Almost 4 years ago I hit my highest weight of 272. Ironically enough I met my partner at that time and we fell in love. I started losing weight because I was more active. Also, I was much happier and ate less. I got to a low of 221about 18 months or so ago. I've s-l-o-w-l-y been gaining the weigth back, although this passt year has been really, really bad. I'm up into the 240's although I have not weighed myself in a while so I don't know the exact number. I'm having a very hard time getting back on the wagon. However, my blood pressure has started creeping back up again and I'm afraid I will need to go back on blood pressure medication if I don't start losing again. Also, I will be starting nursing school in January ( hopefully! ) and I want to get good habits in place so that I won't pack the weight back on when the stress gets bad.

I'm just so disgusted with myself right now that I allowed this to happen. My partner is wonderful and wants me to be happy but is not great at supporting me in this. She doesn't see anything wrong with how I am now and I dont think she realizes how the extra weight makes me feel about myself.

Any suggestions on getting back on the wagon and pumping myself up for success?

Shannon

The best thing I can suggest is - plan out a week of healthy meals, go to the store buy the stuff, eat what's on your plan. After a week, reward yourself and repeat.You can do this!

Now is the best time to start -- You have not gained back all the weight you lost.

I would have a serious discussion with your partner -- be sure she is aware that you know she loves you no matter what you weigh (which is awesome) but you are not happy at your current weight and would like to be healthier.

Little steps, some extra exercise -- a nice walk every day would be great, cut out a few of the "not so good for you foods", maybe start writing down what you are eating to try to get a handle on where you need to work on it, etc.

You've done great before, you can do it again. Good luck

Hey! I'm wondering--is your partner also overweight/obese? That may have some bearing on her opinion.

Regardless of her support or lack of it, you know that you don't want your weight to go back up any further. It's about health and quality of life, not what your partner thinks.

Life is very different on a day-to-day basis when one is obese. Any task is terrifically harder--in my case it was like going through life with a 50 pound backpack strapped on. It has made a tremendous difference to lose weight--both in ease of daily life and in my health. Diabetes runs in my family, and I was on my way there. Now I'm not.

My partner is a normal-weight person and always has been. Right now she weighs 20 pounds less than I do, and she's two inches taller. She's never had to struggle with it. To lose weight, I had to separate her eating from mine. She makes delicious food that's high in carbs and fat, and it suits her body fine. We do go out to eat together, and sometimes we'll cook a dinner together, but it works best for us to make our own meals, generally.

Irishowl, you need a plan. If you like having some support to carry you on, you might look into Weight Watchers or TOPS. If you do better with something more flexible, simple calorie counting might be a choice. But start with something--maybe short-term goals of walking or other exercise/activity. You can do this!

Jay

Baby steps! that was how I got started. Then you body doesn't brace itself to say, "here we ago another diet" , First smaller steps like simply drink more water, and cut out/or even back on some obvious issues. (like if you eat out 2 or more time a week, cut the # of times in half , just an example) smaller changes just seem easier to handle and as you begin to feel better you will be adding more changes along the way and by then they won't seem so drastic.

You can do it! and good luck on the nursing school, I too applied for a program here and although I didn't get in, I will reapply and keep moving in the right direction.

best of luck!

Betsy

My partner has gained weight over the time that we've been together. She weighs less than I do. I don't know if that has any bearing on her opinion or not. She see's me struggle to lose weight and the frustration that goes with it and she hates to see me that way. I think that's more likely it because she hates to see me upset. BUT, she and I both know that if we are going to have a baby or 2 in the future that I need to lose weight in order to do that and be healthy.

Sadly I have a totally unused WW online membership.......time to use it!


Shannon

Make a plan just for today, focus on JUST today. You can do today. You can be healthy today. Don't think of the long run, don't worry about anything other than treating yourself right TODAY!

You can do this!

One day at a time is the way I did it. I lost 100 pounds about 13 yrs ago, and have maintained since then. (yeah, me! ) I focused on one or two changes at a time, but each change I made was a very basic and big one. I never expected to lose all the weight, let alone keep it off. After I 'd made a lot of my changes and had lost more than half of my weight, I found I'd been eating the Zone diet without even realizing (long story about how I found that out ) . So then I learned more abouth the Zone, and here I am, all these years later, still eating this way, maintaining my weight, and loving it! I'm not hungry, it's a very balanced diet, and it works! I eat 5 or 6 times a day , 3 big meals and snacks, and it's easy to do wherever I am, even on vacation. The hormonal control it gives goes a long way to eliminate hunger and cravings (my biggest problems in the past). I now have the freedom to enjoy eating while I stay at my ideal weight. Food is no longer the huge issue it once was for me. Their official web site (zonediet.com) is loaded with lots of helpful info. You may want to check it out.

Cheers Shannon!