Amber's Diary

Status
Not open for further replies.
AnxiousAmber

AnxiousAmber

New member
I've never joined a forum before, but lately I've been feeling like I really need the support in order to continue this journey. I'm a bit lost at the moment with the rules and point of all of this, so bear with me please!

I've struggled with my weight for most of my life, but in the past 3 years it really got out of control. I was assaulted in 2016 and started to use food to cope with my emotions. I never wanted another man to look at me, so gaining weight became my shield to hide behind. I've healed a bit from this now and I've started to fear the health ramifications of this weight gain...and I think that I'm ready to be me again. I'm a very picky eater and I find exercise dreadfully boring, so I've got quite the battle ahead!

-- How much weight do you want to lose?
I started at 292 pounds in April and I now weigh 255. I'd like to lose 100 more pounds, bringing my total loss to about 140 pounds.

-- What is the timeframe for reaching your target weight?
Ideally it would take a year, but realistically I'm in it for as long as it takes.

-- How do you want to accomplish your goal (what methods do you want to use)?
Calorie counting and exercise. I've been sedentary for years, so I'm starting slow with jogging 1/2 mile a day.

-- Who or what can support you in reaching your goal?
I currently have no support system. I live in a stressful environment that tends to only get in the way. I'm hoping that reaching out on here will give me some motivation!
 
Well, that's a pretty good start, being down almost forty pounds! Well done! And a hundred more pounds in a year is a pretty realistic target - averaging two pounds a week, roundabout - so good for you for forward planning, and for knowing your goal - not just a number on a scale, but good all-round health.
There's plenty of people here who are more learned than I am about these things, who will be glad to help you with good support and motivation. :)
The exercise - I'm pretty impressed with your jogging half a mile a day! - will be good for your health, too.
Can I suggest that as well as calorie-counting you concentrate on eating:
- healthy foods, as unprocessed as is practical, depending on shopping/cooking/timetable possibilities
- food you really enjoy eating!

(That horrible experience of assault - I'm really sorry that happened. Very best wishes for overcoming that pain in the way which works best for your well-being. )
 
Welcome to the forum, it looks like you're off to a good start, however jogging may not be the best starting exercise at your current weight, A brisk walk would be better for your joints as you become accustomed to exercise again, another good option is to exercise in water, either take a class of just simply swim. Add the jogging later as you lose more weight and become more accustomed to the physical activity.
 
Hey Amber, welcome to the forum, losing almost 40 lbs is a great start congratulations! And starting this diary is also a good start.
AnxiousAmber said:
-- What is the timeframe for reaching your target weight?
Ideally it would take a year, but realistically I'm in it for as long as it takes.
Click to expand...
That is a great attitude, its more important to lose the weight and keep it off than how fast it goes.
AnxiousAmber said:
-- Who or what can support you in reaching your goal?
I currently have no support system. I live in a stressful environment that tends to only get in the way. I'm hoping that reaching out on here will give me some motivation!
Click to expand...
It will, you will find this place to be friendly and supportive and folks here have a wealth of expertise.

I look forward to reading about your progress!
 
Hi Amber and welcome! I´m so sorry someone disregarded your wants, needs, and safety so horribly and hope you´re proud of how far you´ve already come on the way back to being yourself. I´d agree that brisk walking is probably gentler on your joints right now and may make it easier to stick with it in the long term. I´m looking forward to cheering you on along the way!
 
congratulations on your healthy decision...

10 lbs/ month... 2-2.5 lbs/ week is a good realistic pace to expect. you should feel ok with that.

it might help to list an average day, what you eat. i could suggest you evaluate the amount of sugar in your diet if you haven't already.

you have the right idea that any movement is better than sedentary.... i pretty much only walk.

hope to see you passing through Club 160 some day.
i've been hanging out at the northern border for a few months now looking for a recruit,
 
Hi, Amber & welcome to the forum. My forum friends have already covered most of what I would have said already. When I first started out in the forum I had no idea what I was doing or what was in store for me or if anyone would ever be faintly interested in anything I did or said. I have learned in the best possible way that I am surrounded by people who have much more in common with me than differences & I am among friends who support one another & are non-judgemental. Welcome to our safe space :grouphug:
 
Thank you all for your replies! I do try to watch my sugar and I use an app to calculate how much of everything that I eat. I'll consider posting my food here as well because I'd love advice, but I do eat a lot of the same stuff everyday. :blush5:
Also I'm sorry if my post was confusing, but I did start walking and losing weight 4 months ago. I started jogging recently and I feel like jogging has been going well, but I don't want to damage my joints or anything. If I should still be walking, do you guys have suggestions on when I can increase my workouts? Thanks!
 
If you worked up to it slowly, you don´t go too far(fast, and it´s not unpleasant jogging is likely fine. Adding variety is never a bad thing though!
 
walking is typically underrated as exercise. jogging/ moderate running burns about 30% more calories, but most people can walk longer (time). time outdoors moving is also time away from the kitchen/ fridge.... :)
 
Hi, Amber. Your diary can include as much or as little as you like. What do you think you should cut down on that you eat now? When you say you eat the same stuff each day, what is it mostly? Sometimes just cutting down on one or 2 things can make a difference.
 
Hi Amber, Welcome to the forum! Re walking, I love it. I did it for about a year and a half while I lost the first 75 pounds or so. I use to just listen to podcasts and walk in the park for hours. I'd learn a lot and stay up to date or be entertained and it was glorious being outside. Even if the weather was crappy, I went. I just made sure I had the right gear and would be comfortable and protected from the sun/heat/cold/rain/snow/ice. :) I love running too so when I got down to about 255, I started running. It was rough on my knees but as I got down in weight, my knees hurt less. I didn't burn any more calories running compared to walking for several months until I could run farther.

Well, I went off quite a bit there on me, walking and running. Sorry! :blush5: Above all, do what works for you. Again, welcome. Good people are here.
 
Hit a new lowest weight today: 248.6 pounds! I'm really proud of myself because I couldn't push past 255 for weeks.

Breakfast: Banana oatmeal (336 calories)
Lunch: PB&J (320 calories)
Snack: Cottage cheese and peaches (282 calories)
Dinner: Teriyaki chicken w/jasmine rice and broccoli (418 calories)

Total: 1,356 calories
Water: 1.5 liters
Exercise: 1 mile walking

Cate said:
What do you think you should cut down on that you eat now?
Click to expand...

I'd love to cut down on my carbs, but I struggle with options because I'm so picky.
 
Not too happy with my overall calories today because I know it's too low. The day just got away from me. Somehow I'm up on the scale by half a pound as well, so my body must not have been a fan either. I need to weigh myself less often to prevent obsessing...I'm thinking maybe every 3 days.

Breakfast: Quest protein bar (200 calories)
Lunch: Tikka Masala (270 calories)
Snack: Yogurt w/granola (160 calories)
Dinner: Chicken teriyaki w/ jasmine rice and broccoli (418 calories)

Total: 1,048 calories
Water: 1 liter
Exercise: 1 mile walking and an active video game if that counts? :angel: My watch says I burned 3,430 calories.
 
almost all fitness trackers are super inaccurate, and that includes the expensive ones.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top