losing weight

[winterbadger]

...is so amazingly hard to do. At least for me. I've been keeping track in my LJ since 2005, and I've been between 265 and 277 the whole time. The notoriously questionable BMI scale says I should be between 145 and 190. I was slender at 185, so I would be happy with 220 or so, but it seems like the Moon to get there, let alone stay there.

I really hate the way I look. Tight clothes NOT good; loose, baggy clothes make one look even bigger. I also know it's unhealthy; I've had one inguinal hernia that I'm pretty sure was indirectly caused by the strain of the extra weight on my abdomen, and I can tell that carrying a lot of extra weight makes my heart rate go higher when I exercise, makes it harder to exercise, and makes me sweat a whole lot more even under mild exertion (which is also icky and embarrassing). I'm sure it affects my breathing and my sleep patterns.

I'm determined to get back to exercising regularly, the way I used to when I lived by myself. What's harder is trying to regulate my diet when I share a lot of meals with someone else. And I know from experience that I may get more fit that way but I still don't lose that much weight. I was working out *hard* a couple of years ago getting lots of running and climbing exercise, and while my wind improved and my muscles were better toned, I lost only a few pounds.

I'm frustrated and not sure what to do.

Comments

[azbound.livejournal.com]

Join weight watchers and get a trainer.

And I'm not being flip. Having a program that gives you good food guidelines and takes into account you working out is a great thing. Having a professional who can work with you a couple of times a month to maximize calorie burning/muscle building/size reducing can make your working out most effective.

And I don't necessarily mean a trainer in a gym - a good one will ask what you love to do and help find ways to work that in so you're not bored and you can make it a lifestyle change and not just something to do to reduce your ass size.

[ticktockmary.livejournal.com]

I was working out for months and while I was in better shape, I wasn't losing weight. So I finally got serious about eating right. My goal was to lose 15 pounds by the start of the (MLS) season, but it looks like I'll only hit 8-10. I didn't go on a "diet" per se, just stopped eating crap and tried to remember WWSBD (what would South Beach do). Seems to be working because I haven't changed much else.

It is hard to be good when you're living with someone. c will make some wonderful thing that involves oil and cream (!) and all sorts of bad-for-you but yummy stuff, and it's not like I'm going to say "sorry, I'm on a diet!" I do try to eat smaller portions though.

Would you like a carrot?

[pusscat.livejournal.com]

May I recommend this book? I lost about 30lbs doing this and I can honestly say it was the easiest weight I've ever lost. And more than the weight loss, I felt brilliant on it and had loads more energy. Although I eventually went down the slippery slope back to many of my previous eating patterns and consequently gained the weight back, it did change my habits permanently and much for the better, getting me off most heavily processed foods altogether. I'm quite evangelical about it, it's certainly the most sensible eating/weight loss plan I have ever seen and seemed to work beautifully.

[pisica.livejournal.com]

We find it helps not to keep crap in the house - cookies, chips, whatever. I mean, we still end up having some (hey, free cookies in the bmi lounge! etc.) but it really cuts down on the bored snacking.

[noting-nothing.livejournal.com]

Sympathise A LOT with this.

I recently read a great book (Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink) which talks about eating less without realising - lots about portion size etc. It's interesting in its own right, but I've found it helpful with weight loss efforts.

Good luck. It's not easy.

[zoefruitcake.livejournal.com]

I've been on a diet solidly for getting on for 9 years now. sigh :0(