The Fight of My Life

[bonoferox]

I would recommend Truvia if you need a sugar substitute.

[Eric]

Sky, I'm so proud of you. Doing something like this is never easy. If you need support, remember you can always talk to me, whether it be here, in the What's Up thread or by PM.

If you want to give up soda, maybe you should try something like Crystal Light? It's powder that you add to water to make it flavored. They make kind with no sugar and very few calories (5-10). It's not exactly like soda, but it can be pretty good! Just remember, you should still drink plain water.

As you might know, I'm also trying to exercise, so we can keep each other motivated! You've even motivated me to get rid of something... Chips. I eat way too many chips, particularly Pringles. They're probably my biggest vice.

Lastly, if you are looking for horror stories... You should watch the first episode of the third season of Nip/Tuck. I can tell you what happens, if you like.





Anyway, I just want to stress that I want you to be happy and healthy. Love you.

[AngelFaith]

Sky, I think what you're doing is amazing. Good for you!

My biggest bit of advice is not about what to eat, how to exercise etc. As someone who has yo-yo dieted and seen my weight rise and shrink all the time, my best bit of advice is, if you falter, if you break in any way, don't be disheartened. Trying to do something like this takes time, and if you have a little stumble it is not the end of the world, and it DOES NOT mean that you are weak or anything. It just means you had a set back, and we're all here to support you.

If you need to talk, you can always PM me.

[Astray]

Props to you for deciding to make a change. I was overweight in high school and I got to a healthy weight when I started college. It's definitely tough to make change, but as others have said the best thing to do is not get thrown off track when you make a mistake. As for advice, most things have been covered but here are some things to keep in mind:

-When choosing what to eat think about what will give you a feeling a fullness. Eating good proteins + fiber (egg whites, skinless chicken, fish, etc.) will fill you up and sugary and fatty things won't.

-Keep track of emotional eating. When you overeat or make bad food choices how are you feeling? Nervous, bored, depressed? Asking yourself "Am I really hungry?" might be helpful.

-Prepare meals in advance. When I get home from school I am so hungry I usually will eat whatever is in front of me. Having something healthy stored away can result in better food choices.

-Can you get a dog? Nothing will motivate you to go out for a walk everyday than sad puppy eyes.

Good luck with this!

[Jsebold87]

Sky I feel for you. I've been dealing with something similiar for the better part of 10 years. I had problems with my weight when I was 5, but grew out of it, and was a very normal skinny weight until I was about 12. Then my grandfather died, and I started a lot of emotional eating. I've been struggling with my weight ever since. In high school I pretty much kept my weight under control, at least until Junior & Senior year. Then I got a bit pudgy. After high school is when the pounds really came on. Ever since I graduated from high school I've been up & down with my weight. Last year was really bad for me weight wise because my uncle died, and it was back to my emotional eating. This year is a little better, the beginning of the year was hard (because of family drama), but these past couple of months I've been gradually losing weight. 1 month and a half ago I could finally fit into a pair of my high school jeans again. Granted they're still a little tight, but it was a big accomplishment all the same.

My big problem is soda. I drink way too much Pepsi. That and I don't get enough exercise. I really need to start walking again. Whenever I cut out just soda I always seem to drop the weight fast, but after a couple of months, I get back into the bad soda drinking again. Right now I'm getting bad with it again. I still fit into my jeans (by some miracle, lol); but I really need to cut way back on the soda. Well that and I've been getting bad with potato chips. Ugh. I used to be horrible with candy, but I've gotten that under control. Now I just need to cut back on the soda, and cut out the chips.

I'd suggest not getting too hard on yourself about your weight. If you do that, you're just going to make it all the more easier for yourself to get back into the emotional eating. Just keep thinking positively, and what you really want. Don't torture yourself, and if you slip, don't tear yourself down, it happens, no one can be perfect on a diet. Just every once in awhile let yourself indulge on a little treat for being so good. It really helps to not cut out something completely, otherwise you're asking to go off the deep end. Just tell youself that once every so often (like once a month), you can have a little treat of your favorite sweet.

[midwesternwatcher]

I wish you luck. I'm a bit surprised with this thread, though. From your picture on Facebook, I'd never imagine that you had a weight problem.

