Dont know how to start......

3

31yearoldmom

New member
I have not ever been this overweight (85 pounds) I am afraid to face anyone, I avoid people because I know what they are thinking, and I am too overweight to go to the gym (I know stupid but true). I am a soda addict and every time I try to quit drinking soda I get raging headaches. something about turning 30 sent me into a fat spiral!
 
1. You don't know what others are thinking.

2. How about starting with very small steps. What can you reasonably start doing that will contribute to your health/weight? How about walks on a daily basis and consciously making better food choices?
 
Well Hello Mom!

No worries! Check out the stickie threads on exercise and nurtition and you will get an idea of where to start. As for the soda, you may try just cutting back instead of going cold turkey to aviod the ill side effects.

The majority of people know what its like to be overweight and the challenges we face being overweight... such as self-esteem and confidence issues. And I will agree the gym can be an intimiding place, but you can start by just moving a little more each day, like going for little walks. And then once you start to feel better you will be more apt for trying new things.. like going to the gym... but you can workout at home too.

This forum is full of great info and amazing people. You will find the support and motivation you need to reach your goals. And remember you can always ask questions!

Welcome and good luck!
~MissD
 
soda is doing you absolutely no good at all - the headaches will go away once the caffeine is out of your system - after a few days...

Start by reeading thu the stickied threads i this forum - especially ontopic and nutrition - and then exercise.. it'll give you a good foundation for formulating aplan.

Get an account at to keep track of your calories and learn what a portion size is - weigh and measure what you put in your mouth.

And above all - ask yourself WHY you want to lose weight.. nd keep that as your motivation
 
I am too overweight to go to the gym (I know stupid but true)
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At 85lbs over weight you should be able to get through the door. If the gym has other prerequisites I would look for another gym.
 
yes i know i can fit through the door. However; it is very intimidating to me to be the fat chick in the gym where all the other people are nice and fit. I know you are probably thinking it is an excuse and you are probably right. I have recently struggled with weight for the first time and i think i will run into people and they will look at me with pity and feel sorry for me. I am working on it I promise!
 
31yearoldmom said:
yes i know i can fit through the door. However; it is very intimidating to me to be the fat chick in the gym where all the other people are nice and fit. I know you are probably thinking it is an excuse and you are probably right. I have recently struggled with weight for the first time and i think i will run into people and they will look at me with pity and feel sorry for me. I am working on it I promise!
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Blah the hell with them. You do you, they can take a hike. I understand the intimidation. I feel it when I am doing my bench press and some pulls up the bench next to me and loads it up with twice as much as I am benching. The insecurities you feel now will make it all the more satisfying when you drop 50 lbs and all those people you "thought" were laughing at you start complimenting you.
 
Oh one other thing I have realized about gym people. If you lurk around some fitness forums they will almost always have "things you see in the gym" thread where people make fun of people in the gym. I have noticed that they never make fun of or laugh at the people that are overweight, weak, and unattractive. Its always the "curl monkeys" flexing in the mirrors and curling in the squat rack or the "cardio bunnies" who talk on their cell phones while jogging to nowhere in their sports bras that get all the flak.
 
I think gyms are intimidating in general... most of them are soo big you can get lost! You might look into a "jill" or a gym for women only... like curves or something of the like. My mom likes the "jill" over the gym because there are many women just like her who have the same insercurities!

And as for the hot weather it can be a drag... but you can even walk around your house or while you are on the phone.
 
Mom - getting rid of the pop will help, but each day cut just cut one from your diet. Let's say you drink 10 a day. So tomorrow drink 9, then 8 the next, then 7 until you cut back to 1, then do a half, then a quarter and then bingo you're off of the caffeine will very little side effect to it. So what if it takes two weeks, it's better than suffering and you are improving each day.

As to the gym. I joined one in April. There are people of all sizes there. I end up going middle of the day mostly as that is what works for me, so maybe a different hours you would see different things, but on average, I see about and equal amount of heavy vs. thin. Also, if you join a gym that has personal trainers, they can give you a good program to get started with, its really not as bad as you think.

Another poster mentioned who gets the flack at gyms and I believe they are very right about that. I've never seen or heard a heavy person getting any flack at all.

you can do this, don't be afraid, it's a lot of work, but very doable.
 
thanks, cutting back daily seems like it would be best. I am usually an all or nothing girl because i am anxious for results! gaining an ounce of energy at this point would be SO awesome!
 
going to the gym can be really intimidating, but once you actually go once it gets easier. maybe just go and sit outside the gym for a couple of days and then in a week or so when you get sick of sitting outside you will go in and realize it isnt so bad ( this worked for me)
 
Listen

If I can break the soda habit, surely you can. I have never seen anyone drink as much Dr. Pepper as me. My husband, who also likes Dr. Pepper would say things about my "addiction" to it. Not only was I addicted to Dr. Pepper, I had to take Goody Powders almost on a daily basis because of the headaches from withdrawals.

You are just going to have to get it out of your house. That is the only thing I could do. Take a bottled water with you everywhere you go so you can fight the temptation at the machines and such. I know it is hard! I just stopped drinking them 2 weeks ago and maybe the first 2 days I had a headache but I have not had ONE headache since.

About the gym: take some type of MP3 player and listen to Weezers "Pork & Beans" concentrate on the words and apply it to your situation. If you happen to see or hear anyone talking about you, let that fuel your desire to make the changes you know you need to make. I was that person back in 1997; I had become about 30 lbs overweight (that was the start of my thyroid nightmare) and I had a CRAPPY treadmill at home. One step down and it would have been one of those without the motor, haha. Anyway, I tried using it and it plus the pressure to lose the weight was so discouraging. I would run and cry at the same time and my husband would be right there telling me to get mad, get so mad and just run, run, run. I finally bought a gym package and I came in 6 days a week, rain or shine. It felt so good to walk back in there 3 months later at 30 lbs. lighter. Don't let other people discourage you. Let it get to you in a constructive way, not a destructive way.
 
you can do it

Hi,
You can stop the sodas. I took a class at a church last year called Devoted Bodies and it talks about the all the unhealthy things we put into our bodies. Soda is basically useless. It has no nutrional value at all. I know it is hard because I too was addicted to sodas. I will tell you that I have noticed a huge difference and that was just within days of trying it. Yes I got the headaches, the grouchiness, etc. but guess what? Now when I do have a soda, they taste yucky and I get all the symptoms back. Without soda I have much less headaches. I used to take ibuprofen all day because I had such bad headaches - it was from the soda. I have a lot more energy, sleep better, have less heartburn and lost weight. You can do it!!!!!!

I will not lie, it was hard for me. I did a 40 day challenge to quit them and just told myself it was only for 40 days and that I could do it. After the 40 days I had a soda and felt just horrible again. Please try it and if it doesn't work out for then at least you tried.

Also, as far as going to a gym, etc. Just work out right in your home. I have two Leslie Sansone and a FIT walking dvd. I do them in my house, rain or shine, hot or cold, and on my time schedule. I don't have to find childcare or anything. My son is 4 and he plays while I do my video. He interrupts me some but hey, it is just walking. I can usually help him and walk. Then you can move on to more challenging dvds or hit the gym after losing some weight. I understand about being self concious. Just try the home walking dvds and cutting out the sodas and see what happens. It will not be overnight though. I can guarantee that. I am a want to see it now kind of person . Just try and hang in there. :party:
 
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