Patti, I really agree with Rachel. Find another source of food supply and get something other than fast food or prepared foods for yourself. Not only is the pizza loaded with calories, the foods that are used to make the pizza are generally bulk cheeses, meats, etc that carry their own double whammy of bad stuff. I am no food scientist but I have a pretty strong suspicion that it is the additives and preservative used in these foods are a big contributor to worldwide tendencies to obesity.

Her suggestion to move any part of your body is also very on the spot. I believe that Richard Simmons had a video for exercises for people with limited mobility.

I also get very angry when I hear these stories of people who are denied bariatric surgery for years because of insurance issues. It really is an issue of pay me now, or pay me later. And it is those of us with weight problems that pay the biggest price.

I was fortunate. The problem is small here as opposed to the USA and UK. There is a massive campaign to make people aware of childhood obesity. The lifestyle is much more active. The whole family goes out for walks. They are bicycle crazy. There are walking paths and bicycle paths everywhere.

And, I must tell you this, in the countries I've lived (Italy, France, Switzerland, Singapore, Austria), they LOVE their pastry shops. In my small village there are 5! They must have their bread fresh daily and the variety is enormous. 4pm is coffee and sweet time. But very few are obese, some are overweight, but the majority I would say are average. Not Hollywood celebrity stick figure thin, but real people weight.

Sorry but this is a subject I go ballistic on. I suffered physically, emotionally, and socially for over 50 years because of this problem and I hate to see others with this problem.
Libbi

Patti,
I truely feel for you. There are organizations out there that will help you get groceries and run errands if you need. Call church organizations like cathlolic charities, or call your local social services and see if they have a list of programs for shut ins. Also you can call almost any church even if you don't belong chances are there is some one there who would be willing to help if you asked. The point is put down the pizza and pick up the veggies. Also don't try to do it alone. That and I know you just broke your leg but stay active. There is nothing wrong with your upper body and your other leg. So get moving them. If you have weights use them. Also if you have an exercise video. Put it in and do as much of it as you can sitting down. I know it may sound weird but any movement is good movement. You will not lose if you do not move. I had the bypass surgury and did really well. I lost over 150 pounds. I promptly quit losing the day I had my car accident. Coincidentially that is the same day that I quit moving. Rachel

Well I've resisted this thread because I'm the poster child for how you can lose ground quickly with obesity. I have been trying to qualify for lap band surgery for over 4 years but my company has an exclusion clause against bariatric surgery. When I sold my condo in VA and moved to MI I kept some money aside to pay for it myself. But now it's difficult to find someone who'll do the surgery on my size. They want you to do the bypass which I can't afford. Now that I'm off on medical leave with no signs of improvement and filling out disability claim forms, I can't spend a dime. SO, afterall that whining, this is to say I started counting calories again this weekend. Right before my back went out in Feb, I had lost 41 pounds getting ready to have the lap band surgery as ordered by the surgeon. But I had no one to get me groceries and gained it all back I'm sure eating pizza delivery. So count me in and thanks for the support.

I love this thread. After reading what everyone is doing, I get more excited to go do something. I totally agree with Libbi. I follow the things that she has recommended and have never have had much of a weight problem. Add the extra steps wherever you can. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. I have to get my dogs out everyday. And I love to do that. Having a bad day is not the end of the world, get back on track the next day. Studies have shown that losing a few pounds make a difference and that adding exercise makes a difference in one's health. So find something to do that you love to do everyday. Then we'll have more years to quilt.

This has been an inspirational thread. I also cut down on feeding my eyes by using a smaller dish. I also try to make sure that my salads are colorful and full of green. Nature is such a good model, green is the base of just about every landscape that I can think of. Now that the school year has wound down and the hustle to get records completed is over, I can increase my exercise that I do at work. One thing that I incorporated was to use my exercise ball at my desk--it's great for my posture! I tried to do so in my sewing room but alas, not enough room! Best of luck to everyone who has accepted the challenge to improve ourselves!

WOW! Libbi, you have certainly got an inside track on this thread. Thank you so much for sharing these words of wisdom! I wish you well and continued success in your weight loss efforts.

This topic has been so inspirational. Thanks to all who have shared their stories. I lost good 30 pounds years ago on weight watchers, but eventually put it back on and then a few. It's difficult to fit exercise into the scheme of things, particularly when I've practically replaced all the exercise I use to do with quilting. I've been trying to bring a healthy lunch to work and eat more salads, some weeks I win, and others I lose. This Forum topic can help keep me stay on track -- it's motivational, as well as educational.

