Down on myself...don't usually share, but think I need to.

I have never felt so down about my weight. I know a lot of things led to the gain after my wedding. Being free of dieting for the wedding. I moved to a remote location for work where I had to eat whatever they gave me. Because of the remote location, we all had a few drinks every night. 2 drinks a night will add weight like nobody's business. then, i left the job because it made me miserable, and was not working for 2 months -- even more miserable. depressed, so ate more. then by the time summer was over and i had to get out of flowy sun-dresses and into real clothes, I suddenly didn't fit in them anymore! I didn't fit into anything resembling pants anymore.
Still there, not making time for myself for working out. I eat healthy food, just too much of it. We buy at the farmer's markets and organic, fresh, unprocessed food. I just seem to eat when I am bored, depressed, or whatever. and now my appetite is too big. I feel like I am starving if I eat a reasonable amount. and, i can't seem to just leave it at starving for long enough that my tummy shrinks back to a reasonable size. when home, I don't make time to exercise.
I have never felt so down about my weight or my ability to control it.

What diet are you doing now, still on Atkins? I know that you didn't ask but a suggestion to start off again is to take time for yourself each day and get in the habit of logging everything that you eat.

Hey there! Your post caught my eye. In the past year I went from 135 to 180! I have some medical issues, but I can relate to your circumstances.... I have an entire closet full of clothes that no longer fit, I feel crappy about myself, and have been HIGHLY unmotivated to do anything about my weight gain. I finally had a breakthrough moment about 3 weeks ago. I am now making good progress- and am especially happy to have been turned on to fatsecret! I agree with Veghead.... start logging everything in... and if it's ok for me to make another suggestion- set one simple exercise goal a day (my weakest link- so it 's at the front of my mind) and start logging your "personal best efforts" toward stronger and stronger calorie burning! I'm cheering you on! Ann

I am a broke struggling college student. I can relate how it feels to be out of control about dieting. the PCOS makes it even worse still. Just log in everything you eat (oh yeah it gets annoying) but you can jump back on the wagon!

Hi, just like AnnieMsnow, I but on weight a couple of years ago - medical reasons - and and only now getting it off. It took me forever just to get motivated, but I slowly came around by picking up magazines (my preference is muscle mags) but Muscle&Fitness for Her, Oxygen etc are a good start. Try to surround yourself with people like the people you will find on here - this is a great start for you! I am also I web member of bodybuilding.com, and its not just about men and muscle - it covers the gamut with tons of info on nutrition, exercise plans, forums etc. Keep moving too! I find I stuff my mouth when I am sitting, bored. Go for a casual walk, re-organize your kitchen cupboards, fridge and toss out the crap and make a grocery list of health alternative snacks - they make great tasting protein shakes nowadays ...add a banana, a dollop of natural almond butter, a teaspoon of flax seed oil and a tablespoon of wheat germ ... tastes awesome and will give you energy and keep you satisfied until your next meal. You can do it!

Logging in everything that you eat definitely helps. When I started doing that, I was amazed at how much I must have been eating before I started with FarSecret. I weigh myself once a week, and have seen a steady decline (except for a minor "burp" over Thanksgiving, with "Aunt Flo" visiting at the same time!) I find that I'm becoming a little competitive with myself. Hang in there.....slow and steady is the healthy way to win this thing!

I have not been on any diet at all. Just concentrating on eating fresh local food mainly. I think my time at my remote job, where dessert was served breakfast and lunch and daily drinking (not excessive, just 2 per day -- still to much of course but not getting 'drunk' or anything) added up to some weight gain.

then, came home and still having daily drinks...cause it was summer and i was off. so, i think that in itself was a big contributor. Empty calories for sure.

Now, I have been concentrating again on local, fresh, non-processed foods. Home made things. traditional eating. BUT, still having wine or cider many nights of the week. And, portions have been too large.

I think you are all right. I need to get back to tracking every days food. that in itself helps me. I got off the wagon and need to get back on. The past 2 days I have committed to 15 or more minutes per day on the treadmill. But, a minimum of 15 minutes per day, no matter what. I figure anyone, even me, has that spare 15 minutes. So, i will see if that helps.

