Fill-in-blank: "I used to feel like cr@p, but I changed___ & now I'm 110% better!"

[nova147]

I probably DO need one, but I'm hoping that if I got this fat carcass of mine in shape and didn't have 60 lbs. that this would go away. Will it? Is it once-a-snorer always a snorer or will I likely be able to breath when I get healthy?

 

Losing weight can end sleep apnea. But losing weight takes a long time and in the meantime your brain isn't receiving adequate oxygen at night. If you have decent health insurance, get the sleep study done. A cpap could give you just enough extra energy to push the weight loss along!

[Spryte]

My 30s were a wash. I spent the first half spiraling downhill, not knowing what was wrong. I went from specialist to specialist, and the only real answer I had was that I had MS. It was bad. By the time my kiddo was 15 mos, I could not hold a coffee cup or open the baby gates we had in the house. And... not holding a coffee cup, for me - in the state I was in - that was serious! :) ...DH and I were planning to put our house on the market, because we knew that I could not manage the stairs much longer, and we needed a ranch-style.

 

And then... my family practice doc moved, and though I still had gobs of specialists, I needed a family practice doc. I saw a nurse practitioner, whose best friend was a vet. Yep, a vet. The two of them put their heads together about me, over dinner one night... And suddenly, the NP called me, out of the blue, and said, "Let's re-do all of your bloodwork, I want to re-check some things." ...So we did. The results were confusing, but it turned out that I'd had Lyme Disease and *13* other chronic infections for years. That NP helped me find a special doc, who was familiar with treating Lyme and co-infections.

 

Treating all of that took 5 years. I spent years on high doses of meds, and feeling miserable as a result. But slowly, slowly, I got my life back.

 

I'm not saying the OP has Lyme and co-infections, by any means. I don't know. But there is always the possibility that it's been missed. I was tested over and over, and it was missed.

 

The other things I changed, with the help of a very thorough doctor have fine-tuned my body and I am now better, in my 40s, than ever. We found out my thyroid was off - addressing that made a huge difference. Then we found out that my adrenals don't function properly - another huge difference. Now I know that I tend toward having low Vit D, unless I am diligent about keeping it up. We check that level yearly, and I can usually tell when it's low. Genetically, we found that I lack the ability to detox well, so we address that with supplements, and it has helped tremendously. Oh! And I've *just* learned that I have an issue with hypercoagulation, and that is often at play in Chronic Fatigue, apparently. So we are addressing that as well now. All of those things have been huge steps forward for me.

 

DH and I follow the suggestions in Crinnion's book, Clean, Green, and Lean: Get Rid of the Toxins That Make You Fat, and we have worked toward creating a greener home, and consuming less toxins. This has helped us, and our kiddo with allergies and asthma.

 

Hope you get some good leads, and find your way to health... It can be a long road for some of us, but don't give up, and don't stop looking for *your* answers!

[StephanieZ]

____ = I started running.

 

110% life improvement. Best thing I've ever done for myself.

[mommaduck]

I've given up soda. I had given up coffee and am giving it up again (right after buying a new pack of grounds!). I need to give up sugar and baked goods. I do well for awhile and then I'm back at it for a couple of days. The only sugar I won't give up is my Talenti Gelato Carribean Coconut...all natural and the best coconut ice cream on the market (I'm addicted to coconut...so one good addiction). I gave up margarine a long time ago.

 

We are taking more walks again. The car broke down for over a week and we had to walk EVERYWHERE! With a small fridge and a large family, we were walking to the store every evening or every other evening. I started feeling better with that.

 

Changing my sleep schedule. To bed early and up at 4am. I'm a night owl and deal with insomnia at times. I'm now off schedule again and I can feel it. I need to be back on schedule by next week...for my health and for the sanity of all.

 

Cutting out corn syrups and msg. I'm reading labels more. I still have to buy carefully due to budget and can't always buy the "best", but I have switched out several things. Instead of grabbing a candy bar, I grab a string cheese or babybel. Mini dates with hubby are now sushi at the local grocery/cafe or one bowl of tomato jack or red pepper soup at a local cafe, instead of a burger or chips or coffee.

