Obesity Discussion Forums

[soniadoor]

well i guess i will start at the begining. i am 17 and come from a large family. i have been fat all my life and have finally reliezed what it is doing to my health. at the begining of october i tried to lose weight by working out and eating right and it was really hard. during that time i ended up having some knee troubles and stopped working out and went back to my bad eating habits.
about a month ago i finally got up the courage to ask for help and talked to my n.p. she has helped me change my mind set about food and made me relize that i eat when i am stressed. since i have asked for help i have lost five pounds so far and i've only been seeing her for about three weeks, that is more than i lost by myself in 3 months.

[Rue]

You're off to a good start! And congrats on taking your health into your own hands...so many young people don't.

If you're still living at home, with a large family - and I'm assuming bad eating habits, it's going to be hard for you! Stay with it though! Don't let other people's habits affect your own!

[soniadoor]

Thanks Rue. It is hard but at least my parents keep there junk food in one closet and I go in there as little as possible so that I don't see the food. If I don't see it I don't want it. This seems like it is going to be a long journey but iI go for 1 Km walks almost everyday so hopefully it is enough.

[Rue]

Excellent! Stay out of the closet and do what you feel comfortable with your exercise! Do you have a dog? If so, take it for walks with you...you'll both be happier (and fitter!).

[soniadoor]

The dogs just usually follows me around since I live on a farm. Its good for my older dog because she doesn't move around alot. He he.

[Rue]

We have an acerage. I still take all four dogs with me for walks (and I walk them on leashes...one keeps wanting to chase the neighbour's cows, one is deaf and can't hear me call [or hear cars coming down the road], one is small and I'm worried about losing her to a hawk if she takes off, and the puppy doesn't listen yet...).

I'm just waiting for it to warm up a wee bit more...then we can do the power-walking again...

[soniadoor]

I thought about waiting until it was warm but i'm sick of putting things off. it was real windy today and now I have wind burn but its worth it. Ha ha

[Rue]

Woohoo! Way to go!

[dancer]

Hi Sonia! Good to meet you!

I was about where you are when I was 17. I probably lost about 20 lbs the first year of college because I was more active and snacking less. Though it leveled off for a couple years so now I'm taking it into my own hands. I think its easier for us to do this young then to try and do it when we are older and have more health complications, so good choice.

Great job with the walks! I'd suggest start with the 1km, but then slowly up it a bit each week by an extra km, or half km so you can do more. Unless it's bothering your knees too much. I have knee troubles too, and I put on knee braces before I go for hikes or walks. It really helps. When I'm walking on level ground though I try to have the knee braces off at least every other day to help strengthen the joint, and do some other exercises. Hopefully losing some weight will help with that! Also make sure you have good shoes with support in them.

Wind burn! Blah! I got that today too. Walking in blizzards is tough, though it does burn extra calories I imagine!!

[soniadoor]

I would like to say thank you dancer for ecuraging me even more. I plan on increasing my walking, also I am on the badminton team so i will have a practice at least once a week. There is also a gym i can go to that is about 6 km from my house where I use the eliptical machine. The only thing with that is that sometimes I just don't feel like changing into my gym clothes when I should be doing my homework. Does anyone have any good tips on how I can work around those days? Thanks.

[angela]

I know what its like being younger and still living at home. It's hard because my mom and sister eat the same as usual. I usually find myself buying my own food now to keep me on track. That way I can buy the healthy things I like eatting, it helps. I don't know if that is possible for you are not, depending on if you have a part-time job, if not I can understand it being a lot harder. I don't think I could have gotten my mother and sister to start eatting the way I do now and if I wasn't able to buy my own things I don't think I could do it. I'm sure you can... just remeber that your doing this for yourself and remember what goals you have.

[wildwoman]

just keep going, every day will get you closer to your goal.....don't give up or let anyone deture you! You are so AWSOME to be getting ahold of this NOW.....I know it can be hard but stick to your guns...........look at the things in that closet as poisen and steer clear of it!!! Every day do something that gets you closer to your goal........and push yourself just a little harder every day, you will see results...........oh yeah and start drinking alot of water................like a gallon!!! It will get your metbolizm going!!!!

good luck kid and keep posting!!!
I have a son that is 17, I know how hard things can be at that age.........

[dancer]

Whoot whoot water!!

Haha... a lot of times when I want to go to the gym I'll wear the gym shorts and a tank under my jeans and shirt... then shhhhhwppt!! whip the jeans and shirt off and I'm ready to go. It also helps keep the warmth in when I'm walking to campus for classes anyway. Winter is harsh! Then I just stuff my shoes in my backpack or in a plastic bag that I tie to the backpack. Saves time to not have to change.

Sometimes on busy days I switch back and forth whether I do my workout in the morning or evening, depending on the class or work schedule. Wake up an hour earlier, or stay up an hour later is the only difference. It works. It's tough to find time, but I find that my brain is quicker functioning when I'm getting adequate exercise and it doesn't take as long to study or do homework as it would if I was lethargic feeling.

Elliptical is nice cause it's low stress on the knees. Biking and swimming are also good if those are available!

[soniadoor]

You guys are so helpful. This I believe will help make my journy that much easier. I am going to try and post everyday what I am feeling and how my day went that why I can keeping getting great tips and super motivation from your words. Thank You.

[ana]

Congrats on your weight loss soniadoor and welcome to the forum. It's great that you know what your trigger to overeat is so you're starting off very well. I agree with dancer wearing your gym clothes under regular clothes is a great idea and really does save time I do that when I want to go to the gym after work and I change into gym shoes just before I leave. All the best on your weight loss journey.

[Rue]

Sure! Wear your gym clothes underneath...my kids do when they need to.

Just don't be like my 14-year old...he showers BEFORE he goes to the gym...

I still haven't quite figured out the rationale there...

[pursuitofhappiness]

Thats great news! 5 lbs is a awesome start! welcome to the forums, I look forward to learning more about you.

so what kind of farm do you live on? When i think of Canada I think cold weather. So do you have more animals (cattle, and chickens) or is it more earthy type farming, corn, tomatoes and stuff? or both lol

Bob

[Fluffymomma]

5# is an awesome start, I agree! I do believe that talking to someone about your issues is a great way to get you on the right path.

Very glad you are here, Sonia.

[soniadoor]

Originally Posted by pursuitofhappiness

Thats great news! 5 lbs is a awesome start! welcome to the forums, I look forward to learning more about you.

so what kind of farm do you live on? When i think of Canada I think cold weather. So do you have more animals (cattle, and chickens) or is it more earthy type farming, corn, tomatoes and stuff? or both lol

Bob

Well Bob I live on a cattle farm but we do have chickens and pigs. My dad also is a grain farmer so there is always something to do around here. I have a very busy life with both my mom and dad being foster parents so there is always a couple of little ones running around.

[dancer]

Hey how fun! My dad was a corn farmer, and we used to raise tons of pheasants and ducks. Never had any big animals though, much to my dismay.

How did it go today?