I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

Im finally admitting i have a problem. I have a bad relationship with food, always have. I can't help but to eat something and i always find an excuse for it, bad day, stress, rainy day or the just this once or just one time won't hurt which turns into another day and another day and im not even hungry, i just constantly feel like i need to make something and they aren't healthy choices im making. I have NO self control...
I still have 40 lbs on me from the baby who is now 9months old, i hate every i wear, nothing looks good on me and i just cried when looking at recent pics of me, im the biggest i have ever been but i just can't stop eating. How can i stop this and overcome it enough to start making better decision and lose the weight, my goal is 50 lbs to get to a happy point and a healthy weight. It's very hard to get to a gym with 3 kids, i really wish the gyms in my area would have come childcare, that would make it so much easier, is there a good at home program?
What is the best way to start? Im so lost i don't even know where to start? I cook from scratch and we do buy organic and naturals foods, when i cook dinners, to count the calories how to you break down what you have cooked from scratch?

ETA: My biggest problem is Diet soda, i love it....too much! Good alternative?

Message edited 6/14/2012 4:22:46 PM.

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

It's really hard when your in a rut son don't get too down on yourself. I think it's a huge step that your asking for advice and admitting that you have a problem.
Have you ever considered weight watchers? I think the meetings would be really helpful for you because there are are people in your same situation which would allow for a good support system. Everyone I know that has done WW has had really good success. As you have mentioned, you make bad food choices which WW kind of accounts for, just in much smaller portions, same with diet soda. Going cold turkey off of everything you love might be really challenging so WW might be a really good place to start.
HTH and good luck with everything!

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

I totally understand where you are coming from. I have lost 30 pounds since Jan through Weightwatchers. I was using food as an emotional clutch after my daughters were born.

I would say join Weight Watchers. For a drink, water, lemon juice, and stevia tastes real good. I use a 64 oz water bottle and squeeze half a lemon and use a pack or two of stevia. I was able to ditch the soda.

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

I feel your pain! I go through cycles of eating well but then falling way off the wagon.

There are some great DVD's out there. If you like Jillian Michael's she has some really good workouts and some of them are not really a long amount of time (25 minutes). I like Tony Horton's 10 minute trainer DVD's. If I am rushed for time but want to do something then I just do one of the 10 minute DVD's. If I have time then I do 2 or 3.

I used to love diet soda too. Try a flavored seltzer with a splash of juice. It's tough to move away from soda but it's really one of the worst things for oyu.

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

I would go in baby steps. Focus on what you are eating at first, instead of how much/when you are eating. Change you palate so that you like and enjoy healthy foods. There are tons of ways to make food tasty, healthy, and feel like a treat. Some things I have done for having healthy sweet treats on hand when you have a craving: frozen bananas (delish)--on their own, or make put a few slices between two graham crackers and freeze; weight watcher pops are great; frozen grapes.

For drinks, I love diet soda as well. I haven't given it up, but I have cut back. I use it like a treat when I do have it. I also drink ice water (lots of ice), seltzer, plain or flavored, and occasionaly iced green tea (no sugar). (I also drink wine with dinner just about every night) I don't drink juice; I find it's a real waste of calories. I don't drink anything sweetened. When I have diet soda, I use it like a dessert- I put it in the freezer to get real icy, and I have it for dessert or a snack. I don't think it is bad for you in moderation.

Make sure your meals are satisfying. If you go overboard and eat too little or food you really don't like, you will still be craving food and will obsess over it and likely eventually cave, and then you won't eat something healthy, you'll grab what you can find right away and what you're craving. Finding healthy foods and meals that you like and satisfy you. For me, something like adding avocado to my sandwiches and salads gives it the final touch to make me feel full and satisfied. A handful of almonds can satisfy my hunger pangs for quite awhile. I also recently found that having a low fat, or even full fat, greek yogurt is much more satisfying than a fat free one, and then I feel full satisfied, and am not snacking or thinking about my next meal right away.

Set one goal for yourself to start. When you accomplish it, feel proud, set a new one, and work on that. You will get there and it doesn't have to be an overnight process. Good luck!

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

I find a good alternative to Diet Soda is seltzer.

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

I think when you can realize it is not just about your weigh, but your HEALTH, it becomes easier.
Remember, you only have ONE life.

Start making small changes. For example, this week NO SODA, from now on only water. You are going to crave it, but read up on what soda does to your body. Really think about it, really really think about it - you won't want the soda.
Good luck!

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

First of all I've struggled with emotional eating for years...start by making one small change at a time. Like a healthy breakfast...try adding some simple exercise to your day like taking a walk around the block, or parking your car further away when you go shopping. Little changes will add up & you won't feel so overwhelmed.
Maybe try tracking what you are eating using something like MyFitnessPal.com which is free...ladies I work with started using it and have lost 10-15lbs since Jan...they don't really alter what they eat, but when you start being aware of what you are consuming it helps you make better choices!! Good luck!!

