Where do you start???

The past year has been weight gain hell for me. Our son was diagnosed with Autism and 5-months later I lost my dad. Of course, I can't be one of those depressed people who doesn't eat in times of crisis. I've gained 26 more pounds this year and was already 20-pounds overweight after the three kids.

I belong to a Kickboxing gym and Lucille Roberts. I also signed up for Weight Watchers online in February and haven't been back to it since March. I have no motivation. I've been off all summer from teaching and nothing got accomplished.

Where does one start when wanting to make a huge lifestyle change? Hubby is 40-pounds overweight too and claims he wants to lose weight too. I hope he's serious.

Thanks for reading...sorry to vent.

Re: Where do you start???

First of all, I'm so sorry you have faced these challenges in your life....both of those events are extremely extremely hard and you should not be hard on yourself about gaining weight. The fact that you want to make a change is HUGE. Working out will hopefully (also help you get through the pain of dealing with these events.

You have to take one day at a time and you need to start at some point. Make a commitment to yourself to start going to the gym a few days a week. Just get up and GO, don't give yourself a chance to sit around the house. Or, make a commitment to go at night.

Another thought (and maybe you are against this) is talking to a professional. When I've gone through tough periods in my life and I don't have motivation to work out or do anything, a therapist (and medication) has helped me tremendously.

Come to this board too. its very motivating. I love updating people on this board about my progress and its so wonderful to get positive responses from everyone!

Just remember that you have to start somewhere and it takes time but with healthy eating and working out, you'll get to where you need and want to be.

Re: Where do you start???

I just want to say I'm really sorry!

Don't look at it as having 40 lbs to lose but maybe set a smaller goal to lose 5 lbs and then another 5 and so on! This helps me from becoming discouraged. Even going for a walk for an hour each night is a step in the right direction! Maybe have a salad as part of dinner this week. Just take baby steps until you're motivated to keep adding on!

Everyone here is so supportive, feel free to seek motivation here, as well!

Re: Where do you start???

Thanks so much, ladies. I really appreciate it. I actually had a salad for lunch and I'm not starving. HA

Baby steps and baby goals sounds about right. I am going to try and just say lose 5lbs, then another, then another. I am also going to make a firm commitment to just hit the gym or take a walk a few days a week.

Therapy wouldn't hurt either.

Re: Where do you start???

After giving birth to my 2nd DD I realized that I was 60lbs heavier than when I got married (and I was overweight when I got married too). I was so uncomfortable and lost some weight and then went back to my bad eating habits and started gaining weight back.

In January the mom's group I was in had a Biggest Loser contest. I wanted to lose weight anyway so this seemed perfect. I started WW in January and then joined Lucille Roberts in Feb. I made myself go the first time to a Zumba class. I was so nervous and bordering on panic attack, but I stayed and did the class. It was so much fun.

For me I had to go out and do major food shopping. I had to have all my meals and snacks planned out. If I was hungry and didn't have something healthy available I would chose something unhealthy.

Once I got into a routine of going to the gym it became a routine. Now I get mad if I can't go for some reason. I now go to Zumba 3 days a week and work out at home 3 days in between.

Re: Where do you start???

*I think the biggest part is the mental/emotional aspect.

I say this because you have to truly be in the mindset that this is a lifestyle change and that you want to change for you and you are determined to go and not give up. Diets don't last and diets mean the weight comes back on. I'd prefer to maintain over gaining. The mental, emotional part is tough. It is VERY hard, especially when troublesome things happen. I know this from my own experience. You also have to beware of your triggers and what and when you overeat. This helps put it in the front of your mind so that when you are confronted with it the next time, something sometimes clicks and says hey, I'm doing this for all the wrong reasons and it stops you. I binge eat when I am already too hungry and I just down a bunch of junk food, anything quick and easy that I crave. So I try to make sure I am always eating healthier foods like fruits and veggies throughout the day so that I don't fall into that pattern and stay full on healthy items.

*The next step is to tackle food one step at a time, each week start eliminated a couple of foods that you know are not good for you or causing you to make the wrong choices. Swap in healthier things you either love to eat or have not tried before. If you do a little each week, it is not overwhelming and an unrealistic change. little by little it will become a fully different diet than you had before.

*The next step is to tackle exercising. Try sticking to 1 or 2 days of exercise for a set amount of time. The time could also be small, like 20 minutes. Each week, continue to add time and days... slowly work your way up to however many hours/days you would like to exercise. try to keep the exercise fun and new so that you stick with it.

GOOD LUCK!!

Re: Where do you start???

Start by making small diet changes. I would use the weight watchers program as a guideline. Keep track of everything you eat and try to see where you can make changes. Try to eat 5-6 small meals a day instead of three large meals this will help to increase your metabolism and will prevent the urge to snack because you are feeling hungry. It may be helpful to plan your meals ahead of time.

Re: Where do you start???

First...

Next, as a teacher also, let me say...Start in september!! I dont, rather, CAN'T get anything started in the summer. I am a blob. I do nothing. I have ZERO motivation. Relax and enjoy the last three weeks and make a game plan for September 1st.

Next, try to pick a fun activity to do each day. A quiet walk. A short bike ride. A visit to a park you enjoy. A swim. Don't think exercise, think an hour to yourself. This will eventually turn into your exercise time.

I was reminded of this saying recently and it has motivated me: it takes three weeks to make a habit.

So good luck making your new (and healthy) habits!

Re: Where do you start???

Posted by kellsbells7

First...

Next, as a teacher also, let me say...Start in september!! I dont, rather, CAN'T get anything started in the summer. I am a blob. I do nothing. I have ZERO motivation. Relax and enjoy the last three weeks and make a game plan for September 1st.

Next, try to pick a fun activity to do each day. A quiet walk. A short bike ride. A visit to a park you enjoy. A swim. Don't think exercise, think an hour to yourself. This will eventually turn into your exercise time.

I was reminded of this saying recently and it has motivated me: it takes three weeks to make a habit.

So good luck making your new (and healthy) habits!

Re: Where do you start???

In order to make a big lifestyle change start by making small changes! I know you said you tried WW Online- have you tried the meetings? I get so much support from meetings. Even though I am a lifetime member at goal I weigh in every week and go to my weekly meetings.

Re: Where do you start???

Posted by LL514

Posted by kellsbells7

First...

Next, as a teacher also, let me say...Start in september!! I dont, rather, CAN'T get anything started in the summer. I am a blob. I do nothing. I have ZERO motivation. Relax and enjoy the last three weeks and make a game plan for September 1st.

Next, try to pick a fun activity to do each day. A quiet walk. A short bike ride. A visit to a park you enjoy. A swim. Don't think exercise, think an hour to yourself. This will eventually turn into your exercise time.

I was reminded of this saying recently and it has motivated me: it takes three weeks to make a habit.

So good luck making your new (and healthy) habits!

i have to say i disagree. use this time off to make a full commitment to working out without worrying about time constraints, measuring your food and getting better at knowing portion size.
make a schedule for eating (5-6 times a day) and working out (cardio and weight training).
i use myfitnesspal.com to track all my food and plan my recipes. just be aware that the calorie recommendation is very low.