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.
I want to start with the positive things before I go into how horrible this all is for me! I am almost 23 years old, I am married to a wonderful man, and have a loving mother. They support me, as much as they can. (They can't seem to tell me no, or be firm with me, when that is what I need.)
Now, the bad. I am 290 lbs. I have gained 110 pounds over the last 8 years, since the passing of my two year old niece who was like a daughter to me at the tender age of 14.
I have no friends. The people on Facebook that I went to school with and who never talk to me definitely do not count as friends.
I have no one to truly help me on this journey, because as I said, my mother and husband cannot be firm with me or tell me no.
I know it's not up to them. I know I have to do these things for myself. But I am young. I can't do it alone!
I have always been overweight, but I used to be a very fit overweight girl. I was in the weight room and on the track at school every day my freshman year of high school. I could cross my huge campus in under 3 minutes to get to classes.
Now, I have none of that. I need help. I know, in theory, what works and what doesn't. But my family is poor, so we can't afford a gym membership, or really any equipment. We also do not have that much money to eat healthy.
I do not want to end up like my siblings and my mother. They all have myriad health problems due to their diets and weight.
I want to be able to have children and raise those children with my husband.
Is there anyone out there willing to help me on my journey?
Now, the bad. I am 290 lbs. I have gained 110 pounds over the last 8 years, since the passing of my two year old niece who was like a daughter to me at the tender age of 14.
I have no friends. The people on Facebook that I went to school with and who never talk to me definitely do not count as friends.
I have no one to truly help me on this journey, because as I said, my mother and husband cannot be firm with me or tell me no.
I know it's not up to them. I know I have to do these things for myself. But I am young. I can't do it alone!
I have always been overweight, but I used to be a very fit overweight girl. I was in the weight room and on the track at school every day my freshman year of high school. I could cross my huge campus in under 3 minutes to get to classes.
Now, I have none of that. I need help. I know, in theory, what works and what doesn't. But my family is poor, so we can't afford a gym membership, or really any equipment. We also do not have that much money to eat healthy.
I do not want to end up like my siblings and my mother. They all have myriad health problems due to their diets and weight.
I want to be able to have children and raise those children with my husband.
Is there anyone out there willing to help me on my journey?
You've come to the right place. You don't have to do it alone. So many of us here have been (and are going) through similar stuff, and most of it all boils down to our unhealthy relationships with food. You have our support, and we have your back :-)
Sabith's reply is great and says it all, but I just want to chime in on the notion that because you can't afford a gym or diet foods you can't lose weight - but you can, trust me. Here are two easy reasons why:
1) Diets don't work.
Forget about going on a diet. When you stop dieting you gain the weight back, guaranteed. And, oh my god, those mail order meal ones are the worst. Instead, just eat well.
As Sabith notes, it's all in the choices you make, and you need to try and make the right ones for the rest of your life, not just until you lose some pounds. It's all about being healthy, right?
Here is some more on this from Sharecare.com's QA site - questions from the public and answers from trusted professionals in the fitness and medical fields:
Why do diets not work for long-term weight loss?
http://www.sharecare.com/question/work-long-term-weight-loss
Healthy eating doesn't have to be expensive. Just fall in love with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats (real food) - these things are delicious, better for you than diet food, and far less expensive.
The internet connects us with everything we need to know to eat well and be fit. If we want eat and be fit, all we need is to do some research and apply some discipline.
What can I cook that is healthy and cheap?
http://www.sharecare.com/question/how-cook-healthy-cheap
What superfoods can I buy for $5 or less?
http://www.sharecare.com/question/what-superfoods-can-i-buy
Oh yeah, here's 2) Gyms are probably the worst place for severely overweight people to start working out to try and lose weight.
IMHO It's all about starting off slowly at home, which should include a lot of walking around outside of the home. Ready to really raise your heart rate? Think calisthenics, push-ups, dips, lunges, and squats. Then think no self consciousness around the beautifully toned bods at the gym, no fees, and we're less likely to push ourselves until we're in pain working out at home.
It's a better option to start with in my opinion, but if you really want to go to a gym, maybe check out the local community college or something - a lot of times they have the best rates and controlled exercise classes you can take.
Either way, check this out QA while you're at it:
I cannot afford a gym. Should I even bother to workout?
http://www.sharecare.com/question/cannot-afford-gym-bother-workout
Hope you find these links helpful, and you find DailyStrength a supportive place for you to come for encouragement during your journey!
Best,
Making myself do these things are the hardest...It has been so easy to just be lazy about it and ignore the problems. But I can't anymore.
Thank you both, again, for the support!
You are so blessed already! Thank God for your husband in your life because he will always be there for you no matter what. I wish I had the support of a husband/soulmate.
You have the key... now just unlock your potential!
I will help you in any way that I can to reach your own goals. Even the smallest step in the right direction today is step forward. Thank you and I wish you the best as we start on this journey, TOGETHER!
Hugs!!
Self control is the big one for most of us.
One thing to try (I know, it sounds corny but it actually works for a lot of people), is to just picture yourself eating healthier and exercising. Seriously.
Whenever you have time for an abstract thought, switch to thinking about your favorite fruits and vegetables, and exercise routines and/or sports activities that you enjoy. Set aside a little time for this if you have to. And don't just think about these things in simple terms - really get into it. Think about where you'd buy the foods, different ways to prepare them, where you'd eat them and how they taste. Actually picture yourself doing sports, soak in the pleasure you feel when you're successful at them.
Start to take lots if notes on your thoughts.
You might be surprised how this can change you will power and self control. It's all about inspiring to truly yourself to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
Another part of this is to set goals for yourself, small ones at first. Commit to using healthy foods in your meal plan. And set a schedule for your physical activities.
Studies show that mental imagery and a concrete plan can work wonders for success rates.
This probably sounds simple but it's one of those little psychological tricks we can play on ourselves to start reprogramming our own eating habits and lifestyles.
Have you seen the goal setting feature built into the site yet? It's pretty awesome - helps you keep on track, and you even set it to get little email encouragements if you haven't updated your progress in a while.
Here is a link to the DailyStrength FAQ on Goal Setting:
http://www.dailystrength.org/content/view/1853002
The site FAQ rocks, by the way, and is pretty much the go-to guide for any questions you might have related to the site and how to get the most out of it.
Again, you're very welcome. And make sure to have fun with this! You're going to love the new healthier you!
You're totally right - it's never to late. You too can overcome your obstacles. And we'll be here to support you!
I HATE EVERY MINUTE OF IT AND AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, STILL CRAVE WHAT I REALLY WANT IN THE WAY OF FOOD. BUT WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO HAVE TO CARE FOR ME, I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE AS EASY FOR THEM AS POSSIBLE. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AT 354 POUNDS. I'VE LOST ABOUT 116 TOTAL NOW BUT STILL HAVE OVER 100 TO GO. I HIGHLY DOUBT THAT I WILL SEE THAT BEFORE I DIE, BUT I JUST CAN'T GIVE UP AND DON'T YOU EITHER.