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

I agree with a lot of the suggestions above for trying to lose the weight but I also think you might want to see someone about the emotional part.

Changing the habits of eating can be the easy part but many times you have to deal with the whys....the real reason we are eating or overeating to begin with. Knowing you have a problem is the first step.

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

I was in your shoes, I lost 1/2 my baby weight and once I went back to work I starting gaining weight. I was stressed and just ate which made me feel good. I ate sooooooo bad, ate out for breakfast and lunch and had my chocolate from the vending machine. I love food and had no control.

2 weeks ago I woke up one morning and said enough is enough I need to do something about this. I started Medifast and so far lost 8lbs in a week and a half. No lie its veryyy hard but I need to do this for me and my health and i feel good and lighter. I want to be healthy for my daughter so I can live to see her grow. I need to lose 70lbs for me to meet my goal and I am determined to do it.

You need to be 100% ready and find that right program for you!

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

The first thing you need to do is OWN it - And accept that this one thing in your life is ALL ABOUT YOU ........
I finally hit a point where I was disgusted with myself for being so miserable, and never ever doing anything for MYSELF - I decided I was important too ......so I started.

Find your motivation - YOUR motivation, not what someone tells you it should be - Mine is vanity, plain and simple. I can tell you I want to be healthy for my kids, but that's crap - I want to be a damn size 6 and look good in my clothes- THAT is what makes ME feel good about myself - and when you're struggling to do this, it really is just all about you. When I hit 10 lbs I looked in the mirror and said - "Hm, that's a bit better" ...when I hit 15 lbs I needed a size 10 ........I was freakin' giddy in the fitting room - I am superficial and vain and I want to look good - b/c that what makes me feel good.

You also have to admit to yourself what is REASONABLE for you -
I don't work out - I don't have time. Screw people telling me I have to 'find the time' - I am out of bed at 5:30 am, getting myself and 2 kids out the door to daycare and then on a train to NYC - I work a FT job and get off the train at 6 PM - My husband gets home anywhere from 7 - 10 pm......so I'm pretty much on my own w/ the kids - I don't see them enough as it is, so I'm not ditching them for an hour to get on the treadmill .........instead I chase them around the backyard, I walk across town to/from work and I haul ass around the city when I can take a lunch break ......that is all I am willing to do -

Food wise I have to be 150% on the wagon - No 'cheating' with dessert here and there, a slice of pizza, no - I unravel if I do that ........

I can give up the crap food, the burgers, the pizza, the ice cream - When Saturday night comes and we're out to dinner w/ friends, I can easily ENJOY a small steak and veggies and not feel like I'm eating 'diet' food - but I CAN NOT give up the wine. -

I also don't want to discuss the fact that I am 'dieting" b/c that is depressing and just puts a constant focus, for ME, on what I "can't" have ....I don't want to talk to you about what I ate, what you ate, how you found this great 100 calorie dessert etc etc ........for ME, it's a very personal thing. I'm not hiding anything from anyone, I just don't want to constantly focus on it ........I need to just DO it and move along .......

Bottom line - It has to be all about you - find what works for you, whatever it is, an don't explain yourself to anyone, make excuses, share your secrets ......When someone says "WOW you lost a ton of weight" you say "Thanks!"
If they start grilling you and you're uncomfortable (I am) I shrug it off and change the subject - I don't care if I'm being rude, this is the ONE thing in my whole life that is MINE ........

I've lost 15, I have about 15 - 20 more to go ........

You can do it !! Good Luck !

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

Don't concentrate so hard on the exercise portion right now...you can lose a ton of weight simply from diet changes. Exercise is great, and important BUT its not necessary for losing weight right now. Weight watchers is the single best thing out there, i wholeheartedly believe that. It's all about portion control BUT having things that you like to eat as well.

Good luck to you! Set small goals....5 pounds, 5% loss etc...it helps to do that rather then saying "50 pounds needs to be gone in X amount of months". When goals are too crazy like that, people tend to get frustrated and quit early on. You can do it!!

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

I did weightwatchers about 5 years ago and lost 50 lbs. I also would go for walks everyday. After I met my husband it all went down hill. I have always struggled with my weight but when I met him we were constantly eating out and having drinks and sweets. Within the last year I got married, bought a house and had a baby. My DS was in the NICU for about 8 weeks which took its toll on me. Running back and forth to the hospital I would grab something quick. Now that my DS is home I had to return to work and moving into my house I am still not eating how I should be eating. My mom and I are going to sign up for weightwatchers again this week and try going to the meetings. LAst time i did it through the on-line. But i need to do something. I plan on walking with the baby this summer in the mornings or at night when its cooler and I plan on making a lot of lower fat recipes that I found on skinny taste. Im trying to eat fruit and salads as lunch with lean protein and I am going to cut back on the diet soda and drink flavored seltzers. Take it one step and day at a time. If you slip up don't beat yourself up about it and start immediately back on the diet at the next meal. Don't wait for the next day. GL

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...

Re: I have a problem, what is the best way to overcome it and lose the weight...