Replies to '08/07 Big Burden'

I am a THIN person, but I don't laugh at other people. I think people who do are just ignorant. All of us have our shortcomings, as a Pastor told us at a funeral recently. Tihs is true that none of us are perfect.

Hey if you are scared people at the gym will laugh at you, how bout getting a video to work out at home, then no one is watching. You can get a mat, video and a medicine ball. They aren't that expensive and you can do it in the comfort of your own home! :)

Have you kept a food journal and counted the calories you are actually consuming? Counted every single morsel? Everytime you give your kid a peice of food and you take a nibble?

I used to think I had a crappy metabolism too but I didn't, I was just eating WAY TOO MUCH FOOD!

Also. if you can lose weight weith gastric-by-pass then you can lose weight the normal way. Do you know what gastric by pass does? It limits the number of calories you can take in. It's not magic, it doesn't fix something broken. It doesn't increase your metabolism. It just physically makes it harder to consume so many calories.

So if you can be fixed with GBP then you can lose the weight on your own.

I saw your post and just wanted to say something -

I'll admit that while I've always had a bit of a struggle with my weight and need to watch it closely, I've never been severely overweight so I could never presume to know how it feels.  But I wanted to share this...

I go to the gym regularly.  About 3 months ago while on the treadmill, I saw a new member.  This woman is morbidly obese - easilly close to 400 lbs would be my guess.  When I saw her, I actually felt excitement and admiration for her!  How awesome is she?  She marched herself right into that gym with her head held high.  I didn't witness one snicker,  not one cruel look - I really didn't.  For me personally, I can't imagine feeling anything but good wishes for her and hopes that she reaches her goals.  I can see how you might be apprehensive about going to a public gym - fearful that others would make fun of you.  I can even imagine there might be a stray half-wit with a cruel heart who will choose to be unkind... But I truly believe that the majority of the people there will not be that way at all - and if anything, will be cheering you on.

I'm happy to add that I've seen this woman many times since.  She's sticking with it - and I'd put down money that she's going to make it!

Surgery is not the easy way out...its taking a huge risk, weighing the facts and choosing to get your body in a healthier position so you can enjoy life and live it better. What is easy about risking death, getting cut open and having to take even better care of yourself than before.   I think its a cop out to say its the easy way out.  For some of us...who are not 20 lbs over weight but 100's its the ONLY way we'll ever find a path to a normal body weight and give ourselves a better chance to live longer and healthier.  Some of those people "choosing the easy way" now are off disability and able to work and no longer need multiple medications...many get their diabetes to go away and are able to be more active. Its not easy but its definitely in some people's best interest.

 I too was an overweight , stay-at-home mom, but I have began working out and I have lost 80 pounds in 6 months, and have kept it off for five years.   But, what I wanted to tell you is that you CAN go to the gym!  My best friend was well over 400 lbs.  when I talked her into going to the gym with me.   At first she was scared, but she is very friendly and people cannot help but love her.  She gets so much love and support from most of the people who work out there, and no longer concerns herself with the rest.  I am completely in awe of her courage, and her progress.  She has lost almost two hundred pounds, by watching calories, and excercising faithfully.  She is in such good shape now that we are planning a hiking trip this summer.  At one time I too was self conscious about going to the gym, but I knew that not going to work out was going to result in my being even more self conscious in the long run.  You say that you are a stay-at-home mom, so I am sure you are an active person.  Do you take time to do anything for yourself outside the home without your family?  Having female friends to go and do things with and share with is so important!  When we were younger and had small children we would always go out to eat.  Now we do things together that cause us to get out and move and we are spurred on by one another.  Whenever one of us wants to quit,  someone will reach a milestone, or drop us a card and we are suddenly inspired to keep going!  Movement and friendship are an unbeatable combination for lifting your spirits as well as your metabolism, and you will have so much more energy for your kids and husband!  Don't have surgery yet, give the gym a try first I think you will be surprised at how wonderful you will feel after the first two weeks.