Thursday, October 11, 2012
Find the will
I went to see an endocrinologist yesterday. I had some labs drawn a week ago and we discussed where my health is. I currently weigh more than I ever have weighed - 424 pounds. Yikes. And I am to the point where I feel heavy. I am also pre-diabetic. I don't want to become diabetic so I know that things need to change. I am putting together a high protein/low carb dinner menu and grocery list. And I plan to walk for 30 minutes 5x a week. The hard part? Finding the will to implement it all. Despite knowing that I need to lose weight, I just can't seem to make the changes to get me there. I am extreme by nature...I have been known to throw away our flour and sugar in hopes of me being successful on a diet. This time...I am thinking to try a gradual approach. For example, I put a tiny amount of creamer in my Choffy this morning plus some truvia, instead of sweetening it with only sweetened creamer. And I made some french toast and didn't put as much butter as I normally would put on it. I haven't ever tried dieting by making slow changes. Perhaps it will be better this way? Not sure. What do you do to make lifestyle changes? Do you jump in with something new or ease into it? Why does it work?
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I change one small thing, and once it has become a habit, I change the next one. This helps me not feeling overwhelmed. My doctor has told me that I need to keep my weight low in order to not get diabetes, so I can relate a little to your feelings.
The biggest changes I made to my eating habits was to always only fill my plate once, and to eat the vegetables (without oil/sauce) first. That way I'm already a little full once I start eating the actual food and I feel like I've eaten more than I actually have. I realize that you have a bigger challenge ahead of you than I had, but I felt I wanted to try to help anyway. Hope you'll succeed!
Hi i really like reading your blog. I was 280lb about 6 months ago. I am currently 227lb i lost 53lb. I use advocare products and i love how they make me feel and it gaves me energy to workout every day check this out maybe it is option for you too. With regards Mila www.advocare.com/120424958
I obviously felt like I had to do something drastic in my life in order to get the success I needed. I have in the past tried to make small changes, and those would work for only a little while and then old habits would creep back in. Even now I'm seeing old habits coming back and my inner adversary tells me it's okay because I'm pregnant and "the baby needs it" (like a baby really needs a donut, right?). I'm going to have to put myself back to a stricter diet once baby is born if I want to get back to losing weight like before.
Ramble ramble ramble! Sorry about that. Anyway, I think making little changes works great for some people--I'm just not really one of them. But maybe it will for you! You never know until you try. Know that you're in my prayers, my dear. I know what it's like to be at that point, biggest you've ever been, facing diabetes and all that scary stuff. YOU CAN CONQUER THIS. The Lord will help you in your righteous desires. He needs you around for those kids, and He is watching over you.
I love you, Jill! Hugs!!!!
Hi, I enjoy your blog so much and I wish you well with your dietary changes. Gradual change has worked well for me. I first tackled breakfast b/c that seems to be the most important meal of the day for me. If I don't fill up on breakfast, I am hungry all day. But, I realized that my so-called "healthy" breakfast of cereal and yogurt had way too much sugar in it. So, I gradually switched over from a sweetened yogurt to plain, low fat Greek yogurt mixed (by me) with fruit. It took a few weeks, but I adjusted to the taste. Then I gradually switched from a sweetened granola to Kashi Go Lean. I lost 8 pounds in making that change and in the end it didn't seem like I "sacrificed" anything. I also made a rule that I can only eat fruit between meals...nothing else.
You have a lovely family. I have loved reading about Silas and his jeans. Good luck.
I have controlled portion sizes. And sometimes journaling helps. I also shoot for a minimum of 2 veggies and 2 fruit servings each day. I aim for 3 of my 32oz water bottles every day. I don't guilt myself for splurging/binging and work hard the next day to be better. I don't withhold anything from myself if I reach my daily goals. Also...roasted LIGHTLY salted almonds and dark chocolate chunks, pre portioned peanut butter cups (jiff) and baggies of carrots and celery and pre portioned fruit cups in juice are my SAVIORS for snacks between meals. ALSO...I don't eat ANYTHING after 8 or 9p, depending on when I go to bed. PERIOD. When I do all of the above, I drop weight and keep it off. I've lost 30lbs since April. =) You can do this Jill. You also need to focus on obtaining a healthy, guilt free relationship with food. If you don't fix what's going on in your head (guilt, "good" foods and "bad" foods, etc) your body won't follow.
