I noticed this section of the boards and I wanted some suggestions from people.

I am extremely overweight and I have a medical condition that makes it harder to lose the weight. I have contacted my doctor and she has put me on a diet to help me lose it but I am having trouble and was wondering if anyone could offer any advice.

I'm addicted to food, severely, so much so that I have arguments with myself whenever I am near anything deep fried and greasy. It's so difficult for me to eat right and people say its so simple but I'm struggling with this. I want to lose the weight, I think I am beautiful, I have the drive but I am VERY WEAK when it comes it giving in and making excuses as to why its okay to eat so much.

I don't like medicine, prefer to do things naturally and I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice as to what I can do to make this addiction easier.

I looked on the internet but every site I go to for weight loss help usually charges you for advice or wants you to pay them to give you a meal plan. I can't afford that, I'm a single mom and I'm worried that I'm not going to make it through this.

Hi SummerinFL.

While I haven't been in your shoes, I have been fat and I will have a lifelong struggle to maintain my weight.

Part of what makes losing weight very difficult is that diet alone means you have to go by sheer will power to not put food in your mouth. The reason you are having arguments with yourself every time you get near fried foods (and I suspect you lose your argument) is because you are addicted to junk food. People overeat for various reasons, be it emotional, etc. But that behavior -- knowing in your head that your action is bad, having a debate in your head as to what you should do, and then losing to your emotions -- that is something addicts go through when they know their addiction is harmful, but they "can't help themselves." Just think of people who try to quit smoking, or quit drinking.

There is *one* thing you CAN do now, with the guidance of your physician, is to start a fitness plan. The first few weeks will be very difficult, and will probably require that you actually schedule that time in your calendar. Depending on your level of current fitness, it might be just getting outside and walking around your house once, or around the block once. For some people, that's more exercise than they get in a day.

As you slowly increase the amount of walking (or other form of physical activity), something miraculous starts to happen to your mind and heart as your body gets fitter. Your body starts FEELING better. Your mind starts feeling better because you are accomplishing something good for your body. You start expending some of those extra calories, so you might start losing a weight a little easier.

The bottom line is that there is no magic pill. It's a simple matter of the amount of fuel you take in, versus the amount of fuel you expend. You can decrease the amount of fuel you take in, but if you don't start using some of your excess fuel, you will be unhappy because you will be left to eat celery sticks all day.

It's also a day-by-day thing. Don't expect to wake up one morning and have all your fat be gone. You deal with it on a daily basis, and over weeks and months, you will start to notice a change. Just think how long it took for your body to amass your extra weight!

You CAN do it! Just take it one day at a time. But most importantly, get off your couch and get moving. :)

PS: One of the best things you can do to augment your cardiovascular workout is to start doing some resistance training so you can tone the muscles you have, and add some more. You will feel much less tired, and you will increase your metabolism (muscles use up more calories than fat), so even if you eat exactly the same foods, you will lose weight more than if you aren't doing any resistance training. There are a lot of videos out there on how to do it (and you don't need to buy dumbbell sets -- you can use soda bottles instead), but you can go to a gym or Curves or something, too.

Thank you.

I, too, have a lifelong struggle with weight and body image. Sometimes I have been successful, other times not. It is terribly difficult. If it were easy, no one would be fat.

You know about two parts of the cure: 1) your doctor has given you a diet and 2) Lani's post about exercise.

Four parts remain to the whole truth about the solution to your weight problem:

nurturing - loving yourself enough to achieve good health
limits - learning and practicing self-control and realistic goals
body pride - getting rid of negative stereotypes
good health - becoming aware of what that is

I'm going to check the availability of a book that has helped me. If it's in print, I'll post the title.

Edited to add: It's in print! The Solution by Laurel Mellin, M.A., R.D. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060987243/qid=1110226091/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-8674376-6162523)

I looked on the internet but every site I go to for weight loss help usually charges you for advice or wants you to pay them to give you a meal plan. I can't afford that, I'm a single mom and I'm worried that I'm not going to make it through this.I would suggest contacting your health insurance and seeing if they don't have a program that defrays some of these costs. I know my insurance had a program that subsidized the cost of Weight Watchers. You just signed up and when you went to meetings you had your card signed as proof of attendance.

