Hello everyone!
My name is Nathan. I am currently 20 years old, 5'9, and 240 lbs. I have been overweight since the 3rd grade after my grandmother passed away. I really really want to get my weight under control but it's been very hard.
My anxiety and emotional health definitely play a part in my weight problem. I am currently on quite a few different medications for it which inevitably makes it harder to lose weight. I am always stressed out therefore I eat a lot.
My biggest problem is portion control. I probably eat enough for 2-3 people a day in terms of calories. I always have to have diversity when I eat. (ex: I could never go to subway and get just a sub, I always need chips.) I like to have a lot of different flavors and as a result, I eat way too much. When I go to restaurants, I always order whatever gives me the biggest meal. Not only that but I am a college student and the dining hall gives little to none healthy options. They have some but it's stuff like salad, stir fry, etc. that they have all the time. Not only that but it's buffet style which is the perfect opportunity for me to overeat.
I've also had a lot of problems with body image. I have had gynecomastia since the 3rd grade. I have been picked on relentlessly because of it and am extremely, extremely self conscious about it to this day. I saw a plastic surgeon and he told me that (an outrageously expensive) surgery would be the only thing to correct it but I know that losing weight would help some.
Also, it is a really long story but I feel at the same time being extremely fit and muscular would also cause me to feel uncomfortable. My dad always pressured me to be this way when I was younger and he wanted me to be a sports star even though I have always naturally had a dislike for sports. This has actually been a hindrance to losing weight because I don't want to be looked at as being athletic.
On top of all this, I've wanted to change my lifestyle this summer since I am home from college. It's harder though because I make all my own food and eat out constantly because it is honestly cheaper that way. I used to be a vegetarian last year and was successful for a few months but upon returning to college, it was way too hard to maintain that lifestyle because of the limited selection in the dining hall.
I wanted to become a vegetarian again this summer but I am also studying abroad in France for the next semester (until mid December). I am living with a host family and they are making me two meals a day so I am obligated to eat whatever they prepare. This has also discouraged me to change my lifestyle to be healthier because I don't know how healthy the meals will be.
Either way, I have been and still am determined to lose weight. I am discouraged, however, because I always end up slipping and falling back into my old ways. I've tried many different methods such as doing a point system on my own based on weight watchers, writing down calories, and just trying alone to make healthy decisions. I need someone to hold me more accountable so I'm looking forward to staying updated on here as well as listening to the methods that worked for all of you. If the opportunity exists in France for me to eat healthy, I will do it.
Thanks everyone and I look forward to meeting all of you!
My name is Nathan. I am currently 20 years old, 5'9, and 240 lbs. I have been overweight since the 3rd grade after my grandmother passed away. I really really want to get my weight under control but it's been very hard.
My anxiety and emotional health definitely play a part in my weight problem. I am currently on quite a few different medications for it which inevitably makes it harder to lose weight. I am always stressed out therefore I eat a lot.
My biggest problem is portion control. I probably eat enough for 2-3 people a day in terms of calories. I always have to have diversity when I eat. (ex: I could never go to subway and get just a sub, I always need chips.) I like to have a lot of different flavors and as a result, I eat way too much. When I go to restaurants, I always order whatever gives me the biggest meal. Not only that but I am a college student and the dining hall gives little to none healthy options. They have some but it's stuff like salad, stir fry, etc. that they have all the time. Not only that but it's buffet style which is the perfect opportunity for me to overeat.
I've also had a lot of problems with body image. I have had gynecomastia since the 3rd grade. I have been picked on relentlessly because of it and am extremely, extremely self conscious about it to this day. I saw a plastic surgeon and he told me that (an outrageously expensive) surgery would be the only thing to correct it but I know that losing weight would help some.
Also, it is a really long story but I feel at the same time being extremely fit and muscular would also cause me to feel uncomfortable. My dad always pressured me to be this way when I was younger and he wanted me to be a sports star even though I have always naturally had a dislike for sports. This has actually been a hindrance to losing weight because I don't want to be looked at as being athletic.
On top of all this, I've wanted to change my lifestyle this summer since I am home from college. It's harder though because I make all my own food and eat out constantly because it is honestly cheaper that way. I used to be a vegetarian last year and was successful for a few months but upon returning to college, it was way too hard to maintain that lifestyle because of the limited selection in the dining hall.
I wanted to become a vegetarian again this summer but I am also studying abroad in France for the next semester (until mid December). I am living with a host family and they are making me two meals a day so I am obligated to eat whatever they prepare. This has also discouraged me to change my lifestyle to be healthier because I don't know how healthy the meals will be.
Either way, I have been and still am determined to lose weight. I am discouraged, however, because I always end up slipping and falling back into my old ways. I've tried many different methods such as doing a point system on my own based on weight watchers, writing down calories, and just trying alone to make healthy decisions. I need someone to hold me more accountable so I'm looking forward to staying updated on here as well as listening to the methods that worked for all of you. If the opportunity exists in France for me to eat healthy, I will do it.
Thanks everyone and I look forward to meeting all of you!
