by Kcurly on January 28, 2010
I received an email from “B”:
Hi, I just saw your blog! I need help, Im trying to loose 50 pounds, i currently weigh in at 233, I hate the way I look, Im so self conscious, I have a terrible self esteem,and its starting to effect my everyday life, even my marriage. I need help before this gets worst, how can I start, I tried but I continue to fail, got any advice for me!
B thanks for the email. The only thing you can do it start to change your life. I have suggestions below, but there is no secret or gimmick, there is only you who can do this for yourself.
As for your self esteem, this is something you need to start working on now. Your weight loss will help you feel better about yourself, sure, but there are many people who lose the weight from their bodies, but still carry the weight of being self conscious.
List your best features about yourself and focus on that. Try to find some cute outfits, wear some pretty jewelry. I know you don’t want to buy clothes until you lose weight, but sometimes we have the issue of making ourselves dress down because of our weight. Being overweight doesn’t mean you have to dress like a potatoe sack. Go to some consignment stores, you may find a deal.
And while you are pointing out to yourself the good features, you can start working on improving the health and state of your body. Anyway, please stay in contact if you have questions…you can do this!!
Ladies, please share with B what helped get you started on the road to health!
Make a plan. Sit down, find a plan that fits your lifestyle, and plan it out. From the food, to the exercise, everything. You may want to start planning out your meals each day and keeping yourself accountable to it.
Avoid temptation. Get foods that are not on your plan out of your house. Take a different way home if it avoids going by your favorite fast food place. As you get more used to your new way of eating, you will be stronger at handling situations where you overeat.
Get a buddy or join online support group. Getting support can make or break weight loss efforts for some people. I had to get help from online support groups. It helps to know someone is going through what you are. It also helps with accountability if you know someone else is watching.
Don’t give up. How long have I been trying to do this? Years. I’ve stumbled many times, and so will you (more than likely). It’s not easy to lose weight, or everyone would be able to do it. If you fall of the horse, get right back on. Don’t wait until tomorrow, do it right then.
Get educated. Read, read, read about changing your eating. Learn why certain foods and habits are bad. An excellent book is You: On a Diet. It is a wonderful resource and can change your life. You may also want to look into obtaining the help of a trainer and dietician.
Incorporate exercise. You don’t have to run marathons or be a bodybuilder. Fifteen minutes of walking a day can start you on the right path. Incorporate a little weight lifting twice a week and you’ve got a firm foundation to start with.
Be realistic. Don’t try to start a plan that is going to be impossible to stick with more than a few weeks. This is a life change and it should be treated as such. Also, remember that weight loss takes time and you may not lose every week.
by Kcurly on January 6, 2010
One of my fears related to participating in a sporting event surrounds my body. Or at least my body in relation to other people.
It’s hard enough being around people with a six pack, toned arms and behinds you can bounce a quarter off of at work. Now I have to be around those ripped people while they wear skin tight clothes. And I…? I am also in skin tight clothes. Without being totally ripped.
It’s intimidating and it’s scary.
Questions and insecurities are liable to go through your brain. Will I be laughed at? Will they be whispering behind my back? Will someone point to me and say how they hope they never end up like me? Or, even worse,” What in the world is she doing here?”
Now, at most of these events (5ks, etc) there are not all perfect people. Once you actually go to one, you will see all shapes of people, from totally ripped to slightly pudgy to very overweight. In prior events such as 5ks and 10ks, some of these very in shape people have been the main ones to offer support and cheers of encouragement as I finish my race, usually way after they have finished.
Also, folks are usually just too worried about themselves and setting their own personal record to be noticing every ounce of fat on your body. I’m not saying there might not be someone, somewhere who will be a major a-hole, but that’s for any situation, true? I would say that for every mean spirited person out there, there are ten more upbeat and uplifting people who can sometimes give you a little pick-me-up.
So, I slap on my spandex and get out there, trying not to worry about what’s jiggling, overlapping, or bunched up. It’s about trying to push myself and make myself better physically. I won’t get there without motivation…and a lot of time, those fit, toned ladies offer a lot of motivation because one day I hope to be fit and toned myself.
A common excuse for not working out at a gym is that people are embarrassed of being in front of others in workout clothes while overweight. Ya’ll forget them, workout for you. And, as I said earlier, most of them do not even care about you or your fat. I have also been offered a lot of encouragement at the gym by fit people.
I figure I can sit at home, safe and sound in front of the TV in my loose clothes, or I can be out there working out with my less-than-perfect body.
Which will you do?
