GH Weight-Loss Support Group

Hello and welcome!

My name is Kerlin and I'm 20 years old. I have no clue if this will be of any help to you. You are not the first person I have heard of this happening to. My godmother was in the exact same position almost 20 years ago. She had an eating disorder in her late teens and early twenties. When she was 35 her metabolism dropped drastically and she gained weight in her hips and butt. And oddly enough, she also started menopause very early. She made up a plan that she has stuck to for the past 20 years. In the morning she eats a breakfast bar. For lunch she has a salad. At dinner she eats a full meal. She walks for a half hour 4 days a week and it helps her maintain her weight.

According to her, if you want to lose a little weight then walk an hour, 3 days a week. Just be careful. She still gets very uptight on the rare occasion that she gains a few pounds and she has to remind herself that it's not worth getting sick over. But know that you're not alone in this. If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to ask her.

Kerlin

OK, I'm brand new too I can see we have some things in common. To make you feel better, I am worse off than you. Three kids has really put me out of shape. I lost my period (SLAM!) at 42, and now I'm 47 next week and the hot flashes are continuing. Regarding weight loss, I have lost around 12 lbs recently, but have hit a plateau. I need to lose 25 more to get to a size 14, as right now I'm a size 18. The menapause thing can really set you back, it feels like the thickening of the waistline is a big side affect.

I am really trying to get myself uplifted my taking care of myself. I am on a quest to improved lifestyle, some small changes, some big changes. Small changes would include striving to eat whole grains rather than white flour products, and keeping all the carbs at a minimum. It is really, really hard, as I love the carbs, but I know they are my personal poison. Sugar goes along with that. If I only was successful at those two adjustments I would be able to take the weight off more easily. I have my ups and downs.

EXCERCISE! I am finally realizing it's able to lift my spirits and energy level for hours afterwards. Usually I do it in the morning before the school & work routine, and I try for that twice during the workweek. Then I can sleep an hour later on the weekends and still get something in. Yesterday I actually worked out at 5 p.m. for the first time, and it wasn't so bad. It prevented me from pigging out before dinner, and then eating agin AT dinner, so it was a good thing. I think I'll do that again.

Anyway, back to you. I think the help we both need may be right here in the chat room. I've never gone onto one before. If you reply back, I will too. I think that if you make a list of a few small changes and start to walk 4 or five times a week, you will feel remarkably better. Do it today and write back to me. I want to know what changes you want to make. We can help eachother, at least I think that's the purpose of this whole thing!

Hi Renee-

So glad you want to be motivated, I need some myself today. I woke up and did the short, 20 minute version of my usual 40 minute workout, thinking that I would try "The Firm" video afterwards. I started it and even the warm up was too hard! That was depressing, and I wound up SITTING there watching 30 minutes of it before giving up. I have a lot of errands to do today so I need to get my day going. I'm off work today and its supposed to be a beautiful 80 degrees, so I want to get out there. I've decided to go for a power walk later to enjoy the weather, that will make up for this morning. I guess I do sound motivated after all!

You didn't tell me what small changes you want to make.....so I will make a suggestion. Always eat breakfast, either egg whites (I just hard boiled 10 eggs to keep in the frig for meals or emergencies) or a protein shake made in the blender. I've been doing Medifast which is low fat, low carb and high protein (NO MEAT!!!) Most importantly its low glycemic, which if I understand it, means that it does not raise my blood sugar too high which is good for my impending diabetes (it runs in my family, and I'm sure to get if I don't take off the lbs.)The medifast shakes are pretty good and they fill me up for three hours. In fact on this diet I eat something every 3 hrs or so.

You need to explain yourself when you say "my attitude towards food-it's becoming unhealthy again and scaring me a little". What do you mean? I love food, so I just try to eat the good stuff. I love salads but hate to prepare them so I always order them when out in a restaurant or the diner. You need to tell me what your lifestyle is like. Are you getting out of the house? DO you work and take a bagged lunch or eat with co-workers? Can you go to restaurants or are you unable to do that?

Eat breakfast (the egg whites are the healthiest thing you can choose, you can eat 4 with herbs or veggies)and always eat the veggies. I get no fruit on Medifast (Blood sugar issue) but sometimes I cheat, which sets me back on the weight loss. Avoid the bread and try to walk. Those four things: breakfast, veggies, no bread and WALK will make a difference. Then we can add other small changes together.

BTW< my name is Rita, almost 47 with 3 kids, all boys, one is already 18 and leaving for college in the fall, which is very, very scary. He can take care of himself alright, but I don't want to be old enough to have a kid in college!

Getting back to the meat thing, what meat don't you like? Only beef, or chicken, turkey and all animal meats? I love to cook and I think a have a pretty wide ability to cook many types of cuisines so perhaps I can make a suggestion. Tell me what kinds of cuisines you DO like.

How old is your child? If you have to make him/her breakfast in the morning before school I may be able to suggest a few things to keep you on track.

Last night I was REALLY, REALLY BAD> I ate two hot dogs and tater tots for dinner. We had a little league game and there was no time for prepare anything healthy. I knew I was doing the wrong thing, now my rings are so tight from the sodium I could SHOOT myself. OH, that reminds me, drink lots of water, as much as you think you can. Did you hear about the woman who died from drinking 30 glasses in one day? Don't go overboard, they want us to drink something like 8/day, but I can't get that much into me.

It is so interesting that you grew up on a farm with cattle. I'm pretty much a city girl, and I live 30 minutes from NY City. It's very interesting to talk with someone who is like me in some ways and so different in others. This is fun!