Baby steps for a better life.. - Page 3

[alexsam]

I would try to find a support program and/or a nutritionist and exercise specialist (or a program that provides these things- sometimes hospitals will run programs like this or other health/rehabilitation clinics... ask your doctor. It may even be covered by insurace). With that much weight, the process to loose it will be on the scale of years. I absolutely do not say this to deter you. I say it so that you can get yourself prepared for when the initial "go get 'em!" starts to wear off, or you plateu, or you need to address certain areas or systems, or you just plain get worn down and need a nudge back on track. As great as "internet friends" are, it is important to have people IRL to talk to and be with. Plus, the fact that other "real" people are involved, rooting for you, providing solid and personal expert advice, you make a commitment to the program, yourself, and you make friends you can share your ups and downs with, and these things will be needed in the years ahead. There is a lot that we gain from a smile and a touch and a "Look look great!". Nutritionists can help you to eat well without starving and help come up with ways that food can be enjoyable and positive and a healthy situation and not just endless cravings and denial. An exercise specialist can help you burn fat in the most effective way and rebuild with strong muscles and bones (as well as help you track your weightloss and exercise routines) and help work through plateaus, boredom, and avoid injury. A support group of others IRL can give a face and a friend to share this with.

This is not a little diet and a work out DVD type change you are embarking on. This is a complete mental and physical overhaul. Give it the respect and committment it deserves by recognizing that and investing in the medical and emotional support systems you will need for success in loosing the weight permanently, effectively and in a healthy way.

You CAN do this . This will be the most important gift you give yourself and your children. I applaud you !

[sapphire_chan]

200+ lbs gone already! And he was the most important weight to get out of your life.

[alexsam]

SC! Right! That was so step #1, so Bunnyflakes, you've made the first big loss already!

[sinsaratea]

yay! way to go on the walk!

[Mama~Love]

You can do it Bunnyflakes !!!

Have you heard the son "Stronger Woman" by Jewel? Makes me feel better all the time!

[Purple*Lotus]

Originally Posted by chaoticzenmom

I always feel inspired when I see heavy people working out. It's like c'mon, they're jogging...I can do it too!

I've been reading about malnourishment being a cause of obesity. The body keeps trying to get those nutrients and it doesn't, so it keeps on craving.

Culturing and fermenting foods has really helped me curb my sugar habits. I make my own lacto-fermented sodas, condiments, everything I can. Have you been to the traditional foods section here?

I haven't been to that section, but I will go visit I am trying really hard to start eliminating the animal products as per my neurologist, but I am taking that very slowly.

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

200+ lbs gone already! And he was the most important weight to get out of your life.

280 to be exact

Originally Posted by Mama~Love

You can do it Bunnyflakes !!!

Have you heard the son "Stronger Woman" by Jewel? Makes me feel better all the time!

Yes I LOVE that song!

Thanks so much everyone, you have no idea how much this is helping me to stay motivated. I am going to go walking again tomorrow And Thursday! I want to start on M-W-F at first, but they will be closed Friday, so I will do M-W-Th this week instead

[Theia]

Bunnyflakes - I love reading your updates and all the good advice you're getting. I'm just so excited for you. I really liked your blog, btw.

[allgirls]

You are an inspiration! I am following your blog. I want to watch your success and I know you will have it!

I LOVE your username..it makes me smile

[Caittune]

Wahoo! :

[Freedom~Mama]

You are doing so awesome!

[Ammaarah]

I haven't seen anyone mention it so I will throw it out there. Have you researched weight loss surgery? There are four options most commonly performed today - the duodenal switch, RNY (aka gastric bypass), adjustable banding, and vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I was very much against the idea of surgery for myself for years but about two years ago my health came to a crisis point and I also could not stop gaining. I did not jump into surgery - it was more than 10 months between my decision to go forward with it and my surgery date, and I had been toying with the idea of WLS for probably ten years - and I'm very glad I didn't jump too quickly. Ultimately, I chose to have the duodenal switch procedure and I'm so happy with it. I still have more to lose and my weight loss has slowed down. I will never be a bikini model. But I eat a decent diet, I feel satiated by a "normal" amount of food, and I have gained such respect for my body and I have forgiven myself for getting super morbidly obese in the first place. I feel so much more comfortable in my skin and it's truly been a revelation for me.

I think everyone here has given good advice. There are so many aspects to weight loss and wellness, it's definitely not an easy thing even with a surgical tool. It's important for those of us with a lot to lose (I had over 200 pounds to lose) to really be honest about relative success rates with traditional diet/exercise vs. surgical intervention. Don't rush into anything but keep your mind open and weigh all your options.

I have read your posts for a while on here and you seem like such a kind, cool woman. I know you can improve your health and your self-image and I wish you nothing but the best. Please PM me if you want to know anything more about WLS or if you just want to chat.

[InMediasRes]

Wow, go you, Bunnyflakes! I see you around MDC all the time and am inspired by your wise words.

