Weight Issues and Support

Luba · 08-05-2007, 06:54 AM

I have been rather down on myself lately because I just haven't been able to lose the weight that I have put on, this year especially. It's been one of the most difficult years I've had in a long time with the Work situation and just general malaise at times. I'm watching my positive attitude dwindling as my weight creeps up. I realize I'm at a crossroads and I need help and support. I admit to being weak and craving icecream and other junk foods and eating them while my mind is in denial. It's weird how that works on me. I'm very unhappy for having excess weight, yet I fill a bowl of ice cream and eat it. Where is my self-control? It seems I've lost that, too.

So...I haven't had ice cream for two weeks. I exercised yesterday for two hours. Normally I would be very happy and proud of myself about that, but I just haven't been able to keep this up on a consistent basis. I exercise sporadically these days.

Saturday and Sunday afternoons are my downfall. I am trying to figure out why that is, and I think that goes a long way back. I just have such a desire to eat then and it's like the fridge has a magnet that draws me to it. Sometimes I can last until supper, but most times this year I haven't been able to.

I try to be more aware lately that I won't have chips or ice cream in the house, just more fruit.

So the reason I wrote this heartfelt post is if there is anyone having the same sort of problem, we can support each other for our victories, defeats, challenges, etc. Even a minor victory is better than nothing at all.

TKDLady · 08-05-2007, 07:49 AM

I am an emotional eater. I also stop eating for emotional reasons so my weight has yoyo'd a lot over the last 3+ years. I have also started drinking more which I know isn't good for me in so many other ways. Even my TKD has not provided me with the exercise it used to mostly because I don't have as many classes I can go to anymore. I used to go 4 nights a week. Then I started teaching for one of them. Then I decided I needed more time at home and quit one more night so now I only get 2 nights of exercise there. I could workout at home. I certainly know what to do but I have no motivation to do so. I prefer to sit on my computer and chat with you guys and other friends.

I would like to get myself into better shape before I go to South Dakota again next year. I am hoping to go back and visit my girlfriend and her cousin next year. I want to look good. Those are my goals. The problem is my sedentary job, the travel I am probably going to have for the rest of the year and lack of motivation. I will do my best to help you Luba. And I will try to get myself motivated to do something about it. For me, maybe if I already had my tickets for SD I would know I was going for sure and then I could get motivated to look good for the people I am visiting. Anyway, I am here for you Luba. Tell me what motivates you and I will help you.

Luba · 08-05-2007, 08:17 AM

Thank you SO much, tkdlady! You are SUCH a great friend!

I had no idea that I felt so much pain inside about gaining weight until I posted and asked for help! I went to write in my journal after posting that difficult message and cried! I feel like I'm at an AA meeting and getting up and saying, "Hello, I'm Luba and I'm getting fat".

It is SUCH a release when I asked for help which I find VERY hard to do. I was writing in my journal about it as a matter of fact. I never ask for help for my deepest fears and desires. Now I understand how difficult it is for people to open themselves up and admit their flaws. It was like I finally took the step to say "I can't do it alone anymore"...here come the tears again.

TKDLady · 08-05-2007, 08:21 AM

{{{{HUGS}}}}

I am here for you Luba.

Luba · 08-05-2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkdlady

{{{{HUGS}}}}

I am here for you Luba.

Thank you, and I am SO grateful!

Luba · 08-05-2007, 11:18 AM

Just wanted to post immediately after exercising while still perspiring and breathing hard; oh, what an exhilarating feeling! Oh, I am SO glad I posted about my problem; no matter what I've tried just wasn't working consistently UNTIL I let my guard down and chose to be vulnerable to expose my problem.

I exercised for an hour with weights, aerobics and stretching! I feel SO great!

However, it's STILL only morning and my vulnerable time comes in the afternoon. I'll probably post again then just to get some support to keep me away from having a sandwich. For some reason THAT's when I crave bread, too!

Thank you, tkdlady, for your support already! Duke, when you started on the road to living your dream of helping people with Lifesupporters, I bet you didn't think you would helping your own Mother! Thank you so much for that!

This is my first crucial step in what may be a life-changing pattern to better taking care of myself! My body has been silently screaming since I've been gaining the weight...I'm trying to listen better and honour my total self...

TKDLady · 08-05-2007, 06:21 PM

Don't overdo the first day. You will wear yourself out and then stop again. You should do about 30 minutes of aerobics every other day and weight lifting/toning the other days. Remember too that muscle weighs more than fat so don't weigh yourself every day. Once a week would be best and the best thing is to measure your body parts. That is where you will notice the changes. Good luck. I am here for you.

Luba · 08-06-2007, 09:03 AM

Well, I made it through yesterday afternoon without a beloved sandwich for a snack. Thanks for the advice on the toning, tkdlady, I have some great Kathy Smith tapes on that! I may even get out my Yoga tapes again! Had a great exercise session early this morning and my body is saying "thank you" once again!

TKDLady · 08-06-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luba

Well, I made it through yesterday afternoon without a beloved sandwich for a snack. Thanks for the advice on the toning, tkdlady, I have some great Kathy Smith tapes on that! I may even get out my Yoga tapes again! Had a great exercise session early this morning and my body is saying "thank you" once again!

Keep it up. I know you can do it. Picture yourself the way you want to be and you will get there. Put one of those calendars on your fridge that has those really, really large naked women on it so every time you hit the fridge you are reminded why you don't want to be there! I hope this doesn't get censored!

No offense to anyone who is suffering being overweight. I for one have no room to talk, just trying to encourage a friend.

Luba · 08-07-2007, 08:14 AM

tkdlady, I SO appreciate your support, it is helping SOOOOOO much!

This morning the last thing I wanted to do was get up and exercise after a GREAT long weekend, but I DID! As I was going into my 'exercise' room, I thought to myself "whoever said this was supposed to be easy" and it helped me get through the hour after which I felt totally GREAT! We have one body to last us a lifetime, why don't we take blessed care of it?

I used to exercise for a half hour, but that did nothing for me as I need to exercise until the sweat starts coming. LOVE the sweat! It brings with it such a high feeling that I believe even drugs can't bring. So for me it has to be an hour and it was done!

Luba · 08-07-2007, 08:15 AM

BTW, LOVE the idea of the large, naked woman...except my husband does the cooking and he may just NEVER open the fridge again....

Luba · 08-07-2007, 07:21 PM

I had about 50 peanuts yesterday which add up to 283.5 calories, I believe, according to a Website I found. That was my afternoon snack along with some grapes.

TKDLady · 08-07-2007, 08:59 PM

Very healthy snack. Keep up the good work Luba. I am here for you.

Luba · 08-08-2007, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkdlady

Very healthy snack. Keep up the good work Luba. I am here for you.

If you ONLY knew how much I appreciate your kind words and your incredible support...have I EVER told you what a GREAT friend you are!!!

I had another wonderful exercise session this morning where even my eyes were starting to fill with sweat!

In a little while I will also be going on my 2K walk which I never consider as exercise anymore because I do it so often and don't even think that, hey, it's also doing me good!