 

Mystic water isn't the greatest, but I'll grab that over a soda. Gatorade has been my friend also. I have trouble with water (city water is DISGUSTING!!!), so it's either Gatorade or bottled water. I have to remember to stay hydrated.

 

Fixing my hair and occasionally doing a touch of makeup (even if it's just liner and gloss) can make a huge difference in my outlook.

 

Summer is coming. I get the winter blues. Especially in the city. Getting out in the sun is very important for me. The baby is now over a year, nursing will come to an end soon (this is when I'll finally start losing weight, Lord Willing).

[Annie G]

I changed diet, the time I get up, and how I exercise, and at 52, I feel better than I have in 15 years. I don't diet, but we changed how we eat when dh had a heart attack 6 years ago. I get up earlier now, usually by 6. And I ride my bike on a trail as many days a week as I can, usually first thing in the morning. 10 miles, 20 miles, whatever I have time for...it's my me time, time to organize my day, reflect on how things are going, etc. I feel so much better overall than I did when I was younger.

[Grover]

Low carb, no sugar, got the allergens out of my diet. 30+lb gone so far (at least that much to go). I feel better than I have in YEARS.

[2boysmom]

I made a commitment to walk (fast) an hour a day (except Sundays/my day off). I mapped out a good walk from my house to a track and back (hills) included that took exactly 1 hour. (You could even walk your neighborhood and circle around it for one hour, etc.) I kept a simple "walk" calender on the fridge to check off when I got home from my walk each day. After 1 month of walking every day, I was able to begin seeing real results. I felt better, my clothes fit better, and I was sleeping better. I haven't lost any weight, but I do "look" thinner and I feel more confident.

I did not change my diet much at all, but I tried adding more protein to my diet for energy.

 

I had to make a commitment for better health. I didn't make a set time to walk, but I HAD to walk 1 hour sometime in the day (even if that meant early evening or early morning). It has made a tremendous difference and it was really simple to implement and cheap too!:)

[LillyMama]

Took a Beck's Depression Survey with our marriage counselor and went on Zoloft.

 

Read The Mood Cure and started taking some great supplements. Also changed my eating habits to include more foods that provide the amino acids I need to keep my hormones better in balance.

 

Changed my schedule so that I could do LIGHT workouts every day rather than CRAZY workouts a few times before I quit.

 

Started marriage counseling with my hubby. Convinced him to get on the same schedule as the rest of the family (no more staying up till 2am then sleeping until noon on Saturdays) so that I could get a shower in every once in a while.

 

Stopped judging myself through standards that were no my own, nor God's for me. If my husband wants a cleaner house, but I do my best without much improvement, I can talk to him about solutions without feeling shame for not being "good enough." This has bled into EVERYTHING- from weight to schooling to cooking to hosting to...to... to...

 

Ask for help. Offer help.

 

Remember that Jesus's favorite commandment was love. That includes loving myself and everyone around me. Anything that gets in the way of my doing that to my fullest NEEDS TO GO.

[Scuff]

Losing weight can end sleep apnea. But losing weight takes a long time and in the meantime your brain isn't receiving adequate oxygen at night. If you have decent health insurance, get the sleep study done. A cpap could give you just enough extra energy to push the weight loss along!

 

Yup. You want to feel better in the mean time. And that can help you make the other changes you need. Besides, depending on how bad it is, you stop breathing many times during the night. This causes all kinds of health problems and can even kill you. And some people have sa regardsless of weight.

[JustGin]

I'm 35 years old, fat, eat terribly and am in the worst shape of my life. I get up feeling like garbage (and have felt so for 2 years). I've been to the doctor recently for all my check-ups/bloodwork/mammogram/etc. and thankfully they say that I seem healthy except for my extra 60 lbs.

 

I have no energy and am so down about the whole bit that I feel no energy for exercise. I feel, seriously, like I'm 60+ (and even THAT's depressing --- surely at age 60 there's hope to feel better than I do). I snore sometimes (according to my husband). I wake up feeling tired. I can't remember the last time I woke up feeling refreshed and rested. It's all I can do to get our schooling done and to keep up with chores and the proper caretaking of my family. I am the type of person who puts my own health in last place which I KNOW is wrong and a disservice to my family. I'm TRYING with all my might to muster up the courage to turn this around. To quote that country song, "I'm much too young to feel this da&n old."

