Topic : Obesity

Hi Ellen, 

  

As a man, i cannot relate specifically to some of what you are saying but I definitely can say I feel like I use my weight to protect myself in a lot of ways, the same ways I use food. To protect myself against emotions and pain, and almost as a coccoon of fat that keeps me saf in my marriage. My wife knows I depend on her in many ways because of my size, so it keeps us together in some strange ways.  

  

I wish you luck on this journey we are all on! 

Dave 

I am not obese, but I have been.  I am 5'6.5" and 157 pounds now.  It's a daily commitment to let life be my life and not food choices.  When I was heavier, I just decided I could eat as much food as I wanted, but the foods had to be Gods foods.  Nothing refined, bleached, preserved, etc.  So I ate lots of veggies and meats and the pounds poured off.  7 pounds the first week, then 5, then 3 etc.... 

  

I volunteered at a local hospice and became involved, when I wasn't working, in other people's lives.  Sitting with hospice patients and allowing the family caregiver some time to shop or go out gave me fulfillment and also made me realize I had no problems really.  If I had a large cancer center here, I would have volunteered in the childrens wards.  Focusing on others certainly takes selfish focus away and puts things in perspective. 

  

Soon I began to recognize real hunger.  For me, real hunger is a nauseating, empty feeling that must be fed.  I don't care with what............  a cold tuna casserole out of the fridge would be good.  :0)   

  

I also kept temptation out of the way.  I know my weakness.  I mean, I don't have Keanu Reeves sitting around my house (BOY would that be tempting..................yum) so I don't have cheese puffs, or chocolate millionaires around either.  Or soda.  I have all kinds of flavored teas, all kinds of vegetables, and sometimes a fruit or two.  I have dry beef or venison jerky and I love to pop popcorn in a little olive oil.    

  

I cut down in little ways and sped up in little ways.  I'd order original recipe Kentucky Fried Chicken.  I'd get a breast and a thigh with a large tea or diet coke and NO biscuit.  If the gave me the stupid biscuit I'd toss it to the grass for the sparrows.   At the same time, like all the magazine articles say, I'd do little things.  I'd park a block or two from work and walk.  I took the stairs at school.  Etc.   Soon, my body was actually wanting me to go walk.  I have the perfect place, we live close to a lake.  Why is walking around the lake so easy but taking that first step out the front door so hard??? what is the deal with us on that??? 

  

lol 

  

it's universal. 

but once you start, it becomes better. 

  

I take melatonin at night and sleep like a baby.  If I have hunger pangs at bedtime I think "OH GOOD"  my body is wanting fuel.  Then I grab part of my hips and say "HERE take this and feed yourself."  :0) 

  

I wish everyone here blessings to love yourself for what you can offer other people, to take the focus off of yourself, to be kind to yourself - enjoy a walk.  Stick your feet in a pond, feed the birds, buy a new pet, volunteer at a shelter, teach a sunday school class, walk someone's dog for them, etc............ 

  

  

  

  

talk to us.  we're all here!

Is that YOU in the picture? 

  

wow.  You are so beautiful.  How about contacting Dove and getting into the Dove for real beauty campaign and seeing if you could start a group for young girls in your community?  You have such a beautiful, kind face, I would imagine people are very receptive to you. 

  

Do something for yourself today and do three things for others.   

  

(Interesting about the melatonin by the way.  I take that too. I used to be obese.) 

do you like veggies?   Steamed veggies?  Artichokes are a great snack food.  Fruit changes you blood sugar for the worst and makes you crave more food!   How about veggies and soups?  Do you love sitting down on the couch with a magazine and sipping some hot tomato soup and eating artichokes or asparagus spears?   Potatoes, beets and corn must be limited, but most veggies are A-okay.  And meat.  Veggies and meat.  Grains with LOTS of fiber are good.  Sara Lee Heart Healthy bread that has 30% of your daily fiber is a great choice for carbs.  Have five ounces of dark chocolate if you want something sweet.  It's loaded with antioxidants.  Are you uptight?  Have a couple of glasses of red wine.  Sip and savor baby sip and savor!    

