Sandralin's struggles & sucesses diary

[sandralin]

Just thought I'd write a few lines before I go to bed, sort of make it official-like, lol. January 2 is when I start my new eating routine but right now I am trying to get my diet plan together and build up some resolve.

My one plus is this year I have a brand-new recumbent bike which is sitting here staring at me. I want to set aside some time everyday for exercise. I mean, it's not like I have to get out on the sidewalk and hike up and down.

I have trouble carrying thru anything I start, weight loss or anything else. This year I want to do it right. I am sick and tired of being 280lbs and I need to get this weight down before it wrecks my health further.

This is enough for now. Will try to add something every day.....Sandra

 

[sandralin]

Snowy night

A stormy night, we have about a foot of snow on the ground. I have eaten my normal emotional food
1lg helping grape nuts pudding

oh before that I had fish and chips

they have these things called Zingers that are like Twinkies but have raspberry jam and coconut covering. 3 come in a package. I ate 2 packages

1 large ice cream sandwich also went down, and here I am eating about 6 salties with my tea before I go to bed.

I am writing this to show that nights are my worst problem, always were. Some ppl might say, well go to bed early. But I am a late-night person. I am sure if I could keep the food out of my mouth I can still be a late-night person.

A few years ago I lost 60lbs in 5 months using powdered meal replacement meals, a sensible supper and two snacks at night: a piece of fruit and small bag of microwaved popcorn. I have to keep things simple, which is why I never succeeded at any of the Weight Watchers meetings I went to (after 20 lbs or so gone, I just quit). All the ppl there do is handle food to much. They are all about cooking low-cal foods and worrying about weights and measures.

I can't stand so much confusion. Meal replacements for breakfast and lunch are no problem to me because these meals are not my problem. Supper is not a problem either if I can cobble together a meal for myself (or substitute low cal items for DH's cooking). He cooks Southern style. Very good food but full of calories.

As I said, night times have always been my worst mindless eating times. If I could conquer this problem, then I stand a good chance of losing some weight. I am also very bad for emotional eating. Somehow I have to get around these obstacles, then maybe I can make some progress

 

[Trusylver]

it might be a good idea to have some healthy snacks on hand for the late nights, little bags of carrot, nuts, air popped popcorn with a minimum of salt, celery etc.

 

[sandralin]

Thanks for ur suggestions....I could never eat veggies at night but on that diet where I lost 60 lbs. I ate an apple at 7pm and at 10pm ate a small microwave popcorn lite version, or ate 6 saltines (from WW ages ago). Night time is my worst time. I also have SAD and winter means carbs and more carbs. With the brightening days following New Years my eating habits get healthier 8D

 

[Camy]

Hello Sandra, welcome!
I read your first few posts and decided to write my honest opinion. I am sorry, but I see too many people come and go on these boards and I feel like I really should say something, I get the feeling you really want to lose weight and that is great BUT
- things like "I could never eat veggies at night" make me cringe... to lose weight, to live more healthy (and therefore longer) you will have to change certain things in your lifestyle. deciding beforehands that eating vegetables is not possible sets you up for failure. Why not veggies? Why instead of eating zingers and ice cream don't you try some carrots and cucumber? I am nto saying you have to stick to it, but the attitude of "I don't do this or that" doesn't go well with the whole "lifestyle change" that is necessary for you to lose the weight and gain health.

Also, meal replacements are terrible! Why would you do that? Yeah maybe you lose some weight initially but it creeps back once you stop replacing meals and actually eat meals! Why don't you try to find food (easy to prepare if you don't want to cook it) that is yummy, low in fat and calories, and still a meal instead of a replacement? You need to change things permanently to have a permanent effect on your weight, otherwise you will just yoyo back up as soon as you resume eating normally! You said you lost 60 pounds while doing that... did the 60 pounds come back once you started eating again?
To properly lose weight you need to be committed, committed to change your lifestyle, to make better choices, to be informed and understand what you are putting into your body. Is it easy? No! Is it doable? Absolutely!

So now I have finished lecturing you, I am sorry I went off at you. I was like you a few years back, tried fads and just ended up bigger than before because I had not understood how it really works. Since January I have changed everything, I have chenged how, what and when I eat, I have changed how, when and how much I exercise and my life has improved so much! It really has, I went from being a chubby, cranky, constantly ill, depressed and very selconscious girl, to being a self assured, happy, healthy person, and I really hope you can do it too! And I want to share what I learned, I want to help you (and others) manage to do this too. But to do it, first we need to face the ugly truth... and that is that we "abused" our bodies in a way that made us this fat. Now we need to nurture it back to health!
I hope I didn't scare you off the boards, I won't post again in your diary if you don't want me too, I understand that not everybody wants to hear harsh words (especially when you have just joined), but I really do want to help you!
Have a merry christmas and a wonderful new year, hopefully one where you can lose weight and feel better with yourself, Camy

 

[ABBAgirl]

Hi Sandra, and welcome to the forum! If you are serious about changing your life and getting healthy, this is the right place for you! Everyone who joins does so because they are dissatisfied and want to live a better life.

I hope you listen to Camy, because her advice to you is RIGHT ON. It's so hard to hear, but the truth really is our best starting point. You deserve to be healthy and feel fantastic about yourself, and getting healthy (phys/emo/spiritually) is the best way to go about it.

It's great that you now have a recumbent bike! I recommend that you check out WISHES diary, as she has lost an incredible amount of weight by cycling. It has absolutely transformed her. She also has some terrific advice.

So do try and keep an open mind about making necessary changes. Be willing to move out of your comfort zone. Be willing to "do the work". This time next year, you can have a totally different life as far as the way you look and feel - which I assure you will influence every other aspect and make your life all the more sweet.

Best wishes on your fitness journey!
ABBA