I hate being fat--and it isn't even about looks any more. I just feel miserable, all the time, and it gets worse with every new notch UP the scale.

I just want to get some energy back. Right now that's probably my biggest wish.

I wonder how many pounds I'll have to lose before I notice any increase in daily energy?

Right now, I'm sitting down for a break between any homemaking chores I tackle. I don't want to do this any more.

When, and how, did you first notice you had increased energy? I'm hoping I don't have to lose 20-30lbs before I notice anything...

Good question I will wait for the answer too!!!

Yeah, I sure don't want to be fat, either! It sux!!!

Are you just getting started? If so, I bet you will feel a little better after just a week or 2 of good eating. I know I did. Less sluggish, a little less swollen, a little less miserable. That was with just a few pounds down. Now that I've lost 31+, I feel a whole LOT better. I can't WAIT to see how I feel after I've lost a REAL good chunk!! Keep going, every DAY gets better!

I have been dieting for 3 weeks. I noticed an increase in energy on day 4!
You can check out my blog, I've kept track from the beginning when I was thinking of starting to just last night.
fatmeltchallenge.blogspot.com

I felt extra energy and just a better attitude the first week. I went full in, started exercising and counting calories. I didn't drop a whole bunch the first week like some do, but I felt great! I notice how I feel and my energy (at least for me), is tied more to my exercise than my diet. although when I eat junk I feel yucky and like sleeping, if I don't exercise - it doesn't matter how well I eat, I still feel like I'm running on empty.

Hey Truffle: I so totally get you!!! I've been checking out your threads today, and you seem to be in the exact place I was a few weeks ago. I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and OLD--DANG I just hate that!!!! I felt old and fat and pitiful and just really ready for a big change, not just a Band-Aid that would tide me over, but a real, long-lasting, make-my-life-better change. And so I started in the smack middle of a Tuesday. I felt better mentally almost instantly, but I guess it was about 3 days or so when my body said, "Hey, thanks for feeding me better!" My poor body has been abused by me for so long, and it has tried its best to stay healthy, but I'm cutting it some slack now and giving it the best nutrition I can. It doesn't take long before you feel tons better.

What you eat helps or hurts your energy. Period. If you're after high energy while losing weight, focus on lean protein and seriously healthy carbs. Eliminate sugar and processed foods--they drag you down. Eat fresh fruits and veggies. Those live things make your body feel alive. Plenty of water, too, to stay hydrated. If I'm dehydrated I feel sluggish and my brain slows down, and my body feels icky. Real scientific there, but that's how it feels. Just ugh.

It seems to me that you're here because of all the right reasons. Have you made a plan? I'd love to hear what you're planning to do, because I suspect that once you get rolling, you're going to feel so much better so fast that it will be kinda fun to watch.

It is a gradual change, but I did notice after the first week or two of cleaner eating and taking walks that I was feeling better in general. I slept better and moved better. After I lost the first 20 pounds or so, I felt a lot better about myself and my abilities. I have told myself, "Well I did that once, now just 7 more times." I started feeling like the goal was quite attainable and that helped me feel awesome for the first time in years.

After I lost about 50, I surprised myself by feeling like jogging. Still more than 100 pounds overweight, I took off jogging and was surprised that I could run about a quarter of a mile before I got winded. I kept it up, and now at only 75 pounds down, at least 90 to go, I can jog an entire mile. My body and back don't hurt the way they used to. I feel strong and empowered.

I can't wait to see how I will feel as even more weight slips away and my body gets even healthier. Don't lose heart, it will start soon, and you will feel great!

Thanks for the replies-and the hope.

Lili, I'm a great believer in the Atkins way of eating, but after about a thousand false starts on it, including this morning, lol, I've come to the conclusion that I just can't do it.

That leaves calorie counting, so that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to begin again to enter my foods in Spark People, and do my best to stay within my calorie range.

I'm too exhausted right now to do much of anything for movement (not to mention that it's just too beastly HOT this summer), but I want to start getting out to walk again as soon as possible.

My grandchildren are coming to visit us in two weeks. Right now, I'm too exhausted to do much except sit in a chair. I'd really like to be able to be a bit more active when they get here.

Hey Becky: Finding out that a plan isn't really right for you is a step in the right direction, in my opinion. I've tried all sorts of programs, but this one is sticking. I'm a calorie counter with a twist (focus on whole and superfoods). Spark People is an excellent way to record your intake and your exercise expenditure.

You can do it. No question. You can start right now with a healthy dinner and plenty of water. Just keep that goal in mind!!

Hey Becky,
It may take longer than 2 weeks for you to feel better. Maybe but maybe not. If you don't feel better for this visit with your grandchildren, you can definitely feel better by the visit after that. If you don't start now, you may still feel bad for the next visit, and the next......

I have another thought. Have you had your thyroid checked recently? There are other things beside weight that can drag us down.

That's good advice to keep in mind, Cheryl, about at least feeling better for the next time my grandchildren visit.

I'm hypothyroid, and on meds--but have a doctor's appt. coming up, so I'll find out if my levels are still fine.

It'll probably help once the weather cools off a bit too. It's been unusually hot here this summer. Ugh.

I think when you start to feel better really depends on the individual. I managed to lose 30 lbs a few years ago, using Nutrasystem and exercise. Unfortunately the feeling better never did kick in. My mom who weighs far less than I do, lost about 50 lbs but never really felt the effects of it. So I think when you start to feel better is a very individual thing. Hopefully for you the good effects will kick in quickly.

I am just starting my weight loss journey too. I started the 10th. There are times when I don't feel like doing anything! However, I started pushing myself to do small tasks around the house. For example, I've force myself to do dishes (right away), start a load of laundry every day, fold said laundry, pick up my kid's toys when I see them on the ground (since you do not have little ones anymore - do this with the grandkids when they are visiting - or if you have a husband), wipe the counters and table after every meal, clean the bathroom, vacuum, sweep, mop, etc etc... By forcing yourself to get up and do these things (even when they don't need to be done), you will eventually have more energy. At first, you will hate it, but your house will be very clean and you will be doing some moderate exercises at the same time! When you start feeling a little energized (you may only have spurts of energy out of the blue that lasts about 30 minutes), that is when you need to get moving. A while back, I was really successful in losing ALL of my weight, but I've had two kids since then and ate whatever I wanted in those pregnancies (gained wayyyyy too much weight). However, these things helped me in the past, and I am doing the same thing now (and it is working - I have hypothyroidism too)!

I noticed an energy increase as soon as I started exercising. Like seriously the day I started exercising. When I stopped exercising over the summer I was literally always tired and drained of energy. I started walking again this Monday though and immediately got all that energy back. So for me it wasn't the lbs lost that made me feel energy is was the exercise.

This is how it works for me, too. Losing weight helps me to exercise better, but it's definitely the exercise that makes me feel more healthy and energetic. This summer I'm working at re-establishing running habits (running = jogging and walking combined), but last summer it was lots and lots of walking, over 3 miles a night 5-6 nights a week. The weight was coming off at a good pace and I felt trim and energetic. I was sleeping well and felt really, really good.

For the OP--if it's too hot outside to walk, is there an air-conditioned mall or something nearby where you can spend a few minutes walking every day?