Well, not so new in years. I turned sixty last April. Seems impossible, but there it is. I've struggled with my weight all my life, sometimes staying on the slim side, and other times bulging at the seams. I went on a strict Atkins diet after my son was born (he's 25 now!) lost all my pregnancy weight and a few more pounds besides, and stayed at my ideal weight for seven years. Then a hot fudge sundae did me in. Seriously. That's all it took to set me off on a binge, and I gained about 20 pounds in a month. Then, over a couple more years, another ten or so. My ideal weight is right around 145 - 150. I weigh 186 now, and even my "big" clothes are too snug for comfort. OH! I quit smoking about three months ago! After 30 years! (I started when I was 30 - can you imagine???) ANYWAY, I've told myself that I'm *old* and it's OKAY to be the comfy, grandmotherly type with an expansive lap and all that, but it's just NOT okay. I'm so uncomfortable being too heavy. My husband (second - we've been together for five years) is very supportive, and caring, but also health conscious, and I know he'd be glad if I were more healthy and active. (So would I). Plus, I work at a job that requires me to spend a lot of time in meetings and so forth, and I'm not looking nearly as polished as I used to. I don't like that, either. So, I'm giving it another no-holds-barred try: I've told myself that I don't HAVE to be chunky just because I'm getting older, and I don't WANT to be. So, here I am, and thanks for listening.
Welcome! You sound like you are very motivated and you definetly have willpower (Giving up smoking after so many years-HOORAY!!!!) Good luck as you start your weightloss. Do you have plans on what you'll try to help you on your way? There are tons of groups for just about any plan you decide on. Have fun looking around and keep posting!
Hi Brandy! OMG! Have you actually already lost 55 pounds???? Congratulations!!! Thanks for the welcome. YES, I AM motivated. I'm figuring it's now or never. I can't go back to Atkins - I do REALLY well for a couple of weeks on it, drop maybe seven or eight pounds, and then start binging again and gain back more than I lost. I've been there, done that way too often, now. I have a real problem with portion control, which is why Atkins worked so well for me for those seven years that I was on it. I could fill up on protein. But now it's just not that satisfactory, and I find that I'm not so crazy about a lot of meat, anymore. I LOVE sweets - anything chocolate - which is my downfall. And, I've always hated drinking plain water, could never imagine drinking eight glasses a day like they say you should. But I've bitten the bullet, bought a case of Dasani, and I've been drinking 4 16-oz. bottles a day. Also made a big pot of cabbage and V-8 soup with onions, celery, mushrooms, black beans, and 93% lean hamburger in it - oh, and brown rice, too. I froze up about 9 containers full, and have been bringing it to work every day for lunch, along with 10 - count 'em, 10 wheat thin crackers. For supper, it's just been smaller servings of whatever I've cooked for my husband - and I'm working at feeding him healthier stuff, too - and no bread or starches, no sweets - definitely NO CHOCOLATE. I think I'm going to just kind of go with this for a while - no formal diet plan, I mean - and see what happens. Any suggestions are VERY welcome! Have a great day!
Portion control is basically how I've lost my wieght. I did a short stint of calorie counting, but I'm not good at keeping track. I do lots of exercise too. When I started I actually did 2 hours a day but now usually do about 1 and some days thats just my walking. Sweets are also my downfall. Basically, I try to stay away from them as I just end up binging. Weekends are also very hard for me as we seem to always have "something. For the water have you tried adding some lemon or lime juice to it? I do this sometimes just to mix it up a bit. Your eating plan seems healthy and varied. I know you'll do a great job.
Another new one...
Welcome!!
