I'm never going to lose weight.

[ginger]

I gained about 30lbs last year because I went through a VERY long depression episode that come on so slowly I just didn't realize what was happening, and overeating was of course part of that for me.
 
Well, I finally found a treadmill today that I want, but my PCP said I can't do any cardio because my knee is injured for at  least 6 weeks.

I'm a size 14 now and I look awful. I see other people my size or bigger and they look fantastic. Part of my problem is I have no idea how to dress this body.

Anyway, I'm trying to just eat better with weight watchers, but it gets SO frustrating because it's SO slow going so I just end up saying FUCK IT...I'll never make progress until I can actually exercise. 

I don't even want to go on vacation because I don't want to see the pictures, and I definitely don't want anyone else to see them.

I know I need new clothes, but I don't even know where to go except, like, Kohl's which sucks and stresses me out. Plus winter is almost over and I don't want to buy a bunch of winter clothes I (hopefully) can't wear next year. I'm trying to hold out until it warms up in a few weeks and just buy a whole new wardrobe for the Cruise.

Guys, I wouldn't even go swimming with my daughter the other night because I feel so bad about myself. I waited until the next morning when I knew no one else would be there. I'm just SO frustrated. What a stupid time for a knee injury when I'm finally motivated to do something about it...

I just need to vent. I'm sure I'll get over it and "love this body", but for now I feel like shit.

[pedanticwench]

I'm sorry. It sucks that you're feeling this way. Are you in any kind of therapy?

I will say that once I started really investing in my clothes (ie. spending more for pieces that fit me properly), the more I started to appreciate my shape.

I'm not sure about your finances, but if you can spend a few hundred dollars on some versatile pieces, like dress pants, jeans, camis, maybe a blazer, and some nice blouses all in your correct size, that might help you feel better in your clothes.

It's a struggle, I know. ((hugs))

[gault]

Consignment shops are your friend! Then when you lose weight, sell 'em right back and buy some new clothes.

I'm sorry you're feeling down. It's amazing what this kind of this does to your self-esteem. But you are worth having good memories, at a smaller weight or at this weight. You deserve it.

[1confused1]

I am so sorry you're feeling down. I felt the same way.

I did not have any success with WW, I just quit this month. I cut out alcohol and ordered dinner meals from freshly.com, I'm down 4 pounds in a week.

Hang in there! And get in the pictures! If nothing else, it will motivate you to not get back in this situation again.

[ginger]

I've given myself permission to wallow in self-pity for tonight only, then tomorrow, I kick ass.

SURELY I can walk around the block on this knee and do something besides sit all day at work, but that's kind of what got me in trouble today was walking so much this weekend.

[cleo29]

I would ask your doctor what you can do for exercise, perhaps a water aerobics class? Also, slow and steady. The weight went on slowly and will come off that way too. I have been using MFP and really liking it. Being very aware of calories has been helping me. And, if you can, I would look into working with a trainer. For me, at least, having to meet someone and be accountable helped me big time.

Hang in there! I know it is so hard.

[pinkpinot]

Be kind to yourself. It took you a year to gain the weight and it will take you time to lose it. You have to remind yourself that changes don't happen overnight. Continue to eat the best you can and every day try to make good choices. Small changes lead to big changes over time.


Hugs.

[compassrose]

I think new clothes will help how you feel about how you look infinitely.

Can you post a pic or tell us more about your body shape? Maybe we can help pick a few versatile pieces.

[McGavin]

They say you can't exercise away a bad diet so use this time to get your meal planning in order, maybe try some new recipes.

[pinkpinot]

Also you can burn calories and work up a good sweat by doing punches. You don't need a punching bag, just punch the air! It's a movement in the Jillian Michael's 30DS DVD and she says it's a great way for people to get their heart rate up that are dealing with knee injuries.

[wambam]

What about a lower impact exercise?

[Gato]

14 is the average size in America, yes? So you are NOT alone and there is nothing you need to feel bad about, despite what magazines might want all of us to believe. You are normal.

I have about 30 pounds I'd like to lose, to get back to where I was before kids, and it IS hard. I've decided to just take it 5 pounds at a time. It's less overwhelming. And I get to celebrate/pat myself on the back each time I reach a 5 pound goal. Maybe this would help?

[ginger]

Thank you guys. Truly.

I'll come back and read this all again tomorrow when I'm over myself.

