Quote From: chercopeHi to all that have taken the 1st step of posting their message here. We are certainly not a minority so there is plenty of support for us thanks to Dr. Phil's message board and all the other ones available to us. I know I will be utilizing this board throughout my journey this time and hope that some of you will relate to my challenges and will send words of encouragement to me as I will try to do to others. I am 56 yrs old, 245 lbs, and, as you would guess, in bad health. Sometimes I feel it's too late to try to fix this but I know that feeling is because it's so overwhelming to think about losing 125 lbs. I plan on giving all that I have to give this time. I missed out last time and I don't want to watch a similar show 5 yrs from now when I'm over 60 and say the same thing. I hope to hear from someone out there with a similar challenge as I have to help cheer me on. I really believe having someone to relate to with the same goals is a key factor in accountability and accountability is a key factor in success. Good thoughts to all that read this. I can't say good luck as I don't think luck is a player in this. Bad luck didn't get us here, bad habits did.
Thanks, Dr. Phil, for the platform and the motivation.
Hi Chercope, After watching the first of the new WLC shows tonight, I went straight to my computer. Because when I did the WLC a few years ago, one thing Dr. Phil recommended that I never found was a support partner who believed in working toward small goals, one step at a time, and in accountability. Back then I started two Dr. Phil weekly support groups in my area. But the members did not want to set weekly goals or tell others whether they had dropped weight or gained weight that week. They didn’t want to talk about what steps they took the previous week, what results they got, and how they were going to tweak their actions the following week. They didn’t want to talk about their belief systems that were contributing to their being overweight. Instead, they just wanted to chit-chat.
I did a lot that was right during the last WLC. I cleared outdated food and my trigger foods out of my house. I bought smaller bowls andplates. I rarely eat junk foods anyway, but I started to work at keeping my meals to around 400 calories and laying off the food bars when I didn’t feel like cooking. But I didn’t get into the habit of exercising, and my work as a self-employed book editor and online seller is very sedentary. I probably dropped 15-20 pounds, but I needed some accountability, since I live alone and there’s nobody to see whether or not I overeat or exercise.
I’ve “gotten away” with being overweight for most of my life. I’ve almost always been overweight except for brief periods. But when I went through menopause, my weight shot up. Despite my age (I’ll be 56 this month) and the fact that I am carrying at least 100 extra pounds on a hobbit-sized, small-boned 5-foot frame, my blood pressure and blood sugar are fine, and I have no major health problems. But now, I get winded at the slightest bit of exertion, I’m prone to breathing heavily and wheezing, and even the easiest hikes I went on just a few years ago seem out of the question now. Everything physical that I do takes so much effort now, even tying my shoes or getting into my car. So while longevity runs in my family, and I can expect to live well over 100, I can’t imagine how I’ll manage daily life in 10years, let alone in 20, 30, or more!
So your post, your age, your mention of goals and accountability, and the way you communicate really resonated with me. Perhaps we would be compatible support partners? One thing, though…I would really like to find a partner I could talk to over the phone or via Skype, rather than go through the cumbersome and time-consuming steps of emailing back and forth. As an editor, I already spend so much time typing on a computer! I have free long-distance phone service, so would talking in “real time” be something you are open to? Perhaps we could talk to get to know one another a little better,and see if we click. My email address is wordwench@comcast.net if you would like to respond.
Before I sign off, I’ll just say that tonight’s video message on the website, to drop all the excuses and just exercise, was what I needed to hear. I made an appointment with myself to go to the gym tomorrow morning. I want to start thinking about exercise as a hobby rather than something I have to do. I don’t believe in luck either, so please just send me some positive energy. Thanks!
