Fighting weight issues all my life--what are you supposed to do? - Obesity Message Board

hopetofeelwell1 · 05-14-2008, 03:34 PM

Hi all! This is my first time to this board and would like to put a question to everytone on the board. I have fought overweight most of my life, getting to a normal weight when I was in my teens and 20's and even my 30's, but I had a hysterectomy and have fought depression through the years. With these things happening, I gained quite a bit of weight after the hysterectomy and being on antidepressants also. I stopped smoking and that hasn't affected my weight at all. I'm 5'2" and weigh around 225-230. Some days from depression I'm just tired in general. I have somedays pushed myself to go out and walk and I'll be honest have not done any structured exercising. I can't afford a gym subscription, so it's up to me to move. My question is: If you're overweight to begin with(have a tendency to it) and have had health issues through the years, what are you supposed to do? I've tried watching what I eat but sometimes with the meds it's difficult because they can increase your appetite. My food is baked, broiled or boiled and it doesn't make a difference. I've shown elevated antithyroid antibodies on occasion so this might play a part in it too. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience or is currently suffering as well. Thanks so much--Hopeto--

Misty800 · 05-16-2008, 02:30 PM

Well, you are not alone!! I have fought the scales most of my life. I am 5'2" and reached 215 at one time.

I did lose 65 lbs a few years ago. I am also diabetic, hypothyroid, hypertension, IBS, fibromalgia. This is what I did.

Weighed and measured all my food: 3 oz. plain meat, 1/2 c. green veg, another 1/2 c. green veg for lunch and again for dinner. No snacks during the day. Breakfast was 2 Tbs. oatmeal cooked in water. Rest of the day I wore an "INVISIBLE ZIPPER IN CLOSED POSITION" over my mouth. I also walked 1-3 miles per day, usually 1 mi. after each meal. I waited 1 hr. after eating before walking.

When hungry between meals drink ice water.

The most important things were to measure food, drink lots of water, no starches or sweets, no nibbling before meals, while preparing meals, or between meals. The mental invisible zipper in closed position worked great.

It can be done, I did it.

I love food, love to nibble, etc. I would end up eating a meal's worth calories by nibbling on this and that while preparing the meal, then sit down and eat the meal.

Give the "MENTAL INVISIBLE ZIPPER" a try. It will work if you put your mind to it and it cost nothing.

For exercise you can use cans of food for dumbells. Sit on the floor and do exercises (yeah, I know you will laugh at this, but, give it a try. Roll over and pull yourself up by leaning on a chair or couch, etc.)

aussiejono · 05-16-2008, 08:29 PM

Have you considered gastric banding?

It isnt a major operation, and is reversible. If could turn your life around.

A less drastic step would be a few weeks on phentermine to help you drop some weight fast, and maintainance therapy with reductil to keep it off.

Reimche · 05-24-2008, 04:18 PM

Well, I'm not going to give advice - I'm going to sympathize. Because certain things work for certain people, but every individual on the planet is different when it comes to weight loss. There wouldn't be so many overweight people out there if diet and exercise gurus were on the right track.

When we find a way to properly treat people with depression, issues of low self-esteem, etc., we will go a long way towards finding the answer.

ItchyHere · 05-30-2008, 01:54 PM

Everyone knows, there is no magic pill or secret to loosing weight. Its about control of what you eat. I have been over weight most of my life and I know how to control it, its just a matter of doing it. I have researched and been on so many diets and lets face it, DIETS do not work. You need to change your lifestyle of eating. Surgery did not make you fat and yes it can help with you loosing it, but how long can you keep it off if you have issues with food??? I have met several people who have had the surgery and then gained it all back. Why?? They didn't deal with their food issues and were restricted as to what they could eat. I don't want that. I was and am gun ho to start a program this week, but thanks to eating something with RED DYE in it, I am putting it off for a few days till my face clears up. My face has broken out in hives and I look like some one beat me and I'll be honest, I don't want to focus on starting something when my head is concentrating on something else.

In reading and researching this lifestyle change, it has made a lot of sense to me and is something I will be incorporating into my life. Its called Eat Right 4 Your Blood Type. There are no pills or powders to make you thin. Its eating the right food for your blood type. I can and will eat real food, not packaged and processed food filled with crap. If it can be put in a food to make it last longer on the shelf, thats just scary. You don't want the food lasting in your body for years. You should eat and then eliminate it. Not have it stick around for years to come... gross!

Ok, off my soap box and off to wrap chicken breast to freeze (fresh ones)...