Weight Watchers is a good program and it sounds like a support network would be very helpful in your situation.

However, if it's an addiction, it goes deeper than willpower. You should seek professional psychiatric help to address the addictive behavior. Ask your physician for a referral so that the care is covered under your insurance plan.

I wish you all the best. It's not an easy road to walk, but you're not alone!

I'll second what Lani said about getting exercise. It'll be slow at first, but there are no overnight solutions, no shortcuts.

There's something else I'll recommend that will sound totally nuts, but worth trying.

Eat with your left hand. (If you're left-handed, eat with your right). It'll feel unnatural, but that's the point. You'll start questioning yourself before eating, and might think whether you're eating just for comfort, or eating for nourishment. That may help.

Someone can probably find a link to what I'm trying to explain.

WOW! Thanks for the great feed back!

I don't know how to explain it, I love myself, I have confidence, the weight doesn't bother me except for long term reasons. I want to lose the weight for my health mainly while also thinking of my children.

I always joke that my brain doesn't know I'm fat, its hard to explain. I feel beautiful, sexy and I am not your typical overweight woman. I don't get shortness of breath and I have no problems walking. I always joke that I am a skinny person trapped in a fat suit. It's only when I see a picture of myself and I don't believe that's me, I just don't see myself that way. However I AM an emotional eater, if I had a bad day, if the stress level is a little higher than normal, if I'm sad I tend to get a craving for food. I think maybe I need to find something to do with my hands, take up a hobby or something.

I will try the eating with my opposite hand thing, sounds like a great way to make myself aware.:)

However I AM an emotional eater, if I had a bad day, if the stress level is a little higher than normal, if I'm sad I tend to get a craving for food. I think maybe I need to find something to do with my hands, take up a hobby or something.


Couple of things you can try.

1) Have a handy bowl of carrot or celery sticks. If you're craving something, at least it's healthy.

2) Have a punching bag and boxing gloves. Work out the stress. Helps you in more ways than one.

I do understand what you are going through..I have an underactive thyroid (runs in the family)- it is borderline needing medicine for. My doctor does not think I have Insulin Resistence anymore. Have you ever heard "I think we mis-diagnosed you" a year later :confused: :eek: :confused: So now they are thinking what makes it difficult for me to lose weight is my metabolism/thyroid.

I have found that I too am an emotional eater..not bad..I can make good decisions. A lot of the time I do not like to eat either, which is not good either. I have found that the best way for me to lose weight is just to moderate it all. If I drink diet pop and exercise...I can lose weight. If I cut back on the junk some, it works. I know what you mean though about decisions. It is hard to convince yourself to NOT eat something sometimes but I have mastered that. I still indulge in ice cream when I want it and popcorn and even an occasional coca cola. But I am trying to watch what I eat, moderate everything, and drink diet pop. I am down 3 solid pounds (no fluctuation) in 3 weeks now and I am happy.

I agree with the exercise thing. Start off slowly and then work your way up. I love Taebo...that just works me out all over and I love it (somedays I am sore though). Plus, after I exercise I am just so proud of myself that I am taking the initiative and I feel so much better.

I am trying to be more active with my kids too. Every little bit of exercise helps. We are playing ball more now and come spring, I plan on walking more so that I can walk the dog and let them ride their bikes along with me. Right now my son and I are big DDR (Dance Revolution Play Station game) fans and are doing good at learning the game and having fun. This will help him to get in shape too.

I think your attitude is amazing. I wish I had your positive outlook..I am very hard on myself. That comes from being a perfectionist. I really decided I had to do something recently too because of my kids as well....I want to be around for them and I want to be able to enjoy them even more.

I know some people do the low carb thing, or can snack on celery, carrots, etc....that is NOT for me. I have tried all those things. I am a firm believer in moderation and making wise choices where you are comfortable such as pretzels instead of chips, skim milk instead of 2%, whole wheat english muffin for breakfast instead of breakfast pizza, etc. Those sort of things that I used to do that I have slowly changed for the better.

