[kat_tbs]

I am new to this forum and just wanted to say I love it and thanks for being here. I am totally bummed over my weight problems. I need to loose 50+ lbs. and have been trying for the past 2 months and not much happening. I get depressed and then I want to eat. Friday was my 53rd b-day and I did cheat and have a piece of cake that my daughter made for me. I try and keep my foods at 1500 calories a day but the past couple of days........cheating, cheating, cheating. I get sooooo mad at myself. I love chocolate and I think this is the hardest thing..........living without choc. in my life. I really need to loose alot of weight so that my back problems will let up. I have alot of problems with my back and the doctor told me to try and lose weight. My cholesteral is thru the roof and now they say I am a diabetic. I just can't handle all of this. I need help................please!!! Getting ready to start up a TOPS chapter here in my little community. Hope this will help. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks and God Bless

[Leenie]

Hi Kat and

I too love chocolate, can't imagine life with out it. I think just by being here you've made a good start. Find a group or two that you feel comfortable with and just jump right in.

Good luck !!!! and

[chick_in_the_hat]

kat_tbs!!

How about if you plan the chocolate into your calorie count? The key is portion size....unless it triggers binging, then maybe it's better to go without until you feel stronger about it. Get the bad stuff out of the house so it's harder to cheat.

There are plenty of chicks doing TOPS here.

Another thing that really helps get my mind off of eating too much is going for a walk...it always puts me in a better mood.

[Misti in Seattle]

Hi Kat... welcome and so glad you are here!

[kierr]

I'm with chick in the hat. i try to stay close to Dr. Dean Ornish's plan to reverse heart disease. It has lowered my cholesterol like crazy! He says if you every once in awhile have a small piece of chocolate it's OK. Go for it, let it melt on your tongue and savor that one piece. It's so much better to use all your senses when you eat something like that, slowly. I love chocolate too but I find that eating it that way is enough for me. You should add exercise as well, it will help you lose weight. Get checked by your doctor first though.

[aphil]

Welcome!!!

The first thing I think that you need to do, is to talk to your doctor about the diabetes. A simple low calorie plan is part of the equation there...but WHAT you eat and when is also a big factor. Ask your doctor if you should see a nutritionist and get put on the diabetic diet.

Are you exercising? This is going to be of major importance to you-not just because of the diabetes, but also because of your age. You simply are going to have to commit to "moving more" for your general health, as well as for weight loss.

[purplepansy912]

welcome and keep posting!

[sotypical]

Welcome! Have you tried those 100 calories chocolate bars? They have the Cadbury Thins and I think Hersey has a stick one - I have had the thins and they are tastey and satsify my craving!

You can do it, just keep trying! Good luck!

[MariaOfColumbia]

I always make room in my calorie count for chocolate, even though I'm staying at 1400 per day. I find, though, that when I crave chocolate and want to overdo it, I'm low on magnesium. If I take my vitamins regularly, the cravings don't get bad.

Low potassium triggers munchies, too. Potassium is in just about everything, and the only way you can be low is to have a low calorie limit where you literally can't eat enough in a day to get enough potassium and still stay under your calorie allowance. Unless you ate bananas all day long....

[penpal]

I was about your age when I started my weight loss journey almost 3 years ago. It's taken me a long time to lose the weight but I decided to go slow but sure this time and it's worked for me. I eat about 1650 calories a day and work out at Curves 3x a week. It's low impact and the workout only takes 30 min. It's a good way to start if you don't like exercise and can't walk far because of joint problems. If you don't have a Curves near you, some light weight training would be beneficial.

I have also had some major health problems and losing the weight has definitely helped.

Make sure you are eating enough calories so that you don't feel 'starved' and that you are getting enough protein. A dietician could advise you about a suitable diet for diabetics.

I wish you success with your TOPS group. Good luck in your weight loss efforts