OT: Weight Loss

[KaydeeJayde]

Hey guys,

So, I've always been a little overweight, and I think it's all down to my anxiety, I eat when I'm anxious. I eat when I'm sad, I eat when I'm bored. Well, enough is enough, I refuse to be overweight anymore. I've put on a heap of weight lately. My feet are always hurting, my body always hurts, I'm unfit, and I have to shop for clothes in plus sized shops, and I don't look good in ANYTHING.

So I'm going to do something about it. I'm going to Weight Watchers. The thing is, I've always kind of had some reservations about going to WW at 20 years old. It's just not something someone so young should have to do. It makes me feel quite anxious. But I have to do it. I think that it'll make my social anxieties a little less severe, and I think I'll just feel better about myself, and I haven't felt good about myself in a long loooong time.

I really need to do it in a healthy way, otherwise I'm not going to succeed, and in saying that, does anyone have any healthy tips, or even any really healthy things that they eat?

So, if I can, I'm going to post my progress here. I kind of need something to keep me on track, otherwise I won't do what I need to. I've posted this on weight loss forums and stuff too, but I trust you guys a little more, I think...

Anyways, that's what I'm up to

[Rebecca85]

Probably the best advice I can give is do your own cooking. Home made versions are almost always healthier than ready bought, and it's easy to use less of the unhealthy stuff in recipes. For example, use cooking oil only if it's absolutely necessary- most meats have fat in anyway which will come out as you cook. If you do need to use fat, drain it off again before you do the next bit of your recipe. Use less meat and more vegetables. If you're short of time in the week, try to do some cooking at the weekends and freeze meals in takeaway style containers to defrost and heat when you want them.

[ButterfliesInHerEyes]

I think it's fantastic that you want to do something so good for yourself that will improve your health and your self-esteem. The fact that you're 20 and in WW is a plus, in my opinion. Would you rather wait until you're 40?

Some tips that you may find useful -

Drink only water and clear teas - without sugar or milk. You'll stay well-hydrated and you'd be surprised how many calories we get from what we drink!

Avoid artificial sweeteners. The sweet taste tricks your body into believing sugar is coming, so it releases insulin. Basically, artifical sweetners make your body react the same as if you were feeding it sugar, so they can actually cause you to gain weight. Research has been done on this, anyone interested can look it up.

Stay active. Just move your body. Get one of those pedometers and keep track of how many steps you take in a day. The suggested goal by fitness experts is working up to 10,000 steps a day. Wearing this little gadget enourages you to just keep moving, without having to join a gym or doing specific exercises if that's something you don't want to do.

Good luck! You can do it.

[KaydeeJayde]

Thanks guys! it makes me happy to have support here. Thank you so much! I'm going to post progress here I think, for me, as well, so that I can look back on how I've done

[harmonygirl72]

I go to Weight Watchers, too! I am happy to help in any way I can! Good luck!

[KaydeeJayde]

Thank you so much HarmonyGirl! <3

[harmonygirl72]

I also go to the message boards on the WW website, too. It's kind of like this with weight loss advice and support!

[KaydeeJayde]

Alright, so I had my first check in with Weight Watchers, and I'm less humiliated about it now, I'm really really excited! I'm feeling really positive about it, and I feel that I can do it! I have a heap of reading up to do, so I think I'm going to to do all of that tonight. I'm so so excited

[KaydeeJayde]

Eating has been going really well. I have a pretty high points limit, which is nice, and a good way to ease into it. The past few days I haven't even reached the limit.

I have a question for Harmonygirl, do you know if they prefer you to use up all your points in a day, or if it's okay if you fall short. My limit is 37, but today I've only eaten 17.5 because I got up late, had 'brunch' (really, lunch instead of breakfast because I was up to late) then dinner, and some fruit after dinner. Is that bad?

Still excited Feeling like I can do this!

[DoonDoon]

Livestrong's website has a great calorie counter (which I'm guessing is similar to the points system that you are currently using). I've been using it for almost 2 weeks now and I'm already losing weight! The "My Plate" feature is really great... it helps you visualize what you're putting into your body.

http://www.livestrong.com/

[crd08]

Eating healthy will make you feel soooo much better

Water, lots of water is my best piece of advice! And walks after dinner are nice too, help with the digestion and calming in general.

[KaydeeJayde]

Oh, when I was trying to lose weight by myself (I really admire you doing that, by the way, DoonDoon, I found it too difficult) I did give the Livestrong website a try. I just kept forgetting to use it.

Crdo8 - I drink lots of water! I started when I was finding my skin was awful, and I'm addicted. I do get a little bit sick of it being so flavourless though, so I drink it with lemon juice in it. And oh, walks after dinner, I always feel a bit sluggish after dinner, but I guess a walk would help that! Thank you for the advice!

[ann32]

lemon in water is great. try to stay away from as many carbs as you can...lots of protein, nuts, and raw veggies TONS of water. I loved weight watchers after I had my 2nd son...but I was told to use the alloted points and not go under them, bc its all a system.

[KaydeeJayde]

Alright, thanks I wasn't sure. I'm finding it REALLY hard to reach the points each day. I have an allowance of 37 at the moment, and sometimes I only get to 23 and I feel full... Oh well, thanks for the help

[harmonygirl72]

Yes, they do want to to eat all your points if you can. I wish I had that problem! I only get 29 and it is SO easy for me to go over!!

[KaydeeJayde]

I guess it might be because I'm only just starting, I'm not sure. But I was a little surprised that I got to have so many... Thanks though

[KaydeeJayde]

So I had my second meeting at WW today, and I'm so excited to find out that I lost 1.8kg in a week This is a great thing for me, because I was only expecting to have lost a teensy bit. So I'm very excited. It's not showing yet though, which I expected But yay!