I need some advice and encouragement...

[pjzsnowangel]

I started Phen last tuesday (Jan 3rd), I have noticed im not near as hungry, and I even lost 4 pounds the first three days (havent weighed myself since). Im 21 yrs old and weigh 346, which the most I ever weighed was 358 about 3 months ago. I think Im doing good on controlling my appitite. But I cant get myself to do any exersises, im lazy, and I admit it. Does anyone have any advice on easy, fun excersises I can do? Last spring when I was trying to diet and excersise I hurt my back doing aroebics and couldnt barely move for a month. Which after that I basically gave up until recently. So I need something not to straining. Im scared to hurt myself again on accident.
I see all of you on here who have lost weight, and it makes me think, I can do it too! I just need some encouragement and advice. Im sick of being this young and so overweight.
Ive allways been over 200 pounds since I was about 14 yrs old, and it just seems to be getting worst, especially since I got married a little more then a year ago. I want to be a normal sized person! Any suggestions, comments, or whatever would be greatly appreciated!

[pjzsnowangel]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention some things. Ive read one of the forums and you all put what you ate each day. Even with myself on Phen, I still eat more then all of you, I eat a lot less then I used to though. Think maybe I should up my dosage or something?
Second thing, why do you all drink soooo much water? Does it also help with your appitite?

[DebbieM]

I, too, have been overweight most of my life. And I look at others' meals and feel the same way. I definitely eat more! Each of us is different and requires different nourishment each day. I'm also heavier than a lot of people on here, but I find that as I am eating less from Phen, my appetite is going down as well. Take it day by day, you'll start feeling the affects! Remember you've only been on it for less than a week! And sometimes it takes a few days to kick in.

I am also pretty lazy. Phen has given me energy where I am not dragging my skinny friend to the gym with me. The only thing that keeps me going is having someone to do things with. If I don't go to the gym I make my mom walk with me, or I walk my dog . It makes time go by so much faster when you have someone to talk to! Even at the gym, if they are doing too much for me, I'll slow down and do what they are doing, but at my own modified pace.

TO motivate myself, when I go down a size I buy a pair of pants in the next size down to keep trying on. I can feel the difference after a while and eventually I fit into them! You should try it!

[Heavyhitter29]

I know how you feel. I have a few things that have helped me. First think about what made you want to lose weight. For me things like tiny seats on air planes, small seats at football games, and a picture of me in high school when I was in shape. What ever it is for you, hold on to it! I Have friend who has never been not overweight and he found a program where you put your picture in and you can change how look at certain weights.( I try to get the name of it) But what he does is puts in a goal each month and prints the picture out and takes it every where. He said seeing what he will look like when he get their keeps him going to the gym and eating better.
As for the food, I have found for me its not really about how much i'm eating but what i'm eating. I'm trying to stick to a 1500 cal. a day meal plan that my trainer worked up for me. He uses a sytem called apex that comes up with a dailey menu for me based of things I said I would eat. In this you can also switch things out as long as you stay with in the amount of cals. and portions allowed. It even has stuff like Wendy's fries, Mcdonalds quater punder and others that switch into the meanu. Also keeping a Diary of what I eat has helped me discover foods that are healthy for me, and make me feel full faster and longer then others.
Freinds that can work out with you are great too, and If you can it would be good to get the advice of a trainer on what is the right cardio work out for you.
Sorry so long but hope you can use some of it.
Keep going it will get better!!

[pjzsnowangel]

Thankyou DebbieM and HeavyHitter. Honestly Im to embaressed to go see a trainer, so I dont know about that one, lol. But I am going to try out taking walks and having a diary of what I eat.

[Kiki1913]

Pjzsnowangel,

My nature we are all lazy. ESPECIALLY ME! Just like today, I said I would work out at 12:00 and it's almost 8:00 and I've yet to get my butt up and exercise for today. But you know what? I will before I go to sleep. Why? because I know I need to exercise to get to my goal.

Don't look at what other people on this board are eating, because everyone needs different amounts of calories to lose weight. The important thing is that you are eating less than what you were before.