[RoxMonster]

I'm so sorry you are feeling this way. I am bigger than you are, and I know how frustrating weight loss can be, how it feels to not want pictures taken because of how you look in them, etc.

I don't have any great weight loss advice (I probably need some myself), but can I make some suggestions of places to shop for clothes since you mentioned you don't know where to go?

I sometimes have good luck at Lane Bryant. They are spendy, but they do a lot of BOGOs and coupons and will randomly have huge sales going on. I have heard people say they only carry old lady clothes, but I have not found that to be true. Most of the time I have posted an OOTD on here or S&B and gotten compliments, I have been wearing LB stuff.

I also have gotten some really cute things from Mod Cloth. You have to order online, so it's a bit of a risk with sizing and what not, but most items tell you if they fit TTS or not. I have never had to send anything back b/c it didn't fit.

Old Navy carries up to size 18 in store (I am bigger than that and have to order online). They have a lot of cute basics for really, really cheap. I like them for cardigans and tees and have a great pair of boyfriend capris from there that I lounged in pretty much all last summer.

Many stores carry up to size 14/16, and since I'm a bigger size than that, I don't know all of them, but you might check Loft, Gap, and White House Black Market. I think loft also has different fits of jeans, like "curvy" or what not, so you might find a pair that you really like.

I do feel that clothes can be a huge part of feeling more confident in yourself, weight loss aside. Obviously, clothes don't "solve" anything, but they can be huge mood boosters. When I put on an outfit that fits me just right and that I know flatters my body, I just have an extra pep in my step all day and feel more confident at work, out with friends, etc.

[TrickyBob]

Ginger, please don't hold off on vacations and pictures because of weight. I am a size 24/26 (depending on make of clothing) and have been for a long, long time. For most of my life I avoided getting my picture taken because I didn't like how I looked but one day I was like "you know, screw it. I am me, losing weight doesn't happen over night and I want to remember these moments" and now I am in photos. Sometimes I don't look at them but I try to remind myself that other people - my family, my friends, THEY don't care how I looked. They care that I was there, that they can look back and remember happy moments and so can I. I know it isn't blanket advice and everyone is different but don't push life events off because you aren't okay with right now.

<3

[dellabear]

I understand. I'm also a size 14 and only 15 lb from my happy weight but do you think I can lose these 15? I know that it's 90% diet and I join and rejoin weight watchers and then only stick to the plan long enough to lose 5 lb, which I then gain back. I hate it but I can't seem to do anything about it.

My suggestion is to focus on diet and add activity that you can handle. Water aerobics is a great idea, once you're in the pool nobody sees you and it's gentle on your joints. Remember that nobody at the pool is judging you, they're all focused on their own flaws!

[schitzengiggles]

So much great advice in here and I'll try not to repeat too much. I just wanted to suggest concentrating on eating cleaner, not just for the sake of weight loss but think of it as fueling the only body you have with quality foods so that you can be healthy and strong. Even without exercise, if you find little ways to clean up your diet you could lose weight. BUT even if not, you're still making positive changes for your body!

Hang in there and try to stay positive. After losing a lot of weight (and maintaining the loss for a couple of years now) I can say one of the keys is perseverance and confidence in yourself. It's not always easy I know, but it's super important. You CAN do it.

[mrsukyankee]

It took me 6 months to lose 20 lbs. Don't give up. And remember that weight loss is done in the kitchen and not with exercise. Exercise just gives you a few more calories to work with, but not a LOT. You can do this. You can. Just don't set yourself up for failure by restricting too much or taking on too big a deficit - if you make this painful, you won't want to continue. I just did a small deficit from my TDEE and it felt reasonably easy to do. I was rarely hungry and I ate everything I wanted, though in smaller portions.

[schitzengiggles]

Oh! And please feel free to PM (goes for anyone) if you want to talk about ideas for nutrition, exercise, or even just vent or share a story. I'm no expert but I have been there and am very open with my story (totally an open book about the good, bad and ugly) and somewhat of a self-proclaimed weight loss ambassador. I love helping people out with things where I can.

[Booze Raccoon]

I just want to say I understand.  You just described me down to the very last detail.  

[ginger]

Mar 4, 2015 7:12:19 GMT -5 Booze Raccoon said:

I just want to say I understand.  You just described me down to the very last detail.  

((hugs))

[ginger]

Thank you all. Reading them again today is really helpful. I'll figure out something that works even if it's just a walk around the block.