LS weight strugglers

[Lauriebell82]

Are any of you out there? Those who have struggled with weight for years and years?

 

I'm looking for support. I've struggled with weight for years. I recently lost a lot and have kept it off but have put on about 5 pounds since I started working at a grocery store. I have cut back on working out because of the physical strain and soreness of my feet and back from having to stand for hours on end. I also started eating more junk food then I should because it is quick. A 15 minute break doesn't give you much time to make a healthy snack. Plus I have to eat enough to keep from getting hungry and feel like I am binging again. I hate it!

 

So I know there are a ton of LS'ers on this forum that have struggled with weight. Any encouragement or support to be shared? Share your own story also.

[Star Gazer]

Yup, I'm one.

 

It gets harder as you get older to keep the weight off and to lose weight once you gain it.

 

I wouldn't be so worried about 5 pounds, particularly after the significant weight loss you had (like 45 pounds, right?). Just focus on making healthier choices and staying active beyond just gym time.

 

I also focus on the volume of my food. I try to find food that has the most volume for the least amount of calories, so that it's the most filling. Fruits and veggies, soup, and cottage cheese are my friends.

 

And if I'm craving something (like, say, onion rings), I ask BF to get it so that I can just have a bite. Works WONDERS!

[alphamale]

start counting calories and set a limit. learn the caloric count of everything. pretty soon you'll be able to estimate fairly well how much you're eating each day

 

it works

[xpaperxcutx]

Laurie, don't beat yourself over the 5 lbs, the important thing to remember is that it's okay to indulge once in a while but also to maintain.

 

From personal experience, the hardest part since my overweight days is knowing when to eat and what kind of foods to eat. I remember I used to love to binge on junk food. Nowadays, my diet is cleaner and more organic, but there are still those up and down days where I decide to hell with it and want a chocolate cake. I do, but instead of the whole cake, I'd go for a slice.

 

If you're really worried about putting on weight, try to brown bag your lunches and meals from now on. At least when you make your own meals you know the calories and the amount of fat and carb grams there are in it. If you don't have time to make them, pick more organic foods like veggies over cheeseburgers and fries.

 

I know you don't have time to workout as much so don't worry about that. As long as your diet is at your maintenance level and you're not skipping meals or anything, your metabolism should still be working at that level where it helps you burn calories.

[xpaperxcutx]

PS. LB, I remember in one of your posts you said you used to cardio and incorporate weight training? If you'd managed to lose a lot weight then, you must've put on a good amount of lean muscle. Keep up your diet with enough protein to maintain those muscles. They will help you burn fat.

[skydiveaddict]

start counting calories and set a limit. learn the caloric count of everything. pretty soon you'll be able to estimate fairly well how much you're eating each day

 

it works

 

 

Good advice

[SadandConfusedWA]

I have struggled with weight all my life. I have to count calories just so I don't gain any more. I have put on 15lbs virtually overnight since turning 30. It was bizzare as I didn't eat more or exercise less than usual. My BMI is about 24 and I would LOVE to lose 20lbs or so. However, I am half starving just not to gain It really pisses me off that I have it so hard. I know caloric worth of anything just by looking at it and I am ABSOLUTELY terrified of gaining more weight.

[Lauriebell82]

Thanks everyone.

 

I did start to cut back, my old gym membership expired and I joined a new gym that has a pool, more cardio equipment and weights, basketball courts, ect. It's really nice and the hours are much better. I am excited to start swimming again. That always helped me stay thin. I also threw out all the junk food and at work yesterday I hit the salad bar instead of eating a candy bar. So I'm trying. I lost a pound already and it's been 4 days. So we'll see. I know 5 pounds isn't a lot, but because of the fact that I am so petite it shows a lot on me.

 

Thanks for sharing your stories.

 

And if I'm craving something (like, say, onion rings), I ask BF to get it so that I can just have a bite. Works WONDERS!

 

Yeah, I used to do that too! But then made the mistake of ordering something that I craved myself and eating it. I think I overdid the "in moderation" thing. Thats something I'm probably going to always struggle with..finding a balance.

 

 

I have struggled with weight all my life. I have to count calories just so I don't gain any more. I have put on 15lbs virtually overnight since turning 30. It was bizzare as I didn't eat more or exercise less than usual. My BMI is about 24 and I would LOVE to lose 20lbs or so. However, I am half starving just not to gain It really pisses me off that I have it so hard. I know caloric worth of anything just by looking at it and I am ABSOLUTELY terrified of gaining more weight.

 

I'm sorry, I definately know how you feel. It's a struggle every single day for me. I wish I could go one day without worrying about weight or eating. I don't think that will ever happen. It's like being a drug addict..it sucks!!!

[Kamille]

Salad bar??? Well then, you're saved! When trying to decide where to head for your break, just remind yourself of how proud you will feel if you choose the salad bar.

 

Calorie counting remains a good idea. I'm a bit of a health-freak but didn't realize that healthy foods such as quinoa pack a bunch of calories.

 

Also, as Star pointed out, eating foods that have high volume for low calories is the trick to 'feeling full' without gaining weight. My current favorite snack is salad greens tossed in a yogurt-balsamic-mustard dessing (I use the mousto balsamic vinegar at the bottom of this page, it's delicious!)

 

Right now I'm focusing on portion control and it seems to work for me.

 

And I'm in the same boat as Sadandconfused. Since turning 30 I have put on 20 pounds (lost 4 since I started counting calories and portion control).

 

I didn't know how great I had it in my 20s. I could eat anything, hit the gym a bit harder and my weight wouldn't budge.

[Lauriebell82]

Salad bar??? Well then, you're saved! When trying to decide where to head for your break, just remind yourself of how proud you will feel if you choose the salad bar.

 

Yeah, the only problem is that it cuts into my break time and I have to practically inhale my salad. 15 minutes to rest and eat out of like 4 hours of cashiering is like NOTHING. I hate having to eat really fast, it makes me feel gross. I also hate getting so hungry while on the register and not being able to eat until my break. It puts me at risk for having to practically binge on my break. I only have to work there about a week 1/2 more though so thankfully I can go back to eating like a normal person.

 

BUT I did feel so much better after eating a salad yesterday instead of eating a high fat/high calorie, high carbohydrate candy bar.

[sunrae]

I used to be over weight.. I have learned to keep it off by preparing my food in advance for the office...

 

Slice up your favorite fruits and veggies the night before, so they are ready to grab and go. I love hummas, so when I get back from the store I put hummas in little conatiners so I can grab and go.

I always cook extra for dinner, so I have left overs for work.

 

I work in healthcare so some days its grab and go for me, depending on patient demand.

 

Prepare, prepare, prepare... So you have no excuse other than to grab healhty stuff for snacks. I knwo it takes a little extra time each night. But YOU ARE WORTH IT!