you are already on your way. definitely get rid of the "junk food". that can't be of any help now. and make sure to deal with reality but don't get depressed about it. people lose weight all the time. it involves making permanent changes and having a focus on a goal. ever heard of an "exercise ball"? that's something worth checking out.
I agree with BigBoy, you are already on your way. The hardest thing for me is discipline and the willpower to make myself do the things that I need to do. Start with what you feel are the small things. In actuality, they could end up being the big things! Like, cut out soda and opt for water instead. I drink the suggested 8 eight ounce glasses of water a day and then 8 more ounces for every 25 lbs that I want to lose. I'M DRINKING A TON OF WATER :lol: !!! As for exercise, I work with weights 3 times a week. What has kept me motivated doing that is that I'm seeing the results and my family is seeing them too. Do some walking. Go to your favorite park or mall even and walk there. Way to go on wanting to become a healthier you!!!!! Charity
You are going to want to step up the pace from once a week to four or five for the exercise, Val. If you can't do that initially, you will have to work your way up slowly.
Hi Vallerific! Great name! :D Every long-term diet program out there has one thing in common - portion size limitations. I don't care if you do Atkins, Weight Watchers, South Beach, low-cal/low-fat, Raw Food Only, or whatever - they all talk about portion sizes. Sure, Atkins will say that they don't want you to go hungry - but that doesn't mean to order an extra large double cheese and pepperoni pizza! It means eat sensibly. If you are hungry - eat something. If you aren't, then don't force yourself. Chances are, though, you are over-eating or eating portions way too large. Therefore, write down everything you eat for an entire week. Eat normally - don't try to diet this week. Eat as you have been for the past few weeks. Then, write everything down. And I mean everything! If you pop a cracker in your mouth - write it down. Eat a mint? Write it down. Go to an "all you can eat buffet"? Write it down. Drink a Coke? Write it down. In other words, write down the smallest of small items (like a raisin or a sunseed) to full meals. Then, after the week is up, take a good look at what you ate. It might surprise you just how much food you are consuming. Once you realize the amount of food and the type of food, then you can make changes. Weight Watchers is great, but one of their greatest weakness is that they allow people to eat whatever they want. This works brilliantly for some people, but for others, this is a weakness. Some interpret this as eating a box of Twinkies and going, "Oops, I'm over my points today. I'll start again tomorrow." But "tomorrow: doesn't arrive. Therefore, you might need a slightly more restrictive diet. I recommend that you get rid of all junk food in your house. At 302 pounds, you can do without chips and candy and soda for a while. Once you have yourself in "diet mode", you can bring some of these items back - but for the next 2 months, keep them out of your house. If you have a family and they like these foods, then tough. They can do without them for a while too. ;) What's more important - them satisfying a sweet tooth or seeing you lose weight and getting healthy? After you remove the junk foods, replace them with healthy alternatives. Crave something sweet? Get rainsins and prunes. You'll be surprised at how well they work! Want something a bit salty - get thin pretzel sticks. 48 of them are just 120 calories! Love Doritos? Get the baked variety. Crave chocolate? See if you can get something made with Splenda - or get some chocolate Slim Fast with skim milk. It not only makes a great treat, but is loaded with vitamins. Drink LOTS of cold water. It'll be tough at first and you'll use the bathroom a lot. But slowly your body will get used to it. Then, and most importantly, find a way to work-out at least 3x a week for about 20 minutes each time. If you aren't in good enough condition to work-out that long, then do the best you can. Push yourself just a little bit, but don't strain or hurt yourself. For example, if you are exhausted walking after 5 minutes, see if you can go for 7 then relax. Also, add in weight training. Simple 5 to 10 pound weights are all you need. If you have access to more, use it - but for simplicity, some heavy cans will work. See if you can follow a weight-training video for ideas on what types of exercises to do (bench press equivalents, shoulder press equivalents, etc.). This will help you