Losing Weight
By favefive
@favefive (178)
United States
May 16, 2007 1:16pm CST
I have tried, for several years to shed some pounds...tried yo yo diets, diet pills, exercise machines here and there, yoga videos, etc. I did not really have the motivation to stick to it--up until now. I was recently asked by my primary physician to do my yearly routine blood exam. To be honest, I have not had one in 2 years. My fasting blood sugar was elevated. I had to do some drastic changes in my diet, I had to cut down on sugar, carbohydrates, anything that can cause the blood sugar to elevate. It is funny how people can be motivated when health is at risk. I have a 12 year old daughter, I looked at her and thought to myself, I have to do this for her. I have to be here when she will fulfill her dreams and be there for her when she walks down the aisle...you know- all the motherly love I can give. In an instant after seeing the doctor, I went to the refrigerator and threw away everything that I deemed "unhealthy". I went to the groceries and find myself really looking at the food labels. No carbs, no cholesterol, etc. I am eating less amount of food but more frequently. A well balanced diet is the key. I check my blood sugar before and after each meal...right now I my reading is back to normal but I am keeping up with my plan. In less than 2 weeks I lost 6 lbs. which is amazing. I exercise more, I walk often. If it is raining outside, I hit the treamill that my husband bought me years ago...dusty and all, now it is getting some good use. To think that I could have done this sooner but I am glad it was not too late. Years ago I did not want to give up on a lot of things, but to be honest, I still eat the food that I used to eat and still love, I only cut down and it worked! May I suggest using splenda for your coffee, etc. There are ice cream flavors out there that are made with splenda and they taste great! So to you folks out there, moral lesson, vanity is not enough motivation, health is! Stay healthy and fit and be comfortable with your skin and who you are :) I was 240 lbs, now I am 234lbs, and shedding some more towards a healthy life! Share me some of your dieting challenges, maybe we can learn from each other.
2 people like this
2 responses
@myfanwy65 (1030)
• United States
13 Nov 07
I was recently diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglicerides. I know the spelling of that is not right, but I think you will know what I mean. I agree that there is no better motivator than thinking you are going to die. I knew I had been feeling weird, but I had no idea I was that ill. I have lost 42 pounds so far. I have also cut down on my carb intake and I use splenda. I have gone from 282 lbs to 240. So, I am just now where you started. :D I do feel better though. I do 30 minutes of step aerobics and 35 minutes of yoga a day. I do this at least 4 days a week. I'm hoping to start doing Qi Gong and Tai Chi as well. I love the Chinese Martial Arts/Exercises. I feel so much better after doing them.
I have also tried so many diets, such as Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, NutriMed, low fat, low calorie, and diet pills. Like you, I have never had the motivation to stick to it for long. It's so hard sometimes.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
10 Nov 07
Good for you. It usually happens that when you have a lot to lose, like if you are over two hundred pounds, you think of the old adage, "it took years for you to get that much and it will take you just as long to lose it," so you do not want to try. But every bit helps, and often you find out the weight comes off quicker than you thought.
I eat a lot of salads, and I do love a snack now and again, but with walking, etc. I find that the weight is coming off. I do not use splenda, as it is not that good for you. I do not use the low or no fat dressings because they add sugar. I heard that Stevia is good, but it is a bit costly and besides if I cut down on sweets, I will tolerate things with less sweetness.
