and I'm getting frustrated as to what I need to do.

Ok. I had posted a long post, nothing but whining. If I am as frustrated and fed up with how I look and feel, as I say I am, then I will do something about it. But thats where the problem lies. I don't know where to start. I have physical limitations, so have to be careful how I exercise, even walking causes pain, in my lower back, tail bone, and my feet and legs swell. Caused by a lower disc (a tear) problem and pulling the sacrial joint several yrs ago and my muscles are weak, have no muscle tone, no inner strength. I have to sit up to even get turned over in the bed.
I've about 50 lbs to lose. I feel like a big fluffy marshmallow.
Can't afford the gym. I do have Fit TV so I could do whatevers on there, even if it were just a few minu at a time, at least I'd be moving. And I do have a set of 3 lb hand wieghts.

so, here is what I'm thinking.
I'm going to start adding in more fruits and veggies. I'm not a fast food person, so I don't have that problem. I'm not a big red-meat lover, eat mostly chicken, pork, tuna, salmon. Love beans, whole grains. Would rather have oatmeal for breakfast, with no added sugar than eggs, bacon, etc. So I dont' see a problem with adding more of those things in. I guess I should say I'm going to take away the 'goodies'. I'm not much of a candy person, if I eat chocolate I prefer dark and can only eat a small piece. Give me a homemade cake or a pie or a pudding and I can get rid of it fast.

I have Body for Life for Women, I have the Super Foods book, I have the SBD book. I basically know what/what not to eat. It's the will power and the determination that I lack. I'm perimenopausal, hypothyroid, hypoglycemic, depressed, eat til I cant' breath.

I've got to do something. Gotta get a plan going and WORK it. Need to plan out my daily meals, snacks, etc. I've been drinking more hot tea, mostly green,w/honey, instead of making that extra pot of coffee of the afternoons.

So, I'm here, gonna try again.
Thanks for listening.

Hi Patty

As I've lost more weight, I've been able to get more active, but one thing I've been working on since last October is having a short daily workout at home. I do hand weights and seated exercises which include some chair yoga. Here is a link to a chair exercise routine and the website looks like it has other good spots to browse. http://exercise.about.com/cs/exercis...seexercise.htm

It sounds like you have all the "information" regarding healthy eating! That is a big first step. It just seems to me that some accountability would help. I'm following South Beach Diet, so that's where I hang out. Since you've posted with the faith based groups, this might be a great place to start. I suggest that you post every day; say hello to newcomers instead of eating, or play the games. There are lots of great people here who are working on the same things.

Accountability, exercise and healthy food are working for me today!

Blessings.

~Start with what you CAN do.
~Success breeds success.
~Prayer and community are powerful tools. Use them.
~Changing your diet is about 80% of weight loss.
~Don't underestimate the power of moderate exercise. Do what you can. The tools you have available are good ones - just use them! I never joined a gym and lost 98 lbs.


You absolutely CAN do this! If this fat old chickie can - so can you!
I will add you to my prayer list

HI Patty ~ we all know how you feel; becuz we've all been there some time or another. You have some tools that you can use and you can start with 5 or 10 minutes at a time; that isn't that much really. How about a schedule? I find that when I PLAN things out then I am more apt to do them. I have a menu list right on my screen; plus a tracking journal (I keep track of what I'm eating each day for comparison, tweaking, and personal accountability); and a daily exercises file; healthy recipes; and a grocery list.

BTW, I also have a PRAYER LIST on my screen that I add to; and I can go to any of these files with a click of the mouse to look for ideas, meal options, recipes, pep talks, exercise schedule, etc. These are little tools that really help a lot.

By all means, come to our monthly CHRISTIAN ENCOURAGERS thread where we can share and encourage each other; that is what it is here for ...

Hi Patty ,
I have been there more than once; the important part is never give up. Find what works for you. There are so many diets out there and diets that are not diets that work for some but not for me. That is because God made each one of us unique! That would be so boring if we all looked the same and did the same thing, everyday. We all need to find what works for us. I find dieting doing Bible Studies with my friends is exciting and I just love it. I also find a challenge in loosing weight,helps me. Boy that can boost your get up and go right quick! Especially if you would rather the other person wash your car instead of you washing their car etc....or what ever.
Exercise is important but it should be fun and not filled with pain. Check out Debbie's web site, I am, think it may be helpful sitting at the computer at the store.

Patty,let God do his part and just keep on going doing the best you can,don't give in, don't ever give up, don't turn back keep looking forward because Jesus loves you and others and he wants the best for everyone!

THank you all for the encouragement and tips. And most of the the prayers!
Debbie, thanks for the exercise link.

