remember when...

[thederkinsdame]

You were a teenager and you were paranoid about being 4lbs overweight? Tonight I have decided to face up to the fact that I am 4 STONE overweight. I don't know where the hell to start really. It's a vicious circle. I am fat therefore I am too tired to exeercise. I am tired therefore I eat loads of chocolate (and I mean loads) and other comfort food. This makes me put on weight which makes me depressed and makes me tired and then I eat more and yadda yadda yadda... It goes on with me piling on the pounds. I feel horrible and look old before my time. I don't even know why I'm posting this. It's easier to admit this online than to my friends. i would rather die than tell anyone how heavy I am (I'm sure they can see tho LOL :-(

[Niecie]

I entirely understand how you feel. I am in the same boat. I can't even blame it on having children as it has all been put on since I had them.

I don't know how you motivate yourself to do anything about it. I know I look awful but I don't live my life in front of a mirror and so I forget a lot of the time. Whilst I am like that I can't see how I can get a grip of my eating.

What are we doing up at this time of night as well? It doesn't help, does it?

Nothing useful to say that will help though. I don't know what would. I just wanted to sympathise.

[wehaveallbeenthere]

I sympathise with both of you...I put on weight with two pregnancies back to back and at that time was trying to lose it. It's been a long time since and it hasn't come off (most is in the stomach) and I've added to it. I'm almost 50 (going to be 49 next year) and I don't want to start anything like this. My first pregnancy was 10 years before the first and it took 10 years to get it off.
I know this though. No one can do it for you (us). So. If you are willing maybe we can come to some sort of reckoning to help ourselves. Are you both game?

[wehaveallbeenthere]

If so...this is how it starts. I'm a fiend for chocolate and cake. I will promise to get rid of all that temptation. I won't say how much I weigh but I will write it down and record it every week (not before).
I promise to do this because I want to like myself and I want others to like me too. I am my own worst critic. I can walk 1 mile a day (not sure what you can work out for yourselves in the way of exercise..this is really tiring for me and I have terrible allergies but I know it will be good for me in the end).
I won't beat myself up if I don't lose weight quickly. I will look at it like I am helping a friend. I will become the friend that I need to help me lose.
If I can do this...I can do anything.

[thederkinsdame]

Niecie and wehaveallbeenthere thanks for your support. I'm feeling a bit stronger this morning so I am game to have a go. My biggest stumbling block is the evenings. I tend to put LO to bed and then break open a huge bar of choccy. I also turn to choc when I am feeling down. So, I resolve that I will not buy chocolate this week. I walk lots with LO in pushchair, so will carry on doing that. Will try to walk a mile a day.

If you guys are up for it, how about having a weekly progress report - say on a Sunday night? We don't have to post our weights (I'm too ashamed) but we could just do a catch up and see how we are doing/give each other a bit of encouragement if we need it.

Good luck to you both this week. It will be hard, but every day is a step closer to our goals and with support I know we can do it.

Chocsaway girls! x

[wehaveallbeenthere]

Right!! thederkinsdame, I'm in the states so it might be a bit before my posts get in. I'm in though. I just weighed myself and ( its going to be a battle but with help and support) I"m ready to change it for the better. I've already got temptation beckoning (daughters came home with the most beautiful cupcakes last evening).
Maybe I'll post a picture of myself on the fridge lol. Have to run (joke, I can't run to save my life) to get the girls off to school. Good luck and I'll check back later.

[Niecie]

I'll join in too.

However, I have to confess that I joined a similar thread last week. It is getting a bit big though and they don't have as much to lose as me, well most of them don't, it seems.

I think if I am bombarded on all sides by people reminding me that I am a porker and need to do something then maybe, at last, I might do.

I was thinking of buying a bike but then I look out of the window and see the rain and wonder if I can be bothered.

I need to formulate a plan but cutting back on chocolate would be a good start!

[wehaveallbeenthere]

You can do this Niecie. You just have to know that you can. You don't have to tell anyone what you weigh. Only you need to know. Treat it like you have a contract with yourself. You wouldn't like it if a friend lied to you or broke a contract about something so important. So be that friend to yourself. In the end you will be patting yourself on the back!

