Diets ask us: How much do you hate being fat?

This is the silent question my diet (Nutrisystem) asks me every hour of every day of my weight loss quest!
Do I hate being fat and clumsy more than I hate tiny portions of food? Do I hate it more than plunging into my (unheated) pool every day and getting used to the water? Do I hate my fat more than I love eating whatever I want impulsively? Do I hate my excess weight more than I hate arguing with people who are determined to get me to eat something I shouldn't "because it's Jane's birthday and Aunt Wilma's made it from her special recipe and we're ALL having a piece"?

Sigh. So far, after just over 3 months of asking and answering this question...I've lost 18 lbs...with a whole lot more to go.

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Heartlander · 80-89, M

Someplace I read that it takes about 3500 less calories in one way or another to reduce by 1 pound. Do the math with a combo of more exercise/activity and less consumption.

To drop a pound a week, takes a difference of about 500 calories a day. So 250 calories more exercise and 250 calories less consumption every day should do the trick. Pick wasted calories first .... sugary stuff. Also high fat stuff like whole milk, ice cream, etc. An excess heaping spoon full of sugar every day will make someone 75 pounds heavier over 40 or 50 years. To get rid of that extra 75 pounds takes twice the effort .... 1 to stop the gain and another to shed the excess.

Hang in there!!

Carissimi · 70-79, F

Congratulations! That's a great achievement in 3-months. Keep at it. You can do it...are doing it! 👏

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

Thanks! I posted this because I really do need encouragment. I've got to lose 70 more lbs. Wonder if I can ever get that far. It will take at least a year and a half...and then I will, of course, have to live like this the rest of my life to maintain it. But given my problems with walking and moving, it's this or a nursing home. Most of my doctors, nurses, acquaintances and even one friend are urging a walker and a nursing home. But I want to travel, camp out, visit hot springs and see friends I've not seen in years.

Carissimi · 70-79, F

I believe you can because the only thing to prevent you achieving this is [i][b]you[/b][/i], and you are in the control seat. There are many things in life that we can't control, but this is one (fat loss) that we have absolute control of.

You are doing a great job. 18 lbs in 3-months is a tremendous weight loss. You have proved that you [i][b]can[/b][/i] do it. Just keep doing what you are doing, and you will reach your goal.

You have a great motivator...nursing home and walker [i][b]OR[/b][/i] camp out, travel, see friends, and do the things you want to do. When you look at those two choices, there is no contest.

Keep us updated on your success. I'm rooting for you. 😀

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

THANK YOU, Carissimi!!! I'm about to plunge into that pool again..

Heartlander · 80-89, M

Also, FWIW, excess weight can be a horrible obstacle to quality of life for the elderly requiring nursing care; often requiring mechanical assistance with hoists and straps, or requiring multiple people to simply move from bed to a wheelchair. Mixed with dementia or confusion and it can translate into miserable final years. Go to a nursing home and listen to the screams. Some nursing facilities won't accept individuals who require 2+ people transfers. It takes special talent, personnel and equipment to transfer a 200 pound, frail, confused and uncooperative senior from a bed to a wheelchair.

SStarfish ·

Eat healthy foods

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

I've been what they used to call a "health nut" since I was a kid in the 1950s. I bought and ate yogurt back when only one store in Los Angeles sold it and nobody knew what it was.

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greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

Nutrisystem is pretty easy to stick to. The send you food and you eat it and you have to supply some veggies (I have a garden) and fruit and milk.

SooperSarah

Congrats! It's always nice to see your work paying off (:

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

Thank you. It's satisfying that it's actually working at my age. But...I've got far to go.

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