I do want to keep with the fresh local food as much as possible for ethical and health and environmental reasons. but that can't be the cause of the weight gain. i am certian it is the combination of larger portion sizes, alcohol, and no exercise. I mean, we all know that don't we? I just need to commit to some changes, and as you all have said, take it slow and don't expect it all to happen in one day.

Annie -- don't you hate the no clothes problem! I think it really adds to the depression about the weight problem.

SO, I wore my lululemon pants out the other day because I can't find any jeans that fit, and am determined to do better this week.

Thanks to all for your encouragment, ideas and support. It sure helped to see that others responded or were in similar situations.

Good luck to all of us!

Dear Maeve3313. You will probably find that most people in our position get the way you are feeling right now. I know I do. So you are not alone dear. Feel free to pop a message to me if you are down. I'll shout you a glass of water and we'll chat. Stay beautiful, stay strong.
MM

On the bright side, Maeve, you seem to have a good handle on what caused your weight gain and what you need to do to fix it. You've also getting in what exercise you can and not falling into the all or nothing mentality (ie, if I can't get to the gym an our a day, then I might as well do nothing- big mistake!) Now you just need to act on it. Channel all your frustrations with your current weight into a healthy new routine! You can do this!

THANKS all! Just heading to the garage to pop onto the treadmill now. Tracked all my food so far today, and after tonight's 'bad' dinner (hubby wants a last kick at the can) of local organic sausage on artisan buns with home made coleslaw with vinagrette dressing and some organic over 'fries' then tomorrow will be a little smaller portions.

Tonight is the last of the organic local-made cider too, and it won't be replaced!

I thought back and hubby and I have been 'treating' ourselves to going out for lunch or dinner several times a month (probably 4-6) and I think if we treated ourselves (and the dog!) to a walk in the woods by the falls or something else, we would be doing better.

Thanks again for all the encouragement, it has helped!

Terrific idea maeve, take fido for a walk, he love it. Ha ha.

I have a toy dog and she's a little shy of walking, but not of late, she and I takle those nasty streets together. Hee hee.

Have a good workout.

i have a little dog too -- mini dachshund -- but she likes walking.

hit the tread mill for 50 minutes, 10 was jogging, so feeling pretty good right now!

THANK YOU everyone!

maeve3313, congrats. You've done more than me. Ha ha. I should go and do a workout now.

well, maybe we can encourage each other!

Up until the wedding I was running 3 days a week aruond 10 km per run, then stopped when the move to the remote location came. Didn't have my group anymore. Now my group wants me to come back, but I can't keep up with them yet. So, the goal is that by January I can re-join them for some runs again.

Take that scared dog out for a drag around on the leash! LOL

Thought that I would check in to see how you are doing. Looks like you are on top of it.

That must have been some really good cider. Probably a good thing that it is done for the season. lol


Going out to eat is fine every now and then just don't want to overdo it. Your wallet will thank you. When you cook a meal yourself you know everything that goes into it and have control. If you trade eating out to dining in then afterwards a walk in the park, idk sounds romantic to me.


Getting back to running with your friends is a great idea, it's something to look forward to and very motivational. I'm sure your friends are looking forward to you joining them.


Where I live the best produce comes from the farmers market, the Mennonites have the absolute best, but we can only get it during the summer. You are so lucky to still be able to buy from there.


Excersizing and portion control will be key for you as this is a small change that you can do for the rest of your life.


Good luck!

Thanks veghead! It WAS good cider Local of course, from Vancouver Island produced about 1.5 hrs away from where I live.

We had farmers market until Dec. 3rd this year here, but the local farmers still do gate sales all year round, just the market doesn't run. I get stuck buying some produce at the grocery store to supplement at this time of year for things I just don't want to do without. But all meat and eggs still come from local farms.

When we eat out, we support restaurants that use local food producers (we have about 4 here locally -- really lucky) so at least i feel like I am supporting something I ethically want to. now just to tame that with doing it less, don't have the cider on the side, and maybe skip or reduce the sauces...

Did 15 minutes on the treadmill today, WAY down on portions today. So, you have ALL helped me.

I feel like I went to confession and now my conscience is clear to start fresh again!

No clothes that fit? A couple of years ago I weighed 135. Now the only thing I feel comfortable in are caftans. They hide all sorts of things. So I'm trying to log every bite, & munching celery. 3 stalks = 16 cal. It seems to help with the "urge to chew". Good luck to you. You are not alone.