Just start off slowly with the exercise and I think you will find you will not crave the food as much. Food can be an addiction, you may find that exercise may become your new addiction. It is a wonderful way to work off stress and everything else that is nagging you in your life. You may find that you sleep better as well. I always do ;)

Hang in there...you have a wonderful, beautiful spirit that tells me you can do it (You can do it....Water Boy/Adam Sandler ;))

Hang in there...you have a wonderful, beautiful spirit that tells me you can do it (You can do it....Water Boy/Adam Sandler ;))

I got that about you too:) *hugs Kadiehl* Thanks for the wonderful words of wisdom, I think I am going to try Tae Bo. The whole punching things sounds appealing, not that I'm violent, just think it would be a great way to relieve the tension. :)

Looking for online information? Check out Bodybuilding.com (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/index.html). Most of the articles on that site deal primarily with bodybuilding or figure competitions, so if that doesn't interest you then just skip them. But they do post articles about fat loss and nutrition quite often, and have a huge archive of past articles. They also have a good exercise database so you can learn new ways to lift weights and how to do it properly. Also, to inspire you or encourage you there's a "transformations" page with real people who transformed themselves without gimmicks and pills. It's all free.

If you're concerned about an eating disorder (since a food addiction or eating for comfort is really just that) then you could look into Overeaters Anonymous (http://www.oa.org/index.htm) and see if there are any meetings in your area. When you're trying to make a huge change in your life it's good to have a support group to back you up. I don't know much about OA, but I do have a sister that used to attend their meetings and she really liked them.

Summer, I also struggle with my weight and am a compulsive, chronic overeater.

I have had the most success with Weight Watchers and reading Dr. Phil's book. I lost 48 lbs. last year when I started Weight Watchers and joined a local gym. It was really hard for me to go the gym because the owners were so unhelpful/unmotivating and could care less that you were there (just that you paid your money). Of course, I didn't know any of this before I joined and you couldn't beat the price ($100 for the entire year). Since I quit going to the gym about 6 months ago, I have put 8 lbs. back on. It is really hard to get back into the groove. I know that I will again soon because I so do not want to be overweight. My poor feet have a hard time when I am on my feet for extended periods of time (like a day or five at Disneyland) and at times, I get out of breath when climbing stairs.

If you like Dr. Phil, try reading/working his book. It really is a good book and deals with the "willpower" issue. You can PM me anytime and maybe we can do this together! :D

Have you checked out Dr. Phil's book The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution.? I haven't seen it but on his show he has helped a lot of people with the emotional side of weight loss (along with exercise and diet).

Summer~
First off, thanks for trusting enough to post this, I've struggled in the past with low body image and anorexia (which then rebounded to overeating, then back to starvation...ugly, ugly cycle.). It takes courage to admit issues with body image and emotional eating. Thank you.

I highly recommend the book that 3894 did. It's excellent. I bought that one on tape about 5 (?) years ago and it was very helpful.
Anyone who feels like they are an emotional eater (their eating is tied strongly with how they are feeling) needs to consider reading anything and everything by Geneen Roth, seen HERE (http://www.geneenroth.com/). She has an amazing story as well as some helpful advice.

What ended up working for me was to work through the eating disorder with the help of a professional. For awhile, I stayed away from any kind of "diet" and gained about 30# (not a lot, I know. But for those of us who suffer from emotional issues around our weight it sometimes doesn't matter what the # on the scale says.). After discussing the situation with my doctor (who knew I had dealt with anorexia), she recommended Weight Watchers. It's been honestly the only "prescribed" lifestyle change that I've managed to deal with. It seems to have the right balance of health and food information without making me crazy about watching my weight or eating too obsessively.

Anyway. Check out Geneen Roth. I'd personally recommend her books "Why Weight?" and "When Food is Love" as two good ones to start with (all of her books are good, really).

Check in here to let us know how you are doing!