  

I was obese.  I do understand.  One of the keys is reading everything you can get your hands on and being kind to yourself and helping other people in their other plights!!!!!!!! 

  

The book "Foods that Harm and Foods that Heal" is an excellent book! 

  

  

Plus, if you are out of balance in your Ph and your blood sugar, like too many fruits, your body won't burn fat!

hey there. 

  

You know that book that talks about the woman being submissive (not obedient) ? 

  

It says other things too.  Read it.  Find comfort in it.  Love your God.  Go help other people.  Volunteer your time.  Be kind to yourself and to others.  Lose yourself in what you can achieve for others every day. 

  

The weight will come off. 

  

Eat Gods food.  No preservatives, no bleach, nothing refined.  Load up on meat and veggies and eggs.  LOAD UP.  Don't batter it.........steam, pan fry and broil.  And load up.  Have a fruit every now and then or some Sara Lee Heart Healthy bread.  Eat those greens and snack on those artichokes and eat steak and eggs and drink iced tea and flavored teas.  Involve yourself in the lives of others in shelters, hospices, etc............ 

  

The weight WILL come off. 

  

I've been there and done that. 

There is purpose for your life and you can make the necessary changes.  You have to believe.  Avoid accessive preservatives and additives.  Avoid fake sugar sweeteners, which some say lead to brain cancer, tumors, and seizures.  Avoid all white flour products, which turn to sugar and cause cancer.  White flour products are not helpful.  Eat whole great products.  Avoid fast food and eat small balanced meals when you are hungry.  Eating only one thing can raise your insuline level and lead to diabetes.  Avoid eating after 7:00. Eating late doesn't allow your stomach to digest food properly and can lead to acid reflux.  But, you really have to learn to love yourself.  You have to let go of the things that you can not control, and transform those things in your life that you can.  I will be praying for you.  No matter how many calories you lose, you need to talk with your doctor and get active.  Walking is a very good start.  Avoid junk food and know that in submitting to your husband, it should be in love.  He should likewise love you, as Christ loved the church.  Let him know how you feel.  Stand up.  Pray hard.  Don't give up. There's Hope!  You can make it.  You've got to believe it.  The advice I gave you is the same advice I gave myself when I was overweight.  Love yah and God bless, E.

Guys and gals, we need to have this website up constantly!  We need to talk to each other constantly.  Until good habits become as easy as opening that bag of chips, we need to be on here.  It makes us aware.  We are not chatting and posting enough.   

  

Ever been to the sex site and the "how does porn affect your marriage" site?  MAN those people are on all the time talking and talking because their lives and problems are being brought out into the open and they are dealing with them.  That's what needs to be done here.  Come one you guys!   Write!  Post!  Let's go!  :0) 

I want to offer my support to everyone who is fighting their weight.  My mother and three sisters all fight their weight, two of them being morbidly obese.  I see their struggles - having so much weight to lose and not knowing where to begin, or not having the energy to begin. 

  

My weight has gone up some over the years and quite honestly, one reason I keep it under control is that I question if I would have the will-power to lose a lot of weight.  So, one day at a time for me.  Each meal I make the best choice I can.  If I mess up, that cannot be my excuse for messing up rest of the day. 

  

While many recommend 60-90 minutes of cardio to lose weight, that seemed huge.  My goal?  To do "something" active every day, even if it's just walking in place for 10 minutes, or doing a few crunches while waiting for laundry to finish drying.  After doing "something" every day for 4-5 days, it seemed easier to find a few extra minutes, increasing to 20 minutes per day, then 30, etc.  If I skip a day, that cannot be my excuse for giving up. 

  

Feel free to write - I'd love to hear how everyone else stay's motivated.  Thank you for the reminder to keep this message board active.