Hi,
I have posted a couple of times in forums here, but havent settled into one place. I enjoy learning and sharing with others in the same boat, and hope to share some of my own experiences.
A little about myself: I am 43, very overweight, diabetic (Type II) for the last 6 years. Have alternated losing weight and keeping sugar levels down, and ignoring diabetes and dealing with depression over the last six years. Last July (7.9.01 to be exact) decided to start taking care of myself (actually started last Sept. by starting therapy and dealing with depression/emotional issues first - but that is another story
Anyway, since July, I have lost about 45 lbs (hard to know exactly, high weight is on doctors scale, low on WW).
I just joined WW - but more for place to weigh in officially once a week. I do have a good scale at home, but do better if I stay off it. I am very disappointed with new point system at WW (old exchange system was much easier to stay on and stay in healthy food percentages - especially for diabetics - but it seems to work for some). I also find meetings frustrating - I understand food "tips" and recipes help those who cook, but seems kind of strange to spend an hour talking about nothing but food. The 2 leaders I have been to recently also rarely talk about exercize, and when they do, will preface talk with something cutesy, like "tonight we are going to talk about the evil E word..". Evil? Hard maybe, but thank god for exersize - even when I am not doing it, know it would be magic for me.
Anyway, exersize is fun for me and available in my daily schedule - for which I thank god. I know it is hard for some. I walk 50minutes (about 3.2miles) or swim about 2200M almost every day.
I track weight, inches, exersize - time/distance, and now blood sugar levels religiously. I am rather detail oriented (too much for some), but I find that SOMETHING improves every week and that helps keep motivation. Over 4 times losing lots of weight has taught me 2 things: inches seem to come off on weeks weight loss is slowest and walking (fast) takes of inches faster than running.
New for this round of weight loss is the testing BS. Doctor says just do 1 or 2 times a day, but I find doing it before all meals and 2 hours after several meals keeps me motivated - and any planned or unplanned cheating to only 1 meal (versus up to several days if 1nce a week weigh-in is only check).
Sorry this is so long - guess I want to get everything down in one post.
Later.
Laurel