build muscle. In turn, your metabolism will increase, causing you to lose weight faster. Also, you'll look more tone. Lastly, as you lose weight, your skin will cling to the growing muscle, which will prevent your skin from sagging. My final advice is to take some pictures of yourself now. Take them in a nice outfit on a day that you think you look good. If you are "daring", take some partially clothed. I'm not talking nude shots or anything pornographic - just something private where you can see the "real" you. As you progress on this diet, take more pictures. Try to be in the same pose (and same clothes, if possible). You might surprise yourself at your progress. I did this and after 2 months of dieting/working-out, I feel like I'm looking at a new man! That has been great motivation for me to keep going! Good luck to you! :D
Hello Valeriffic! Doc made some very good points. Making lifestyle changes that better your health and well being is probably the best way to view what you are looking to do. :D
Thanks for all the positive feedback. It was great hearing back from all of you... You all had very good points. I'd get rid of all the junk food in my house, but if I did that, my parents would very possibly shoot me... Seeming as i need to be alive to exercise, and need to exercise to lose weight, this may not all be conducive to my health. Actually, for my weight, I am in pretty good shape. Not great shape, of course, but I can walk a mile without dying in agony, and I can keep moving... That's not the problem. The big two problems are the food in the house and doing exercises I enjoy doing in my schedule. I'm at school from 7-5, then spend 1-2 hours doing homework. By then, the sun is down and mom freaks out if I want to go outside in the cold *and* dark. She dislikes either. I like exercising in a fun way; Walking with head phones, or doing something new. I can't really do that a lot in the winter; No driving, no money, and not enough daylight. Rather frustrating. Anyways, thanks for all of the tips again. I think I'm going to like the Featherish community. ~val Tears are unspoken words that should often be shared.
Are you in college or high school, Valeriffic? I can't say that I blame your mom for not wanting you to walk outdoors after dark, it can be very dangerous for a single young lady.. It sounds as if you have somewhat of a busy schedule, but where there is a will there should be a way..
As a grown man who has long since moved out of his parents' home, I can walk whenever I want. :wink: That said, even in what seems like a fairly safe area, I still am cautious when I take my walks. Fortunately, I have a 100 pound Dalmatian with me. The double whammy of seeing a big guy and a big dog is usually enough to deter any would-be crooks. :D However, I can fully understand your mother's concern. Therefore, look into a stationary track for your home use. Yes, it might cost you $$, maybe even a few hundred $$ (depending on what you buy), but isn't your health worth this? Plus, you can get cheaper items. I bought a great stationary bike years ago for around $60-70. I don't use it now, but when I dieted before, I did. I hope to slowly start incoporating the bike back into my work-out routine come this winter (between my BowFlex and walking, I feel I do enough exercise for this moment in time). Regarding the junk food... I'm sorry to hear that your parents are so set on having junk in the house. I'm sure they could do without that food as well. No offense meant here, but if your parents are thin and healthy, chances are they don't eat a lot of that food - so they wouldn't care if it was there or not. The fact that they want it there suggests that maybe they need to go off the junk food as well. I would have a conversation with them and see if you can't convince your parents to try healthier alternatives. If they are adamant about keeping junk in the house, then see if you can make a compromise. They can buy all the junk they want, but either you or they (if they support you financially) also get healthy alternatives. This includes raisins, prunes, pretzel sticks, fat-free yogurt, fat-free dressing, low-fat or fat-free cheeses, carrot sticks, apples, mixed salads, bagels, low-cal bread, low-sugar jam/jelly, etc. In other words, all items where you can make a snack (or even a meal) that are still wonderfully healthy. Allow yourself that piece of chocolate here and there, but for the time being, see if you can bypass as much of that as you can. Drink lots of cold water, avoid caffeine and look into some sort of exercise routine that you can do in the safety of your home. Good luck!
