Topic : Obesity

Your post sounds so much like me--I lost 96 lb. once, 104 lb. once (both on Weight Watchers), then 160 lb. on the hospital supervised liquid diet (nearly died from side effects and the Dr. took me off when my kidneys started to shut down and I had 2 strokes). I've lost smaller amounts dozens of times, but each time gained it all back PLUS MORE!! It is so frustrating.

But the UWS book that Dr. Phil wrote is for PERMANENT weight loss--that's the important thing. If you don't have the book yet, get it and read it over and over again. Work through the questionnaires as you come to them--don't read past and figure you'll go back to them later--you get more good out of doing them as they come in the book. And start right in making healthy choices for your meals, move a little more each day and drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. The food is only one of the 7 keys; the exercise is only one of the 7 keys. There are 5 other keys to KEEPING the weight off when you lose it and developing that healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life.

I strongly recommend getting involved in one of the many online support groups under "Message Boards" with the heading "WEIGHT". You'll see one category titled "Weigh Loss Challenge Discussion". Click on that and look through the names of the various support boards. Some are based on the amount to lose, some on age, some on lifestyle, etc. Find 2 or 3 that appeal to you and try them out. Read regularly for a week or so to see where you feel comfortable. Then start posting daily--even if only to say "hi" at first to get acquainted. Being on a board is so much better than one or 2 e-mail or face-to-face buddies. Where are you left if your buddies drop off the program? Or have a busy schedule and can't support you when you're having problems? But the message board support group is there for you 24/7 because it is made up of MANY people who share your journey. True, some individuals may drop out and new ones come periodically, but overall the BOARD will be there for you.

I get my support from a wonderful, positive group on the 200 lb. or more to lose message board. We do have some people who need to lose less than 200 lb.--what we have in common is facing a long-term journey to get to our "get-real goal", possibly 3 or 4 years or more. We also have special challenges with exercise because there is a possibility of injury at our size and our stamina only allows a few minutes to begin with and we need to take baby steps. But we ARE getting there. You can too. You would be more than welcome on our board or any of the many others just waiting to meet you and help you along.

You mention wishing you were a drug or alcohol addict. It's true that those addictions are not visible to the rest of the world. We carry our addiction like a billboard everywhere we go. And people judge us for it far more than they judge drug addicts or alcoholics. And yet it IS an addiction. But it's one we can overcome. Hang in there. I know you can do it. We all can--together.

Cherie
 

Hello Cherie and everyone.!  My name is Teresa... I have at least 100 to lose.  Today, so far I have made good choices for my meals.  Have had no junk.   I have been a complulsive eater, emotional eater all my life... I am 44 years old.. and I can't do it anymore..  "Its not working for me"  HA ! :) 

My health is at stake, I can feel it.   I am going to get back into my Dr. Phil book, and really apply myself ... I am going to need support.. and this is where I will get it!  this is great.  

Tonight's dinner will be: baked chicken breast, green beans, cottage cheese, small salad.,, and ice tea.   If I don't plan my meals... I eat on the run... I have been doing the "mad dashing" and eating...   I am sure every fast food restaurant window knows me by now... McD's, TacoTime, BurgerKing, Dairy Queen, Jack in the Box......  no more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

Thank you friends for listening... I'll be back!  Have a good day,  

*** my goal weight is 150.....    I was once on the Phen/Fen program and lost it all....  to be honest,,, I never felt better in my life.... felt in control, balanced.... it was amazing.  my heart is fine.  have had all the tests to be sure.   

  

Teresa 

Seattle, WA 

Hi Vanessa!  I am new here too.  I have at least 100 lbs to lose.   

Today... is a good day so far.... good choices.   I am an emotional eater, binger....  I can't do it anymore, my body is giving out... 

We need to encourage each other daily....  I'll be back! 

Teresa 

Seattle WA 

if someone could inspire me to loose weight, or even show me how to begin this process i would love it.  i have tried everything for years and nothing works for me.  i have never been very thin but for me comfortable.  i now have had 3 children back to back to back.  i am very over weight, just need some good motivation.

daisy, no one can do it for you, you have to want it.  You should be so busy with 3 children and if you are feeding them good healty stuff and active in their play times you should be doing things that will help yourself also.  Chin up, do it for yourself, maybe you don't feel that you are worthy of it but I bet your kids do.

Maybe your problem is that you are trying to hide the problem instead of tackling it.  You have to get rid of or deal with the problems in your life or the weight will not stay off this time either.  The problem isn't the weight.  I can't believe your comment that you would rather be an alcoholic or drug addict.  Are you belittling their pain and struggling, like the only one having a hard time in the world is you.  Get over yourself. 

  

I too am struggling with obesity.  I don't blame anyone for my weight, I know that what I am doing or not doing about it is only hurting me.  I am choosing not to do anything about it.  My choice.  I could easily sit back and say that it is because of my rotten childhood and a bad marriage and 3 miscarriages and losing my dad at a very young age but it is none of these things that puts the wrong food in my mouth, it is me.  None of these things makes me sit on the couch and not be doing something to help myself, it is me.  If it is because of anything that I went through, again it is me that is not doing something to get past the issues.  Stop blaming others and take control of your life.  Grim reality is, I need to practice what I preach, but at least I am not blaming everyone else.

No one can inspire you to start.  If it is so difficult to lose weight why do you think you could do it as part of the challenge?  Do it for yourself, you are worth it.  I am sure that you daughter thinks so.  You did what it took when you were pregnant, if you care about yourself you should be able to do it for you.  Your daughter needs you to be health now, after she is born is still important.  Respect yourself and your needs. 

  

I though tthis would be the one place were I could be safe and just let my feelings out and be honest. I quess now I have to justify my comments. I have gone to counseling for many years for my issuses of being molested as a child and being physically abused by my father. I grew up in poverty and somtimes did not know where my nexr meal was coming from.And as far as addiction goes, I have lived my whole life with substance abusers. My husband of 14 yrs. has gone to treatment 4 times We have been to hell and back. I have 2 brothers who I love dearly and have lost nights crying for them one is a Heroin user and the one an alcoholic. My mother and I have just found a bond that has not been there in yrs. because of her gamblling and alcohol addictions. Yes, I know I hide behind food and I can name some main reasons like my daughter drowing at five yrs. old, being moleseted as beat as a child.trying to raise three teenagers basicly alone. But I do not think that I have to justify my honest feelings that at the time were real for me. I barely trust anyone because of the fear of rejection or judgment and now I realize that choosing to post here was a mistake.

Hello Sherinpa... I am new here too....  I too have at least 100 to lose. 

I have struggled my entire life with weight.  I am 44 years old, have 3 kids.  two daughters, ages 25 and 17 and I have a son age 4.   I need to be able to chase after this kid!  My knees have osteoarthritis, they ache... I have too much weight on my frame...   yesterday I did great food choices, and today I plan to do the same.... and I am going to add a 20 minute walk at lunch break today.  My body is so out of shape it's pathetic... but day by day... we can do it.  you help yourself,, and God  will do the rest.  

I prayed this morning for strength, courage to heal myself inside and out. 

Have a good food choice day, breathe deep, and take a few steps,,, swing your arms, it feels great. 

   

  

let's encourage each other daily.  my email is dimartt@yahoo.com 

hope to hear from you... ! :) 

Teresa, 

Seattle