 

I seriously am beginning to wonder if it's even POSSIBLE to feel like I did in my early 20s -- when I had energy and woke up feeling untired, unsore, etc.

 

I really need to hear from those of you who seriously feel good. I'd love to have another baby next year but I'm honest enough to know that I TRULY do not enjoy the health to take this on. I can barely do what I need to NOW, and if I added another responsibility ---- I just can't. Until I get my SELF back in order, I just feel this would be WRONG to all of us. And I know I need to get my health restored for ME and not for the purpose of having another child in the future.

 

At this rate (of degeneration) I can't imagine enjoying life after even 50, much less as an elderly person! Something(s) (plural) have GOT to change.

 

Please share how you feel at your age. Do you feel like garbage or good? and Why?

 

Any "I used to feel like cr@p, but I changed_(x, y, z) __ & now I'm 110% better!" stories?

 

Is there hope or is feeling so rotten fairly NORMAL once we're nearing the top of or over the proverbial hill?

 

Anyone feel great at 35+?

 

I need hope, advice and encouragement and ANYthing you can give me!

 

Well I'm 47 and I feel great. One year ago I was 30 lbs overweight and though I didn't feel like crap, I was definitely at the mercy of my blood sugar and I believe firmly on my way to diabetes. Then I discovered the No S diet, decided to give it a trial. Now, 23 lbs are gone and I've never felt better!

I walk for exercise, but it's not power walking or anything, just walking around my small town and once a week doing a two mile walk with my best friend. So I don't do any major exercise program. I think just making a small step toward being good to yourself is a great place to start. Don't try to make a huge overwhelming change, just start simple. Instead of doing an exercise program or even trying to work up the will power to exercise, just go for a walk every day. Even it's only to the mail box and back, or around the block. Do it, and give yourself a big dose of atta girls and praise for it. Do it one day at a time, and if you miss a day, just do it the next day, no harm, no foul. See what you feel like after one month of this. If you feel good about it and want to walk farther or longer do it but do it because you want to and because it makes you feel good. Doing it this way you are learning to take care of yourself, to be good to you. That is the foundation to start from. You are worth taking care of. :)

[sewingmama]

Please share how you feel at your age. Do you feel like garbage or good? and Why?

 

 

I have no advice except to sympathise. I feel exactly like you except I am underweight rather then over. I've had check-ups (everythings fine) but I sleep 8-9 hours a night and still feel tired when I wake up and am needing a nap by lunchtime even though I've barely done anything :glare:

 

I recently had a brainwave that it might be my asthma and the fact I have scarring on my lungs and have 75% lung function - so maybe for me it is lack of oxygen making me tired????

 

My plan of attack is to increase my oxygen intake by exercising which I never do and see if it helps.

 

But yes -I'm 38 and can't imagine even being able to get out of bed at 50 at this rate :001_huh:

[Bang!Zoom!]

I'm no help at all, and it's completely untrue, but I wanna fill in that blank with "husbands." :lol:

 

Same thought I had here. :D

[Peaceful Isle]

I have stopped eating gluten and I feel a little better. I am 34, but I still feel tired, worn out, and old.

I know what I need to do to feel better. I'm just lazy most of the time to do it. :(

[mlbuchina]

I completely understand where you are coming from. I feel the same way! If 35 feels this bad, I can't imagine what it's going to be like at 50. Something has to change!

 

Thanks for starting this thread. I am going to start trying some of the suggestions.

[Lucy in Australia]

I don't have a problem with weight but the two things that make me feel 100% better are cutting out sugar and exercising (by which I only mean going for a brisk 1/2 hour walk each day). If I consistently do this every day, after a week I'm already a different person.

[Georgiana Daniels]

So glad you started this thread! Loving the suggestions, and taking some to heart.