I'm a high school student (15)... I live in a rather nice moblie home estate, but no exercising facilities yet... I do have a stationary bike, but I don't like it. Yes, my parents could do without the junk food; my mom eats four Wendy's frosties a day and my dad goes through two boxes of popsicles and a box of drumsticks a day. The money could be better spent, in my opinion. But I was talking about my stationary bike, wasn't I? Yeah... It's in the living room. The problem is, the living room is where my mother eats/drinks/sleeps and does the all important T.V. watching. She can be sound asleep, but if you touch the remote to shut off the T.V. or change it, she wakes up and yells... Probably wondering why that bothers me.... I like to listen to music when I exercise. And I also have a DVD "Power Half Hour" that I do occasionally... But the DVD player is, guess where? And mom freaks out if I wanna switch her shows. So I usually do that when I'm home alone, which is about once-twice a month. When I'm home alone, that is. But I have to run to play practice, so that is all for now. Be well, all. :) ~val
oh yeah. Doc? Here's a solution- I borrow you and the dog when I go walking. :P
When it comes to finding exercise equipment, look at garage sales, thrift stores etc. Make sure you try it out first though! You don't want to get stuck with something that doesn't work. You can find good quality stuff like this, most people get rid of stuff like that because of lack of room or they are tired of draping clothes over them! :lol: Also, do you get a break at school for lunch or anything? If so, and if the break is long enough, eat your lunch and then take a walk around your campus with friends! As for the food in the house, that boils down to willpower. I don't keep a lot of junk food in the house, but it is still here. You just have to walk away from it and keep your short term and long term goals in sight. Like doctoru2 said, ask your parents for healthy alternatives. I know if my kids were to ask for something to better themselves, I would do my best to help them out. I'm sure your parents want you to be the best that you can be, so just talk to them. Charity
I would try a genuine heart to heart with your parents. It sounds as if maybe your mother could use a bit of inspiration herself. Sitting or laying around on a couch all day is unhealthy for anyone and stocking your home with junk is a recipe for disaster. I don't know how any human can eat 4 frosties a day and maintain a body that doesn't go out of control. If I eat bad for just 2 or 3 days in a row, my weight shoots up 10- 15 pounds!! Does your high school have any kind of "gym" that can be used by students?
I have talked to my parents about stocking up the home with more healthy food... No luck. They say "Oh, that's a great idea... But we don't have the money." Or "But fat free tastes like cardboard" or one of many excuses. It is very irritating, and frustrating. I have a half hour long lunch; Unfortunately, I'm a sophomore, and as such, I'm not allowed off campus. The school does have a weight room, but I have play practice from 2:30 to 4:30, and when the play is over, my parents won't pick me up just because I want to stay after to lift. Added to the fact that they won't pick me up, I'd feel very awkward in there; No other girls lift. I asked my friends to last year and they all said no thanks. Were too embarrassed or somewhat. *shrug* Thanks for the suggestions. I enjoy hearing from ya all. ~val
I understand how it is to be a teen and living at home. I was once a teen, we all were! We all know how frustrating it is to want something and our parents do see it the way we do. Start by moving the exercise bike to your room...if there isn't room, make room! Put on your headphones, shut the door and ride! The noise shouldn't bother your mom. If it does, then explain to her that you are doing something for you. If that poses a problem then I don't know what to suggest. Also, try some basic exercises. Not all exercising requires a TV or DVD player. Even the small things count! Everyone is giving you tips, but you keep coming back with reasons as to why you can't do this and that. I know it is frustrating!!! If you want something bad enough, even as a teen, you can do it! Since it sounds like you are having problems with getting your parents to see where you are coming from, then talk to your school counselor. That is what they are there for. I know that some counselors are there just for the job, but you can always try. When I was in school, not only did my counselor help with school issues, they tried their best to help with other issues as well. After all, issues in the home can and will impose themselves eventually with school. Your counselor could at least help give you tips on how to convince your parents that YOU need a diet change at home. One thing I don't think you realize, and forgive me if I am wrong, but this is your challenge, not your parents. It would be nice if they would give you a hand in this, but from what you said, it sounds like you are on your own in this (at home anyway). They may have started you off on the wrong road to health and fitness, but now that you realize that it needs to change, it becomes YOUR responsibility. I will keep you and your parents in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully they will see the light you are trying to shine onto them. Charity
Nice sentiments, Charity. I would have to agree with much of what she has to say. Unfortunately, making excuses isn't going to help you lose weight. You mention that your parents will only pick you up after play practice, would it really make a difference if they picked you up an hour or so later? I will keep you in my thoughts, and hope that you can get a plan that works for you together..
