I am looking for some encouragement, motivation, a sounding board...you name it.  In the past I have had some success in losing a significant amount of weight (70 lbs.) but now I need to lose about 130 lbs. total and it feels hopeless.  Allow me to preface by saying that I am 28 weeks pregnant with my second child so a small portion of my weight issue is due to pregnancy, but only about 20 lbs. of it is that so I can't use that as an excuse.  My main problem is that I just keep eating when I am not hungry and I don't know why.  I don't believe that I am an emotional eater...maybe it's just habit or boredom.  I have plenty to do other than eat so I just don't know what my problem is.  I am a good exerciser so my issue that I need to tackle is food.  Anybody else in the same boat?  Maybe we could chat about it.  I have a wonderful supportive husband but the problem is that he is thin and has always been thin.  As much as he wants to help, he cannot possibly understand the emotional rollercoaster that us overweight/fat (however you choose to classify it) people are on daily.  Any responses would be great.  Thanks.

Jennifer

Jennifer,

First off, I would like to congratulate you on your pregnancy.  My husband and I are hoping to start trying again next month!  How exciting for you!

Secondly, I have to say that I have never responded to any other messages before either here or on other sites, but there was something about your email that hit a nerve. I could relate to most everything you said, from not knowing why you eat, to having a thin husband.  I don't have as much to lose, but I have always been heavy, fluctuating up and down my entire life.  This last gain was due to pregnancy (nearly 2 years ago!) and I have since lost about 30 pounds.  I have approx. 15 more to go. 

If you would like to be motivation buddies, I would welcome it! 

Tracy

Tracy,

My apologies for the delayed response.  I wish I had a better excuse than I've been busy, but I'm afraid that's it.  I have a year and a half year old girl and she keeps me crazy! 

To lose any amount of weight is difficult, and personally I feel like it gets more difficult the closer you are to your goal.  Either you feel close enough and lose motivation or your body hits one of those stubborn plateaus.  But I know you can do it.  I've done it before so it definitely can be done, but I look at it as a moment to moment struggle.  I have to constantly ask myself what am I doing at this moment to improve or worsen my health, and how do I continue/change?  I am forcing myself to drink water right and that is my goal for this moment, to finish this 33.8 fl oz. bottle!  I have to win those small battles before winning the war!!!  Well I hope I didn't lose touch with you because of my late response.  Hopefully I will hear from you.  God bless you.

Jennifer

Jennifer,

Happy Mother's Day!  My little girl will be 2 the end of Aug, so I understand the "crazy" part too!  That's funny!  Seems we have a lot in common.  Don't worry about the response delay. I understand completely!

Thank you for the encouragement. I hope to do the same for you!  I do feel that it's a "moment by moment" struggle.  Some "moments" much worse than others!  Ha!  I have found that by logging every morsel that enters my lips has helped me....some.  Check out myfitnesspal.com  It's a neat site with lots of interaction and an easy food/exercise log.   Keep hanging in and don't give up!

Take care,

Tracy

Thank you!  And Happy Mother's Day to you too!  I have heard that logging your food is a great idea but I fail every time.  I just don't think that is for me.  I'm terrible about keeping records.  I've been doing well though.  I've increased my exercise to 2 miles per day and I've lost a little already, which is so hard being 7 months pregnant!  Thank God there is a port-a-potty on the track that I walk.  :)  As far as food, I'm TRYING to eat "normal" portions and eating 6 small meals a day really does help.  I was so afraid that I would be hungry but I'm not at all.  I'm not one of those perfect dieters that eats nothing but healthy snacks and sticks to the plan perfectly.  For example, I snacked on corn chips and french onion dip yesterday and still lost 2 lbs.  What I try to do is mix those not so great decisions with some good ones, like my exercise, and before dinner I like to eat a big salad.  Here is a really simple one that I love.  I tear spinich, cut up radishes, add raisins, use balsamic vinegarette, and since I have such a sweet tooth...I add a little sugar.  (Don't tell on me!!!)  It's also really good when you add avocados, which I usually do but the price of avocados is silly right now and we are on a crazy tight budget.  We are building our first house and expecting our second child so I'm sure you can imagine!  Ok...well I hope you are doing well.  Keep making great decisions!

Jennifer

Jen,

Wow!  2 miles a day and pregnant! You are an inspiration! I hope (God willing) when I get pregnant I will still get my butt on the treadmill!  You are doing amazing!  I don't know one person who is a perfect dieter and who would want to be??? I think you should be able to eat what you want but just not everyday and not the portion we want!  Good for you!  Your snack sounds good, I'll have to try it.  We are on one income now, so I GET the budget thing.  It's HARD! 

Keep up the great work!

Tracy

I must say that today has been a CHALLENGE!!  I'm insanely hungry.  Maybe the baby is having a growth spurt or something cause I can't seem to eat enough.  I made a bad decision to eat lunch at McDonald's and of course I had the quarter pounder with cheese meal.  Before that I had a large breakfast and a very large snack.  God help me!  I am proud of myself for walking and I have lost just a little weight but I'm just going to counter my efforts if I keep eating like I do.  How is your day going?  By the way, which State are you in?

Jennifer,

Hang in there! I have every confidence that you even if you slip up a bit, you'll get right back on.  (Funny that you mentioned McDonalds, because I did too! UGH.)  You can't starve yourself and you can't "forbid" yourself either or this will never work for the long term.  Eat if you are hungry! (esp. with the baby, you must.)  Just try to pick healthier and SAVOR, SLOWLY every bite!  It helps me eat a bit less.  I'm proud of you for walking :)

My day yesterday was BUSY!  I've been dog sitting (4 of them) then my daughter had a dr. appt. and then we had a playdate. Last night I hit a WW meeting and my daughter went to my sister in laws to go swimming.  I was beat by the time I went to bed. 

I pray that today is better for you!  I know it's tough when all you can think about is eating and food.  I get that way at least a couple of times a week.  Now, I try to distract myself esp. if I know that I am not hungry, but just "feel" like eating.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  Don't beat yourself up about it!

I'm in Nevada to answer your question...it's getting very hot! Where are you?  Have a great day!