Actually FAT!

[eddie z.]

I haven't posted here in a while. I'm really embarrassed. After a valiant attempt at the South Beach diet and some weight loss in August, I fell back into eating ice cream and cake, etc. Now I can gracefully carry a good bit of weight for being just under 5'7", but I have finally gone too far! I hit 210 lbs. last week. AND I couldn't squeeze into my last pair of non-stretch pants. And I've gone from being a pear to an apple. Not good at all. My concern with my weight used to be cosmetic, but now I'm unhealthily FAT.

I know some things I need to do, but I use time and money as excuses for not doing them. I think I'm going to try starting small this time, instead of trying to revamp my lifestyle, failing, and saying f it. I'm just cutting out the cakes I was hooked on and the ice cream. Does this sound like a reasonable starting place? I really need help with this. Thanks in advance.

Peace, love, and hugs,
Eddie

[shoe_gal]

My sister has the same problem as you, her problem started after the south beach diet, then she ate normal again, then tried jenny Craig, and L.A. weight loss. She tried everything, and that where the problem started, Yo Yo dieting is really bad for you, you dont need to be on one to loose weight, cause as soon as you stop u will gain it all back and more. What worked for me is eating smaller meals more often throughout the day, spacing it out and amount is important, #1 stay away from salty foods
#2 drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
#3 if you are craving something, have a small portion or the craving will drive you to over do it and then you will feel guitly.
#4 keep a food diary, trust me it helps.
#5 try only eating starchy carbs for lunch not dinner,
#6 and try not to eat after 8pm
#7 and try to eat alot of veg and fruits to keep your metabolism going all day and it will burn fat, trust me
Good Luck, *thinkin' about you...
~N~

[Pony]

Eddie, Shoe Gal has the right ideas......

Those fast loss diets are not really good IMO (only) they work for some but not for all. What has been working for me is similar to what shoe gal was talking about....it's just a way of eating healthy. It is a life change, but it is one that takes place slowly and steadily (if you are consistant) to help your body adjust and your thinking to change along with your habits. Exercise is a big important part of a daily healthy routine. Even if it's just a walk or some simple ones that you do at home on your bed or floor (if you can get on the floor, I have a problem with that)......I even do a little dancing to the radio....anything to get your heart rate up will burn fat/calories.

Just start slow....one day at a time. Don't look at the big picture if that scares you....just set the small goals, the rest will take care of it's self.

Please don't be ashamed to come here and share. We are all going through issues and challenges with food and weight in one way or another.

[best]

Was forced to the Dr because of needed stitches in a finger. Once there I find that my BP was out of control. I had already known my weight was the highest it has ever been and my exercise was at the lowest it has ever been.
Well a Dr telling me they wanted to keep me over night had me change things very fast.
I felt I wouldn't like stopping things 100% so I exchanged things.
Milkyways, chips, McD's food were replaced with a healthy food I like rather then stop out right.
Raisins, bannanas, apples, oranges became my candy.
prepeeled carrots (no fuss food) and a low fat, low salt, microwave popcorn became my snack food when the will power just didn't seem to be there.
I made a list of... no more foods. A list of some times foods and I have a list of as many and as often as I want foods.
Healthy eating is what guided my list. I save about $15 a week because I don't use the vending machines any more. I have lost over 15 pounds in the past month by just eating healthy. Between the BP pills and my diet, my BP is great now. I have more energy as well. The more energy will add to my wieght loss of the future also.
For me I have found that some foods are trigger foods. If I eat just a bite of this or that, it will cause a desire for more foods that are on my ...no more of this food list. Trigger foods either go on my no more list or on my every so often list (but with understanding of what can happen)
Right or wrong I find this works for me...
I looked for foods I like as replacements. I enjoy eating and when I keep the eating fun, I find I can better control and change the things I need change. ...
Portion amounts, reasons for eating, times of meals.
Blande and dry in my opinion, don't need to be how things get done.
Enjoy but enjoy in a healthy manner.

[eddie z.]

You guys are the best...and I don't just mean Best ( :laugh2: ), but all of ya'll! These are some GREAT tips. I think I just need to incorporate them slowly.

N aka shoe gal,
You listed some I hadn't seen before. And they mostly make sense when I think about them. I wasn't clear on why no starchy foods in the evening, but I probably should avoid those in general, so I guess it doesn't really matter, does it? LOL. Thank you so much!

