I think that unless there is some underlying health problem (and probably even if there is), the way most people get to the morbidly obese stage get there because somewhere along the way, we learned that eating can be used to deal with emotions. For a lot of my adult life, I didn't really feel like that fit -- because, hey, I never dealt with any childhood trauma, etc, etc. I just thought I loved food too much. But somewhere along the line I definitely figured out that something rich or sweet could calm me down when I'm anxious, could be a fun companion when I'm bored, can even make happy times a little sweeter. The idea that "food is fuel" was kinda foreign to me, apparently.

The catalyst for my change in thinking was that I scared myself. I gained 60-70 lbs in 3 years (night shift, sleep apnea getting really severe), and WOW, did 350 feel different than 280. My blood pressure was getting high, it was basically hard to move, and I felt awful all the time. REALLY awful. I took a good look at what I was doing to myself, and just decided that this was going to end. I had been flirting with the idea of trying to do something to lose weight, but once "This is going to end" got in my head, like that second, I went to the grocery store and got what I would need to start, and started.

Hopefully you won't have to get to death's doorstep like I did before you just decide. But the good thing is, once you DO decide, it's not all that hard. Maybe in the beginning as you are formulating your plan and getting through some of the cravings. That first few weeks really is the hardest part.

Best wishes!

In the Beck Diet Plan, the first step is to make a list of all the reasons why you want to lose weight and then read it every day. If you write the list, it could give you the motivation you need to start your diet. At the end of the day, to lose weight, you need to want to be slim more than you wnt to lose icecream.

this thread reminds me of someones siggy i remember... 'losing weight is hard, exercise is hard, being fat is hard, pick your hard.'

As most of you said, this isnt about food. I have to fight this mentality of "having something, just cos I want it". I have also noticed that the more I come here and read, the less i think about junk food. This forum members are really encouraging, and what is more, they understand it or been through it.
I know it is early days, but i havent thought about junk food for the 2 days and when I do, I start asking myself questions and give myself time till the craving passes.

After succeeding this, next on the agenda would be making myself to enjoy exercise ..if that is possible.

I started almost 30 lbs heavier than you, and it was the desire to have a baby that motivated me to lose weight, and I am pregnant now, so I hope you understand that I am really, really rooting for you. It was a vitally important transformation to me, and I mean it when I say that I think the discipline and wisdom I learned through weight loss will make me a better mother in all sorts of ways.

If you are married, can you get your husband to take over the grocery shopping for six months? Negotiate to take over some other chores in order to keep it fair.

I find grocery stores to really be a nightmare in the early stages of a new lifestyle. All that food packaging is designed to do one thing: make you crave what they are selling. The only way to win is not to play.

The other thing I discovered is that my intense cravings for junk food were really just hunger. When I would starve my body to death, it would respond by tempting me with thoughts of my favorite foods: because I wouldn't allow myself a second serving of carrots or baked chicken for a week, I'd end up binging on fries and ice cream. Once I started maintaining a reasonable caloric deficit, the cravings went away--I mean, I still wanted yummy food, but it wasn't like a blinking neon sign in my head any more.

At 277, I'd suggest you try to eat 2000 or even 2200 healthy calories a day for 3 weeks and see if that takes the weight off. It will give you the chance to form healthy habits and get used to the record keeping without having that flashing neon sign in your head. Then, if your weight loss isn't rapid enough ( and it may be: I lost weight quickly at that weight and those calories) you can cut down 100 calories a week. It doesn't have to be painful.

Shmead

Wow, You have come down from 300 to 160..That is truly impressive.

If anyone was in my situation, they would have lost all this weight..like yesterday. I dont do shopping, my hubby does. He is very supportive. He is health nut anyway. I have lost my job (so I have all the free time in the world), I have about 20 exercise DVDs and the Wii, and bodybugg. I have no kids. Therefore I could live like those biggest losers contestants i.e exercising 8 to 10 hrs a day if I wanted to. But somehow I cant seem to hack it.
My biggest complaint of why I couldnt lose weight was because I had a desk job for 9hrs a day and I was knackered by the time I come home. Now that I was/am not working, what is/was my excuse for the past 6 months? Just weakness and lack of willpower I guess.
Things so far remains great. Craving seems to subside when I dont feed it.

Don't try to live like the Biggest Loser contestants: god, that thought depresses me so much that even contemplating it makes me want to just give up and have cake. As kaplods is so wise to say, just be better. I started out eating 2300 calories a day, and after 6 weeks of that, I started exercising 5 minutes a day. Baby, baby,baby steps.

The worst thing is the world is to sit around making plans about how you could work out 8 hours a day and eat 1200 calories a day and the weight would just FALL OFF and it would be awesome . . I've played that musical montage in my head a hundred times, and it's counter-productive. For one thing, it's just mental masturbation, getting off on the fantasy, and while it's never as good as actually being thin, those daydreams can be just good enough that it keeps you from being so miserable that you actually do anything. It's exactly like a 15 year old boy masturbating for real 5 times a day and spending the rest of the day angry because the girls he ignores won't even talk to him. The elaborate fantasies protect us from having to try.

Second, those kind of daydreams are depressing because we feel like we have to live up to them 100% or there is no point in even trying. Again, it's like a 15 year old boy daydreaming of supermodels and then being unwilling to even talk to any actual girls because they don't live up to his fantasies.

So find an EASY food plan. One that just a little restricted. Try that for a while, and see what your weight does. You might be shocked at how little it takes to lose weight.

On a more practical note: how does the ice cream get in the house? That's a serious question. I would really try to stop it before it comes in, not try to be strong once it's there. I mean, once it is in the house, you know you are fighting the inevitable, so you might as well give in now (at least, that is how my brain works).

I get my husband to buy it for me. If he is reluctant (cos he sees me complaining about my obesity), i go to the shops and get it.

You make so much sense. I spend so much time fantasizing of being size 10, then actually doing something about it. I also watch so many weight loss shows, I wonder how they benefit me.. I like the teenage analogy. It fits me perfectly. I hope you continue contributing, cos people like you help great deal.

Weight loss is easy, you just have to be willing to change how much and what you eat. (unless its a medical thing where it isnt easy to lose)


Weight loss is hard usually when you try and do too much at once...Also justifying WHAT you are eating(this is what i used to do) "well i worked out for 20 minutes i can have a DQ blizzard!" yeah, bad idea.. never reward with food.

A couple cook books that might help you with cravings are Hungry Girl cook books, she shows you lower calorie versions of things that we all like! so you dont feel like you are missiong out.