|
Author: Jennifer P
Date: 04-12-03 06:48
I am trying so hard to find the support I need. Please help me!
My story in a nutshell. I am 100 pounds overweight. I weigh 250 pounds. I've been going to the gym since the begining of January 2003. I do cardio first (usually the treadmill on a hilly course at a moderate pace) then I do 16 circuits on the natilus equiptment. 2 sets of 15 reps on each machine. I started out going 3 days a week. I found out that I LOVE the gym! But I still wasn't loosing any weight even though I had drastically cut my calories (I am ashamed to say, but I think I was eating at least 3500 a day) so I cut back to 1700 calories. Some days I made it, some days I went a few hundred over, but I was still significantly LESS than what I was taking in before and now I was burning calories too. BUT I WAS NOT LOOSING ANY WEIGHT! So the trainer at the gym told me I was building muscle first and the muscle weighs more than fat, so it might take a while before I see a loss in weight. I HAVE noticed that I am loosing inches though. So I got frustrated and started going to the gym 4 days a week. And Now I am up to 5 days a week. I go to the gym for two hours each time I go and I work out VERY HARD. But in all this time, I have only lost 5 pounds. I've even started jogging on the treadmill (much against my heavy body's protest) but I get the biggest rush out of it and feel like i have accomplished much more.
So, why am I not loosing more weight? I mean, I am eating significantly less than what I used to. I try so hard to stick within my calorie range, but I fall prey to some serious cravings. I am not an emotional eater (at least I don't think so) and when I get bored I wait 10 minutes and ask myself if it's worth eating out of boredom - I usually end up saying no and coming to the computer or going out with my son if the weather is nice. Sometimes I fail though and it's not about being hungry for me, it's about satisfying that craving. And taking a bite just doesn't work. It's all or nothing with me. I have tried so very hard to get over this, but I am not having much luck.
I am so serious about loosing weight. I want to so bad, I need to so bad! Please help me. I am so frustrated that I work out so great and hard, but my food area thwarts any of my work out efforts. I feel so bad that I work out so hard only to ruin it with food. I beat myself up so badly.
PLEASE HELP ME! And thank you for letting me cry to you all!
Jennifer
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Jennifer P
Date: 04-12-03 06:53
Oh yeah, and I also meant to say that I have tried so many diets in the past. Weight watchers (which I think is awesome, but I seem to not stick to it very well), Atkins, diet pills and so on. I just want to become healthy! I want to loose 100 pounds and maintain it.
I just don't understand what is wrong with me that I can't stick to a diet for more than a day. I have all the motivation in the world to do so (First and foremost, for me - my son, my hubby and I just want to look and feel good) Why do I sabatage myself constantly? Why is it that I can't stick with a diet for more than a day perfectly? I used to be able to go on diets for months and have real success, but not anymore. It's a discipline thing, I am sure, But how do I get myself disciplined like that again? My willpower is very week (mostly due to a low self esteem, beating myself up for the way I look and the way I eat)
Okay - I am really not throwing a pity party for myself, but I want you all to see me and understand me so you can help me out!
Thanks again!
Jennifer
272 highest weight
255 when I started going to the gym Jan 13, 2003
250 current weight
150 what I want to be
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Shari 250/174/125
Date: 04-12-03 07:42
In January of 2002, I weighed 250 pounds. Today, I weigh 174. What it amounts to is determination and finding what works for YOU. Everybody is different and everybody's body reacts differently to diet and exercise. It sounds to me that you just haven't found YOUR body's way to lose weight. Experiment with what you find on this site. Everyone here has great suggestions. When you find what works for you, let us know - maybe it will help us too!!
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: miranda 230/151/140
Date: 04-12-03 08:08
I think you have identified the problem in your own posts: you are not sticking with the diet. At your weight and activity level, you are burning roughly in the neighborhood of 2700-2800 calories/day, so if you were really consuming only 1700 calories/day, you would be losing about 2 pounds a week. Many people, especially overweight people, significantly (and sincerely) underestimate the calories they actually consume, and those little slips and binges really add up. Also, you can be eating less as far as bulk goes, and still be eating too many calories, if you choose foods that are high in calories. I used to have this problem, so I know how easy it is to do; you can eat little enough bulk to still be hungry, but also be consuming too many calories to lose weight.
