Hi everyone! I just joined fitday and knew I'd need someone to talk to IF this is ever going to work for me so I'm posting here. I've tried and failed so many times that I almost feel foolish trying again. I am going to be booked for a gastric bypass but where I live there is a 2 year waiting list so I've got time to lose weight without the bypass if there is any way possible. I am about 110-120 lbs overweight. My God how did I let myself get this way?

I've been reading different diet books etc. over the holidays and honestly don't know where to start or what to do. Food combining sounds very interesting - but you don't have to count or measure anything (at least Somersizing anyway) and I can't for the life of me see how you can lose weight doing that. If anyone uses that kind of a plan, please talk to me. :)

I'd also like to get off of sugar and I'm wondering if I should do that and go through that ordeal first. I'm really confused about where to start. I think doing something like Weight Watchers where you have to count everything would be way too hard for me - but I don't know if counting nothing is the way either, Any advice or sharing of your own stories would be really welcome. Thanks.

Welcome Scarlett!
I am also new here, but I'm certainly not knew to dieting! I too am (or was) about 100 lbs overweight and have tried many different ways to lose weight. This summer I finally "took charge" of it and have been doing pretty well. Please don't feel foolish for "trying again".....never! You should never feel that way for trying to do something good for yourself and your body!
I don't know anything about the combining thing, I actually have never even heard of it...sorry! But I did wanna give you the only suggestion that I know of that has worked for me! Don't think of it as a "diet", think of it as a way of life. If you think of it as a diet, it will only make you feel like you are denying yourself something. I have lost 30 lbs since July by going to Curves to workout 3-4 days per week (I love it) and I haven't changed too much WHAT I'm eating....I simply eat less of it. I think if you eat "special food", it is frustrating to you and you are less likely to "stick with it". The most important thing is to create better habits, that will help you to stick with the "new way of life" (not the D WORD! lol) and to maintain once you reach your goal.
Hope this helps you! Keep in touch, we can motivate eachother! :hug:
Michelle

Hey again!
I forgot something....another thing I do is write down what I ate each day to reflect back. I use fitday.com to do this. It helps to see it down on paper(screen)....it's motivating. I sometimes find myself not eating something I know I shouldn't have cuz I don't wanna have to write it down! LOL
Each day I use the journal at fitday too to "talk" about my day in respect to my eating and exercise. It really helps to talk about what went well and what didn't...helps to make changes if needed or to notice things that I need to keep doing more of!
Again, good luck!
Michelle

Here is some advice that I have.....plan, plan, plan. To stay on track, just be prepared. I cook up a large low-fat, healthy dish that I can freeze into individual containers. My husband cooks for my son and they eat dishes that have more calories than I want so I just "nuke" one of mine.

Also, if you know that you are going to have a yummy, high calorie dinner with dessert, then plan for it. Start a day or two ahead cutting back on calories so that when it comes time for the dinner, you can eat it as well as a dessert if you want it.

As for the exercise, I truly hate to exercise but I consistently walk 20 minutes a day...no excuses. I have jumped on the dang "dreadmill" even when I have been sick or my back is sore. I just do it! And.....I recommend exercising first thing in the morning.

I am a binge eater, so my husband and son hide all the candy, chips or any other high-calorie snacks from me. I have a motto when shopping for food....."I can't eat what I don't buy".

Hugs,
Tess

Hi - welcome. :)

You mentioned Weight Watchers and not wanting to count. WW's has a program called 'Core' and it doesn't involve counting anything. It has a list of foods that you eat from. I don't know much about it since I've never been on it, but it might me something you'd want to look into a little more, if you're interested. They also have the 'Flex plan' where you do count points and you have more of a variety of things to eat.

Just thought I'd throw this out there. :D

I know you say you want to go the gastric surgery route but please realize... you still must follow a sensible eating plan. Be very very certain before taking this route because I know of 2 people that had this done.. One it was basically a flop to her because she did gain all her weight back.. yes your tummy can stretch and then a gentleman I knew is now having to undergo surgery for the 3rd time because he keeps experiencing scarring. He informed me that he wished he never had this done because to him the pain is worse than actually being overweight.. I know you are able to lose it on your own if you give it half a chance.. The ladies here have given you some wonderful idea. Good luck with whatever you choose :hug:

Food combing DOES work. I believe in "natural health" and have done food combining on/off over the years. It does work and I feel 1000% better. Still need to eat sensibly. No sugar is a great idea, same as Oprah's "white diet" - no white sugar, white rice, white flour, etc. Start slowly, do your best each day to eat well & move more. I have 100+ lbs to lose but I am EXCITED about my journey. I have lost 100+ lbs 8 yrs ago just by moderate diet and daily exercise - kept it off for 2 yrs, then allowed it to creep back over next 5 yrs because I stop my daily exercise routine (with loads of excuses - night school, full-time job, tired, etc etc). I'm here for you!!!! STAY STRONG - I believe in YOU!!! :cheer:

i am very well knowledged about food-combining,dr sheltons work as well as the diamonds books. it is a wonderful lifestyle change to make and very effective for losing weight. i still believe that calorie counting is important but only with adequate nutrition. i'm a firm believer in CRAN (calorie reduction with adequate nutrition) since it is the only medically proven way to prolong longevity. food combining works well due to proper effective ingestion of meals. eat a cheeseburger it will take nearly 12 hours to digest. eat a large salad and a big plate of meatless whole wheat pasta it will take 3.5 hours. there are some key factors to look at when doing it, some that CndLady all ready mentioned as well. i agree with Joanne completely about the bariatric surgery, stay away from that idea unless it's life or death! other alternative healthy lifestyle options are The Okinawa Plan or Ph Miracle Plan.

1.watch how much fruit you ingest,especially if you are juicing as well. even carrot juice, because of the sugars.

2.you have to keep with the principle of "all nature" foods. dont think you are doing your body any favors with proceesed carbs combined with a salad or veggies. especially stay away from any processed cookies,only eat ones with carab,honey or stevia in them.

3. it is primarily a vegetarian diet but if you do eat a protein combinated meal make sure is good quality cuts of meat (no packets of processed ham) or non-processed cheeses (no cheese stick crap,jar cheese)

well best of luck scarlett!:)

CndLady- congratulations on you great loss and progress that you have made!:1stprize: