Overweight - that's me. I won't tell you how much I weigh - I need to keep some secrets.
I keep trying to lose the weight. I'll do well for a while and then I'll get stressed about something and I go back up. I'm a stress eater/drinker (soda, not the hard stuff) and the Older I get the harder it is to lose the weight. I refuse to drink diet sodas - yuck.
For a while I was hardly eating anything and then a friend clued me into an app for my Android called MyFitnessPal that helps count calories (as well as other nutritional information). As I input my information, I found that I wasn't eating enough. As I forced myself to eat more, I came back to my original problem - too many calories. I can't seem to find a happy medium and I refuse to starve myself or cut out all sugar. I want a change that I can keep up indefinitely, not some fad diet to lose weight in the next six months and then put that same weight back on in a few months.
I'm also trying to exercise four or five days a week on my elliptical. I'm so out of shape. It's hard to get motivated.
Have you found a diet/eating plan that works for you to get the weight off and keep it off (especially if you're over 40)? Tell us about it.
Oh, how I can relate to this struggle. I have lost and regained weight countless times. I was able--finally--in my fifties to accept the fact that my metabolism was not going to miraculously transform so that I could be one of those people who can eat whatever they want and not gain. I'm just not wired that way! So I finally made those permanent changes I had resisted for so long. It has been s-l-o-w (I'm very weight loss resistant)...as in nearly 2 1/2 years, but I have lost 45 lbs. (with 5 lbs. to go.) At first, I mostly counted calories and increased activity. I tried to make healthful choices, but nothing was "off limits" as long as it fit in my calorie range. But I could only go so far that way, and eventually, to lose the last stubborn 15 lbs. or so, I have had to severely reduce carbs. Maybe your system won't need that, but mine does. I still have an occasional (like once or twice a month) "treat" but, honestly, I feel *so* much better with the weight off (and off of the "bad" carbs) it's worth the sacrifice (for me). God bless you on your journey!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had an answer for you. I struggle with the keeping it off. Good for you--losing the 45 pounds!
ReplyDeleteDiana
www.pencildancer.com
I'll be watching for a solution--I need it! Great advice, Shelly!
ReplyDeleteAfter battling the same 25 pounds for 20 years, I "copied" a friend and started religiously counting calories. I cut back to 1200 a day, no less, and (at the beginning) had two free days (Wednesday church potluck and Sunday family dinner).
ReplyDeleteIt took 6 months to lose the weight, but I've managed to keep it off for almost 6 years. The thing that really stuck for me? It's math, plain and simple. Calories in must be less than calories out.
It's hard, but not impossible. I prayed every day for God's grace to eat right, to control my flesh, and to exercise. He answered!
((HUGS))
I have the same problem with sugar. I can do no sugar or too much sugar. It's hard for me to have a happy medium.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for me to exercise because of my pain and fatigue, but I've found the Wii Fit is one thing I'll actually do. It's fun and low impact but gets you moving pretty good.
I lost quite a bit of weight and am happy where I am for now. I wanted to learn to maintain because that was my weak spot. I ate less and ate again when I got hungry. I also walked. Nothing else. Just walked. I'm over 40 - way over:) Praying you can find something that helps you because everyone is different, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteOh man. You hand to mention elliptical, didn't you? I'm horribly out of shape. Pathetically out of shape. waaaaa.
ReplyDeleteExercise is important too. That's GREAT that you're on that thing!! =]
It's a life long commitment and support is needed! I find using the diabetic exchanges system is very workable and there's a large variation of foods to chose from.
ReplyDelete