[Sweetpeach]

Took a Beck's Depression Survey with our marriage counselor and went on Zoloft.

 

Read The Mood Cure and started taking some great supplements. Also changed my eating habits to include more foods that provide the amino acids I need to keep my hormones better in balance.

 

Changed my schedule so that I could do LIGHT workouts every day rather than CRAZY workouts a few times before I quit.

 

Started marriage counseling with my hubby. Convinced him to get on the same schedule as the rest of the family (no more staying up till 2am then sleeping until noon on Saturdays) so that I could get a shower in every once in a while.

 

Stopped judging myself through standards that were no my own, nor God's for me. If my husband wants a cleaner house, but I do my best without much improvement, I can talk to him about solutions without feeling shame for not being "good enough." This has bled into EVERYTHING- from weight to schooling to cooking to hosting to...to... to...

 

Ask for help. Offer help.

 

Remember that Jesus's favorite commandment was love. That includes loving myself and everyone around me. Anything that gets in the way of my doing that to my fullest NEEDS TO GO.

 

I read this entire thread because I'm in the midst of making huge changes in my life and wondered how others would respond to your question. This response resonated with me . . . a very small slice of people come to the end of themselves, never need question how they got there and just fix it. They overhaul their diet, find a way to exercise that fits their life and that's it, that's all. They lose x number of pounds, they regain energy, they stay motivated.

 

I never found myself in that small slice of people. I had to do the cerebral work first. I read and reread every one of Geneen Roth's book about the connections between food and love. I read Brenee Brown's book about shame and how that affects our decision-making process. My Mr and I did a six month marriage course and I realized I struggle with boundaries and food was always my friend when people trampled me.

 

I started to understand my relationship with food as compulsive and started to see how some of my codependant personality slices fed my food compulsion. When I started to see how I processed the world, I could then start to understand why my self-care was found at the bottom of a jug of frozen yoghurt.

 

This has been a three year journey for me and it's only been in the last three months that the final pieces of the puzzle have come together. I found a great gym with really supportive people. For ten years, I craved a quick fix to my weight problems. I had to do the background work of really understanding how I got here.

 

Wishing you well!

Warmly, Tricia

[FiveOaksAcademy]

This has been a three year journey for me and it's only been in the last three months that the final pieces of the puzzle have come together. I found a great gym with really supportive people. For ten years, I craved a quick fix to my weight problems. I had to do the background work of really understanding how I got here.

 

Wishing you well!

Warmly, Tricia

 

 

This is good!! I think I'm more like you. Quick fixes and a life-altering moment just don't seem to be part of the equation for me. I can be crusing along doing great at exercise and weight loss, then one minor anxiety-driven moment and I make food a source of comfort. I'm amazed at the excuses I make to do it. My eyes are being opened to how often I turn to food when I am worried, upset, sad, happy, etc. I eat relatively healthy most of the time too.

[TheTwinsMom1]

Please share how you feel at your age. Do you feel like garbage or good? and Why?

 

I used to feel like crap but after some changes I am feeling pretty good these days.

 

Any "I used to feel like cr@p, but I changed_(x, y, z) __ & now I'm 110% better!" stories?

 

I changed my diet, started exercising, getting more sleep, and taking a new med for my bipolar and now I feel so much better.

 

Is there hope or is feeling so rotten fairly NORMAL once we're nearing the top of or over the proverbial hill?

 

I think so.

[arstephia]

I am 40 and feel fantastic. Last July I gave up anything with corn and yeast in it (HFCS, corn starch, dextrose, etc. and yeast - no bread, no yeast extract, etc.) Taking those things out decreased my desire for sugars as my intake of that has decreased remarkably. I don't use any artificial sweeteners. I had been a fairly active person, regularly walking, etc. but I would be exhausted by 1pm and would need a nap nearly daily. I would push myself through on the days I couldn't nap with a Coke. I would have trouble sleeping, etc. I just never really felt good. I changed those things in my diet, was able to go from just walking to running and ran my first 5K in October. I went to the dr. and I had by October lost 35 lbs, and all of my blood numbers came down dramatically. I ran a couple more 5Ks and then started training for a triathlon in February, and this weekend I will participate in my first TRIATHLON ever! So I am a firm believer in changing one's diet and getting some exercise. I have never been so energetic and full of life. I am just glad I got this figured out while my kids were still young enough for me to enjoy playing with. Make the changes. You have nothing to lose but the way you are feeling right now.