Hrm... I don't know how to say this without sounding like I'm bitching, because I'm not. I'm not making excuses; For the past few days I have been eating healthier. I was just kind of venting. It gets irritating at home, and it's nice to have someplace to kind of let it out. I've been doing more physical wise and stuff. So I wasn't really making excuses, just whining and complaining... Sorry if that bothered anyone. :) Be well, all. ~val
congrats on eating healthier! :D that's great news! i don't think anyone here thinks that your whining, we're here for people to vent :) the process of losing weight just takes some time and effort, and it would be a lot harder if your parents aren't very supportive of what you are trying to accomplish. you have to want to do it for you (and i think that is what you want) and anything in life worth having takes some time and effort. charity made a great point about talking with your school counseler. that is what they are there for. he or she may be able to provide some insight about what you can do to help yourself?
I understand your frustration. It is annoying that your parents don't seem to support your weight loss efforts in any manner. I find it odd that they claim they don't have $$ for healthy food, yet see nothing wrong with eating entire boxes of snacks (which are not cheap! 8O ) every day. Your parents have clearly set a bad example for you. And they really need to be careful here. I have heard of children being removed from their parents' care because the child is obese! It is considered a form of abuse and the parents may lose custody of a child because of it! Of course, given that you are 15, this probably won't happen. But also, given that you are 15, you do have to tackle this issue a lot on your own. So let's look at the ideas, your stopping points and how to solve them. [list=1:dcb4dc591d][*:dcb4dc591d][b:dcb4dc591d]Walking.[/b:dcb4dc591d] [u:dcb4dc591d]Problem:[/u:dcb4dc591d] Your mother is against you walking in the dark. That is a valid concern. [u:dcb4dc591d]Solution:[/u:dcb4dc591d] With the time change this weekend, it will be light earlier in the morning. Therefore, consider walking for 20-30 minutes in the morning rather than at night. Alternatively, see if you can find a cheap, small treadmill somewhere (try eBay). This will allow you to walk inside. [*:dcb4dc591d] [b:dcb4dc591d]Exercise Bike.[/b:dcb4dc591d] [u:dcb4dc591d]Problem:[/u:dcb4dc591d] Your mother says it makes too much noise and it disrupts her TV programs. [u:dcb4dc591d]Solution:[/u:dcb4dc591d] As was already suggested, make room for the bike in another part of the house (like your bedroom). If space is extremely limited, move the bike to a temporary spot - like the kitchen - while you exercise. Then, move the bike back to its normal area later. This way, you can exercise yet not disturb anyone. [*:dcb4dc591d] [b:dcb4dc591d]Healthy Food.[/b:dcb4dc591d] [u:dcb4dc591d]Problem:[/u:dcb4dc591d] Your parents say it's too expensive to eat healthy food or they don't like the taste. [u:dcb4dc591d]Solution:[/u:dcb4dc591d] If you do not have the $$ to buy your own food, and are unable to convince your parents to at least buy low-fat food for you (they can still have their junk - they can just get healthy stuff for you), then you are left with two modes of action: ignore the junk food and lower your portion size. If you have no choice but to eat pizza for dinner, for example, have ONE slice, not more. If your parents only drink Coke or sugary sodas, drink water. It's O.K. to give yourself an occasional treat, but just limit them. [*:dcb4dc591d][b:dcb4dc591d]Weight-Lifting.[/b:dcb4dc591d] [u:dcb4dc591d]Problem:[/u:dcb4dc591d] Your parents are unwilling to pick you up later from school, thus preventing you from having play practice AND lifting weights. [u:dcb4dc591d]Solution:[/u:dcb4dc591d] You gave no reason why your parents are hesitant to give you this extra hour to work-out. Given all that you wrote, I'm starting to speculate that they WANT to see you heavy. :? However, they may have a more legitimate reason. Maybe they want dinner at a certain time, or they have a T.V. show they wish to see at a certain time. Whatever their reason, if they are unwilling to help (despite your efforts to convince them otherwise), then you might have to make a decision here. Which is more important? Appearing in a play, or finally losing weight and becoming healthy? Being in a play is fantastic and I fully support it, but this might be something you can skip for ONE semester (start again next year) while you work on losing weight. Think about it - from now until the start of the next school year, you could drop 70 to 100 pounds (provided you diet and exercise properly)! You could come back to doing your plays with the new thinner you! While giving up the plays is very tough, I think the benefits will clearly outweigh the disadvantages. [*:dcb4dc591d][b:dcb4dc591d]Work-Out Buddies.