You could probably benefit by carefully counting your calories for a week. Good resources are fitday.com (where you can keep a detailed food diary); calorieking.com, or comprehensive calorie counting books you can find in any bookstore. In order for this to work, though, you have to count every single thing that goes in your mouth every day, including drinks, supplements, "healthy" foods, snacks, nibbles, "cheat day" calories, etc. By doing this, you can see where your problem areas are, and begin to work on them.
Unfortunately, the only real solution is to get your eating under control, and there are no magic answers here. I finally reached a point where the misery of being overweight exceeded the misery of being hungry, and that's what did it for me. And, after a few weeks of strictly cutting back the amount I ate and choosing low calorie, high bulk foods, it wasn't uncomfortable at all. Identify the factors which trigger your overeating, and take whatever practical measures are necessary to change the behavior. You will get a lot of good tips from this board.
You've made a very good start; good luck in seeing in through.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Jennifer P
Date: 04-12-03 09:16
Thank you! I did keep a journal for a while and wrote every little bite, like and taste! But I didn't keep a good journal on the days that I felt like I cheated.
I really apprecitate the help and advice. I do have a book that I intend to keep as my food and inspiration journal where I will put weight loss articles, exercise articles and pictures of clothes that I like and would want to wear. Even some old pictures of me to help me get to my goal.
Thanks Again!
Jennifer
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Eden_Rising
Date: 04-12-03 09:19
Hi Jennifer - I crave too. I agree that you should try a different way of eating. As I understand it all calories are not equal. However, like the last post, at some point the misery of being fat is worse than the misery of being hungry and I hope I am on my way again! I have 50-60 pounds to loose. Seems unreal as I was at goal about 3 years ago! My biggest problem is I start in the morning full of enthusiasm, but by 4pm I could care less. How do you combat that?
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: BFL Michelle
Date: 04-12-03 09:42
That "trainer" was completely wrong, sorry to say. It is extremely hard to build muscle and lose fat as the same time. I believe it can be done, but not enough to make you not lose weight. Especially if you have alot to lose and you are working out and eating like you said, they weight should be coming off at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per week. If it's not, then if your diet that is hold you back. You are consuming more calories than you are burning.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: mary
Date: 04-12-03 12:39
Jennifer, try this for a week and see if it works for you. It's worked very well for me. Until 7:00PM eat anything that is not a starchy carb: fruit (I always eat this alone and then let it digest for 20-30 min. before eating anything else, low carb veggies with a little bit of real butter, meats, beef jerky, salads with REAL dressing, etc. I usually save yogurt for snacks or breakfast. Nuts also make great snacks. I get the ones that are toasted and in a 1/2 shell in a pink bag at Wal-Mart. More fruit. After 7:00 is when I eat a healthy serving of something with whole grains, depending on whether I'm in the mood for something crunchy - which I usually am. Whole grain cereal, ww toast with natural fruit spread, Bubberlicious Light Popcorn, your favorite bean dish, etc. Try to make it really healthy - if you slip up and just eat regular carbs in the evening; just make sure you don't eat too many of them (3 servings). I also choose 2 nights a week to treat myself to a dessert. Something I really want. This is a sort-of treat for how well I've done the rest of the week. Make sure one of the nights lands on the weekend so you can eat "normal" if you decided to go out with friends. I don't usually do this until I've done the rest of this diet for at least 10 days, but it's worth the wait. I also don't eat as many carbs that night, or none at all.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Stacy
Date: 04-12-03 13:12
I absolutely LOVE waht you wrote about the misery of being fat outweighing the misery of being hungry. That quote is going on my fridge. I never thought of it like that before....but it makes perfect sense!!
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Click here
for a great cookbook
with quick & healthy
recipes
Weight Lifting
For Absolute Beginners:
Illustrated Guide
CLICK HERE
|