[Rhonda in TX]

A year and a half ago, I joined Weight Watchers. I've lost 30'ish pounds and walk or run 3 days a week. I am 45 years old and have NEVER exercised regularly in my life. I used to get out of breath walking up the stairs. I feel so much better now! It's incredible.

 

{{hugs}} to you. I know it's hard.

[gingersmom]

I'm 47 and am feeling amazing.

 

I joined Weight Watchers in January and have lost 29 pounds so far.

 

I swim laps at a local Y 5 days/week.

 

I walk the dog 2-3 miles/day.

 

I have a scary amount of energy!

 

I used to fall asleep in the middle of the day/everyday. :confused:

[fairfarmhand]

I'll say it softly, but for me it was exercise. If I could walk 15 minutes in the morning, it would settle my thoughts. I personally use it as a prayer time, but even just the time to myself (I'm an introvert) became very valuable. Once I would begin in the spring it would be easier to go a bit further little by little. When I stopped at the beginning of winter I would really feel a difference in energy, attitude, and clothing fit. Last year I began jogging a bit and managed to jog throughout the winter. It was the best winter I've had for years!

 

Mama Anna

 

(I'm 36, BTW)

 

:iagree:

I'm 32. but I have had periods of good health and lousy stuff too.

 

I do eat more low carbish. For me, I have to start out my day with protein, or I am sunk. Otherwise I eat carbs ALL DAY LONG!

 

I feel best when I 1. exercise at least 30 minutes a day. 2. mostly avoid white food, like potatoes, bread, white sugar. 3. make 8 hours of sleep a priority. 4. spend some time outdoors each day 5. limit my indoor sitting activities like computer and TV.

[vmsurbat]

I'm 52. I feel better and look better than I did in my 30's and 40's.

 

First, four years ago discovered that my thyroid was out of whack (not hugely so, but enough to make a difference in how I felt emotionally). Getting that under control helped me mentally, but did ZERO in the weight department. Three+ years ago, I began following NoS Diet principles (No Sweets, No snacks, No seconds except Sometimes on S days (aka weekends/special days). Read more here: http://www.nosdiet.com

 

I don't do low-carb (but not high carb either). I try to eat "real" food, minimally processed, but don't sweat it. We entertain, show hospitality regularly (100+ guests every year from all over the world, some stay for a day, some stay for two+ months), so I *can't* have any weird food/diet restrictions. NoS plus trying to be "active" (ie, wear a pedometer and strive for the 10,000 steps--including everyday life ones) has netted me a 60 pound weight loss and stronger body. :-)

 

I'm beyond satisfied.....I'm thrilled!

[PaigeP]

You all have been so helpful! Thanks for all the great suggestions and encouragement. I've started some improvements already. Cleaned out my frig. Went grocery shopping. Precut veggies, washed grapes, etc. Bought a water cantor thingamabob to put my 8 cups of water in which I plan to drink all day until it's empty. I bought some exercise clothes today and bought a treadmill off craigslist!

 

Thanks for all the encouragement. I'm feeling more hopeful.

 

I don't know about gluten, so I'm going to look into that. I know that I feel rotten if I drink milk so I know that's not good for me. Soooooo many ideas here that I promise I'm going to explore. Thanks a million!

[Hoggirl]

I follow Paleo.... so I gave up all processed foods, no dairy except greek yogurt, no wheat, beans etc......

 

The change was signifigant once I went through detox.

 

How long does detox take?

[acurtis75]

I used to feel like crap and had to take sinus pills daily for 10 years plus to function. Then I watched Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, did a juice fast for a few weeks to kick start a healthier lifestyle and now I feel great. I'm 36 and have exercised off and on my entire life and continue to do so but the juicing was the big game changer for me. I've lost weight other ways and even more weight than I've lost so far juicing but not felt near as good as I do now. This is the 4th month of no sinus meds. I'm positive the juice is the difference because we took a two week trip to Disney in February and I stopped juicing and had to take medicine again, I got home started again and was fine. I also have little or no joint pain which for someone who play basketball and tennis several times a week is awesome.

