Has anyone lost a lot of weight? - Weight Loss Message Board

jkoz · 06-17-2005, 04:50 PM

Hey All,

I am a classic yo-yo dieter and right now I an at the heaviest that I have ever been. I need to lose 50 pounds. I easily lost the weight in the past when I took the orginial Metabolife pills with the epheda in them. They do not make them any more, but even if they did, I would not take them again. In fact, I will not take any pill, prescription or OTC for weight loss. I do not believe that they work or are healthy.

So my question is to those of you who have lost a lot of weight - How did you do it? I am not blaming my weight gain on anyone or anything but myself. I am an emotonal eater. I do not over eat because I am hungry. I eat just to eat. I am a stay at home mom with three kids. My daughter is almost 11 and my boys are 14 and 6. Both of my boys are autistic, so there is a lot of stress around here. We live in the country and are not near a gym. All three kids are out of school for the summer so the stress is going to be continuous.

I know what I should do, eat less (smaller portions) and exercise. But knowing and doing is two different things. How did you get motivated and stay motivated to lose the weight that you wanted to?

Any advise, suggestions, and support is welcome.

nikki11 · 06-17-2005, 05:17 PM

Hi jkoz,

I have lost 40 pounds so far.. like you, im a stay at home mum with no accsess to a gym... It can be hard to get motivated and to stay motivated at times.. i really have had to be strict with myself, especially in the beginning but as the weight started comming off it got easier b'cos i could see what i was doing, was working and thats a great feeling.. i think the key is to stay focused, even on days when you dont feel like eating rabbit food or doing exersizes remembering that this time next year you are either going to be fatter or thinner that has helped me.. i actually heard that on dr phill lol but hes right! With two autistic children i am sure you have a bit of stress but perhaps if use exersise as an outlet for stress you will find it a helpful tool.. try and change the way u view exersise.. alot of it, i beleive is in the mind.. i know for years i said i hate exersize then one day i just made up my mind that i was going to like it even if it killed me LOL.. make it fun, put on music, dance around your living room.. even get the kids involved if ya want.. it can be enjoyable but ya gotta change ya mindset

FrogGurl · 06-17-2005, 07:32 PM

Jkoz

I let marriage get to me, in the fact that I gained about 30 pounds since being married 4.5 years ago. I was letting myself go, and it was not healthy. About 3 years ago I had wanted to lose a few pounds, so I stopped eating bread/cheese/pasta, and I lost 10 pounds (I forget how long it took me to lose it

), but then I got too cocky and started eating that stuff again and gained it all back, PLUS some! Last August I went jean shopping and just about had a stroke! I realized that I couldn't fit into my "regular size", and not even into the size above that one!! I said...ENOUGH! I need to do something! I was devestated! That very night I got a stability ball and a video and started at it. Although I wasn't very consistant in the beginning, and I've added a few new video's to my collection, since February 4th of this year I have lost a total of 24 pounds (so far), and in the last two months a total of 20.75 inches in arms, thighs, u&l abdomen, back, chest, butt and hips. My "regular size" jeans are now loose on me, especially in the butt area. Of course this isn't all from just exercise, although I do that on a regular basis-cardio/strength training/core work/stability ball. I had to totally makeover my eating habits. I started eating breakfast (which I never did), healthy snack (granola bar/fruit) @ 10-10:30, good lunch (tuna wrap), another healthy snack around 3-4p (fruit/pretzels), and then a sensible dinner (salad/tuna/fish w/brown rice or wheat pasta). I don't eat past 8 o'clock, and I am constantly downing bottles of water. I exercise 6 days a week, and allow myself a "cheat day" where I can eat the things I've craved all week, but still in moderation. This is what has worked for me, and I'm hoping it will continue to work for me until I reach my goal of 30-35 pounds. I was at 185 (I'm 5' 7 1/2"), now I'm at 161, but I want to be between 150 and 155.

My motivation has also been that I am in my best friend's wedding in a couple of weeks and I wanted to impress everyone back home (in MN), and look awesome for her wedding.

Sorry for babbling this huge story. I hope it is helpful somewhat.

God Bless <><
FrogGurl

jkoz · 06-18-2005, 10:37 AM

nikki11 -

Thanks for your suggestions and support. I like your motto about where will I be at this time next year, fat or thin. I chose thin, so I need to get my act together.

frog gurl -

Thanks for your suggestions and support too. What exercise videos do you use? I have not seen one for a ball and would be interested in one. I have some exercise videos, but I find that I get bored with them very quickly. Which ones do you like? I have an eliptical machine, but once again, it is the bordom factor. I know I need to change my eating habits. I do not eat breakfast and I HATE water. I can go for weeks without actually drinking a glass of water. YUCK!

Thanks again for your suggestions and support.

FrogGurl · 06-18-2005, 04:16 PM

Well....the first ball exercise video I got was called "BLT-Butt, Legs, and Tummy" and it is by Karen Voight. Then I got another video by Denise Austin that has a 20 minute routine with just hand weights, and another 20 minute routine with the ball. If you have cable, on FitTV there are a bunch of exercise routines on that involve the ball, and without the ball. I also purchased a Karen Voight video called "Burn and Firm" and it is a series of cardio/strength training. My newest collection is "Yoga Booty Ballet", which is a lot of fun. Mostly it involves ballet moves, dancing and ballet, and of course some yoga. The Karen Voight video's I got at Best Buy, and the one by Denise Austin, I got at Wal-Mart, and it's actually called "Shrink Your Female Fat Zones". I mix it up every day. I don't let my body get bored with one video. Just make sure you give your body areas some rest, like if you do the "BLT video" one night, then work your upper body the next day, or do a cardio circuit. Try not to work the same area two days in a row, it needs time to recooperate

I used to hate water too, but now my body craves it. You just gotta keep reminding yourself that it is helping rid your body of toxins, and helping you lose weight!!!

Get a filter for your faucet, that definitely helps. I won't drink water any other way now!

Hope I helped a little. If you have any more questions, let me know.

God Bless <><
FrogGurl