Another big cheer of support here You can do this! You deserve it.

You're such an inspiration!

[Shakti77]

You go, girl!!!

I am going to read your blog and put a link to it from mine.

You CAN do this!!

[Purple*Lotus]

Originally Posted by Ammaarah

I haven't seen anyone mention it so I will throw it out there. Have you researched weight loss surgery? There are four options most commonly performed today - the duodenal switch, RNY (aka gastric bypass), adjustable banding, and vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I was very much against the idea of surgery for myself for years but about two years ago my health came to a crisis point and I also could not stop gaining. I did not jump into surgery - it was more than 10 months between my decision to go forward with it and my surgery date, and I had been toying with the idea of WLS for probably ten years - and I'm very glad I didn't jump too quickly. Ultimately, I chose to have the duodenal switch procedure and I'm so happy with it. I still have more to lose and my weight loss has slowed down. I will never be a bikini model. But I eat a decent diet, I feel satiated by a "normal" amount of food, and I have gained such respect for my body and I have forgiven myself for getting super morbidly obese in the first place. I feel so much more comfortable in my skin and it's truly been a revelation for me.

I think everyone here has given good advice. There are so many aspects to weight loss and wellness, it's definitely not an easy thing even with a surgical tool. It's important for those of us with a lot to lose (I had over 200 pounds to lose) to really be honest about relative success rates with traditional diet/exercise vs. surgical intervention. Don't rush into anything but keep your mind open and weigh all your options.

I have read your posts for a while on here and you seem like such a kind, cool woman. I know you can improve your health and your self-image and I wish you nothing but the best. Please PM me if you want to know anything more about WLS or if you just want to chat.

Yes I have My old insurance would not pay for it, and my new insurance will not either. Also the surgeon said I was too heavy for it.

[GranoLLLy-girl]

I lost 70 pounds after my children were born by simply putting them in a stroller and 'making myself' go for a walk every day. What helped me was my mind set: instead of saying, I am going to walk to lose weight...I said, I am going to walk around the block and get some fresh air for myself and the kids. And I just did it. One day at a time. Over time (and quite a bit of time--these pounds didn't come on overnight, they won't come off that way), I started walking farther...until one day, I ran. Then my husband bought me a double jogging stroller and I felt like I should run to get 'my money's worth' out of this fancy jogging stroller...several years later I ran my first half marathon...then a marathon...and on and on. It started with a walk around the block. Never once did I say to myself that I was doing it (walking) for the weight loss or so that one day I would run. I just did it for the fresh air and to get the kids out of the house. And I never looked beyond the day that I was living at the time. I guess my point is this: my goals were small and measurable and in the end I was able to accomplish much more because I didn't set myself up for failure. I'm not saying that this will happen to you--but it happened to me before I walked a day a time because I have struggled with weight all of my life. In fact, I went back to work this fall and now I have gained weight again since I stopped walking on a regular basis--and I'm in a personal struggle to figure out now what I need to do to get the weight off and find the time to do something good for myself.
So I feel your struggle. You can do it. The worst of it (the ex) is gone--so the biggest weight loss has already happened! LOL! The rest should be a walk in the park! Pun intended! Good luck and keep your spirits high!

[Ammaarah]

Originally Posted by Bunnyflakes

Yes I have My old insurance would not pay for it, and my new insurance will not either. Also the surgeon said I was too heavy for it.

That sucks! I hope your insurance situation improves at some point if it's something you want to pursue. Also, there are plenty of surgeons who will operate on someone with a higher BMI - my surgeon has operated on people up to 700 pounds and has a very low morbidity rate (and he's never lost someone who had my procedure, which is the trickiest one to perform.) So if your ins ever does change, do shop around because not all surgeons have strict weight limits. The best ones will take complicated cases.

Keep your chin up.

[babygrant]

You are so inspiring mama!

Have you found your Walk Away The Pounds DVD's yet?

I'm on a "fit for life" journey as well. In the past few days since I started I've lost just over 3 pounds. I did cut out dairy because I get super super bloated and now it's just easier to cook 1/2 a meal dairyfree and 1/2 meal with dairy (dairyless for my youngest son and I).

You can do it mama! Don't do this for everyone else.....do it for yourself. You deserve it!

[AngelBee]

I am so proud of you!

[mammal_mama]

I'm so glad you got away from your abusive husband! And hang in there with the exercise.

One thing that really works for me is turning on the radio and marching back and forth in the house. But getting out and walking is lots more interesting when you're able to do it.

This is more advice for down-the-line, when you meet that great guy and have some little ones and find it harder to get out to exercise. My girls love getting out -- but of course we have a lot of stops and I don't get my 30 minutes of brisk walking outside anymore.

[Catubodua]

good for you! i wish you the best of luck!

i wanted to let you know about a free website i used when i lost some weight. it's fitday.com, and it lets you track what you are eating. i found it helped me a great deal to realize just how much i was eating vs. what i was estimating in my head.