Hi, I'm new here and I was wondering if I could join you all! I'm a single mom of a 4 year old daughter, and I weigh about 339 lbs ( ). I'm not sure how to post and such on here, I hope I got it right. I've been sick recently, so I haven't had much of an appitite so I guess I got a jump-start on my diet! Anyway, any advice and support would really help. I've battled this war before and lost, now I'd like to win! I'm not that good on drinking alot of water, but I'm going to try. My main problem right now is I'm living in a old house that has no heat, only fire places that I'm not sure are safe. It's been so cold all I want to do is get under the electric blanket and get warm! Any advice on getting exersize with a 4 year old when it's freezing outside?! Brrrr! Well, I hope I hear from everyone!!!Bye for now!

You might try the Walking Off the Pounds tapes by Leslie Sansone. Or, have you considered buying a children's exercise video and doing it along with your little one?

Welcome to our board!

Hiya, welcome Ive just gone though a winter here with a young baby and used to get my exersize walking with the stroller, wrapped him up nice and tight and went for it...

Welcome!

Drinking water can be such a challenge ... I used to HATE it, and I used to drink Pepsi and sweetened iced tea all the time. It really is a matter of forcing yourself to get started, and eventually you get used to it. Try getting yourself a special cup or bottle.

In addition to the ideas mentioned above about exercise, what I did to get started was free weights. I got a videotape by Joyce Vedral and some dumbbells (I started with 3, 5 & 8# - usually about 50 cents a pound, even a little cheaper at Walmart) - you can also find some good workouts in books at the library if money is an issue, though having someone lead me through it made a difference at the beginning. The cool thing about it was that the very first time I did a 30-minute weight lifting session, I immediately felt a little burst of energy. It took maybe six weeks of forcing myself to do this about 3 times a week to get to the point where I'm in the habit. I, who have always hated exercise, am actually enjoying it! It has changed my attitude, my mood is elevated, I don't have those roller coaster emotions anymore!

I suggest you do some reading into weight training - I'm not saying this to the exclusion of other forms of exercise, like walking, but it seems many women don't even think of doing it for whatever reason. I tried walking exclusively and it had minimal benefit for me - I got heel spurs and achey joints. Weight lifting is cool because it's pretty easy for us, as heavy people, to get started with.

Good luck!
Pen
265/217/150ish

Of course you can join our board--welcome!

I was raised by a single mother & the thing one thing she did w/me for free that's stayed w/me all these years--cranked up the radio & boogied down!!! I LOVE to dance, so does Mom. Your little girl will be delighted to be having some "mommy" time & you'll both benefit (and keep warm!).

As for the water, I used to chug Snapple & Kool Aid, thinking it counted towards my water intake. Then a nutritionist clued me in: Don't Drink Your Calories! That advice has stayed with me. Sure, I have a soda every now & then, but for the most part I get thirsty for my water now.

welcome!
videos are a good idea! I think also mall walking is good for exercise but you really cant walk fast enough with a little one.
To tell you the truth I dont exercise on a regular basis and have still lost. I know it would be better for me and maybe I would lose faster too, but I just dont stick with it like I should.
Don't worry about all the water your not drinking. At weight watchers they said (when I used to go) if you drink caffeine free diet pepsi it counts as fluid intake since their is no caffeine in it!! You really can do this if you stick with us! It may take longer than you want it to take, but persistance will pay off in the end!

Laura
313 start/248 now/160 ultimate goal

Welcome!! We would be happy to help you win this time around!!!

Don't worry about beinh new, ask questions anytime!! Feel free to jump in on any of our threads!!!

Welcome! Regarding the water thing, I concur with Laura - try to drink a bunch of sugar-free, caffeine-free stuff. I make a big thing of caffeine-free iced tea and try to down it. That's supposed to count towards your water, and it will help curb your appetite too.

I'm learning how to get exercise in, myself, so that's the last thing I have advice on.

But, know this: YOU CAN DO IT!

Angi

Welcome! I'm so glad you found this board... it is a great place for support & encouragement. Everyone has already given great advice, so I just want to say it's great to "meet" you & I hope you'll post often!

Welcome! You've found a wonderful supportive place here. I can attest to that because I'm fairly new too.

Can't help you with the exercise thing, as that's my downfall. However, I do like the "boogie" suggestion. I may do that with the granddaughter I babysit.

What I do with the water is measure out my 8 glasses for the day, put it in a plastic bottle on the counter, and don't allow myself to go to bed until it's empty. Works very well for me, because I see it all the time and it reminds me. Most days I actually drink more than 8 glasses, so that's a plus for me.

As for staying warm, have you tried space heaters? They can go from room to room with you.

Again, welcome.

Welcome! I am glad to see you on-board.

Just to mention the dancing thing, I do it with my boys (3 &5). They love it, and it is great exercise for me.

Good luck with whatever you chose!