[Sproink]

I managed to reach my tipping point today when my blood pressure was a bit high for me. If have been struggling with a very special Charlie Horse (deep in my pelvis) that happened after exercising, for which I M currently in PT.
I gained 15 pounds on top of the 25 i needed to lose.
My life got complicated recently: I'm moving to Germany, leaving the first job I ever really loved, and am entrusting my house and horses to caretakers. I need to get rid of this extra weight so I can deal with everything better in my body.
Recently I read the far chicks book (I'm a librarian) and found myself moved by my sisters and brothers out there. I have pretty shakey self-esteem sometimes, so any recoomendations for books/CDs/workbooks to work on that over the next year (before my next move to upstate NY!) would be gratefully taken.
I have had limited luck with weight watchers: it works to a point, then I get frustrated. I get annoyed with their reliance on processed convenience foods and it just goes down hill from there. I need to maintain my prigam choice
any where, so I think I will try using the French system, using journalling & healthy guidelines to start. Having buddies will help. If anyone is in Dresden, or upstate ny, let me know.
I know I can pull it all together, I am just a bit lost at the moment.

[Sproink]

Oh yeah. I should say that I have Spent my whole life dieting. I envy those who had once been slim. My petit, gorgeous mom put me on a liquid diet at 11 and that was that.

[Lil Judy]

Welcome Sproink,

It sounds like your life is complicated these days! Good choice to put your health needs first.
I, too, have been on a diet as long as I can remember. I think many here have had a weight problem for a long, long time, too-
I hope that you find the plan that works best for you.

Judy

[toobig]

You might want to check out the calorie counters thread. They have really helped me.

[fitbyforty]

Weight Watchers doesn't rely on processed convenience food.Yes they do sell things but you don't have to buy them to be on the program.

[Deena52]

Hi and welcome.

I'd also like to invite you over to the low carb forum here. I live on Atkins because it's the only thing that's enabled me to control all my prior weight issues and eating behavior issues.....and I feel fantastic on it and on it, I eat a totally clean diet.

Some suggestions:

-Take some time to go up to the top and read the success stories....and especially look at the before and after photos. It's unbelievably inspiring, not to mention, it puts you in a frame of mind where you think, if they all did it, I can do it. It's not impossible by any means. It really, really helps to put you in a productive state-of-mind.

-If the total amount of weight you need to lose overwhelms you in a negative way....only focus on small goals....like the next 5 lbs....and then the NEXT 5 lbs. Break it down into mini-goals and it will be much more manageable.

-And this is basically my personal opinion but it is very important to find an eating plan that you enjoy and can stay on for the long-term....not a plan that makes you feel deprived and you can't wait for the day you can drop it (and then likely gain it all back). And if you incorporate exercise, do what you love and will be able to do for the long-term. I walk and over time realized that forcing myself to go to the gym was not gonna ever work long-term for ME.....however, there are some here who love going to the gym. It's important to find what works best and you also enjoy doing.....so you'll not only be able to persevere but will also be able to maintain the weight loss. And there is literally tons of info on various eating plans and exercise plans on the various forums on this message board....practically everything under the sun, really.

deena

[Sproink]

Thanks for the wRm replies! Fitbyforty: you are totally right! Reliance is totally the wrong word choice! Yeah, it would be more accurate to say, there were things that I focused on which were just distractions for ME. No offense meant.

I'm grateful to be here and look forward to hanging out here often.
Cheers, Tatjana