[momentum]

My kids and a few other people in my life think I'm becoming obsessed with my wanting to lose weight and more importantly my health. My kids due to the fact that I'm not buying the "JUNK".

It actually makes me laugh - because even if I AM a little obsessed... so what?! At least its over becoming healthy. I look up information like a mad woman on weight loss/foods etc. I love looking at before and after pictures... they give me such motivation.

Its a real bummer to feel like you can't talk to certain people (close friends) about these things. Okay, its not like I sit and say "do you know how many calories that is??" - but I opt to eat better... so I'll order something healthy. This annoys my friend, and I know this because she makes snide comments. I think that the reason they (she in particular) hates it, is because they feel guilty for not doing anything themselves (she's very overweight). I'll be honest... when I'm out with my girlfriend and she's ordering UNHEALTHY things... all I'm thinking about is "she shouldn't be eating that." I never, ever tell her that she shouldn't! - - I try to envision things that I used to want differently. IE: A piece of carrot cake... I now see a nasty blob of fat on the plate. Its how I cope

I'm sure there are many who find themselves in the same situation... yes?

Shauna

[Horo]

Well, I'm not a 30-something but I'm replying because I can relate..!

My family is constantly telling me that I'm getting "obsessed" and that they fear that I'm going to become "anorexic". Pshh, yeah right, just because I'm eating baby carrots while you're(referring to a certain family member of mine) wolfing down numerous Dove Ice Cream bars (that I refused when offered) does NOT mean I'm obsessed.

I think the case, for a lot of people in the situation, may really very well be jealousy. Whether it is intentional or not, they see you eating healthy foods while they gravitate towards crap, and think in the back of their minds.. 'Hey, I wish I could eat healthy like that too'. Whether they realize it or not, they say things that may scare you, put your good efforts in a bad name, etc. with the hope that one may revert to crap eating habits again. Because people generally don't like to be alone in their 'vices', so much that witnessing someone who has better habits in that area makes them uncomfortable.

It gets annoying, but I do my best to ignore it. Maybe these 'guilty' people may end up following the example left by us healthy-eating converts. ^-^

[loserjulie]

I have to agree with the jealousy thing, my sister is over 300 pounds and is constantly trying to make me feel guilty and bad about losing weight and being healthy. We are visiting her next weekend and I'm dreading it. I have every intention of pointing out how horrible she eats. She actually eats at a different fast food restaurant every day of the week (Mondays=McD's, Tuesday=Taco Bell, etc.) If you have to be obsessed with something, eating healthy is a great choice!

[FriendlysRage]

I think I have an addictive personality...I'm one of those people that, when they get into something, they really get into it. That's probably why I got so big in the first place...sweets and salt are major trigger foods for me. So when I decided I was going to get into eating right and exercise, I did become VERY focused...I try to hit the gym every day, even on weekends. Some people may think that's "obsessed" considering that I never wanted to THINK about going to a gym before.

I'm with you, Momentum...if you have to be obsessed about something, might as well be getting your life in line and getting healthy (finally!). Also, I've always wanted to use the dancing carrot icon in a post, so here it is:

[momentum]

Layri: After I posted I thought I should have posted it in a different forum. Glad you responded

RE: Jealousy - I tend to agree with that too. I know when I lose some weight and am doing things right, I carry myself differently & I convey a much different "ME". I somehow become more positive, I guess I hold my head up a little higher.

I used to eat really poorly too Julie, not that I'd eat at fast food places everyday (like your sister), but I'd definitely be cooking higher fat things. As I mentioned I shop different AND... I cook totally different. I actually did buy my kids some munchies. Only a FEW. It amazed me how if there aren't any cookies/chips etc - they don't even know what to eat. That in itself was an eye opener for me. I think a lot of the problem to gaining weight is we grab what is convenient. Its far easier to open a bag of potato chips than it is to peel or cut up some fruit. (I now buy it and prepare it, so its ready to eat... I'm learning!)

I know I have an addictive personality. Quite honestly, doing all the research online and "obsessing" over this - is what keeps me on the straight and narrow. I'm sure if I diverted my attention (at this point)... that I'd be setting myself up for failure.

What really clicked for me wasn't counting calories. I never got that (not that its so difficult).... but I started using the core system from weight watchers. Initially trying the point system. Somehow putting a point value to food... THAT really hit me. I'd be allowed 22 points per day doing the flex system. If I made poor choices, I'd eat only a couple of things for the entire day. Now I eat tons of fruit/veggies and I'm losing at a steady rate of about a lb or two a week. While I'd love to be dropping more... I read something that stuck with me. Its never JUST a pound that you lost. If you gained a pound, you wouldn't say its ONLY one pound. Any weight loss is a success... no matter how minimal.

