I am the queen of yo-yo dieting. At my heaviest, I weighed in at a whopping 201lbs, and after 7 months of intense dieting and a lucky case of the stomach flu, I was able to shrink down to 141lbs. Since then I've hit every weight in between, and am currently a voluptuous 175lbs.
At 22 years old I'm once again prepared to start my weight loss journey. This time I hope for good. After an enlightening breakup, I realize why I've let myself ride this rollercoaster of weight gain.
I believe that I use my weight as a shield from actually living life, and most of all from having to get close to people. It's much easier to tell myself that he didn't like me because I was fat, or he left me for her because she is skinny and doesn't have cellulite on her pretty little size 4 behind. It's all a lie I tell myself. He didn't leave me because he thought I was fat, he left me because I thought I was fat.
I was too afraid of getting hurt to actually put myself out there, and let him know how much I actually wanted him. I was so scared of rejection that I pushed him right out the door and into her arms. It wasn't that she was thinner than me, or prettier than me, it was that she was brave enough to put it all out there and risk getting her heart broken all for the chance of finding love. I found that while I should be angry at this other woman, a part of me is grateful to her for teaching me a lesson I hope I will never forget.
I know that losing the weight for good is not going to magically give me the confidence I crave. I'm hoping that somewhere along my weight loss journey I will find myself, and learn to love myself for who I really am and to stop trying to be who other people want me to be.
Today is the first day of the rest of my life!
I've started by cutting out sugar, white flour, and all fried foods from my diet. In addition I'm trying to stick to a mostly raw diet. I love fruits and vegetables so hopefully it won't be too difficult. However, I do love Taco Bell!! Mmmm... Baja Chalupas are definitely a weakness of mine!
If anyone has any helpful suggestions on raw dieting or staying motivated when trying to lose weight, I would love to hear your comments! Also, if you are interested in having a weight loss buddy let me know!!
A raw diet is neither easy nor entirely pleasant; it's also very difficult to eat enough food just because of the bulk on it. You will need to also add nuts, seeds, and legumes which will need to be sprouted, which, while not difficult, can be a hassle. But it would probably be unhealthy to do so, just because it would be difficult to get enough protein given the bulk of the fruits and vegetables.
However, I wish you much luck and applaud you for realizing why it is that you've been using your weight as a crutch and that by losing weight, you will not solve all your problems. Those are both great first steps to take.
ReplyIt worries me a bit that you called a case of the stomach flu "lucky". That indicates to me that you don't really understand the mechanics of healthy weight loss. I harp on this all the time, so I'll just tell you that you should be worried more about losing fat versus losing weight (yes, there is a BIG difference). I agree with the comments Katie made, you need to make sure you're getting your protein.
The other part that worries me is that you make mention of your diet, but no mention of your exercise plan. I'm sure you plan on doing plenty of cardio, but are you also planning to do intense enough weight lifting to maintain your muscle mass? While exercise can easily be trumped by nutrition (or lack thereof), it should still be an important part of the plan.
Lastly, you may want to consider getting some professional help dealing with any emotional obstacles you have. At the very least, find someone or a support group that can help you work through those things.
Remember, if you truly want to change your life, you must be prepared to put the work in doing your research, eating healthy, exercising right, and changing your attitudes. Best of luck to you :)
ReplyKeep yourself to a structured plan and always make your own lunch and breakfast with only good things in them. I've followed this plan and lost 90 pounds after spending a good part of the 90s at 300 pounds.
Sure I lost weight before and gained it back, and even this time I gained 20 pounds back but stopped myself because I didn't want to experience the feeling of being overweight again.
By making your own healthy lunch and breakfast, even if you make a bad choice later in the day, you haven't started off that way and you avoid the whole "well, this day is screwed, might as well eat bad for the rest of the day" mentality.
When I get home from work the first thing i do is prepare my lunch for the next day so I am committed to the plan for yet another day and can't get to the point where I am too lazy and end up running out to a fast food place or eat something I shouldn't.
There are so many delicious fruits in season right now.. it is the perfect time to make them a big part of your day and keep your energy levels up.
Good luck in your goals!
ReplyWell make sure to get a juicer, this will help ensure you het more nutrients. Sublinguel vitamin B-dots. Also get a few raw "cook"books or your bound to get bored
ReplyMy advice would be to skip the raw food diet intermixed with Taco Bell binges, and find a healthier way that you can live and eat forever, and live that way. A temporary fix will lead to temporary weight loss, if that, and will likely leave you heavier than where you are starting. Or at least that's been my experience
ReplyI am so happy for you that you are taking these initial steps for a healthier lifestyle! I too have eliminated processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils and white sugar. YUCK, yuck and more yuck! These things not only cause weight problems but are so bad for our bodies. I also have to recommend that you look into a high quality probiotic supplement. The one our whole family takes is Vidazorb and it is wonderful :) Even our kiddos take them daily! Check it out...and I wish you lots of luck!
ReplyI agree with Katie and E.L. - you need to make sure you are getting protein. You need that in order to burn fat. And be sure to eat a good breakfast within an hour of getting up. A breakfast with protein!
ReplyTake it one day at a time and learn new eating habits. It will become a new healthy lifestyle just like it has become for me. I always watch my portions now even when I go out.:-)
Get a buddy. It is so much easier when you have someone else to be accountable to rather than doing it alone. That makes it too easy to sleeze out on yourself.
Have fun with your new diet and the new you!
I am currently on the same journey.
I have spent the last 4 years watching my weight go up and down.
I find that once i get in the mind set im fine...and the weight drops off very quickly.
But, otherwise..i just binge eat...even when im not hungry or even craving anything. its hard to stop.
recently i got down to 52kg...and stayed there for about 6 months...i wasnt even starving myself...i was just eating healthily, doing moderate exercise and was avoiding the binging.
I have recently put on about 5kg...because im back on the binging track...i need help to get back to the mind set that i was in before..im not after immediatly being back there..id just like to get back on track...the feeling of being on a track that is heading to a better future is a wonderful thing.
there is no feeling like it, and not just for weight loss.
i think, you need to not overwhelm yourself with all this..you must do this and that ra ra...
just eat 3 light meals a day...fruit for snacks..and walk half an hour to an hour a day. trust me it works!
just believe you can do it! thats the most important thing!
...i need to do that too!
if you'd like a weight loss buddy...i'd be happy to be one!
peace.
ReplyHi! I am in a similar position as you, and would be very interested in being your weight loss buddy! :) At my heaviest in 2006 I was 264lbs. I have since gotten to my lowest @ 150 and back and forth and am now hanging out @ 170-175. I am in need of some motivation as well. Hopefully we can motivate each other to the real reasons we do this to ourselves, I too feel I put up a "fat wall" and it is no good for anyone involved.. We need to break the cycle! hope to speak to you soon..
-ammie
ReplyRaw? You mean like raw steak? I'd brown just the outside were I you, just for safety, you know.
ReplyHey skinny,
I would deff like to be ur weight loss buddy. I'll keep tabs on you and check in. I'll try to post some inspiration and recipes to keep things fresh once in a while!! I look forward to hearing about your progress!!!
Erin
Reply