about 30lbs to be at my ideal weight.

I love food (like it is my obsession and #1 love) and I just fixate on it all the time. I'm also lazy about exercising. It's a weird mindset for me being just "chubby" - I agree that if I were bigger/it affected my life or health more I probably work harder to change it.

[Anonymous]

I can not believe all the terrible, cliche, Woman's World style advice in this thread. No wonder you are all fat,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can not believe all the terrible, cliche, Woman's World style advice in this thread. No wonder you are all fat,

How about you give some good advice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can not believe all the terrible, cliche, Woman's World style advice in this thread. No wonder you are all fat,

How about you give some good advice?

Yes, please, almighty PP, tell us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, just wanted to say that I am with you. I am 5'4 and have slowly ballooned to 155 in the last 10 years since I started college. I currently weigh the most I ever have. I also would like to lose about 30lbs to be at my ideal weight.

I love food (like it is my obsession and #1 love) and I just fixate on it all the time. I'm also lazy about exercising. It's a weird mindset for me being just "chubby" - I agree that if I were bigger/it affected my life or health more I probably work harder to change it.

It all starts somewhere. While you might not be bigger now, you will keep gaining as the years go by.

[Anonymous]

OP, go see your doctor to have your thyroid checked (underactive thyroid is related to weight gain), as well as your cortisol levels (this stress hormone makes you feel like you want to eat more) and other hormones (esp. estrogen, which controls how your body stores and deals with fat, so when you get into perimenopause and beyond, it's much harder to regulate), and do an insulin check to make sure you are not prediabetic. Tell your doctor how much you are sleeping, too, because lack of sleep disrupts the entire endocrine system as is associated with weight gain. (When I saw that you have 4 kids, that's the first thing I thought of.)

It's self-defeating to blame "lack of willpower" in cases where hormones and other bodily factors are involved.
If you are depressed or if your cortisol levels are sky high you will have increased urges to eat more. If you are having any kind of insulin issues then what you eat might be impacting your weight gain/loss as much as how much you eat. My sister-in-law is prediabetic and recently lost 60 lbs over the course of a year by eliminating all simple carbs (and even some complex carbs) from her diet. (She did this under the direction of a doctor.)

Your body is telling you something and it's important to listen.

Please read this recent article, too:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/opinion/sunday/always-hungry-heres-why.html?hp&rref=opinion&_r=0

[Anonymous]

I'm lazy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, go see your doctor to have your thyroid checked (underactive thyroid is related to weight gain), as well as your cortisol levels (this stress hormone makes you feel like you want to eat more) and other hormones (esp. estrogen, which controls how your body stores and deals with fat, so when you get into perimenopause and beyond, it's much harder to regulate), and do an insulin check to make sure you are not prediabetic. Tell your doctor how much you are sleeping, too, because lack of sleep disrupts the entire endocrine system as is associated with weight gain. (When I saw that you have 4 kids, that's the first thing I thought of.)

It's self-defeating to blame "lack of willpower" in cases where hormones and other bodily factors are involved.
If you are depressed or if your cortisol levels are sky high you will have increased urges to eat more. If you are having any kind of insulin issues then what you eat might be impacting your weight gain/loss as much as how much you eat. My sister-in-law is prediabetic and recently lost 60 lbs over the course of a year by eliminating all simple carbs (and even some complex carbs) from her diet. (She did this under the direction of a doctor.)

Your body is telling you something and it's important to listen.

Please read this recent article, too:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/opinion/sunday/always-hungry-heres-why.html?hp&rref=opinion&_r=0

While I appreciate the support, this is actually very harmful advice. I know some people have health problems that cause weight gain or inhibit weight loss, but I dont. I am very healthy and have had my thyroid and hormone levels tested. I tend to give up easily bc I want to believe that I cant lose weight, so if I am going to be fat, I might as well eat what I want. But the truth is, that I probably can if I really tried and didnt constantly self-sabotage by eating too much of the wrong foods and half-assing my workouts. Its way easier for me to blame some outside force but as I said in the original post - I am fat bc I eat too much and dont exercise enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, go see your doctor to have your thyroid checked (underactive thyroid is related to weight gain), as well as your cortisol levels (this stress hormone makes you feel like you want to eat more) and other hormones (esp. estrogen, which controls how your body stores and deals with fat, so when you get into perimenopause and beyond, it's much harder to regulate), and do an insulin check to make sure you are not prediabetic. Tell your doctor how much you are sleeping, too, because lack of sleep disrupts the entire endocrine system as is associated with weight gain. (When I saw that you have 4 kids, that's the first thing I thought of.)

It's self-defeating to blame "lack of willpower" in cases where hormones and other bodily factors are involved.
If you are depressed or if your cortisol levels are sky high you will have increased urges to eat more. If you are having any kind of insulin issues then what you eat might be impacting your weight gain/loss as much as how much you eat. My sister-in-law is prediabetic and recently lost 60 lbs over the course of a year by eliminating all simple carbs (and even some complex carbs) from her diet. (She did this under the direction of a doctor.)

Your body is telling you something and it's important to listen.

Please read this recent article, too:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/opinion/sunday/always-hungry-heres-why.html?hp&rref=opinion&_r=0

While I appreciate the support, this is actually very harmful advice. I know some people have health problems that cause weight gain or inhibit weight loss, but I dont. I am very healthy and have had my thyroid and hormone levels tested. I tend to give up easily bc I want to believe that I cant lose weight, so if I am going to be fat, I might as well eat what I want. But the truth is, that I probably can if I really tried and didnt constantly self-sabotage by eating too much of the wrong foods and half-assing my workouts. Its way easier for me to blame some outside force but as I said in the original post - I am fat bc I eat too much and dont exercise enough.

