[Twice]

Hi and Happy New Year!

My name is Bev and I've been shyly lurking here on and off for a couple of months.

I dont own a scale so I never realized exactly how much weight I'd gained until I lost my job last month and needed to go clothes shopping. It's strange how you can look at yourself in the mirror every day and not really see what's right in front of you. It's almost like I became invisible if that's possible.

I've had some back issues that caused me to become basicly immobile. My back was operated on twice in one year. Prior to my first surgery, when things got to the point where I could not walk, my job moved my office to my home. I was able to wear sweats, pajamas... you know... *comfy clothes*. Then in October the company filed for bankruptcy and I found myself back on the job market for the first time in 6 years. I went to my closet to get out the interview clothes and...... yeah.... couldnt even get my leg in. I went shopping and wanted to die when I found that I needed a size 22 pants. I'd become twice the person I was before my back blew up.

I knew I'd gained weight. One of my doctors said "boiled chicken is going to turn to fat if you're stuck in a chair". I just didnt realize how much!

So anyway. I am still in recovery. There are days that I'm still reaching for the pain pills but it's not every day anymore. I think now is a good time to start finding myself again and I think the best place to start looking is under all this fat. I'm sure my back will recover quicker if it didnt have so much weight to carry too.

So here's to today. My first day. I'm not sure what I'm doing yet but I think I've found that HERE ... this site ... is a good place to start.

Thanks for having me

[Lovely]

Hi Bev!

or at least, welcome to posting

It happens to everyone. When we don't have a definite way to monitor our weight... it goes up.

I'm so happy you've decided to start posting and doing something. I know your doctor said "boiled chicken" would turn into fat, but I think that the one thing you can do to help out is to track what you do eat, and begin by limiting the amount. Calorie count, or point count or carb count. Something.

You eat right, and the weight will start to come off. Do what you can!

All the best of success!

[CountingDown]

Glad you joined us!
I'm another one that never stepped on the scale - for YEARS!

3FC is a great resource for getting healthy and fit. What a blessing this site has been for me!

I look forward to getting to know you better

[forme01]

Welcome!
I too have been conveniently ignoring my weight gain over the past few years. It's time to take care of us. I wish you every success. Hope to see you around.

[Twice]

I dont know if I ignored my weight gain, or I was so busy with the other broken parts of my body just I just didnt pay attention. When I really think about it I honestly dont think I even saw it. Sweat pants every day - no zippers to suck it in for. I knew I wasnt exercising but I wasnt eating cheesecake or big macs so I thought I was ok.

I dont want to think about it anymore. I want to change it.

Thanks for the welcome. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better.

[NightengaleShane]

Howdy, Bev! !!

I can completely commisserate with you on not owning a scale and then gaining weight without having a single idea how much.

I hadn't weighed myself for about a year. I knew I gained weight, but had no idea how much. The last time I weighed myself, I was around 130 pounds. I knew that I was no longer 130 pounds (hardly any of my clothes fit ), but I thought I was probably around 145 or 155. Everyone told me they thought I was within that vacinity. I thought to myself, "Ok, I am bigger than I'd like to be, but I am not by any means fat" until I stepped on the scale at Publix and saw big ol' 180 staring back at me I freaked out and told myself that number could not possibly be accurate -- how could I weigh as much as MY DAD??!?!?!? I denied the big number for a month or two more, then faced the music, bought a scale, humiliated myself by telling everyone I weighed 175 (180 with clothes and shoes but 175 without), and then proceeded to change my life.

Are you able to do any form of exercise now? are you seeing a physical therapist?

Also, feel free to post in the Dieting With Obstacles forum -- there are several others there with varying degrees of physical limitation who are successfully losing weight.

[RN BSN 2009]

to the site bev!

Just like you I did have back problems and had one operation. It is tough, but strong ab muscles are what we need to keep the back healthy. Look forward to seeing you around!!