[thederkinsdame]

Hello ladies. I did really well today...until the evening. I haven't munched my way through the larder today or anything, but then after an absolutely hellish couple of hours with my toddler, who is really testing boundaries ATM my OH called and I asked him to get me some choc. He came home with 2 huge bars which I have scoffed. I'm really with self. Have no willpower!

I hope that you guys have had a better day.

[wehaveallbeenthere]

tomorrow is another day thederkinsdame, so put today behind you and maybe try to find something to take the place of chocolate? Or maybe ask OH to maybe get half the requested amount?
You never have to do today over again in your lifetime. Tomorrow will be better.

[wehaveallbeenthere]

It sounds like you have a loving OH so maybe you could work out some arrangement that is beneficial to you both??? Instead of chocolates...if you get my meaning?

[wehaveallbeenthere]

I think I'm going to take my own advice and see if I can curb my cravings..those cupcakes are still in the fridge. Remember don't judge yourself until Sunday!

[Niecie]

Thank you for your motivational words Weveallbeenthere - would you like to move into my front room? You could sit by the door (you can have the armchair) and refuse to let me near the 'naughty drawer' in the kitchen!

Don't worry about the chocolate thederkinsdame - you had a good day up to that point so you probably had a few calories to spare, iyswim. I bet you burnt a few running round after a toddler too!

Are we going to set goals for ourselves? Something to aim for?

I have never done WW or any other slimming club as I don't see how going to a meeting will make you any more motivated when you are at home, especially if you have to faff about counting points or sins or whatever. But I was trying to think about what it is that motivates people to keep going and I wonder if it is to do with having an achievable goal.

To my shame, my mother is doing WW and doing really well and her first goal was to lose 10% of her weight which she did reasonably quickly.

Should we aim to do that? For me that would be 23lb (you can work my weight out now if you have a mind to ).

There are 12 weeks to Christmas so unless I lose about 2lb a week every week that isn't really achievable and that sounds a bit hard. I was wondering if I could do it by the end of January which gives an extra 5 weeks and that is less than 1.5lb a week so 2lbs some weeks but only a lb on others.

We could all treat ourselves to some new spring clothes when they hit the shops although probably your 10%s are doable by Christmas as I don't suppose you have as much to lose as me.

So what do you think?

Oh sorry, that was a bit long.

[LoveMyGirls]

I've lose a few stone recently and I've just popped in to wish you all good luck, i've posted a lot about this this year and I've found posting has really helped me as well as going to WW meetings, i was sceptical like you Niecie but knowing someone else is going to look at the scales with you really does stop you eating so much through the week.

Altogetehr I've lsot 4 and a half stone since having dd2 who will be 3 on monday i'm now 9.7 stone and so chuffed. I really hope you guys make it too, trust me its worth it!

When you find it hard say I want to be thin more than I want xxxxxxx choc bar and imagine yourself buying lovely thin clothes because you like them not because it's all you can find that will hide your lumps and bumps the best!

[Niecie]

Well done Ilovemygirls. You must feel great!

How long did it take to lose that sort of weight? Do you have to follow the WW regime to keep it off or can you let up on the points counting a bit?

If you don't mind me asking that is.

[wehaveallbeenthere]

Niecie, I think you should set a realistic goal. For myself it is a day to day thing. Just a slight nudge of the needle in the right direction.
Oh, I read somewhere that a dose of Vitamin C about 20 minutes before your walk or workout helps the weight come off. There was a study and the users of Vitamin C lost more (all of them) per workout than the people that did the same workout for same length of time. Since we all need VC I don't suppose it can hurt.
Also, if you get up to walking and want some extra weight bring a couple water bottles. The weight gets your heartrate up and then curbs off as you drink it.
On goals, I can't look at it as a one lump sum. If I set a goal of a few pounds...then a few more...etc. I do better. If I say I need to lose 70 plus pounds by say January it becomes some insurmountable mountain that I can't possibly climb. Just me. What works for one, may not work for another. Keep posting though...we have each others backs!!!