Btw~I understand having to stay in a budget~those books are available at our public library, so you might check yours. And, joining WW online and going to the community boards is cheaper than paying to go to a mtg every week (but may not be the type of support you want/need). I've heard that some insurance companies are also paying for certain weight programs, so you may try looking into that as well.

~kisroo:)

Summer, I feel your pain on the emotional eating! That is absolutely me. Thankfully, I've discovered amazing will power deep down inside me...when it comes to food anyway. I started my diet last June, and have been off and on several times now. The times I went off it was because I decided I needed a break from the low-carb lifestyle...not because lack of will power. The last couple of months, however, have been stressful and emotional for me...and I lost whatever confidence and will power I'd found. I've gained back a little of what I've lost...but thankfully have not gone up in clothing size (my fear currently.) I just started my diet yesterday, and intend to stick to it for quite awhile. I have to look good as a bridesmaid in a few months!
Food right now is my greatest enemy...and Kisroo, I admire you for overcoming your eating disorder. I started down a dangerous road last month...but thankfully forced myself out of it when I noticed that I looked bloated and puffy instead of looking thinner. That's all I will say about that.
I went and had a manicure back in November, and my manicurist had struggled with anorexia. She said she now has big problems losing weight, and her doctor told her it was because of the anorexia.
Good luck, Summer. I know you can do it!

Hi Summer--

I too, have always been an emotional eater, and food used to be an addiction for me. Like Anna said, I also discovered a willpower that I didn't know I had before, a few years ago.

When I was a kid, I was super skinny, but when I hit about 18 years old, my weight was a constant struggle for me. I now excersize regularly-- VERY important when you want to lose weight, but I still struggle with myself sometimes.

One thing that really helps me is reading nutrition labels. I used to put stuff into my mouth all the time without even looking at it. Nowadays, I have a set amount of grams of fat, and a set amount of calories that I put into my body each day, and I stick to it (not perfectly, but I try to stay very close.) I have found that if I pick up a bag of chips, but then read that that one small bag has 3 servings in it with 11 grams of fat in each serving, I've found that it's easier for me to set it back down.

Making myself aware of exactly what I am putting in my body when I eat junk food has helped me A LOT. It helps me feed my family healthier as well. Instead of saying to myself "That looks good, I'm going to eat it." I investigate what "it" is first. I'm sure that wouldn't work for everyone, but it has really, really helped me.

The last thing that has helped me lately (which is really not for everyone, is cutting meat out of my diet. Meat and cheese are too of the fattiest things in the world, and I used to eat them A LOT. It's amazing how much I have slimmed down since my husband came home and announced that he was going to be vegan. :rolleyes:

Anyway, don't give up on yourself! You can do it! Weight is something a lot of people have to struggle with! You are not alone.

I went and had a manicure back in November, and my manicurist had struggled with anorexia. She said she now has big problems losing weight, and her doctor told her it was because of the anorexia.

The doctors told me that it would take my body time to "adjust" at several different stages (I entered recovery over 13 years ago) and then it would settle down. But, I have to say that I think my metabolism has been perputually messed up since my "can't be too skinny" days. :rolleyes: I know people who work out waaaaaay less than I do, and can eat anything. I *used* to be like that. No more.
Of course, this could just be age, too. :eek:

Congrats to everyone who has dug deep (and continues to do so) to deal with weight issues. Like Emma said:
Anyway, don't give up on yourself! You can do it! Weight is something a lot of people have to struggle with! You are not alone.
~kisroo:)

I got that about you too:) *hugs Kadiehl* Thanks for the wonderful words of wisdom, I think I am going to try Tae Bo. The whole punching things sounds appealing, not that I'm violent, just think it would be a great way to relieve the tension. :)

I like Taebo mostly because it does relieve tons of tension and I am always in better spirits after doing it. I think part of my problem with getting going on exercising was that I always felt tired so I started to take a "B-complex" vitamin...actually they are made by Nature Made and are called Stress B-Complex I think. I felt more energetic and in turn my attitude improved and I now want to exercise.

