Hello Everybody!!!

I am new to the forum. I'm new to the whole "foruming" world actually, but am grasping onto what support I can get. Any help, ideas, and encouragement are strongly encouraged and very welcome.

A little about me and my situation:
I moved to north jersey a while ago. Its the first time out on my own and needless to say, its incredibly stressful--emotionally, physically, everything. I do not go to school, but instead work full time as a nanny (which I LOVE). I am a very confident, free spirited young woman with a fiery passion for life. I met my boyfriend not long after I moved here, fell madly in love and moved in together quickly. However... since we've been together a mix between the stresses has aided in my gaining forty pounds. I've reached an all time weight high at 5'8" 230lbs, size 18 old navy jeans. I've never been thin, at my smallest in my teen years I was a very happy 160lb, size ten. I am a boredom/automatic eater. Being a nanny is similar to being a mom and during the day I began the bad habit of eating what I could get my hands on when i could get my hands on it. A granola bar in the car on the way to soccer, goldfish at the park, etc. Whatever was fast, easy, and available in my spare three seconds. My family history consists 90% of morbidly obese people, so my DNA has never helped my constant struggle. Also, in my early teens I was diagnosed with a knee disease called Patellar Femeral Syndrome which prohibits me from many different exercises and exercise equipment. So I cant just go to the gym or haul my big butt out for a run like other people can. Running a half mile can have me on crutches for a week--something that I just cant have with my job.

My boyfriend is extremely critical of my weight gain, which is very hard. I have no friends here in NJ and am basically all alone in my efforts. If anyone has any exercise tips, recipes, or support they could lend--- I'd be genuinely appreciative. With a little help, I am impressively at 211 (I say impressively because I've maintained that weight through the holidays!!!). I am looking to get back to my healthy size and weight. Thanks everybody!!! GROUP HUG!!!

Blondie.

Hey Jersey -- what part? I'm from Essex County.
Anyway, as for more important issues, it looks like you've already dropped lots of weight and good for you how have you done that? are there any types of exercise that you are comfortable with? And in my short experience as a nanny, the snacks are hard to deal with, but often you can burn some calories by lifting children
Last, I don't know anything except for the two paragraphs above that you wrote to describe yourself, but my hackles always get raised at the idea of a critical boyfriend. I'm just sayin. Is he perfect? Cause if so, then god bless, let him judge you till doomsday. But assuming he's not (you know, like, he's human), then he really has no right to criticize you.

Hey!! I'm your neighbour, I live in Bergen, right near the Essex border. To be honest... the last twenty pounds I've lost hardly show at all. I gain the vast majority of weight in my midsection. I've lost the weight due to some change in diet and, honestly.... I've been having a little help with prescription pills for the last three weeks. I have two weeks worth of the pills left and thats it. Also, I've been out of work for the last two months... so I'm hoping that with all of the diet changes I have made recently will show even better when I go back to work full time in ten days. I'll be working fifty hours a week with a toddler--so I know my activity level will increase significantly. The hard thing though, is finding exercise that I enjoy in North Jersey. The cost of living is ridiculous and after all the bills are paid... its hard to find the money AND the time to devote to fun, interesting physical activity. Everything costs so much! Its really frustrating.

PS... my boyfriend isn't perfect. But he's perfect for me . With all of the life changes going on he has been a tremendous support. He just is a man... and supports my weightloss in the irritating, unhelpful way most men tend to. He's not a jerk... I just am hoping to find support of a more.... umm.. supportive(?) kind. LoL!!!

blondebombshell - Welcome! How about signing up for the January Challenge (if you haven't already) and make a fitness goal for yourself. It's a start.

blondebombshell,

This is a great place for support and motivation.

Good luck!

Welcome Blonde. I'm trying to rack my brain for cardio that doesn't involve the knees and I have to admit, this is a tough one. When Dr. Roizen came to speak to my law firm a couple of months back I know that he strongly suggested walking for 30 minutes a day. Though, I do think it is supposed to be "brisk" walking. On the other hand, he also said it doesn't have to be 30 minutes at once, it just has to add up to 30 minutes.

Another idea is to use a rowing machine. If anything, you can skip the leg bend part altogether. I know that a rowing machine definitely gets me sweating. But, where in the world would you find one?

Hey Blondie!

Congrats on the weight loss and keeping it off. I'm currently 3 pounds above my ticker because of the holidays, but I'm back on plan. Anyway, I do have some helpful hints, I hope.

The part that is hardest on the knees isn't the bending them, it's the hitting of the ground when walking or running.

The rowing machine is a great exercise, so is the elliptical machine. I used it because I had shin splints and my friend did after ACL surgery. There's also the stationary bike. Another really cardio, but hard to find is swimming. Whenever I can, I swim.

Now would also be a good time to start tracking your calories. Write down everything that you eat and drink, everything. Including that breath mint. And from there try to eat 100 - 200 calories less a day. You can keep that until you stop losing weight, and then dropping some more calories.

Losing weight is an individual thing, so you have to find what works for you. I found that I need to feel full and not feel hungry in order to stay on plan. That means that I eat lots of lean protein (grilled chicken, salmon, egg white omelettes, tuna) with tons of veggies. I found that I really like eating this way.

I think that's the basic thing to look for. Don't think of it as a diet, think of it as something you want to do for the rest of your life. I know that at first it was hard for me to do this, but after a month my skin was absolutely clear. I haven't even had to use a face wash with salycilic acid for over half a year. My hair is healthier. I no longer need to use a crap load of moisturizers. Plus, I'm losing weight. I love this lifestyle change. I really hope you find one that you love as well.

Keep us posted!

Hi Blondie,

I'm new here, too, but I've already found that the people here at 3FC offer lots of great advice and encouragement in lots of different ways:

- The forums are great for when you need to connect with other adults on your own schedule, which is great for me because I freelance from home and don't leave the house very often during the work day. This might be a good fit for you since you spend a lot of time your time in a kid-zone :-)
- Challenges are a good way of reminding yourself of whatever goals you're currently working on. I'm doing the January challenge right now -- you can join in at any time!
- The community blog is a fun way to check in at lots of people at a glance, and you may find someone there who has a goal or situation there that's similar to your own.
- Hosting your own diet blog can help you work through your own issues with food at your own pace. I started mine just a little bit ago, but it's already been a really powerful tool for me as I shift from the "quick fix" mentality to one that stresses long term healthy living.

I've been lurking here at 3FC on and off for about five years (!) but just recently became an active participant. I chose to do so because, like you, I just had a move that brought on lots of stress. I have to say that the more involved you are in the community and the more honest you are about yourself, the more you'll get! Hope to see you around!