Hey Everyone.
I've gained alot of weight fast and I've been feeling really down about it. It all started when I got put on steroids for a-topic dermatitis, its just been downhill from there.

I feel like I just woke up one day fat. I look in the mirror and thing "How did I Become this person?" I've been trying lately (definitly not as hard as I could be) but was feeling pretty motivated to become a new person and shed this weight thats turning me into a sad negative person when I had a major set back today.

One of the salesmen at my work came in my office today and asked why I was wearing a sweater. I told him I was cold. He came up to me and grabbed the fat on my arm and gave it a little shake and said "Thats surprising being as you have all this insulation"

I felt like crying! I've been in a major funk since then and need a buddy or motivator to break out of this mold. Perhaps someone to just email once a day back and forth occasionally adding a little motivation here and there.

I need to do something because my weight is taking over my life. I avoid going to my hometown incase I see someone I knew when I was thin, I limit where I go and what I do and am just plain unhappy

If anyone is feeling the same and wants to go on this weightloss journey with me, or thinks they'd like to help me out or has similar experiences or stories I'd love to hear from you!

Hope to hear from someone soon!!

Don't let people like that get in your way anymore! I did that for too long. I need a buddy too, we can keep each other motivated.

hey I feel the same way I hate to go anywere that I might run into someone that knew me when I was thin . After having 4 children and gaining weight each time and having a c section with each one I lost all hope to get back to what I looked like before or at least close to it.Its not easy I got myself to the gym for 2months straight and lost 2 lbs now my membership is up I have no money to go back and I have to look for a job oh and thats great no clothes to fit and I am so embaressed by how I look. lets talk who knows best then someone going through it to........maria

I tried not to let it bother me. He has a reputation of having no filter, it's just SO hard to not let it effect you. Especially when I've been feeling so down on myself to begin with. I just don't even know where to begin. I went on a walk today and by the end I was so tired I didnt think I'd make it in the house.
It's so frustrating. I think if I could get motivated enough to start seeing results I'd be able to continue on a positive path but my willpower keeps going week and I've been giving in.

Any tips?

I know what you mean Miamio. Even when I do go shopping for new clothes I never feel like they look good on me. I always feel like I look sloppy. I'm not saying all heavy people look sloppy. I see tons of people heavier than me look stylish and put together but i'm having trouble pulling it off. I think it may have something to do wtih the fact that I think in my head I am smaller then what I really am so each time I am completely shocked. haha.

Don't be discourage though. Have you ever read the book the secret? It's a motivation book. It says if you think negative, negative will happen.
Easier said than done I know but perhaps we can try it?

Instead of thinking "I have a new job and no clothes" you can think "I have a new job which means I will get more excercise by moving more to fit in some hot new clothes"

???

I have the worst willpower in the world. I cannot diet for more than oh.... I don't know, 3 hours - and I HATE exercising! So I've definitely felt that lack of motivation. The easiest thing for me to do is just walk. Whenever I'm bored or stressed I walk around town. Sometimes for just a few blocks, sometimes for hours at a time, but the miles add up. My highest weight was 187 and I made it 166 without even realizing it or trying because I walked so much.

wow great job!
I'm gonna try taking the dog for longer walks everyday. We take a walk around the neighborhood when I get home from work mon-fri but by the end my back hurts (i think bc my boobs have gotten so huge )
Perhaps I can add a little more length everyday.

thats alot of weight to lose!! Great job! How much more are you looking to drop?

I walk with my dog too! She's actually the reason I started walking, but now I take her when I'm stressed so it works out perfectly.

Have you ever looked into reflexology for your back hurting? I have a huge chest too and I've been doing a little bit of reflexology massage on my hands and feet when I'm watching tv and it really helps.

I started my diet at the beginning of June at 166 and I'm trying to get to 132, or at least 141 by the end of august.

That's alot of weight in a pretty fast time. Great job, is all you do is just walk?
I just started taking Alli.

I've never tried reflexology. is that something I can find online?

what kind of dog do you have?

Yeah I just walk a lot. I try to watch what I eat just be eating a ton of fruits and vegetables and I'm pretty good about it, but I don't deprive myself of anything that I'm craving either.

You can find tons of reflexology charts online. Just find the corresponding body parts for your back -upper or lower- and press and rub them for a few seconds a couple times a day. It might help!

My dog is an australian shepherd / greyhound mix.

aw! My dog is a pom a poo!

I just saw this thing today on yahoo news that is nuts but i signed up just for fun (and boredom at work) called doggiespace.com

heard of it?

Haha no I haven't. What is it? Like myspace for dogs? :P

Do you have a any diet plan or exercise plan that you've thought about trying?

Yes I started to do a low fat diet. Pretty much following the Alli plan.
Eat food low in fat and alot of vegetables and fruits (or at least try to)
I'm not doing so good on the water intake. I probably should drink alot more than I actually do.
I really need to add excercise into my routine and that seems to be my biggest obsticle.

yeah its myspace for dogs hahaha

hello im just going to jump into the conversation rather clumsily
I was on steroids for atopic dermatitis for 20 years, nasty stuff! You might find that as your diet and exercise gets better, your skin will too. I ended up seeking alternative treatment which involved a very strict diet, and went cold turkey without steroids. My skin improved unimaginably. Im not saying you should go cold turkey and get off those steroids at all! Im just saying that your skin might get better, and thats good motivation right?

And i also need a buddy

I agree completely. I've been off them for 4 months now and can already tell a difference.

I was on them for a very long time but it was always for short periods of time then i'd be back off for awhile. This last year I was on them CONSTANTLY and my skin never got better.

Thank you for the advice. Any advice on excercising?