I don't know if this is an appropriate "Stew" topic but thought I'd try. I'm looking for support from my fellow dieters. I've had a weight problem my entire life. Lately I have ignored it and just went on my merry way, eating and laughing and hugging people. I am fat and jolly However, the time has come to start taking better care of myself. I'm scheduled for some minor surgery in February and thought that losing weight would make my recovery easier. Plus the fact that I'm almost out of jeans that fit :'( Is there anyone else out there that shares my struggle? I know I shouldn't use the dirty 4 letter word D I E T. Instead, as the doctor says, it is a "Life style change" :-? I kinda liked my life style but it is killing me. Please help! Your jolly friend Deanna :-D
I should be changing my lifestyle too but carrot sticks and celery just aren't my favorite foods Whether we are on diets or not we will give you all the support we can. We won't chastise you for having a small piece of chocolate cake but will encourage you to only have maybe just one a month. Seriously tho I have read and heard that most diets don't work because the dieter thinks they have to starve and do without then those cravings become so overwhelming that the diet goes out the window. Eat right, smaller portions and do remember to treat yourself to a small piece of whatever you are craving once in a while then the rest of the dieting process won't feel so terrible. I'll be sending good thoughts and skinny vibes your way. Keep us up on how it's going....talking about it is sometimes a good thing to do, keeps you out of the fridge.
Deana cutting down on the size of your portions is a good way to start losing weight. It's far easier than 'fad' diets that promise you a great weight loss in a very short time. These diets DO make you lose weight but then you tend to put it all back on as they are not a life style change and you get easily bored with them. Plenty of exercise is good for burning off calories and you only need do around half an hour a day. A brisk walk is as good as anything. Take a photograph of yourself now and then one in, say, three months time - it really helps. Eat plenty of fruit and veggies and cut down on fatty or fried food and you'll find the weight will come off at a nice steady pace. I know you can do it and you certainly have my full support. Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.
I have dieted all of my life. I was bullied at school for being fat, and am at an all time low at the moment as I just feel like I look horrid. Of course, everyone tells me I don't, but I don't feel great myself. I don't have strength or fitness issues as I work hard at work, on the allotment and at home, and being 'curvy' as Mark calls me, has never been a hindrance. I know what to do, eat less, exercise more, but I love to cook and I love to socialise. I really have to try and get in the right frame of mind, but whilst I am feeling so low, it is self destructive as I eat to feel better...then feel worse. Groan. Good luck with your healthy lifestyle change, I know you can do it.
Exercise, smaller portions and lots of water is what I try to do. Drinking a large glass of water before eating really helps.
I think a gradual winding down of portion sizes could be a good idea. As hinted at above, making extreme cuts to portions could make a person frustrated and then the plan goes out the window. Do remember to treat yourself with what you like once a week or so, because some degree of self-reward is necessary when trying to achieve any goal. Good luck, and please come back to this thread for support.
Thanks everyone Today went pretty well, I hope tomorrow is successful too! Yes EJ, I enjoy my curves too I told the doctor that I've never been stick thin, nor do I want to be. Not skinny, just healthy I think the hardest part is reading all the labels and measuring the portions. Lots of hard work but I have to do this! Thanks again to all of you. I will keep you posted on my "journey" Deanna :-D
Good luck with your life-style change, Deanna. You've got some very good tips already I see. Don't try to change everything at once, please. That will make you feel deprived of something. One change at a time. And if you crave chocolate, take one small piece of it and let it melt on your tounge. You get the taste but not many calories. A brisk walk will also help, but not hour-long walks. Half an hour is fine. I've also learned that if you dole your food out over five to six meals instead of just three you'll feel more content. That helped me a lot. Keep us updated. There's nothing like group support to make changes in our lives.
