I am sick of being fat

[mark91345]

Over the past few months, I have read some powerful books dealing with the science behind how we get fat; namely, it's carbohydrates which boost insulin which is what makes us fat.

So, in good faith, I went for a month on very-low carb. I lost a few pounds, but realized that I simply cannot exist this way, as frankly, a restrictive diet is a restrictive diet.

Yet, here I am at age 45 at 351 pounds (25 stone; 159kg). I would like to weigh around 180 pounds (13 stone), so I have a lot to lose. I honestly wonder why I am so fat, as although I am a "healthy eater", I do not eat excessive amounts of food, as I tend to eat moderate portions (in my opinion). Yes, I am sure anyone could quickly find fault with this statement, as yes, I do enjoy some candy or ice cream, but not large amounts.

I am coming to believe that the combination of low-carb AND calorie restriction, along with exercise, is probably my best choice. I understand the science of low-carb, so I "get it". I am not a fan of calorie restriction, as I simply don't like being hungry all the time; however, I am fat, and like that even less.

I do exercise on the treadmill almost daily but I am not in proper condition to start lifting weights, as it simply is too strenuous for me; nevertheless, I am willing to start slowly.

I love seeing before-and-after pics, as they say it all. I will post some "before" pics shortly.

 

[jessiefied]

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My family is the same as you. My parents each really healthy food, in moderate portions they steam their veges etc and yet they were always overweight. This year they have reduced their portions slightly and majorly reduced their snacks and my mum has lost over 10kg and now looks great! i know you can do it too. Good luck.

 

[Splodge]

Have you ever kept a strict, honest, food and activity diary? Fit-day.com is a good place to start. Logically the calories have to be coming from somewhere. Measure portion sizes where you can for the first week and your estimates will be close enough thereafter, or maybe you've been down this road before and your estimates on portion size are aready ok. Once you keep below 3000 cals a day you should be losing weight. Calorie restriction is the only way to lose weight. Low carb diets work because it makes unhealthy snacking very restrictive and you end up having far less calories. If that works for you great.

I'm a similar age and on the wrong side of hefty. I also consider myself, in non-diet mode, to be a reasonably sensible, if imperfect, eater at mealtime, but treat meals, snacks and general grazing knocked me off the scale. If you are anything like me, cutting out, or severely down, on snacks or alcohol will do it.
Not easy long term though. For us heavies, the first 20 to 30 pounds seem to come off quickly enough and painlessly enough in the early rush of enthusiasm in the first couple of months and then either a single event or a growing dislike of the necessary regime eventually can throw us to the dark side.

If you have a look at my own diary you'll see it starting with the fresh exhuberance of a spring lamb bouncing around with the excitement and enthusiasm of one whose future is guaranteed for greater things until the penny drops that I'm still a big fat sheep bound for slaughter. I've spent an unhealthy amount of time on this forum looking for diaries with similar profiles and the story is very familiar...
Start off posting daily or more.
Lose a few quick pounds
Get excited, rush into it with more enthusiasm.
Lose the first stone in a couple of weeks.
First month filled with enthusiasm and pride
Second month burrow away equally furiously but getting a bit tougher as the weight loss slows.
After two months start posting a little less frequently, excuses start popping up for breaking the regime.
Disappear for a few weeks and come back having lost no weight or put on a bit, determined to get it right now.
Two or three posts later disappear off the forum never to be seen again.

Of course there are also the few success stories, and hopefully you will be one of them. Critical point 1 is starting off with the right motivation, support and practical structures in place to complete the task. Critical point 2 is that 2 month lull when the success rate falls off, the body feels sore, the food starts looking mundane and the motivation wains. Sadly I don't have the solution to that as it's where I tend to fall off the wagon.

Sorry, got into deep mode bit there, reading it back, it's more for my own benefit than yours, I'm not sure how supportive you'll find it, but I'll leave it in case you find something useful in it that will help you on your way.

 

[mark91345]

Have you ever kept a strict, honest, food and activity diary? Fit-day.com is a good place to start.

No, that's just not for me. I've done stuff like that before, but it gets complicated when you can't measure everything, or go out for lunch (without some menu disclosing every carb & calorie).

I've decided just to "eyeball it", as that's as far as I want to go.