 

I also watched Food, Inc. and Forks over Knives and have been reading the blog 100 Days of Real Food and have changed my family to a more whole foods, plant-based unprocessed diet.

[redsquirrel]

For me it was slow but steady changes over 18 months. I was in a very bad place healthwise. I am amazed something bad didn't happen.

 

I started with exercise. That was the hardest thing I have ever done. I worked my way up to 45 mins of cardio 5 days a week. I even jog, if you can believe that. I started with 20 mins every day and I added on 5 mins every week. I own a nordic track and I used that. I still use it. I used it today, in fact. :D

 

I told my husband that I needed his help to make these changes. I told him how sad and lost and unhealthy I felt. He was totally supportive. To this day, he walks in the door and asks if I have had any time to workout. If I say no then he takes over making dinner and putting the kids to bed.

 

Once I got the exercise thing down I made changes to my diet. Again, it was slow. I gave up alcohol (ack!), made veggies the centerpiece of my diet, weeded out corn syrup. Pretty much, you just have to eat like you know you should. There isn't a magic formula or anything. If you need more structure, then weight watchers is very helpful. I didn't join, but I do count calories through spark people. But, that is just me.

 

That was years ago. I am over 40 pounds lighter and in great shape.

 

Remember, slow and steady. Better to make one change that sticks than 20 that leave you feeling like a failure.

[JenniferB]

Yes, I feel 110% better after running 4+ times per week, 1 hr. per session, and cutting out sugars and white flours. It took months of consistency, but I lost weight and feel MUCH better. I lost 15 lbs. I am very short, so that is significant for me. It made all the difference.

[LillyMama]

This is good!! I think I'm more like you. Quick fixes and a life-altering moment just don't seem to be part of the equation for me. I can be crusing along doing great at exercise and weight loss, then one minor anxiety-driven moment and I make food a source of comfort. I'm amazed at the excuses I make to do it. My eyes are being opened to how often I turn to food when I am worried, upset, sad, happy, etc. I eat relatively healthy most of the time too.

 

If either of you are Christian, I HIGHLY recommend Lisa TeuKeurt's book Made to Crave. It talks a lot about the things we turn to when we should turn to the Holy Spirit. How we're made to crave Him, but we just channel that craving into other things, things that end up making us more miserable. I actually took it to heart in more ways than just food. Like, when I just need to "check out," I turn on a movie or TV or to a novel. It was SO convicting.

 

I'm not saying those things, in and of themselves, are bad. But just like alcoholics cannot have alcohol like those without the addiction, I cannot turn to "escapes" with any sort of self-control. I was taking away so much of myself from my family, and all of it was in seeking for something that was missing. She also has great things about self-control. I could go on and on... but I just really, really, really, recommend that book.

[acurtis75]

If either of you are Christian, I HIGHLY recommend Lisa TeuKeurt's book Made to Crave. It talks a lot about the things we turn to when we should turn to the Holy Spirit. How we're made to crave Him, but we just channel that craving into other things, things that end up making us more miserable. I actually took it to heart in more ways than just food. Like, when I just need to "check out," I turn on a movie or TV or to a novel. It was SO convicting.

 

I'm not saying those things, in and of themselves, are bad. But just like alcoholics cannot have alcohol like those without the addiction, I cannot turn to "escapes" with any sort of self-control. I was taking away so much of myself from my family, and all of it was in seeking for something that was missing. She also has great things about self-control. I could go on and on... but I just really, really, really, recommend that book.

 

I really enjoyed that book as well and it helped me to pay more attention to when and why I was eating. I feel like it was a very good foundation and then the things in my other post were the actions I took to change to a healthier lifestyle.

[ZooRho]

Have you had your thyroid checked? That was my biggest problem.

