I have been lurking on here for quite some time. I have finally gained enough courage to take the time to join, introduce myself, tell you a bit of my story and hope to gain some insight, support, and give support to others who are on the same journey as I am. This post will probably be all over the place as I am entirely nervous.
I am 28 years old. I am extremely shy and self conscious. I always have been, as I have been picked on almost all of my life for being fat and ugly. My husband and I were married 12/31/09. January 5, 2010 in North Carolina, my husband underwent emergency surgery. After a week he was well enough that I drove him home to Michigan, where I was scheduled to go to the doctors for some problems that I had been having. On January 21st, I went in and learned that I had had a missed miscarriage, and had to go through labor and delivery. I then learned that the reason for the miscarriage was that there was a mass between the placenta and uterus. I had to have that removed. Once the results came back I learned that it was cancerous. I went through treatment while remaining out on the road with my husband. During the treatment I gained over 60 pounds between depression and the medications I was given.
When I started my weight loss journey one year ago. At that time I was 268 pounds. Today, I am at 207. My next goal is 170, and at this point my goal is 150. I know that it is still heavy for my height, but it is what I feel I will be comfortable with, and it is a lot better than what I started out at. So far I have seen a difference in the number on the scale, but not really in the way I look. I still sit and pick and poke at things, and find many things that I do not like, that I hope will change as I lose weight.
My husband and I are truck drivers. We don't do normal trucking, we do specialized emergency stuff. We do not have regular hours, and definitely do not have any type of schedule. We have a small dorm sized refrigerator, and a microwave in our truck. First challenge, I can not really cook too many of our meals, as I have a limited space to do things in, therefore, unfortunately most of our meals are prepared meals bought from the grocery store. Second challenge, since we have limited space, I don't have much space for working out, unless it is something I can do while laying in bed. I can not even stretch out on the floor, and I am only 4'10.
I guess this is enough ramblings for right now, as I am sure that you get the idea. I hope to gain more insight, and be able to share with others.
Welcome Wanderer! Sounds like you have been through a lot. It is amazing that you have come through all of that and landed in a place where you can tackle weight loss.
I am limited in my cooking too because I cannot afford to fix my broken stove. I have the burner elements and a microwave. Do you have a freezer? One of my go to meals is meatballs and salad. I buy the pre-mixed, pre-washed salad in a box and frozen lean, reduced salt Italian meatballs so it is super easy. I also buy Lean Cuisine type meals and add steamed (in the microwave) veggies.
You have already lost quite a bit so clearly you have found some success, even with your limited kitchen. I would love to know your tips and tricks!
Hi, wanderer! You're really doing well. Have you thought about getting a lunchbox cooker or crockpot that you could plug into your inverter? You could prepare all sorts of stews and casserole type dishes in it which would be far more nutritious and healthier than truck stop fare. Cheaper, too. You can also keep a small assortment of fresh fruits and veggies in your fridge for snacking.
As for exercise, provided you're parked in a safe area, you could try walking laps around your truck. (Thirty-one laps equal one mile.) And if your husband is willing, maybe you could park on the outskirts of the truck stop and the two of you could step it off to and from to the building. I've known drivers who carry bicycles, strap weights onto the catwalk, and even one friend carries rollerblades. Your options are somewhat limited, but with some creativity and planning, it can be done.
You are a fighter. You have come a long way and you have already succeeded in getting rid of 61lbs. Wish you all the best for the next phase of your weight loss journey!!
Even I am new here. We are almost at the same SW now. I am sure we can do it.......
Congratulations on your journey so far. Wow you have had a lot to deal with. I'm new here too and wish you all the best for the rest of your weight loss.
Thank you everyone for the welcome and suggestions. My husband and I talked a bit this morning, after I read him some of the comments from here. He is very supportive of me, and we agreed that we would start doing more excersing that what we have been. When we started on this journey last year, we started parking as far away from things as we could and walking more. Now when we are able to, we will be taking more walks. We are also considering a gym membership, somewhere that is nationwide, into the areas we frequent a bit more. As for a bike, I can't ride one, nor can I rollerblade. I am pretty ungraceful in the balance department.
Newbie with a different lifestyle
