Discussion Board

I'm a newbie here, but not to weight loss. I've been at that for quite some time now. I'll be 38 soon and it seems that everything I do these days is sedentary. Man, that's not how it used to be...

Back in the day, I was strong, energetic and could eat whatever I wanted. I was poor and, luckily for me, cheap food tasted great. At least, I thought it did, then I grew up and learned what I'd been doing to myself with all those trips to burger joints and pizza parlors and the snack food isle of the grocery store.

Now, here I am. Fighting Diabetes and high blood pressure, and probably more than that. I watched Forks Over Knives because I was bored while eating and I love documentaries. It changed everything. I can no longer cite ignorance as a reason for being this unhealthy. I weigh 212 lbs, which puts my BMI at 38.8. I need to be no more than 140 lbs in order to have a healthy, reasonable BMI. That number seems a world away.

I used to love the gym; or, rather, I used to love to work out. I walked everywhere, I lifted weights with my friends, I challenged myself all the time. These days, I mostly sit...and type...at work...at home. This isn't the example I want to set for my teenaged son.

In true Fat Girl fashion, I've purchased all the books and videos and stocked my pantry with everything I'll need. But I can't buy self-discipline, that has to come from the knowledge that it's time, it's enough, no one's going to make this change for me.

This is my journal, and I intend to make it as real as possible. I'm scared to do it as I will be embarrassingly honest about the steps I take and those I don't, and the reasons for both. But courage is important to me--I even have a tattoo about it--and so I will take these first steps. And then a few more. This is my journey of a thousand miles.

Hey! I hear you! Let it all hang out and don't worry because it will help. If you think you got something embarrassing you should see the crap I've written. It's all about you and remember that. Others can deal with their feelings. Oh, and welcome. I look forward to watching you get healthy.

This is the place we all must come to before we make any real progress. If you are truly at that place you'll find this way of life very easy to adapt to, whether you do it all at once or transition slowly.
There are some things you should know that'll help! The first being that you get to eat to satisfaction when you eat this way. For me this more than makes up for having to give up some foods I used to love. Secondly, you're going to have to identify and address any food addictions you may have. Those appear to be the biggest stumblingblocks I see people have. Lastly, you should know that you are going to love eating this way. If you start off and find the food bland and boring... stick with it, knowing that you will grow to love eating this way. Once we free ourselves from the bondage of sugar, fat, and salt, we unlock a whole new world for our taste buds!

You'll finish your thousand mile journey... one step at a time!!

We're here to help.

-Norm

Hi Julia, and WELCOME!!!! We are glad you're here and that you've taken that all-important first step in your journey toward health!

Norm and Anna have given you great advice, and I'm sure many others will as well. I'm glad you've started a journal and that you are committed to being honest. Don't worry about being embarrassed. We've all been there and are often still there many times! That's what is so great about this community! We are all here to support and encourage each other because this is probably one of the hardest and most important things we've ever done -- regaining our health, that is!

I so identify with your story. It sounds a lot like mine. I want to encourage you and let you know that if I can do this, anyone can! I was diagnosed with type II diabetes when I was 36, and McDougalling has saved my life! I am no longer diabetic, and I have lost over 100 pounds following this WOE and participating on these boards. Let me tell you, my success is nothing short of a miracle! And I remember all too well feeling exactly as you described, like the 100+ pounds I needed to lose might as well have been a million. But, I did it...and you will too! It will be hard, especially at the beginning...but it is soooo worth it! Commit yourself to doing this with all you have in you, and you will succeed!

Best of wishes, and let me know if I can help you in any way!

Peace

90 pounds ago I wrote a very similar post. I was very skeptical when I started and was at the end of my rope. I am sure glad I stuck with the program despite all my struggles it has been so rewarding. I am glad you are here:)

Welcome! There are a lot of great recipes and tips for making fast meals on the forum, which will help you adapt to this new way of eating. Best of all there are a lot of great people on this forum who will give you a lot of support. Most people who commit to eating this way also see rapid progress in the beginning, which is pretty inspiring, and there are a lot of success stories. Good luck on your own!

I figure this whole process of transitioning is going to be slow-going, and I’m trying to resist the urge to set a goal that’s too big to manage. But I still can’t resist the urge to feel disappointed in myself when I see the ratio of good-to-bad food choices I made yesterday.

So here’s my goal for now: replace at least two meals or snacks with good choices, but still log all the bad choices, too. My short-term ultimate goal will be to have one entire day with nothing but good choices. My long-term ultimate goal will be to have one entire month with nothing but good choices. It’ll be interesting to see how long that takes.

