Hi, I'm new...and need help

[Thina]

I've been on medication for about 11 years and I've always struggled with weight gain. The time I felt good about myself and had a positive outlook on life was when I was in the normal range. I felt I had energy and didn't worry about health complications. I'm at my end, I feel like my health is slowly deteriorating. I just feel the sudden urge to eat things, and I'm not being overindulgent. It's just that I can't seem to control my appetite. Things I'm experiencing is shortness of breath, shuffling gait, depression, food cravings, and I think it's mainly due to health complications. I am 5'5" at 170lbs. My BMI is overweight and borderline obese. Anyone dealing with health issues? I'm a long time sufferer of mental illness and pharmaceutical drugs just doesn't cut it. I can't stop because I'll relapse again. What keeps you going? Ah...*frustrated and depressed*

 

[Omega]

Welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place for not only all the information you need to successfully lose weight - but also the all important support that will keep you on track.

It can often feel particularly difficult to start making positive changes - especially when we feel unhappy with our bodies and not as fit as we had been.
I can assure you that you are not particularly large compared to many of the people who have been successful at losing weight here - and that it is perfectly achievable for you to not only reduce weight - but I am sure that reduction will assist you with the symptoms that you list.

I suggest that you start off making one or maybe two initial changes to what you are doing.

Healthy weight loss comes from two things - a level of exercise combined with healthy nutrition.

The two initial steps I would suggest is to walk more and to try to drink more water.

When I first started my weight loss journey a decade ago I was very unfit and despite being shorter than you I ended up losing almost your current weight. I know only too well how difficult it can be to go out for a walk when you do not feel at all fit - but I would encourage you to go out for a walk just the same. It doesnt matter how slow you go - as long as you go out and have a walk... Then the next day try to walk a bit further... If you keep on building it up - remembering that it doesnt matter how slow you go - pretty soon you will find that you can walk further than you dreamed possible - and it gets easier.

A lot of people mistake feelings of hunger for thirst and eat when really they were thirsty. Also sufficient water help the kidneys and in turn the liver to process fat more efficiently. Drinking sufficient water does help people to control their appetites.

I suggest that you start a diary and visit other people in their diaries - cheer them on and see what they are doing in the hope that they will visit your diary and cheer you on. (They need support too!) Check out challenges - and maybe join one or two - they can be a good way of staying on track, thinking of the next thing to work on when you think that you are in control with water and walking.

By sticking at it you will get back to the weight range where you have always felt happiest.

Good luck with your project.

 

[ROMAN2]

I've been on medication for about 11 years and I've always struggled with weight gain. The time I felt good about myself and had a positive outlook on life was when I was in the normal range. I felt I had energy and didn't worry about health complications. I'm at my end, I feel like my health is slowly deteriorating. I just feel the sudden urge to eat things, and I'm not being overindulgent. It's just that I can't seem to control my appetite. Things I'm experiencing is shortness of breath, shuffling gait, depression, food cravings, and I think it's mainly due to health complications. I am 5'5" at 170lbs. My BMI is overweight and borderline obese. Anyone dealing with health issues? I'm a long time sufferer of mental illness and pharmaceutical drugs just doesn't cut it. I can't stop because I'll relapse again. What keeps you going? Ah...*frustrated and depressed*

Hello

I know how you feel. I have to deal with meds myself but mine is for depression and anxiety and my appetite is such a pain in the ass.
Right now my anxiety is at a high level for what reason I don't know but this happens all the time. My girlfriend just came home from a charity event and I was dying for a party plate but thank God she didn't get one.
Well I'm just gonna stick it out and survive the night but can I know how you feel with not controlling your appetite. Cross your fingers for me and I'll do the same for you.

 

[Thina]

Thanks Omega and Roman for sharing your advices. I just did a workout today this early morning and I feel good. It wasn't for a long duration but it's a start. I'll eventually work my way up. Cravings are somewhat still there but I'm going to manage. For some reason salty foods or greasy foods is temptation.

 

[Omega]

Salty food is a dodgy area for anyone wanting to lose weight.
Salty things tend to make people retain water - which means that the scale shows a higher number.
A lot of dieters hop on the scales and could get disheartened if they see a higher number than they were expecting.
If you know you've been good but have had something salty - don't get disheartened.