Obesity Support Group
This community is dedicated to those of us struggling with obesity. Obesity is thought to be a significant risk factor in certain health conditions, leading to increased mortality. Find the support you need by sharing your story, asking questions, and learning from others on how they have coped.
Hi, I am not new to the group, but don't really post much. A lot has happened in my life over the past 3 years, and I am really down and out. I moved to Florida from Ohio, away from all of my family, I lost my 23 year old son to a drug overdose, my daughter is fighting that same battle. Then I lost both of my dogs 3 months later. I have been in a severe depression ever since. No doubt I have been on this weight and diet roller coaster for 20 years, but this is the worst of it. I am 47, and I weigh 280, and this is the highest weight I have ever been at. Before my son died, I had lost 45lbs and was at 230, which was making me feel great physically and mentally, and I'm sure most of you can relate to how I feel now. I feel lazy, beat down, sluggish, and have no motivation to do anything about it. It's not only the amount of weight, but my lab numbers are getting crazy. My cholesterol is 268, not to mention I am now pre-diabetic, and have very bad liver numbers. All of this you think would make me get up off my butt, but it's not. What is wrong with me? I don't want to die because of this.
Another issue is that I am here alone. My husband works on the road, and is only here every few months for a few days. I am no longer working because major health issues. The only people I had to talk to were the people at work. I don't have any friends that I've made here except for one, but she is so busy with her own life, and her grandkids that she really can't fit in time for me. My life was always about work, work, work. My job was sitting in front of a computer 8 hours a day, and sometimes even 12-14 hours a day. I am paying the price for that now. I have no one to work out with, or to push me to get up and go. I've joined DailyBurn which I haven't used yet, I have an exercise bike I don't use, and the gym membership got paid monthly for a full year, but never got used. I have severe psoriatic arthritis, and plantar fasciitis, which makes it difficult to do anything. I am truly stuck and need some direction.
Been there with the bike, the gym membership and job.
Now retired it’s not what I thought it would be like...
I have always been overweight since high school. I am still overweight and just got on meds for depression and anxiety.
I topped at 250 and now am down to 222. Been there forever.
With feet problems, back problems, all from surgeries I am just starting pool therapy....Walking to the pool and getting in and out is what kills me. The leader says jump and walk fast and I’m thinking, I gotta get my balance in the water!
But, this is my second time going and the women are all overweight so I fit in.
I am sorry you are suffering. Please see if meds can help you give you the boost you need to get out and about.
Little steps, that’s what I keep telling myself!
I understand some of what you are facing. I buried my mother last year and my husband is former military. We moved around a lot and so I understand about personal loss and trying to maintain and make new friends. We are not living in the raea we grew up in and most folk over a certain number of years are either living where they grew up and have their long time friends or they are focused on the family or both. Being alone is not a good situation to be in when establishing new friendships are not easy. Do you believe in God? Have your tried a church to make new friends?
The nutritional food pyramid that was popular for so long is a good way to start if you will change up the categories a bit. The bottom used to say upto 6 servings of fiber per day. I would change that to one gallon of water a day to keep yoru system flushed. Then up to six portions of vegetables a day, Limit your intake of potatoes, corn, and other veggies high in starch. Then in teh level above where they say three portions a day, make one side fruits and the other side fiber. Make sure teh fiber is whole grain; cereals, breads and use the rices and other grains with the husks on. White rice is not a good choice as a staple; make it a special and do not use too much pasta. Again,; lots of carbs and increases sugar. Dairy is a one to three servings a day. Make one of those servings yogurt. Calcium is important and dairy provides it. Yogurt will give you your probiotics. Beverages are going to be sugar free for you excepting the juice you keep on standby for blood glucose crashes. Invest in a juicer or good blender and make your juices with lots of veggies in them. Meat is another one to three a day on teh pyramid; however, unless you are a carnivore that loves the BBQ, try cutting your meat proteins back to four times a week and add more plant protein; legumes and nuts. Veggie chili and refried beans are good and so is nut butter and nut milks if you are not sensitive to them. Ast the top with the trace amount to one serving is oils and sweeteners. You can stop full onset of diabetes if you will do a few simple things. Drink the flavored seltzer waters like bubly or la croix instead of soda. Leave the sweetener out of your coffee and no sugar in your cereal. You will need to be diligent, but you can cut a lot of sugar out of your diet by shopping around the perimeter of the market and voiding as much of the middle as possible. Less processing means less ingredients and better quality of food. Stay away from additives and artificial ingredients. Vitamins are always good, but watch the quality and check your calories on the package. Also, find a good exercise video at Amazon.com. They have a lot to choice. See if what you need is there. Good luck and post often. A support group os for encouragement and this is the place to find it when you can't find it elsewhere.