Anyways, I could obviously ramble on forever about this.

Thanks for the feedback girls! Oh and the carrot... cute... I think

[momof4girls]

In the beginning my kids hated that we had switched things like white bread to cracked wheat and whole grains. Now, they prefer it. They still like junk food, and we still allow them to eat it once in awhile. Even I like to splurge now and then!

I know what you mean about being obsessed but thankfully my dh and kids are behind me!

[ViolinJenn]

Hello Ladies,
I too have an addictive personality, I can really get into something! I'm a vegetarian who works out 4 days/week, 1 1/2 hours/day and I've hit the platuea from H#@#*L! I've tried changing my diet around, going off my diet to shock my body, but I've gained a few pounds and when I lose them, I still don't get below that one number! I count calories because I have this tendency to not eat, there's that addictive personality again. I keep myself to a calorie range of 1440-1600. I've decided to forget the going off my diet idea and try changing up my workouts. I know that if I just keep at it it'll break. I just don't like this feeling of my pants getting tight in the waist when I feel like I'm doing everything humanly possible! At this point the clothes from last summer are snug and I look fatter in them! All this has done a number on me mentally. All the confidence I had---GONE! All the pride of going from 260lbs to 175lbs---GONE! I'm single and now can't even THINK about dating and letting someone in my life until I feel better about myself.

With the nice weather approaching, I am planning of adding a 5th day to my workouts, a weekend day of something fun outdoors, hiking, power walk, jogging or my fave rollerblading! Hopefully it'll do the trick. Until the weather breakes though, I'm going to do the "Walk away the pounds" tapes that I have on still rainy cold weekends, but I'll just use heavier weights.

But yeah, co-workers and family are jealous, simply because I'm doing what they have to commit to. The "ONE cookie will not kill you", the "you're not enjoying life" comments. But I say I AM living life because by eating better I feel better and can do more!

I want to shake people and tell them that they are killing themselves. Their lives are worth more than that greasy burger and fries.

But if I have to have an addiction, I'm glad it's this!!!!


BTW, I'm reading this book that is only fueling my obsession! It's called The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, PhD. On the back cover, "The science is clear. The results are unmistakeable. Change your diet and dramatically reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more" And what's great about this book, is that it's backed up by science and is easy to read and understand by anyone. You don't need a PhD in BioNutrition to read, understand and take something postive away. I'm on page 29.

[BlzMaxGnrCCJkMly]

and if it means i am obsessed! then so be it! i will be an obsesses HEALTHIER person for it LOL!

[momentum]

Jenn,

I'm sorry that you feel so bummed out over your "plateau" - - I know its frustrating. BUT.... You look fantastic and you've lost soooo much weight. Continue to be proud girl... you've worked hard. The good news is... you aren't giving up.

I too use the 'walk away the pounds' workouts. I personally love 'em. I live in Alberta, Canada, so we get some pretty cold winters. I go to curves 3 days a week and on my off days - I try to do the WATP.

Man, this whole weight thing sure is a process huh? I used to get so mad at myself for letting this happen... I gained it all after my second child... however being mad didn't do any good. Not like anger was going to make it disappear.

The book you're reading sounds really good. And I can certainly relate to it keeping you determined. As I mentioned previously, I really believe that my being somewhat obsessed is what's making me successful AND obviously the determination to eat right/exercise is what's making me lose. Knowledge really IS power. Learning about healthy foods and how to prepare them is I'd say one of the biggest obstacles (for myself it was). Now that I know a few things and am continually learning - the rest isn't so difficult.

Shauna

[readyforrealme]

But wouldn't this count in every form of the phrase 'A healthy obsession"!

I was getting worried that maybe I was going overboard. My family and friends rolled their eyes everytime I refused to allow certain foods for my family. Then something happened that reaffirmed everything that I was doing... my daughter's teacher called and asked what medication she had been switched to! My daughter doesn't take medication at all, but with a healthy diet her mood swings had stabilized and her attention span and focus were off the charts! We still struggle with making it a complete 24/7 lifestyle but we are a LOT closer than we were.

[LessEveryDay]

All of my friends have been nothing but encouraging. We celebrate each other's successes in whatever area. They're a blessing.

[KT75]

Wow, I think it's so sad to see that so many people seem to have problems with being supportive... Seems like I'm one of the lucky few with a very supportive family.
Don't let anyone get you down! I think it's very much ok to obsess a little about something good, and I'd even say you need to get a little obsessed with your project if you want to be successful in the long run.