Although, I'm not as large as you stated you are, I've also felt too embrassed to ask a trainer for help. So no matter what anyone tells you, do what's comfortable for you.

If you want to start out working out in the comfort of your own home, I suggest getting some exercise videos. One that I like alot is Walk Away The Pounds, by Leslie Sansone. She has a one, two and three mile video. I only have the 3 mile workout, but it's easy, fun and also effective. You pretty much are walking in place, then you do kicks and squats to raise your heart rate to start burning those calories.

Just start off slow. You will get there.

BTW-I'm from Michigan too. Go Pistons!

[Kiki1913]

I meant to say...By Nature...not My nature...

[iwannabeabigloser]

I can easily suggest walking. It's the best exercise that you can do. It's not too hard on the body. Also,a long, moderate walk is better than a short, fast-paced walk.

I started out with 10 minute walks this summer. At that rate, I really enjoyed it, and it didn't seem like it was exercise. Every few days, I added 5 minutes. The more I walked, the more I wanted to do this, and then I got more serious about it, and turned it into a moderate-paced walk.

I am still walking today! Somedays, it's 60-90 minutes. I know that sounds like alot, but I still like it, and I walk that long because I really enjoy it. I have gotten bored with it once, so I bought a new walking CD, and it has gotten me motivated all over again!!

The weather here in Kansas has been great, so walkng outside has not been a problem. I live next to a rubberized track, so I take full advantage of using that. If you cannot walk outside, I suggest walking at the mall. Find a mall that is smaller, and not so busy, if you are too self-conscious about it. Believe me, I used to walk at night so that no-one could see me.

The exercise is what keeps me focused on eating healthy too. I don't want to do all that walking, then go blow it on pigging out for a meal or a snack.

Hang in there - you can do this!! If I can do it, anyone can!

[pjzsnowangel]

Thankyou everybody

[Dawn01]

pjznowangel...walking is the best thing I have found to aid you in losing weight..its easy and most people can do it...and like someone else said..do it at your own pace at first, and increase it as youre able to..my sister was around 275 lbs and she started walking a year ago...she has lost 65 lbs, I think...she walks everyday without fail...even if she overeats, she still walks...some weeks she doesnt lose anything but she keeps walking to try not to gain...I think she is doing the low carb diet most of the time...and is about to try the Biggest Loser diet...anyway good luck, I know that yu can do it...I thought i would never lose weight again...but with the help of Phen and eating less and moving more, I have! So just take it one day at a time and dont be so hard on yourself..when you start losing, you will be so excited to see the changes in your wardrobe...I also buy the next size down in jeans when I make it to another size down...and I hang them in my closet until I feel like the ones I am wearing are getting looser, then I try them on and when they actually button..oh its the best feeling!!Good Luck and God bless you!

[nynavae]

Others have already suggested what I was going to say - walking. Start with 5 or 10 min a day. To the mailbox, the end of the street, whatever you need to do to get in that 5-10 min. Then increase it a little bit. Set up a mini-reward if that helps, like no tv until you've done your walking or something. Increments will get you to a healthier place and you'll eventually be ready for a trainer if you decide to later on.

Somewhere on these boards is one about water - why we should drink it and why our body needs so much of it. Very informative. Use the search function and you should be able to find it. Several of us here seem to think drinking water helps the phen to work like it should, myself included. The water will fill your stomach somewhat, and it helps all the body's process work better, including fat loss.

Good luck and don't give up!

[MustangSally]

I agree...walking...start slow...and build up...nothing needed, no membership fees, just the two legs God gave ya!
go to the mall, most open early for walkers, go around once and build up...it all counts as exercise...and you dont want to hurt yourself by doing too much anyway...
drink lots of water so you stay hydrated...
and its okay if you are eating more than someone else...you are eating less than you were and your body knows it...all you have to do is reduce by 500 calories a day...so if you combine eating a little less with a 10 minute walk...you are now eating less and burning more...you go girl. you can do this! as time passes...your stomach will begin to shrink...
good tip....drink a full glass of water before eating your meals...it takes up space...
I have faith that you can do this...and i look forward to seeing your before and after pictures!