Desperate to set up an effective weight loss strategy

catfood — Tue, 29 May 2007 12:18:47 -0800

I badly need some help / advice on getting my weight under control. I get mixed messages everywhere I turn, but I feel like I don't have time to play around anymore. I'm completely desperate to get myself to do something and stick with it so I can at least get from "obese" to "overweight" if not to "normal". I'm 27 years old, female, and over 100 lbs overweight. This morning at my doctor's for my yearly physical, she pointed out how I have gained 60 lbs in the past two years, and asked me if I had considered a diet or exercise program. Of course I have, in fact I would dare say I have spent 50% of those two years on Weight Watchers or doing some light aerobics videos at home. It's just that the other 50% of the time I get stressed out, frustrated, distracted, and lose my way, and it takes forever to get myself back on track. I tried to explain this to my dr, and she basically said that she knew it was hard, but really the only thing was diet & exercise, and if I made a serious effort for the next 6 months and still didn't lose, she would prescribe me Xenical (which I think sounds really unappealing).

I have struggled with my weight since puberty, but I never really packed on the pounds the way I did since college & after college. I know that part of this is the sedentary lifestyle of being an office worker. I also know that part of this has been my battle with depression (which often makes me feel lethargic and apathetic), and probably not helped my my antidepressant (Paroxetine) and birth control pills. Or the fact that when I fall into a depressed funk, I stop caring about my weight and thus have no reluctance to drown my sorrows in food.

After this morning, and realizing that if I keep gaining an average of 30 lbs per year, I'm going to be in trouble, I do think I am ready to pick myself up and try again. But I'm overwhelmed with different options and approaches. I don't know if going back to WW is worth it since I have failed so many times. Online communities and meetings are starting to get under my skin because it feels like it's all one big pity party for people who can't stick to a goddamn thing. That's not motivating, that's just depressing and only fuels my apathy.

Here are options I have been thinking about:
- Doing the No-S diet with some modifications (e.g. giving myself some requirements to make sure I eat enough fruit & veg)
- Skipping WW and instead doing some basic calorie counting with help from Spark People or FitDay or something.
- Adding the OTC drug Alli to whatever diet plan I choose.
- Joining the YMCA when I move to my new neighborhood and signing up for some classes.
- Buying a bike so I can ride with my husband during the summer.
- Giving South Beach another try even though I don't really like meat that much.
- Going back to WW. But WW just reminds me of failure at this point.
- Maybe buying a few sessions with a personal trainer.
- Joining some kind of online thing like Ediets or something. (Yes I have done WW online, same shit different format).
- Researching lap-band surgery. Not even sure I'd be allowed since I'm on antidepressants.

I've done the whole "just try to eat healthier and watch portions" thing without stricter guidelines ... and gained like 20 pounds in 2 months while doing it. I try to only eat when hungry, but when I'm constantly asking myself if I'm hungry, I always feel hungry.

I know it's not going to be easy, I know that no one can do it for me, but I need some advice or suggestions that aren't solely from the WW groupies I know.

How to make this time (losing weight) work?

catfood — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 11:00:20 -0800

Ever since college I have been working to lose a fairly significant amount of weight (> 75 lbs). I'm looking for suggestions as to how I can make *this* time be the *last* time I ever have to try. It's been four years since graduation, and the most I have lost was 25 lbs, which I slowly regained over the course of a year. After spending a few months wallowing in self-loathing and feeling like I couldn't bring myself to try again, I have given myself a personal pep-talk and created a plan to do it and reach my weight loss and health goals. But, it's not like I've never done this before.

I usually stick to my plans for 2 weeks to about a month and a half before I get frustrated or bored or tired of it, and just throw in the towel. But I do not want to spend the rest of my 20's and my life overweight & unhappy with myself.

My current plan:

Food: I joined Weight Watchers (this is how I originally lost 25 lbs) - I love the support system, I love that there are no lists of "good foods" and "bad foods", and I love that it is essentially simplified calorie counting. I'm also learning to cook more, especially incorporating more vegetables and legumes into my diet. I'm not a vegetarian per se, but I just bought a couple of vegetarian cookbooks so that I can break out of my usual chicken rut. I'm also trying to work on cooking fast, convenient meals since I come home late most evenings.

Exercise: I also joined a gym and have set up a program for the next two months that involves working out three times a week (30-45 min cardio + weight training + stretching) and yoga and walking at home at least twice a week. Once I have built up some fitness, I'd like to increase the amount of exercise I do and try new and fun types of exercise.

Mind: I'm trying to work on my self esteem & to convince myself that I don't have to be 100% perfect all the time, but that I have to stick with it. I'm also trying to relax & focus on other things I enjoy like reading, writing, etc.

So...I know there are many of you out there who have built healthy habits and stuck with it. What can I do to make sure that I succeed this time around? Thanks in advance for any & all advice!

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Desperate to set up an effective weight loss strategy

How to make this time (losing weight) work?