[Skytteflickan88]

You are all too sweet. Makes me want candy a little bit less.

midwesternwatcher. I took that photo a few years ago. I look more pudgy now. I should probably update my photo. Or simply lose enough weight to look more like that photo.

[outofphase]

Good luck sky! I'm really proud of you for doing this. I know it's really hard to start, but after the first month it gets easier. I've pretty much given up sweets and I'm currently trying to give up soda (it's hard cause I need the caffine ) Try buying one of those little pedometers so you can see how far you walk everyday, it helps you focus and makes you feel accomplished when you can see how far you've walked.

[Eric]

Aug 26, 2010 21:20:02 GMT -5 outofphase said:

I'm currently trying to give up soda (it's hard cause I need the caffine )

What about coffee or tea? They also make more novel products, like caffeinated gum.


Also, I'm thinking I'm also gonna give up soda. I don't drink it too often, so I might as well.

[outofphase]

I drink tea like it's going out of fashion as it is. Seriously, Giles ain't got nothin on me. And coffee makes me sick. I've been trying to ween off the soda though, like I don't keep any in my apt. :/ ...they have caffeinated gum?

[Billie Erin]

You motivated me to try and get healthy too Sky- I went to the gym! I haven't been in months, so I'm really pleased.

However I did maybe have some of my Birthday cake for breakfast. Bad Billie.

[Eric]

Aug 26, 2010 21:48:28 GMT -5 outofphase said:

I drink tea like it's going out of fashion as it is. Seriously, Giles ain't got nothin on me. And coffee makes me sick. I've been trying to ween off the soda though, like I don't keep any in my apt. :/ ...they have caffeinated gum?

Coffee makes you sick? Why? It's so yummy. And, yes, there is caffeinated gum.

---

Along with chips and soda, I think I'm also gonna give up ice cream.

[Scarygothgirl]

I would give up crisps but my mother bought loads for my brother who hasn't eaten them so I have to now... I could give up icecream though. I also made the decision around january to only have one chicken burger a month (they are one of my weaknesses).

[outofphase]

Aug 27, 2010 17:57:52 GMT -5 Eric said:

Aug 26, 2010 21:48:28 GMT -5 outofphase said:

I drink tea like it's going out of fashion as it is. Seriously, Giles ain't got nothin on me. And coffee makes me sick. I've been trying to ween off the soda though, like I don't keep any in my apt. :/ ...they have caffeinated gum?

Coffee makes you sick? Why? It's so yummy. And, yes, there is caffeinated gum.

Yeah, like if you ever want to see the funniest sight of your life, trick me into drinking a sip of anything coffee flavored. Apparently I make hilarious faces as I gag and choke and try to find anything to get the taste out of my mouth.

[Talkie Toaster]

Don't worry outofphase, i'm exactly the same around coffee, hell i don't even like kissing my girlfriend after she drinks it

[Skytteflickan88]

So I bought two nut bag mixes today... From the crisps section. So it's not healthy. Somehow I tricked myself into thinking it was, but it tastes way too good to be healthy. Now I know... Not sure I want to throw then away tough. I guess I could give them to my dad.

He will have fun drinking the soda and eating the candy that's in my flat when we take the long drive there tomorrow.

I hate my stupid decision to save candy at home over the summer. I had no idea I would ban myself from eating candy and drinking soda.

Oh Dr Pepper, our love affair ended before it's time.

[Talkie Toaster]

Remember what i said about the jelly (it's especially good for people like me who can be emotional eaters) While yes i agree with people on here that sugar-free soda isn't much better than it's sugary counterpart it is very useful for weaning you off sugar (at least it was for me) then you just stop drinking the non-sugar stuff which is easy.

[Skytteflickan88]

I don't think that kind of jelly is sold in Sweden, I've never had it.

I'll drink a sort of swedish (I think it's swedish) soft drink/lemonad thing that's sugarless and seem to not be unhealthy. I'm staying away from coca cola light and similar drinks tough, because they're just as unhealthy as sugarfilled drinks.

[Talkie Toaster]

This type of jelly i'm talking about. gotta suck if they don't sell it over there.

[Skytteflickan88]

Nope, we don't have it. Might be in a few stores, but I don't recall seeing it. But I've seen it on american TV and wanted it. Maybe after this candy-free year is over I'll import some.