Pony,
You are so good to me! Thank you, too! I do exercise regularly and have for years. But my eating is what's doing me in. I have to defend the South Beach diet as a very medically sound one. In fact, a doctor recommended it to me. It's just I tried to do it too strictly I think, and when I slipped just a little, I got discouraged. The 2nd and 3rd phases are really just eating "right." I think I need to skip Phase I.

Best,
And thank you very much also! What you said about saving money too really hit home. I spend way to much on machines and at convenient stores. I have so many bad habits when it comes to food. But you mentioned some basic principles I really need to consider—the what, where, when, why, and how much.

I was better today somewhat. Can you all help me every day? One thing I need to work on is actually sitting down to eat. I almost never do that at home. That's pretty bad, right? Please remind me to sit down at the table, not the computer, and eat a meal, OK? Thanks again!

Peace, love, and hugs, Eddie

[eddie z.]

BUMP!

Well, I quit eating the Bon Apetit cakes and multiple pints of ice cream daily and guess what? I've lost weight! Imagine that. Without the Zoloft, I don't think I have the same cravings. Hurrah!

I still need to work on the having three sit-down meals a day thing, but I'm making progress. How are you all doing?

Peace, love, and hugs,
Eddie :spectacle

[Pony]

That's great Eddie. Progress is good. Tackle one thing at a time and pretty soon it all just becomes our new life style....yaayyy!!

[eddie z.]

:xmass :xmasl :xmass

Thanks, Pony! I couldn't believe it when I read the label on those cakes and they had 40g of fat per square. That's like a double cheesburger minus the protein!

Peace, love, and hugs,
Eddie

[best]

Originally Posted by eddie z.

How are you all doing?

Good to see you are doing great with your efforts.
Yesterday we had our family Christmas party "At my house". With that, I was the cook so all food was done to perfection (as I like it *LOL*) With all the food that was here(between what I cooked and others brought) I was thinking 25 lbs would be put back in one day. I started my eating with food from the vegtable platter. When I sat down to eat the meal, I found I was full and wondered why?
Maybe it was the carrots, tomatos, and lettuce that I snacked on as I was getting things finished. Desert was one small piece of cake (as I couldn't fit any more) I ate healthy but ate the things I enjoyed. I don't think I gained but I know I didn't loss any *LOL* Tomorrow is return to the new normal. Times, size of, and amounts in the meals. Beginning to like this challenge as I feel better with each day of eating right. Will be cooking again for Christmas day dinner. 5 lbs between now and then should have me do OK.

[eddie z.]

That's absolutely brilliant, as Ama would say. And very encouraging. I wish I could say I did as well at our NA women's Christmas party. I did cook a real meal with actual vegetables last night, so I have to give myself a little credit! LOL.

Have a great night, y'all!
Peace, love, and hugs,
Eddie

[Pony]

Best, I think you did very good. At least the choices you made weren't ones that would harm.......veg. are very good to do.

You will do fine at your Christmas dinner as well. Don't worry that far ahead....just take today's meal as it comes and tomorrow will take care of it's self. In time it just becomes second nature to make those choices and you won't even really think about it. ....well, much anyway..lol

[eddie z.]

Did I mention that I'd started smoking again? I had been so proud of myself for my work on an overall healthier lifestyle. Now I'm smoking and still not eating right, although I think I eat less when I smoke. :amsmiling It just sucks I can't seem to find a balance there, you know? I need to quit smoking again, but I'm afraid my weight will start creeping up more, whereas it had kind of stabilized.

I can tell the cigarettes profoundly affect my sense of taste. Has anyone here used any of those topical appetite suppressants like the candy or lip gloss? Did it help? I'm very frustrated.

Peace, love, and hugs,
Eddie

[best]

Tonight as I was reaching for a salad and had chicken fingers cooking in the oven... my thoughts...

What a strange feeling?
So this is what healthy feels like.
It is different. Not my normal. Don't know if I like it or not.

After some thought I came to an understanding...
Yes I am worth the feeling of heathyness.
Yes I have been eating right for enough days that I am starting to enjoy this new found way.
Good habits do give positive outcomes.
In learning to accept the positives, I feel I am growing and learning to love myself more.
Yes I am worth it
and guess what?

SO ARE YOU

[eddie z.]

That was wonderful, best! Thank you so much. I just had a pint of ice cream for lunch, so I obviously need some kind of inspiration. Well, at least I haven't smoked this morning!
—EZ