So start off slow, but I think you can do it. There is also a Daily Vitamin made for women that helps with Weight Loss...or gives you the right nutrients that your body needs while you lose weight...I think it is Once A Day Weight Loss or something like that. I could not take them because they upset my stomach for some reason,even when taken with food, so I just take a regular One A Day vitamin for Women. I have started to take more vitamins now just because I do feel better and we had all been so sick. So, I take the Stress B Complex, the one a day for women, and a Vitamin C. I will stop taking the Vitamin C once I know we are all over the illnesses and I can get outside and walk the dog and be in actual SUNSHINE (living in the North you forget what that is).

Like I said, I think moderation and exercise is the key. I have done it all- low carb, low fat, grapefruit diet, mayo clinic diet, and even diet pills that my doctor prescribed me that caused me more grief in the long run.

So keep us posted and do your best!!! That is all you can do and you will slowly see the results. Try to weigh yourself only once or twice a week. I find that I get obsessive about it by trying to do it every day and then I get mad at myself if I fluctuate. So try to weigh yourself only once or twice a week.

Wow, thanks for the wonderful words of encouragment and for sharing your stories. It's VERY comforting to know I'm not the only one out there. Everyone had such great things to say, I will definitely take them to heart and I appreciate all the feedback.

I guess all any of us can do is just keep moving and wake up every morning and keep saying, "I can do this."

*hugs to everyone*

I want updates on you guys too! BTW Bought Billy Blanks Tae Bo last night with the whole blow up punching bag. They should put a warning label on that thing that its a workout just getting it together! LOL Should have seen me last night in my kitchen, I was filling the base with water (as instructed) and everytime it would get close to filling up the water would start pouring out, I swear I felt like Lucy in the Candy Factory. :P

Also, whose idea was it to put an air hole on the SIDE of the base where the water can come out??

LOL Oh well, so many ideas on here and believe me I'm a research freak so I will check into all of them. Thanks again to everyone, I feel very motivated and encouraged. :)

The last thing that has helped me lately (which is really not for everyone, is cutting meat out of my diet. Meat and cheese are too of the fattiest things in the world, and I used to eat them A LOT. It's amazing how much I have slimmed down since my husband came home and announced that he was going to be vegan. :rolleyes:
When I was doing Weight Watchers, I totally cut out beef and pork of any kind. I had read a book called "Fast Food Nation" and was mortified. My children weren't thrilled about this but they adapted. My husband was another story. He didn't eat beef and pork at home because I wouldn't have it in the house BUT he always ordered it when we went out to eat. Once I went off Weight Watchers, I also went back to eating beef and pork. I think I might have to dig that book out and re-read it.

I had read a book called "Fast Food Nation" and was mortified.

That book scared me off chicken for awhile. The stories about the packing plants ....

That book scared me off chicken for awhile. The stories about the packing plants ....

I haven't read that book. I have, however read a lot of stuff about Chicken packing plants, as well as the factory farms that they're raised in.

I can't quote this, because the book is at home, but there's an excellent book A Diet for a New World by John Robbins (of Baskin Robbins) that says something to the effect of 80% of inspectors working in chicken packing plants refuse to eat chicken.

--Emma

Edited to add: 3894.. I am still giggling at your sig line, and I already laughed for about 5 minutes when I read it last night.

I love to eat shrimp, but whenever I buy fresh shrimp and have to clean them myself, the thought of eating them nauseates me. And I'm not really grossed out about cleaning shrimp. I just can't explain it.

But for some reason cleaning and eating a trout doesn't bother me.

And from another prospective.

Im having gastric bypasss surgery.

Im praying that this will happen this spring or summer. I'm having a hard time with the insurance company. Several companies still see this as a 'cosmetic' surgery. :mad:

Yeah, like I would carve myself up so I can wear a bikini. :rolleyes: *sigh* Although I suppose some people would.....but with my medical history and lifelong struggle with weight, and now chronic back pain that will not allow me to excersise much...its become a battle I am no longer in control of.

If you ever neeed an ear, or have a question about any weight loss products or diets or anything....feel free to ask me. I guarantee I've tried tham all.

Im having gastric bypasss surgery.

Just want to wish you all the best with all the pre-op stuff you're undoubtedly doing now.