Hello everyone....I'm Cynthia...I just happened to see this website addy in a magazine article...I think it was fate...I was just told by my doctor yesterday that I am Diabetic,I have hypertension, and my cholesterol is through the roof....The first thing she said was that she was going to schedule me for Gastro Bypass....I quickly said no...She said I didn't understand....I need to lose alot of weight.(her words) I told her that I got myself into this mess...I'll get myself out...(brave words) Ok...Now I'm scared. Panic has set in...I look in my cupboards and the fridge...How do I change?? I walked 30 mins yesterday evening...Tonite too, after dinner...Do I cut everything out cold turkey or gradually? I really don't have the support I need here...I really need you all....She said I need to lose 100 lbs...I weighed in at 226 yesterday...I'm a mess....Thank you for being here...Cyn

First of all...hugs to you. Second of all....I can't believe your dr. was forcing that surgery on you. I thought dr.'s are supposed to first encourage you to lose weight on your own. Maybe she's a wonderful dr., but just by reading the post, it just made me wonder about her methods. You sound like a sweetheart! I don't think you should try to do this all in one day. Walking twice today is wonderful, but you also need a real plan. Do any of the diets appeal to you? Some people like Weight Watchers, others like SouthBeach. Personally, I'm a calorie counter. I suggest you start out by doing a google search for Resting Metabolic Rate. That way, you'll calculate how many calories your body burns when staying in bed all day. Then, try to eat a few hundred calories less than that each day. Then, be sure to workout. Set up small goals for yourself and increase your workouts a bit on a weekly basis. This is a good time to invest in a personal trainer (if you can at all afford it). Remember, this is not a sprint, but a marathon.

Welcome, Cyn62!

Sorry to hear that your weight is causing you health problems. Like many of us here, I'm sure you'll find that as you stick to whatever meal/exercise plan you choose, those problems will lessen and maybe even disappear!

It seems like whatever plan you choose, consistency is the key. Nobody here is perfectly on plan every single day, but we're all losing, little bit by little bit. I've been on the Weight Watchers Flex plan since 1/5/08, and I've lost nearly 40lbs so far. And trust me, if I can do it, anyone can.

Always remember that the folks here are great for providing that extra little bit of support when you need it. I come here every day, sometimes I just lurk and other times I post, because the folks here know exactly what I'm going through. They can give me a lift if I need one, and they also want to celebrate all of the small victories that keep me going. So, come back often and post. Having a support network like this one makes the journey almost fun!

welcome!...take time and find your "spot" here!

Welcome aboard, love!

I have to say, scheduling gastric bypass surgery for you sounds like a total crock of sh*t. You can lose the weight, love - you just need to really be motivated, and stick to your plan.

There are lots of good weightloss plans, and different plans work for different people. I'm following Low Carb (pretty much Atkins) and finding it very successful and doable - having weighed in at 240lb at the start of January I'm now down almost 40lb without it feeling like it's been a chore, or like I've been denying myself. I'm enjoying the food I eat, and I'm trying to work in more exercise too - and, my God, I feel SO MUCH BETTER already, even though I've still got a long way to go.

You can do this. Don't freak out, don't feel like you have to do it all in one day. Check out some different approaches - I'd say look at Weight Watchers, at Calorie Counting and at Low Carb to start with, and ask yourself which approach you think would fit in with YOUR lifestyle and YOUR strengths and weaknesses the best. And then choose a plan and try it for a month or two.

I would HIGHLY recommend the south beach diet. It was designed by a cardiologist specifically for people like you. The diet is based on the glycemic index which will get your diabetes and blood sugar under controll. The book also does a FANTASTIC job of explaining what diffrent foods do to your body and why certain foods screw up your blood sugar and others don't.

If you don't choose this plan...I would definately make sure you are on A plan. Don't leave yourself to your own devices or just decide to eat less...have a clear cut eating plan designed by someone who knows something on the topic.

Hi there, welcome!

Firstly, just based on what you wrote, you made the right decision refusing the Gastric Bypass; you absolutely can lose the weight all by yourself! People here have lost enormous amounts of weight all naturally and you can too! And I think you did the right thing getting some exercise yesterday too -- you don't have to start out running 5 miles; walking a half hour is great at first and you can build on that over time.

Also, I agree with catherine999 -- if you feel at a loss, don't try to invent your own diet plan. Do some research online and then get a diet book like South Beach, Atkins or join Weight Watchers, or something and get a plan; let the dieticians do the planning for you, especially at this phase! Good luck!

I am going to have a slightly different take here...rather than just recommending South Beach, Weight Watchers, or another plan...I am going to ask that you see a nutritionist, dietician, or a doctor who specializes in diabetes. Please ask your doctor for a referral.

The reason for this, is that every diabetic is different. You need nutritional advice from someone familiar with your situation, and you personally. Some diabetics have to go on low carb programs, while others have calorie specific exchange programs. (Such as an 1800 calorie diet, where they are supposed to have so much starch, protein, vegetable, etc. at each meal...)

Because of a medical issue, you need to work for a while with someone who can monitor you a little more closely-a book, or a weight loss group leader is going to be uncapable of doing this.

All advice aside I think you're very commendable to take this route in weight loss! I think in the end it's something that you'll feel really great to have achieved and I wish you the greatest of luck whichever way you choose to go about losing weight!

I just wanna say

I agree with Aphil that you should see a specialist just because of your possible medical problems.

READ READ READ. You can get all the current diet books from the library. They can order the books not on the shelves from other libraries. You will get an idea of how the various plans work and which ones appeal to you. It is very important that you like your food plan.

Remember that loosing 10% of your body weight is enough to bring about some improvement, healthwise. So, don't get discouraged by 100lbs - think in terms of improving your health 10% at a time. Don't try to do everything at once!

The following are books that I bought after reading them from the library. I have others, but I find these particularly useful/inspiring.

Thin for Life, by Anne M. Fletcher
The Volumetrics Weight Control Plan, Barbara Rolls, PhD and Robert A Barnett
Small Changes Big Results, Ellie Krieger, MS, RD
The Eating Well Diet, Dr. Jean Harvey-Berino, PhD, RD

I don't really have anything to add. Folks have given you excellent advice already.
What I did want to say was, I second gailr42's suggestion about this book Thin for Life, by Anne M. Fletcher. The author interview dozens of people who lost weight and kept it off. Good practical stuff!

I want to third Aphil's advice, and also say

Can't wait to get to know you better!

Can I third Aphil's suggestion? I'm a nurse, and if you're diabetic you need a diabetic class because you have special needs. Just a diet isn't going to do it for you. Usually the Dr. will recommend this and insurance pays for it. Since she didn't, call her and ask about it. The Diabetic Association also has some good information. But, first, see a nutritionist!!!