I agree with Ticklemedana. First step is FORCING MYSELF TO ADD: 1)two raw fruits and two healthy vegs; 2}three 32 oz bottles of water; 3)two unsweetened, low-fat Greek yogurt small containers; and 4)thirty minutes of brisk walking. Focus only on the added items first, not what you need to stop. The fruits and vegs, water, and protein provide fullness and the exercise boosts metabolism, happiness, and motivation. The smaller portions and healthy eating come much easier after I have success FORCING MYSELF TO ADD every single day! And, nothing after 8 pm! period.
You just inspired me to re-establish my ADD rules!
Tisha
Jill, I feel for you, and I have long been rooting for you. I love how you are able to handle so much in life and do a great job at it all. You truly inspire me to be a better person :) I know you wanna be there for your hubby and thise sweet babies of yours. They all depend on you so!
I think the biggest thing is empowering yourself! Broadcast your end goals, but also make small, attainable goals. Look to your friends and family for support. Lean on them when you feel week, and remind them of your need for emotional support towards reaching your goals. It's really important to figure out your triggers. What makes you want to eat and why? If you're not sure, keep a journal for a week that records any event that triggered a desire to eat, how you felt due to the event, and what your reaction was. Doing these things has kept me accountable, aware, and given me the ability to have control over my eating habits. It has really helped me to change my relationship with food!
It's not going to be easy, and of course you are well aware of that! But always reach out for support and it makes reaching your goals so much easier! If you can find a partner that can work out with you, that's been what has motivated me to get there. If your can't get someone, join a class or get a personal trainer that will motivate and inspire. You're worth the investment!
For me, portion control is my issue! I just LOVE food! Lol! It has been a huge blessing for me to finally have less cravings and to be happy to stop when I'm satisfied. That's been a real challenge for me all my life--not sure if it was due to having to always clean my plate as a kid, but seriously a struggle! I still overeat when I allow my triggers to mess with my head, but overall, the process of getting to know myself, remembering WHY I want and NEED to be healthy, and keeping a positive mental attitude about it...even on stinky days when I just wanna wallow in my impatient or otherwise emotional misery with a batch of cookies...helps me reach my goals.
I'm here for you whenever you need to vent or find motivation!!
Hang in there Jill.
The few times I got a diet to work I found I really needed to plan just about every bite I put in my mouth and every aspect of my life until it became automatic.
Here are some ideas. Keep a food diary and treat your diet and exercise program as one of the most important things you do every day. Treat it like a job. Anything you can't resist (Cheetoes for me) don't buy.
Pray for strength and courage and for God the cheer you up and keep you going. If you walk every day you can pray for that half hour. Don't pray about sad things -count your blessings and look for something special God will put in your way during your walk like a beautiful sunset, birds, flowers, a tree branch, turning leaves- there is always something beautiful out there.
Write down everything you eat and calories- or weight watcher points which ever you can do. Weigh your self every day and write it down on the calendar along with how far you walked. This keeps you on track. You are now your project.
This is a wonderful pedometer. Omron HJ-112 Digital Pocket Pedometer - you can get it on Amazon and it keeps track of distance and steps. You are supposed to aim for 10,000 steps a day. If your legs rub together (like mine) try wearing panty hose. I like to wear Teva shoes as they velcro on. I walk around my old University so I can duck into bathrooms (I hatte to be far from a bathroom) but it is big enough place to go for a long walk.
Here are some inspirational sites I like. Pinintrest has others. Cut the inspirational things out that speak to you and tape them up everywhere. Icebox, bathroom mirror, by your computer, car mirror.
http://pinterest.com/goodnightle/motivation/
http://lovemorefearless.tumblr.com/archive
Get things you can eat that have very little calories.A can of diced tomatoes, pickled beets, mushrooms. Cook with Pam. Spray plain popcorn with Pam then salt and molly McButter- or spray on butter.
That's all I can think of for now
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