Replies to 'What's Your Payoff for Being Overweight?'

Hi Brenda,

I'm there with you. I also thought I could not lose weight. I'm in a wheelchair. I don't have many ways to get my body moving intensely. Nevertheless I joined a health club. I am slowly losing weight now.

Don't try to find excuses, just work on it. Sorry I don't want to be rough on you but I reckognize what you tell in your mail. If I can do different, you can too!

Jo

Hi Brenda, 

Try power walking with a walkman.  Walking is free. Set a walking goal for yourself every day.  Tell yourself, "No Excuses." No matter what the weather is like or what you feel like, just walk. Fit it into your schedule no matter what.  As Dr. Phil would say, "Behave your way to success!" 

Good luck and let us know your progress. 

Lor 

I used to use the same excuse. But the fact is, you don't have to have a treadmill to walk.  I started walking 10 minutes a day, three times a week, and gradually increased the time and number of days. I now walk 5 miles a day, 7 days a week.  I've lost 70 pounds in the last year, and I feel better than I did when I was a teenager (I'm 59). 

A small start would be a positive step in the right direction. Why not try it? 

Vern 

Brenda,  

There are other things to do besides walking. Since you have access to the internet, MSN has a health section. I found a great 8 minute a morning exercise routine. I have no idea how much weight you want to lose, but it is a good start. Also, try just eating portion sizes. All the food that you buy has what an actual serving is. You would be amazed at the fact that Americans eat way too much food at one sitting. Keep a food log, not so much what you ate but the amount of calories during the day. You will loose weight by even cutting out a few hundred a day. Keep the journal for about a week or two, that way you won't become so compulsive about it.   

My journal usually had the day of the week  

Monday  

Breakfast  

juice 110  

waffel 70  

butter 50  

jam 60  

keep going during the course of the day and add the total at the end of the day. If it's more than what you wanted it to be just subtract something. Keep track of your water intake also. I try to have at least 8, sometimes it just doesn't work.  You will notice after awhile if you over eat for a meal you will not feel very well (as I feel right now)  

I did this starting at the begining of the year I have lost 12lbs. Remeber that the normal person is only suppose to loose between 1-2lbs per week. You may drop fast, but it will slow down.  

Where I work we also started a version of the Biggest Loser. We play for money and had a set of ground rules for it. To even things out we paired people who had more to loose with someone who had 10 lbs to loose. I have reached my goal with still a month to play, but my partner is starting loose more than any other month.   

The best thing to do is think of this a lifetime change and do it for yourself and no one else. My boyfriend comments on the changes, but I did it to make myself feel better. One step at a time one foot in front of the other, its all you can ask of yourself  

Chandra 

PS don't try everything all at once, change one thing a week until you are doing all of them. I would start by adding more water and moving on from there.