[Niecie]

THB a lb by next week would be good.

I wonder about a bigger goal for myself as I need to see an end in sight. To think that I have to do this indefinitely does my head in even though I am aiming more towards a change of lifestyle rather than a diet.

Also, it is the reward thing. I wouldn't feel justified in having a reward for a pound here or there but having something lovely to look forward to, something tangible that I can understand, helps. I can't remember or imagine what it feels like to be 2, 3 or 4 stone lighter. I can remember very well what it feels like to have new clothes. (I haven't stopped buying clothes - I just have to buy bigger ones).

But as you say, each to their own. Whatever gets you through.

Interesting what you say about the vitamin C. Somebody on the other thread I am on was saying that grapefruit seems to be filling her up and helping her lose weight at the moment. I wonder if there is a connection. She goes for a run afterwards I think - mind you that probably helps too!

[Niecie]

THB

I meant tbh!

[wehaveallbeenthere]

yes new clothes! Who doesn't want something new? I wouldn't mind turning a few heads myself.
I am married but it's been a long time since I felt like I could stop time when walking across a room. Of course I never could be feeling so would be wonderful.

[wehaveallbeenthere]

be>but too excited at the prospect!

[LoveMyGirls]

How long did it take to lose that sort of weight?

I lost about a stone and a half on my own (walking, healthy eating) but that took me about 9 months then I put half a stone back on and decided to join WW on the 25th Jan 08 - I was 12 stone, I got to my goal of 9.7 by 27th June 08, so 6 months to lose 2 and a half stone.

Do you have to follow the WW regime to keep it off or can you let up on the points counting a bit?

I did the core plan which is less work imo and I never counted points ever, just worked out roughly how many things I couldn't live without (like sugar in tea and a snack at night) which used 3 points a day other than that i tried to stick to the list of free foods. Plus exericse is key, i was doing swimming (30 laps) twice a week plus aqua fit and 1 session of areobics. My dp really supported me and as soon as he walked in I went out and we'd spend from 8pm together.

[wehaveallbeenthere]

I think LMG, it is different for everyone. Motivation is a factor but age, how many children, how much you actually eat and burn up, how and even when you exercise all play a role.
I've known people (a good friend of mine since he was 18) that has always been very heavy. Yet he ate almost nothing! When he did eat he would just pick and I know he didn't eat late at night and he never snacked. He did love his sleep though. He was also very, very strong and fast. He could outrun all our friends.
I would just see what works for you and check back here if you need some pep talk!

[themildmannneredjanitor]

well-i was founder of the muffin munchers club. we had a big thread going and i think we all [forgive me if i'm wrong] fell by the wayside.

i said i was going to be good, weigh myself every monmday etc etc. it was crap and far too easy to just think 'one bar of chocolate won't harm'

3 weeks ago i joined slimming world.
i have lost 8lbs now.it is relatively easy to follow. all normal food ,plenty to eat.

what works for me is the discipline of knowing i have to go and get weighed and have someone else question my weight loss.

i have 6 stone to lose!!!! well-5 and half now!

[wehaveallbeenthere]

themildmannered, Good for you!! I know how easy it is to fall off the cake wagon. It's an ongoing battle to be sure, but it sounds like you are making headway.
For myself, I am my own worst enemy but I am also my best friend when it comes to things like this. I can only say what works for me. I'll be here to cheer you on, pick you up and throw you back on the wagon. We are only human.

[themildmannneredjanitor]

what has also helped is dh jpoining in. he has weight to lose too.
he is doing better than me! 10lbs so far!

[wehaveallbeenthere]

men lose weight differently than women (life isn't fair is it?) but you are right. The husband participating does help. Mine never has time and although he could lose a bit (who couldn't?) he does martial arts and has taken up playing golf.
Unfortunately, housework doesn't count.
One thing that was mentioned though is a dose of Vitamin C about 20 minutes before you workout. I think that is an across the board hint.