The day I change my life.

[Sally7]

I have spent years fighting my weight, and there are times when I just break down. I've lost and gained, lost and gained, lost and gained to the point where I'm gaining more than I'm losing - seems like a losing battle, or not. Only recently though were my eyes finally opened to what I have become, a 16st, 19 year old. I got down to 12 stone in the past over a couple of months through an extreme lifestyle where one day I woke up and decided I'd had enough. I ran twice a day, did a two hour exercise DVD every day and only ate vegetables, occasionally with chicken. But this is not a healthy routine, I couldn't keep up with it, I've learnt that now. My life has changed completely because of my weight, I've had to drop out of University for a year as my weight has forced me fall into a deep depression, where I just feel like I have no escape from anything. No matter how many drugs or counselling they give me, I know it comes down to self-motivation - something I lack but desperately need. I have used multiple weight loss organisations, weight watchers being my favourite, as I got to watch my weight pile up. I'm using this site in hope that I find inspiration to kick-start me into the realisation of what I need to do - be active and eat healthy. Today I need to be a different person, I need to stop worrying about what I'm going to eat without gaining weight because that just gets me stressed and stress leads to the consumption of the pantry. Today I will focus on my triggers, what makes me want food more. 1) STRESS - maybe some relaxation sessions should help me learn how to relieve myself from stress? 2) BORDOM - I need to keep my mind focussed on something, maybe start a new book? 3) HUNGRY - but am I? I persuade myself that I am but deep down I know I could make myself wait for the next meal. The one thing I have learnt through the years of trying to lose weight is that none of us are alone in this battle - because if we're all alone, then we're all together in that too, something important to remember when I'm feeling down

[eeek1110]

Oh sweetie, you are in a bad place and you do need genuine support from people who care. You've found it here and you'll get support, advice and motivation whenever you need it. It's about getting control back and liking yourself.

Emotional eating is a hard habit to break and a new member said she found food to be a friend. It's not easy to dump a friend who has been with you for so long. I see it more as a family member I don't like. Always there for me but I don't have to spend my life with.

Healthy eating, moderation and exercise are the friends you'll find you love soon. Have you downloaded myfitnesspal? I find it keeps me focused and is a daily part of my life now. The forum is most important to me as reading the posts and replying to them keeps me wanting to keep on the straight and narrow. I can't dish out advice if I don't believe in it myself, can I?

It's a difficult one coping with stress as it's so individual to all. My hubby, (if he's not the one causing it) cats, garden, going for a walk, having a scream in my pillow, loud music, or going for a drive (carefully) all help me.

Boredom isn't a problem for me as we do have a quiet life but somehow I mange to fill the days. You've got to eat healthy food when you are hungry and eat fruit and veg to keep you going till your next meal. I hope I've helped and I'm sure you'll get other members replying to you too. Keep in touch!

[Salaisa]

A big hug to you Sally! I think you did the right thing to come here. There are so many different people here, with lots of different stories, some of them with the same story as yours, but all of them share the same problem and know where you are coming from. Be assured that you will find all the support here.

I am sure you will get lots of advice from people. A good place to start generally is the NHS weight loss programme, which is not a diet, it's a 12 week awareness journey to help you understand food and nutrition and help you make better choices. You can find the programme here nhs.uk/Livewell/weight-loss...

On a more personal note, I think you have a strong desire, but maybe don't know how to go about it? IMHO, it is a mistake to declare today as the the you change your life and expect a revolution. That's not going to happen, girl. This journey will be long, slow, with lots of obstacles and very likely with setbacks. The rewards will come, eventually, that's guaranteed, so you don't have to worry about that. The success will be greater if you can create positive habits, one by one, not in one revolutionary sweep. You could start, as eeek1110 suggested, by using myfitnesspall (or pen and paper) to record everything you eat. If you do that for a few days, without worrying about anything else, get an honest picture for yourself what you eat and what is wrong. Come back here and report, lots of collective experience to tell you where you can tweak things.

If you need to kill boredom, maybe you can pick up you uni books to get a head start for when you go back? Or read the NHS plan, this forum - which will take you to a lot of different places on the internet that talk about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, how to cook, how to deal with emotional eating etc. You will find that weight loss if often secondary (and welcome) consequence of sorting out some primary issue.

Ok, long post, sorry. Good luck and do come back here! You will always get a) support, b) advice, c) kick in the butt, as appropriate You CAN do it!

[Salaisa]

How are you getting on, Sally7?