I give up

[winterbadger]

OK, I'm about 40-50 pounds overweight. I have been for several years, after being a little overweight and then putting on about 20-25 pounds in the last ten to fifteen years as I switched from an active job to a sedentary one. It's not good for me; I know that.

Three years ago I made a concerted effort and got into the habit of having half an hour's serious exercise a day. No effect whatsoever on my weight, though I imagine it was good for me in other ways. I've tried several diet plans (Weight Watchers, South Beach), and each time whatever weight I lose creeps back. The latest small victory was losing 5 pounds in the period between January and now. And then, in the last three days, somehow it's all back.

That's it. I'm done. I've learned some good principles about healthy eating from the various diets, and I'm going to keep applying those as best I can. I have actually found a form of exercise (cycling) that I enjoy wholeheartedly, and I'm going to keep doing that as often as possible and building up my stamina, and I'll keep doign other things I enjoy like hiking and playing soccer occasionaly and messing about it boats. But I'm officially swearing off tracking my weight, worrying about my weight, or trying to lose weight. It's inflicting more stress and frustration onme than it is doing good, and I'm shut of it from now on.

Comments

[pisica.livejournal.com]

I can see how that would get really frustrating....

I've found, as have others, that modifying eating habits can go a long way. aitkendrum and I don't keep potato chips or boxes of cookies around the house, for instance, because we'd only eat them, so not having them means less likelihood of eating them out of boredom. I can have a slice of quiche if I want, but I can't eat a whole quiche and drink a carton of OJ and call that lunch, and if I have quiche for lunch then I can't have Indian curry for dinner.

Something that happened recently was that I got a hand mixer for Xmas (I requested it), and keeping yogurt and bananas and fruit juice in the house means I tend to make smoothies a few times a week, which is GREAT for getting my five-a-day requirement. But then, I love smoothies and hate paying for them; if you don't it wouldn't work!

[winterbadger]

Yeah, changing eating habits is key. But to the extent I've done that, it hasn't helped much, which is frustrating. I don't drink soda, I have tried to switch what snacks I keep around for healthier ones and (mostly) resist the call of the junk food in the office vending machines. I drink a lot less alcohol than I used to.

My metabolism is just very resilient. It knows what weight I'm supposed to be (or thinks it does), and just adjusts to keep me there. :-( One thing that will def make a change is if I'm able to move someplace where I can walk more to shops and things (and even work, maybe, or use public transport). It's almost impossible to use transport to get to my current job.

[sidhne.livejournal.com]

I totally empathise. The thing about all those diets is, they have to be permanent lifestyle changes, not something you do until you lose the weight and then go back. I find I can't bear making those changes permanently. There are some foods that I'd miss too much. Bread, for one. And that's a big one.

Then there's metabolism. A person with a higher metabolism would lose weight on what I eat. But my past circumstances have permanently altered my metabolism, and it would take something radical to make a difference.

I track my weight by what I can still fit into, and that's getting depressing enough as it is. *sigh*

[winterbadger]

Yep, change has to stick for it to work. And I can make incremental changes, but not drastic ones.

As for clothes, I buy them infrequently as it is, so I don't mind occasioanlly getting a size larger, as long as there's a t least a chance that one of these days I'll be usign the smaller again. :-/

[plutosonium.livejournal.com]

Right there with you, pal. I too have struggled and sweated and self-denied over the years, and I remain, as usual, about 40 pounds overweight. I'm about half an inch from throwing in the towel.

[winterbadger]

40 pounds? *lifts eyebrow skeptically* You carry it a lot better than I do. :-)

[plutosonium.livejournal.com]

40 pounds. Seriously.

Though that goes by health charts. When I've been 35 pounds lighter than I am right now, I looked bizarre. My bones stuck out through my skin. My knees were ugly little knobs and my collar bones looked like they were trying to get free.

So let's say 30 pounds. But still.. :)

[winterbadger]

Still. But I'm still skeptical. :-)

[plutosonium.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I have enhanced gravity.

[deridere.livejournal.com]

It's a pain in the arse.

It's warming up - plan active events (weekends, evenings, etc.) Let's go hiking, kayaking, walking - anything...

[winterbadger]

Absolutley!

[sun-in-splendor.livejournal.com]

It's a nice day. Take Rupert out for a spin.

I'm hitting the Accotink Trail in about 15 minutes. I expect to see you out there. ;-)

[winterbadger]

Sorry I missed you! :-) I had a prior commitment in Marriotsville (an unhealthy afternoon of sitting around drinking beer and playing boardgames. :-)

[sun-in-splendor.livejournal.com]

Next time. ;)
The Accotink Trail extension under 236 is open. Very good connector between the stream valley trail and Wakefield. Gets around the big hill on King Arthur (although I'll probably ride that hill anyway, just for the exercise)
CCT south of Accotink was "challenging". I'll probably try it one or two more times this season.

[winterbadger]

I'll have to check it out soon!

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

that sounds a good plan.. sensible eating & exercise you find fun should do much more for your health than sticking to weird diet plans. Plenty of water and lots of fruit and veggies and getting out and about and whee, happy body.

[winterbadger]

Drinking water is one thing I need to make an effort to do more. It's just that, well, the more one drinks, the more one needs to pee! :-)

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

*giggle* well yes, that's the general idea. The water moves all the toxins and icky fats and stuff through your body with the obvious results, but its better for your whole system. If you're not peeing much then the toxins are happily wandering round your body, hanging out in groups, spraying graffiti etc etc... Though I must admit on days where I'm drinking plenty and the system is working nicely I get awfully sick of keep diving to the bathroom!