[/b:dcb4dc591d] [u:dcb4dc591d]Problem:[/u:dcb4dc591d] Your friends aren't interested in lifting weights with you. [u:dcb4dc591d]Solution:[/u:dcb4dc591d] It is perfectly acceptable to work-out on your own. In fact, most of us do every day. I work-out at home on my own all the time. While it's nice to have a buddy to help motivate you and keep you going, ultimately, the TRUE motivation must come from you. So work-out on your own - just be sure to choose SAFE things to lift. Use small free weights (5-10 pounds). Use machines for things like bench presses. Lastly, chances are there will be male students there. Be brave and ask them for help. Come clean - tell them that clearly you are overweight (even joke about it) and while you can diet and do aerobic exercise on your own, you'd like their help in lifting weights. While some guys will be jerks, chances are there'll be a few that would love to help. Most guys will help a woman, no matter what. So take advantage of it! :) And who knows... as you drop the pounds and keep working-out, one of those guys just might take a [i:dcb4dc591d]real interest[/i:dcb4dc591d]. ;) [/list:o:dcb4dc591d] I know this is tough, and sadly your parents seem to be opposing your every effort, but hopefully you can work through this. If you try all of the above and your parents are STILL resisting you, then clearly something is wrong. They should WANT to see their daughter healthy. They shouldn't want to restrain her from exercise and a proper diet. This is abuse, and I also recommend speaking with a school counselor on the issue. However, you have to admit your role in this too. So congratulations on eating healthier and coming to this forum! This forum has been instrumental in keeping me on my diet/work-out regime. View us as your "work-out buddies". Everyone here has all sorts of great ideas and tips, so keep going - you'll succeed. I have faith in you! Good luck! :D
It's good to know that I wasn't whining too horribly. :P You all have very good points; The main reason my parents won't pick me up is because... Well, my mom has a neurological disease and my father doesn't want her driving, and my dad's always at work, sick, or sleeping. Though, my mom has no problem driving when she wants to shop... they don't even pick me up from play practice when they can avoid it... I can ask around to people who lift weights after school and start when play practice is over. I am kind of stuck being in the play; We've been practicing for a month, the play is in a month and I have a major role. So after November 22 I can do the lifting thing. And I guess mom will just have to deal with it when I ride the bike. She is generally sleeping until I want to do something, anyway. then suddenly it is all important that I clean. And they don't want me fat so much as they don't realize the consequences their actions have... They are both kind of self involved. I generally go out and do the shopping with my boyfriend, but they don't give me the money for the healthy stuff normally. I'll talk to them again. But for the record, I went to a mental hospital back in February for depression about pretty much everything at home, and I'm at home now and nothing has changed. Old and set in their ways, I guess. I suppose I should get a winter coat before I start walking. And hey, even if the week is busy, there is still friday and the weekends. And I get to go do my "Pump It Up Dance Machine" thingy tonight, which is always a good cardiovascular workout. Thanks, all. ~val
You have a wonderful attitude Vallerific! :D You have gone through a lot and it is a shame your parents aren't more supportive. Fortunately, you have a boyfriend and he could help. Talk to him about lifting weights with you or going for walks with you. Even if your boyfriend loves you just the way you are, I'm sure he also wants to see you healthy. And the only way to get healthy is to drop weight. At 302 pounds, clearly the weight needs to come off. As you have a starring role in the play, by all means keep going. Get the fame and recognition for your hard work there - you deserve it. According to your post, play practice ends Nov. 22nd. That's shortly before Thanksgiving. From now until then, just walk and diet. Watch your caloric intake. Regardless of the diet you choose (low-fat, Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, etc.) portion size is crucial. So keep your portions low. To get an example of how big or small a portion size should be, buy a frozen Lean Cuisine meal. It might surprise you to see how little food it takes to make 300-500 calories! A tiny Lean Cuisine pizza is just shy of 400 calories - imagine how many calories are in a large double cheese and pepperoni pizza!! 8O So keep your portions small, do *some* sort of exercise and drink water. Once your play concludes, see if you can lift weights. If you keep this up, by Christmas, you might have dropped 25-40 pounds!! I'm sure that will really help with your depression. :D Good luck!
