I think you might do well on a low carb diet. It will curb hunger and cravings. You can try packaged foods that will eliminate calorie counting. Ideal Protein or Medifast. Start with making one change at a time and go from there.

I know it seems like climbing Mt. Mckinley. (sp?)

The journey of a 1000 miles, starts with a single step.

Break it down!

Choose one, and only one, food issue to tackle. Get that one under your belt, and then, when you are comfortable, tackle another.

Exercise, tackle one thing. When you conquer that, tackle another.

It's not a sprint, it's a marathon, that in the end, gives us a longer, healthier and happier lifestyle.

There will be bumps along the way, but don't give up!

The biggest lesson I learned is, "there is no failure, only feedback!"

I come here for motivation even just to start. Each day I wake up purposing to start...start eating healthier, walking some at least, etc. Laziness, fears, stumblingblocks, lack of focus are all messing me up.

I have also read so many books I could write my own. The bottom line is, it's still about taking in less than we put out, but how we do that is going to be whatever works for us financially, mentally, etc. So many options that work.

But I wanted to say that I come from a morbidly obese family too. I have three sisters and my mom who have always been obese. I was the skinny one in the family. All these years later, my three sisters have had the gastric bypass and I was then the fat one. Yet it wasn't the "cure-all" for them either. The first to have it is probably just as big as me now, though not the 400 she started at. The next one paid to have all the excess skin removed from her upper body, got married, had twins, and is now gaining weight again. The third one still struggles with food and purging because it makes her sick. She has had troubles from the get-go. She was the biggest and has had a lot of health issues before and after surgery. Our problem is mental. If we can get our heads straight, our bodies will follow. It is an addiction. It is real. I really hope I can get control. Tired of being fat, unmotivated, of being embarrassed to be seen. Glad there are people that understand though. I'm going to put up a sign in my bathroom and fridge to remind me to take it just 5 pounds at a time. That's not too hard. Thanks!

Lariet,

Just start somewhere. Like others have said; one decision, one meal, one hour, one day, one pound, one week, one month at a time. Decide to live and start. When you fall down, get up and start over, one foot in front of the other.

FWIW, I get it. Like others here I had life threatening binges after a brief stint with bulimia in my 20s. Massive binges where I prayed that I wouldn't die, heart beating madly, ears ringing, only to do it again. Everyone's journey will be different. Though my high weight was slightly north of 285 in the early 90s, less than the 300 club, I huffed and puffed just walking across the floor. I had to stop the bingeing at that dangerous level so that is where I started. One thing lead to another and I'm so much better now than I was back then that it's like night and day.

I never considered surgery because I know two people who's surgeries failed. They lost some weight but not enough to justify the expense and risk. After all the work I have done I have a real shot at normal weight for the first time in decades without surgery.

Commit. If something isn't working, go to Plan B and keep working toward a goal. How is an elephant eaten? One bite at a time. You know inside what you need to do. We are here for you.

Cathy

I had a "lightbulb" moment yesterday with my MIL .. I was clearing up the spare room when she came rushing over (she lives next door lol) telling me I HAVE to turn on Dr Oz .. he was discussing weight loss etc .. I started following her down the hall when I just put on the brakes and said to her why should I watch it?? I have found something that is working .. and EVERY time I read a book or watch another show about weight loss its always opposing what they said last week or last month or last year .. and they all seem generic .. "this is the best option .. " " this really works .. " blah blah blah

Unless we all suddenly turn into clones no program is going to work for all of us .. and not all parts of a program may work for the individual .. so its a case of FRANKENSTEIN rules lol .. take parts that work for you and create something that will sustain you, that you dont feel will make cravings unmanagable ... be open and honest, confront your issues and work out something that will make it possible for you to occasionally fall, but not allowing you to fall so far you land a lot further down that you need to go.

My biggest issue is chocolate & cookies ... I cant open a packet or a block without eating the whole thing .. I have tried again and again to just have a row .. or just a couple .. but before I know it the lot is gone and I am craving some more .. I have been known to eat a large block of chocolate, 3-4 chocolate bars and a packet of chocolate cookies in a sitting .. hard to feel bad with that much sugar going through me, but after it wore of I would swear again to never do that .. and while I havent gone to that extreme again .. its only because I havent had it all available at once again. Never went for a day without chocolate. So obviously THAT was the biggest hurdle I had to conquer. Its been almost 3 weeks since I had my last of either and while the first week was terrible (the headaches were the worst) it hasnt actually been too bad ... well .. today was a rough one but I got through it.

Im still sporadic in my eating practices, and exercise is still something I mean to do but dont get done very often .. but Im still winning .. even if I dont lose any weight a week or two .. I know I need to keep track of what I am doing because it would usually be the reason I would go off the rails and think .. well .. what does it matter lol ..

So focus on ONE issue .. work out a plan that you can work with happily and conquer that one .. it may not mean weight loss .. but this journey isnt all about losing the pounds .. its an internal battle just as much .. to get your inner self in the right place is the most important part, because unless it is .. then it wont matter what plan or regime you decide on .. it wont stick .. because you need to believe in YOU .. you need to count on YOU ... and you need to be able to kick yourself in the butt, not regret it, learn from it .. and start again in the morning ..

I find that the one thing my past failed weight loss attempts do for me is educate my on what I am and am not willing to do in eating. Look to your life and your history on what to eat/cut out, etc. I knew i couldn't do without chocolate so I haven't cut it out of my life, instead, I filled my fridge with frozen chocolate covered half bananas, and when I want chocolate I enjoy one! It's got a nice healthy banana in it, 130 calories and because its frozen it takes me awhile to eat. Other than that, I just started with slowly cutting back on portion size, drinking lots of water and adding veg - shooting for making half my plate veg and some of them green. Lately I have been cutting back on cheese - I will never cut it out completely, but I find a handful works as well as a 1/2 cup.

These might not be your ticket, Don't focus on a single diet plan yet, try em out if you want, you might find you enjoy new things or learn something, just start with simple sensible changes and you will be on a good footing.