Need some inspiration...

I'm not obese but I know I need to lose weight. I want too, I just can't seem to make the committment. The more I look at myself, the more depressed I get. I don't want to go out anymore with friends because I am embarrassed about the way I look. I am always the one behind the camera because I hate how fat I look in pictures. I have an 18 mnth. old daughter and we want to try for #2, but I am so worried about all the weight I am going to gain during pregnancy. I love to eat and I am active, but everything is catching up to me. I went to try on clothes today and I looked in the mirror and I was so sad. I don't know how I got here. I feel hopeless.

When was your moment that made you decided to take control and lose the weight? Any advice woud be greatly appreciated.

TIA

Re: Need some inspiration...

I say start small.

Each day do one more good thing for yourself. I hate things that are too strict, but I "exchange things".

For example:
I used to like to eat yogurt(most have so much sugar in them), so I switched to greek 2% and throw in a cup of bluberries, strawberries, mango, banana, whatever I have on hand.

Don't commit to working out 5 days a week in the beginning, go on two long walks a week if that's what you have time for, then find time for three, hey maybe a kick boxing class, a jog, etc. It all builds up.

If you read about blood sugar online, you should really eat every 2 -3 hours. I am not talking meals here, but "mini" meals. Like 200 calories. However, if you are saying you are overweight, try eating 300 - 350 at each mini meal, then work your way down to 300, then 250 etc. You do not want to feel starved so cutting out maybe 50 calories at each meal once a week is the way to go. It adds up!

I am a big fan of doing everything in increments otherwise you feel like you are depriving yourself of something and that's just not sustainable or enjoyable.

Good luck and wanting to make a change is the first step!

ETA: Keep a food journal! I do that for a few days when I feel that I am getting off track(like this past Halloween) and it helps to make me realize how much more I am eating than I think I am. That halloween candy adds up. whoa!

Message edited 11/15/2009 7:33:38 PM.

Re: Need some inspiration...

Sounds like your in a funk....we all
get this once in a while - its how you
deal. Like the person above said start
small. Small goals are easier to meet &
will give you the confidence you need to
make bigger ones. You will get there,
you WILL!!!

Dont be so hard on yourself, give yourself some credit.. your raising a baby!! Good Luck.. you can do this!!

Re: Need some inspiration...

I've lost about 40 pounds over the last 2 years, and I was also very depressed about being overweight. One day I just decided to take control and do something about it. It wasn't an instant change or saying I was going on a diet, but just little changes like the PP discussed, from white rice to brown rice, or being more conscious of what I'm eating. I make sure I have fruits and vegetables everyday. I do not buy junk food. If it's not in the house I can't eat it. I used to live off of fast food in college, but once I got my own place, on my way home I would think about what I had there to make and the craving would subside.

Just take baby steps. Make gradual changes, look up some healthy recipes, maybe even start taking more walks or join a gym. I started out at the gym on the cross-trainer, and then started getting bored of it. Instead of not going to the gym, I started looking into what classes they had. Zumba is a great one to start out with!

Good luck!

Re: Need some inspiration...

I found that I needed to accept myself for who I was and go from there. I also kept telling myself that I was worth the weight loss. It was tough but when I get down on myself I can't lose weight. Try to give yourself credit for everything you are doing and go from there! Good luck