5/21/12

GOOD:
Fat-free Trader Joe’s corn flakes
Soy milk
Pasta and vegetable salad
Fat-free Trader Joe’s sourdough pretzels

BAD:
Small dark hot chocolate from Caribou
Small bag of BBQ chips
1 Reese’s peanut butter cup
2 Stouffer’s deluxe French bread pizzas

Why the bad choices? Let’s see…

Hot chocolate and chips: I’d just spent 15 minutes trapped in an elevator and the adrenaline (and my aggravation about being late for a friend who was waiting for me and had no idea where I’d disappeared to) made my sugar crash. I automatically went for the two things that had the most bang for their buck.

Peanut butter cup: For some reason I was craving sweets in the afternoon. I have a pack of these single-serving cups in my desk drawer.

Pizza: I wanted filling comfort food. And I was already in the grocery store picking up things for the family and temptation struck.

Today I'll try to eat all the Good food I brought with me, in hopes that it'll help me stay away from the Temptation food.

Welcome JuliaG,

I used to love snacking on chips and nuts. My secret now is to stuff my gullet with brown rice and potatoes, so that I'm not hungry for the bad stuff!

Hi Anna!

I'm glad someone else out there is writing embarrassing crap. I'll be sure to read your stuff.

And thanks for what you said. You're right--I can't control others, only myself. I appreciate the reminder, and the welcome.

-J

Norm,

Those are some great tips. Thank you! I'll remember each one because you're spot on. And I may be rereading your message over and over, to get it through my skull.

You're right...one step at a time. That will be my new mantra.

Thank you for such a warm welcome. I'll be sure to check out your blog, too.


-J

kirstykay,

Wow. Thank you for all you said. It's a little scary how much alike our situations are (or yours WAS--congrats on your spectacular successes!). And it gives me real hope.

I wasn't even expecting anyone to read my post and here are all these terrific people showering me with support already. I'm speechless. Almost. I want to read everyone's stories. I think those help the most. The real deal, you know? How everyone overcame the very issues that put them in this situation.

Thank you again, kirstykay.

-J

sksamboots,

90 pounds is almost exactly how much I have to lose, too. And I also feel at the end of my rope, so people like you are an inspiration--and I don't use that word lightly. Thank you. I'm glad to be here.

-J

Caroveggie,

Thanks! I'm so glad for all the easy, quick recipes on this site. I have two of the books already, but I'm always open for new ideas. I especially love Jeff Novick's quick-and-cheap meal ideas. I find that, now that I'm being careful about my food, I don't want to dedicate TOO much time to it or else I'll start to obsess. I'm trying to convince myself that, even if I miss some favorites, at least I'm not a slave to the kitchen.

And the support has been fantastic. Thank you for yours.

-J

Hello and welcome.
Have you read the information here: http://www.drmcdougall.com/free.html
Dr McDougall gives you everything you need to start with right here and free. It's important that you understand what we do and why we do it if you want to succeed. Don't wait to be "in the mood" to eat correctly or to exercise. The only secret to doing this program is just to do it.

I'm guessing that you have not read the information about the McDougall program because, when you listed your "good" and "bad" food choices, your "good" choices were not good! Corn flakes are processed, soy milk generally is too high in fat, pasta and pretzels contain refined flour. All of those things are not good for you. Read the material I linked you to, and check out the food lists there. You'll see what I mean.

The good news is that there are so many wonderful foods that are GOOD for you! A lot of emphasis is given here to healthy starches: whole unprocessed grains, potatoes of various kinds, beans and legumes. All of these things are delicious and satisfying. Even more than the starches, though, you should be eating lots and lots of colorful vegetables, especially leafy greens. If you are eating at least a pound of leafy greens and another pound of cooked vegetables every day, along with, say, a cup of cooked beans, maybe a serving of oatmeal, and a couple of fruits, you will be happily full and you can't help but lose weight. Stay away from processed foods; they have been stripped of their natural nutritional values and stuffed full of salt, sugar, and things you only find in a laboratory. Do not use any oils, avoid foods made with oils. These are highly processed "foods" and neither good for you , nor necessary in your diet.

You mentioned honesty in your initial post and that is excellent. You will need to be completely honest with yourself about what you are eating and why you are eating it. To do otherwise puts you into denial and that's a trap that is very hard to escape from. Any time you are not seeing progress, give yourself a reality check, review the principles of the program, and find where you are going off track. You really can do this, and you are going to feel so good!!

View this whole process of transitioning as a time of learning to eat differently. A time of saying goodbye to old friends. A time of change.
These are good goals. It is especially important to log the bad choices. Not necessarily in public, but you have to do it just the same. Transitioning slowly is healthy in many ways but you have to have accountability to yourself so that there is steady progress in the right direction.

Happy Eating!

-Norm