Not sure how it's ever harmful to talk to your doctor as you try to embark on a weight loss program. Good that you have had your hormone levels tested (including cortisol?). But have you been checked for depression? Why is it that you think you self-sabatoge? Something is making you eat sweets when you wish you wouldn't. You are really critical of yourself and are unhappy but not doing anything about it.

Seeing a doctor is never a bad idea for anyone who wants to lose weight.

[Anonymous]

I comfort/stress/boredom eat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, go see your doctor to have your thyroid checked (underactive thyroid is related to weight gain), as well as your cortisol levels (this stress hormone makes you feel like you want to eat more) and other hormones (esp. estrogen, which controls how your body stores and deals with fat, so when you get into perimenopause and beyond, it's much harder to regulate), and do an insulin check to make sure you are not prediabetic. Tell your doctor how much you are sleeping, too, because lack of sleep disrupts the entire endocrine system as is associated with weight gain. (When I saw that you have 4 kids, that's the first thing I thought of.)

It's self-defeating to blame "lack of willpower" in cases where hormones and other bodily factors are involved.
If you are depressed or if your cortisol levels are sky high you will have increased urges to eat more. If you are having any kind of insulin issues then what you eat might be impacting your weight gain/loss as much as how much you eat. My sister-in-law is prediabetic and recently lost 60 lbs over the course of a year by eliminating all simple carbs (and even some complex carbs) from her diet. (She did this under the direction of a doctor.)

Your body is telling you something and it's important to listen.

Please read this recent article, too:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/opinion/sunday/always-hungry-heres-why.html?hp&rref=opinion&_r=0

While I appreciate the support, this is actually very harmful advice. I know some people have health problems that cause weight gain or inhibit weight loss, but I dont. I am very healthy and have had my thyroid and hormone levels tested. I tend to give up easily bc I want to believe that I cant lose weight, so if I am going to be fat, I might as well eat what I want. But the truth is, that I probably can if I really tried and didnt constantly self-sabotage by eating too much of the wrong foods and half-assing my workouts. Its way easier for me to blame some outside force but as I said in the original post - I am fat bc I eat too much and dont exercise enough.

Not sure how it's ever harmful to talk to your doctor as you try to embark on a weight loss program. Good that you have had your hormone levels tested (including cortisol?). But have you been checked for depression? Why is it that you think you self-sabatoge? Something is making you eat sweets when you wish you wouldn't. You are really critical of yourself and are unhappy but not doing anything about it.

Seeing a doctor is never a bad idea for anyone who wants to lose weight.

I dont think going to a doctor is harmful, but I think making excuses is harmful and it allows me to give up easier. I know I sound really down about my weight but it is the only thing in my life that I am unhappy about. And clearly, I am not even THAT unhappy about it or I would work a little harder to fix it. Starting this thread was cathartic and is forcing me to admit that its my own fault and I need to take charge of my weight, if in fact, I really do want to lose it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I started out about 30 pounds over my ideal weight. Started getting serious about exercising about 2 months ago and I work out for 40 minutes, 5 days a week at my office gym. I stopped making excuses and just started going. Now, it's my routine and I enjoy taking that break in my day. Even with the new plan and cutting back (but not as much as I probably should've), I lost about 4 pounds in 1.5 months. It was SLOW going.

I decided to start juicing during the weekday. Yesterday marked me entering my third week of my new plan and I've lost an additional 8 pounds. I love the flexibility of sticking to this plan during the week and relaxing a bit on the weekends (without overdoing it). Going to continue with this method until I reach my goal weight loss and switch to juicing for breakfast only because I enjoy getting tons of veggies/fruits in a quick way. And my skin has never been clearer!

Great job! When you do your juicing do you get any other food or just juice?

Thanks! I should also note that while I've lost 12 lbs, I *really* see the difference in the way I look. My face and thighs are much slimmer. I haven't taken my measurements, but I can feel/see the difference.

What I usually eat during the week:

Juice consisting of some mixture of the following: kale, spinach, cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, strawberries, grapes, watermelon, pineapple, mango. I don't use all in one juice blend. I use various combinations, but the goal is to use more veggies than fruit.

I drink my juices 3 times a day and also have:

Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs
Lunch: 1 piece of baked chicken or fish, 1 slice of wheat bread
Dinner: 1 piece of baked chicken or fish, 1 slice of wheat bread. Lately, I've really been craving something sweeter so instead of chicken/fish, I'll have: yogurt, peanuts and apples. It's really good and filling.

While it may not seem like a lot, the juices REALLY fill you up and you won't be hungry after the first 2 days or so. I enjoy the taste of the juices (and the knowledge that I'm taking in veggies/fruits) so much that I even do it on the weekends for breakfast.

What are you doing for fiber? If I ate like this I would be so constipated.

LOL; that was a worry for me to but the bread (whole-wheat) and nuts help a lot. So does taking in fiber-rich foods on the weekends. I toyed with the idea of mixing a fiber powder in my juices, but I'm able to "go" about 2-3 times a week without any signs of constipation, so I haven't had to do that but it's an option.

See, if I ate this way I would not be constipated. I would be shitting my brains out. I can't do too much juice or I can't leave the bathroom.