I've just found this thread. I felt I had to make a contribution since this weight issue has been with me my entire life. My Mom put me on a diet when I was 3 years old. (I really can't blame her since my eldest brother weighed 30lbs at 6 months old and had a childhood of health problems which she didn't want for me). Thus began the yo-yo dieting, food obsessed, sickness-proned life I led until 2003 when gastric bypass surgery became the final option for me.
Believe me, I tried every diet that came along and sometimes I lost over 100 lbs only to gain those back and more. In the 1990's my doctor finally told me to STOP dieting and to stablize my weight somewhere before I killed myself. I stablized at around 265-280 which, at 5'2, was morbidly obese. Unhappy and getting more unhealthy, I found that I would lose at least 20 lbs when I was in Italy because I was eating much less prepared foods and fast food. I was eating meals prepared from scratch with fresh ingredients.
Late in 2002 I found that my blood sugar was elevated which would lead to type 2 diabetes. I was already on a cocktail of meds for HBP, arthritis, gastric reflux, and anxiety brought on by worry over health issues. This diagnosis was the last straw. He didn't mention any gastic procedure but I had a work collegue who was going to have gastric banding during the 2002 Christmas holiday. I asked my Swiss doctor about the procedure. He told me that he had patients who had successful results with the procedures and that there was a top surgeon right in the community. He also told me that my Swiss health insurance would cover the procedure. He asked if I wanted him to refer me to the surgeon and to begin the paperwork for the health insurance. He said I didn't have to commit myself but, if I decided to go ahead, everything would be done. I said yes. DH and I had long discussions and did lots of research. I saw the surgeon on Feb. 14, 2003. He recommended a bypass rather than banding after reviewing my history and medical tests. After more discussions, we decided that I would have the surgery on March 26, 2003. THIS IS MAJOR SURGERY WITH SERIOUS RISKS AND LIFETIME CONSEQUENCES. THIS IS NOT A QUICK FIX. And if your weight issue is rooted in other mental health issues, one can gain the weight back.
Now after 5 years, I've lost 125 lbs, do not have HBP, elevated blood sugar, gastric reflux, and anxiety. I still have knee problems from years of being obese and will probably require knee replacements in the future. I must take supplements for iron, magnesium, B6 and B12. I take tests every 6 months to determine the level of vitamins and minerals in my blood. I am lactose intolerant and CANNOT eat anything with refined sugar, high frutose glycose, or some sugar substitutes. Even too much natural fruit sugar will trigger the dumping syndrome (google that and you can read how much fun that is). And there are foods I can longer tolerate. I've found that that particular side effect varys with the individual. There is a lifetime price to pay for Gastric Bypass results.
I have also found that Paul McKenna's "I CAN MAKE YOU THIN" program helpful for my mental approach to food. GB changes your physiology but mental attitudes toward food remains. I know some cases in which people ignor their body signals and gain the weight back.
What do I recommend?

Avoid fast foods
Avoid prepared, convenience foods
Read labels for added sugars and salt (I am amazed at the number of canned or frozen food that contain sugar. For example, tomato sauce)
Avoid Starbucks' specialty drinks...can be loaded with sugars & fat
Learn to cook meals from fresh ingredients which can be fast, more nutritious, and CHEAPER
Don't follow a restrictive diet that cannot become a lifelong eating habit
You don't HAVE to eat everything on your plate, especially when eating out
Recognize "head" hunger from real hunger. Drink a glass of water and wait at least 10 minutes (20 is better), then decide to eat something
Understand your mental attitude toward food (when and why you eat)
Find an exercise routine that you enjoy and will make part of your life (quilting, unfortunately, is sedentary)[/list:u]

You can probably add to this list. Weight issues can be highly individual. Actually losing weight can be relatively easy. Weight loss maintenance is HARD.

Try seedless cucumbers. Most likely it is the seeds you are having problems with. They will do it every time. Anyway try seedless and see if you still have the problem. All you have to lose is a few cents and maybe a belly ache. Rachel

I love cuccumbers too, but they have not loved me for a long time They really mess with my lower tract, especially since my gall bladder was taken out 8 years ago. My kids are not big on watermellon, but I keep a bowl of apples and bananas on the table and grapes in the fridge for munching, and while my youngest is still on strike when it comes to cooked veggies he has decided he likes raw carrots and celery (no dip either so it is really healthy - YEAH!!) so I keep those on hand all the time. His regular lunch any more is a few chicken nuggets, carrots, celery, and maybe a handful of Quaker mini rice cakes - the cheese variety tast just like cheesy poofs but are less than half the calories.

Cucumbers are my addiction and they are zero points on weight watchers. Also if I cut open a watermellon at noon my kids will have it gone by 9pm :shock: They love but it is healthy and it isn't chips or candy. It also cost about $4.00 so I will keep buying them. I also keep fresh veggies cut up and grabbable in the frig. This helps a lot especially when you just want to nibble something. Just place them in an air tight container with a wet paper towel over them and you're good to go. Keep up the great work ladies
Rachel

I sometimes eat the Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones for lunch and you are right, there isn't much to them. I bought a little kitchen scale because it is hard to judge meat portions.

I like salads but that also meant lots of salad dressing and my favorite is Thousand Island. I have switched to a honey mustard that is a little better but I measure out a Tablespoon (it sure isn't much) and toss half with the salad and use the remainder to dip a forkful of salad in. Just a tiny dip adds a lot of flavor.

This week I have been eating a small slice of Cheddar Cheese and fruit for lunch and it is as satisfying as the Lean Cuisine's.

I think we all need a reality check when it comes to portion size. When I read the amount on packages of what they consider one portion, it's not nearly what goes on my plate. Have you tried one of the "Lean Cuisine" type dinners? Check out the portion sizes and the total calories they list. It's a pretty good visual reminder of how much we should be eating. I find that I do lots better when I start with a smaller size plate! Then the food looks like it's a bigger portion! Good luck to everyone who's making the effort. Judy, we will look for you next Friday!

I find that I'm very good for breakfast and lunch, usually. Dinner is rough-DH and sometimes DD-is there. He doesn't eat lunch so he's very hungry. I'm still cooking for 4, even though there are only 2(3) of us.
Being a good Catholic, Irish girl-Goodness forbid I don't have seconds and clean my plate. As a child, I was punished if I didn't finish everything. All these years later, it's still ingrained.

We're going away next week and we'll be eating in restaurants for lunch and dinner. That's my next big challenge. I haven't lost anything yet, but I continue to work on it.

eileenkny