 

that was going to be my suggestion. that helped me,

 

I started the meds and things got better but then I sank again. my dr reupped my meds a bit more. I was at the top end of the okay range, So even if you were okay there are new ranges. and even then that may not be just right

[kubiac]

I got on Wellbutrin, I had my food and environmental allergies diagnosed, and I read the book SuperFoods RX.

 

Good luck. :)

[zookeeper]

I'm going to be 41 in 2 mths and I feel better than I've felt in well over 10 years. I've never had weight issues but used to never have any energy, always wanted to sleep, etc. I was finally diagnosed sub clinical hypothyroid. I started treating my adrenal, thyroid and hormones and I'm SO glad I did. Now I've got tons of energy! Have been working out for about 7 months now. I wouldn't go back for anything!

[love2read]

Fabulous advice. I'm posting in case you're like me and struggle to make the changes. This is what works for me.

Day 1-drink twice as much water and be careful about salt

Day 2-continue drinking more water and cut out salty foods and limit adding it to things.

Day 3-Increase water, keep salt very very low and limit sugar to once a day

Day 4-Do as above and limit sugar to Sat or Sun

continue making one change over a two day period. Don't eliminate all grains on one day unless you're super motivated and haven't failed in the past. I do very well with this approach for weeks and even months until a crises arises with my mother and then I return to emotional eating. I'm working on that problem. Best wishes!

[PaigeP]

If either of you are Christian, I HIGHLY recommend Lisa TeuKeurt's book Made to Crave. It talks a lot about the things we turn to when we should turn to the Holy Spirit. How we're made to crave Him, but we just channel that craving into other things, things that end up making us more miserable. I actually took it to heart in more ways than just food. Like, when I just need to "check out," I turn on a movie or TV or to a novel. It was SO convicting.

 

I'm not saying those things, in and of themselves, are bad. But just like alcoholics cannot have alcohol like those without the addiction, I cannot turn to "escapes" with any sort of self-control. I was taking away so much of myself from my family, and all of it was in seeking for something that was missing. She also has great things about self-control. I could go on and on... but I just really, really, really, recommend that book.

 

Per this suggestion, I've ordered this today. I had read (two months ago) the Geneen Roth books and IMO she still sounds "lost"/empty. She (Roth) had good advice, but as a Christian it sounds like this book you mention here sounds more what I need. Thanks.

[zookeeperof3]

I'm 35. I've lost 50 lbs in the last year and feel great. I sympathize with you, you sound like I did last year. Like you, I want another child but I hadn't lost the weight from my last one ( 5 yr old).

 

I switched from whole milk to non fat milk. Considering I drink about 2 cups a day, that was a significant and easy way to drop fat grams. I now only have dessert once a week. Before I was having dessert every night. I stopped buying any junk food, even my beloved poptarts. Until I stopped, I didn't realize how much snacking I was doing. Finishing the kids fruit chews, chicken nuggets etc. I've gotten back into gardening, making bread and generally trying to eat more fruits and vegetables.

 

You can do it! Just take baby steps, drop or add one thing a week.

Blessings,

Kim

[Misty]

I know I'm late and I haven't read all the responses.. But I would do 5 things..

 

1) Investigate your thyroid in a way that goes much deeper than what your doctor can do for you.. Doctors tend to worship those TSH ranges, and by doing this, millions are not getting the thyroid treatment they need.

 

2) Do an elimination trial with gluten. HUGE issue for more people than you can imagine.

 

3) Start yourself on a B complex.. VERY IMPORTANT.. I recommend something with methylated B12

 

4) Eat healthier.. Eliminate sugar, preservatives, pesticides, etc.. Start shopping at the health food store.

 

5) Get a support system in place.. Join an on-line health group or an IRL group.. Whatever it takes.. Get your whole family on board. You need support!

 

Hope you feel better soon!

[ZooRho]

okay I wasn't much of a water drinker either BUT I knew I needed to do something so i did start adding water. It has to be cold and filtered.

 

I now am truly thirsty if I don't have more water. I drink about 8 cups or more a day.

 

I have almost cut out all sodas. I really thought that would be impossible but with drinking more water I'm not wanting sodas now.