I'm not really dieting; Diets have never worked for me. Instead, I'm just changing my lifestyle. Eating healthier and incorporating them into habits rather than being on a temporary diet. I had this horrible, horrible weekend. Got into a car accident, locked out of my house for two hours Friday night (in Michigan weather), but Sunday (my weigh in days), everything was great. The scale told me I lost four more pounds. So I'm happy. Be well, all.
sorry to hear of your car accident.. i hope that you are OK! happy to hear of your weight loss so far.. that is excellent!! keep up the good work!
[quote:da278ae430="valeriffic"]I'm not really dieting; Diets have never worked for me. Instead, I'm just changing my lifestyle. Eating healthier and incorporating them into habits rather than being on a temporary diet. I had this horrible, horrible weekend. Got into a car accident, locked out of my house for two hours Friday night (in Michigan weather), but Sunday (my weigh in days), everything was great. The scale told me I lost four more pounds. So I'm happy. Be well, all.[/quote:da278ae430] The word "diet" is often abused. When we say "diet" here, we often mean a life-style change. Every person on this planet has a diet, the difference is what is in the diet. When people are in their weight-loss mode, their diet may indeed be different from their weight maintenance mode. In the weight-loss mode, they may (or should) eat less, drink more water, watch the sugar (carbs) and fat intake, etc. Even a diet that is high in carbs should not be pure sugar - the carbs should come from healthier sources. If your "diet" simply means eating better, then already you are on the right track. Each time you eat, think about what you are putting into your body. For example, with all of this Halloween candy around, I frequently have to remind myself that I do NOT need this candy in me. When I eat out, I scour the menu for not only a reasonable price, but a healthy entree (or as healthy as possible), as opposed to something loaded with fat and carbs. It takes a while to keep thinking this way, but eventually, it becomes incorporated into who you are. If you've dropped another 4 pounds, that officially puts you under the 300 pound mark! Congratulations! Keep going - I bet by the holidays, you'll be 260-270! Good luck!
Boy did Doc hit the nail on the head. Diets are something that are sold. Weight loss is a lifestyle change. If done for a long enough period of time with a sustained effort, it will produce predictable results. If you have the commitment to make a lifestyle change, then you most likely succeed.
wow. It's been a while since i logged on last. I have been super busy. The play went well, though; now that it's over i can focus on weight loss specifically. I'm going to start lifting weights; Should i do it twice or thrice a week? I got weighed at the doctor... I'm at 296.5 now. I hit a plateau (spell check, please) a while back, but i didn't gain it back. So that was good news. Umm... I have more time to do exercises, so here's to having the will power to do it. And i figured out something... Losing weight isn't about will power, it's about won't power. because I "will" eat ice cream without a problem. I need to say "I won't eat ice cream". lol Anyways... that's the thoughts for the day. Be well all. Val
nice to see you back! i'm happy to hear that your play went well for you, did you get a standing ovation? did your doctor give you any suggestions or guidance on what you should do to help reduce your weight? follow what your body is telling you most importantly! you want to make sure that you don't injure yourself first off. if you are just getting started, don't go crazy on the exercise. maybe try a 10-20 minute walk to get your heart pumping, if you have handheld free weights at home, maybe try to do a set or two of some arm exercises..
Hi Val! I agree with PixieChic. Make sure you are listening to your body. That's the best thing you can do through all this. Learn to listen what your body is telling you. If you are hungry -- eat. If you are thirsty -- drink. If you have gone too far with exercise -- stop! My doctor gave me a lot of recommendations the last time I saw her. Maybe if you didn't discuss it with her the last time around, next time you see her she will help you out. They are always encouraging me when they know I'm trying! Good luck.
your are fat just give up