I decided yesterday that I'd take Sundays off. That is the day dh and I usually go out to eat and a good dessert is always appreciated. As long as I don't make more than we can eat in one day. THen I won't have it to snack on the rest of the week.

Ya know Patty God did that too! Took Sunday off and look what all he did!
Go Patty Go!

Patty,

You may want to talk to your doctor, I had a lot of problem with swelling, and my doctor gave me one simple pill that has really helped with water retention (I lost 12 pounds of water the first week I started taking it and all my shoes didn't fit after!). And it's a generic diuretic that would be $12 a month even without insurance (dyazide? diazide?). She said that maybe once I get down closer to my goal weight, I won't have the problem with swelling, but I've had the problem ever since I was pregnant 15 years ago.

Especially if you go in and say, "look, I've changed my nutrition, and I've lost X pounds. I need your help with my physical body because I'm having problems exercising, what can I do about this swelling in my legs, it's deterring me from exercising. I would swim, but I can't afford the gym membership."

Another thing I want to say is, if you go into this with your whole heart, your tastes change and you get a different perspective on what is "good." You can make a wonderful dessert that is "on plan" - some of the south beach desserts are really really yummy. There's no reason to spoil what you've done the rest of the week just in order to make yourself feel like you're not deprived, when there are good options out there that don't make you feel deprived.

weebleswobble, wow, you've done good!! There are so many inspriational stories here on 3FCs!!
I've had the swelling checked out, the problem with my left leg is nerve problems stemming from my lower back. I went to the dr once when it was really bad-I could barely bend my knee-he thought I had a clot, went to a vein specialist who said no it is from a nerve problem. A physical therapist told me the same thing, that edema can be cuased from nerves. Who knows.
If it continues I may have it rechecked.

Patty, welcome and good luck ! Start with what you can do. Each little step you take will encourage you.

I'm sorry PATTY, I missed responding to the part about your legs, and wanted to address that becuz I have that too. OK, my original started after a fracture in my left calf (hence a clot); swelling and pain, but it is now better but then it started in the other leg too.

I was just given water pills last fall with my new doctor, which helps a lot, I take them when I need them, but sometimes only need half a pill each day. These do make you go to the washroom a lot and you need to take a vitamin with them as well to keep up your nutrients.

TWO other things helped just as much though: would you believe a little bit of BEER (1/2 -1 cup)? Beer is a natural diuretic and works very quickly. Plus my doctor asked me to put my legs up 2-3 times a day. Also making sure to get enuff sleep; again so that your legs are up and resting for 7-8 hours each night. I don't know if and when you work but I think you told us in another thread that you just got a job in a book store???

So, you are on your legs a lot, so much more important at your breaks and lunch hour to put them up at that time; and as soon as you get home. If you put dinner on, then put your legs up while it's cooking. Then after you get your kitchen duties and other stuff done, put them up again in the evening if you can for about an hour. You can start with 30 minutes, then 45 and work your way up. This really helps me; I find putting them up on my sofa works well. So that is where I do my bible and other reading so they can rest; this helps the swelling go down and relieves the pain too.

I agree that if these three things don't work, then maybe you should have it checked by a doctor again. I have been slowly lowering my simple carbs and drastically cutting the SALT in my food, and I think this is helping too. I use spices and herbs for much of the salt in our food now.

Also Vitamin B complex (esp B-6) works as a natural diuretic too, so I take a B-50 complex each day as well.

You can try some or all of these tips; and see what happens ... ^Prayers^ going up for you too!

Hello. Just now coming back to the boards.
Thanks for all the replies.
I'm going to a new gyn next week, I'm hoping she can refer me to a good reg. dr. The one I've been going to I'm just not happy with. I'm goign to have her check my hormone levels too.
I've been thinking of joining WW again. what I'm doing is just not working or more likely, I'm not working it. I'm just so frustrated with the whole thing and with myself. It's not helpign that I'm not working at the moment-trying to find work-adn I'm sitting here gettign depressed.
So thanks for listening to me.

Hey there Patty,
It sounds to me like you have a good plan and you seem to be determined to get back on plan, good work! Your on your way girl!
I have in my restroom and everyone who sits down and makes their self comfortable, can not help but read it, including me!

IN 10 YEARS FROM TODAY, WHAT WOULD YOU OF DONE DIFFERENT IN YOUR LIFE? DO IT TODAY!

IT SOUNDS LIKE TO ME, YOUR TAKING CONTROL AND DOING IT, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK FOR IT IS NOT EASY.

Everyone comes out says that it really makes you think while your sitting there. HA!