I am mad at myself and I don't know what to do - Care to help?

[Anonymous]

I used to have a nice body, but now I'm overweight and I hate the way I look. My clothes don't fit at all and I feel very sad. I'm mad at myself because of the fact that I let myself reach this pathetic level. I don't know what happened, but my life has always been very stressful and I find comfort in food. I am a strong person and I am clever as well. I hate to feel pathetic like that.

I always follow a diet then break it after a week or two. The thing is my clothes don't fit at all and I feel so mad at myself.

How to deal with such a body until I lose weight?

Any help will be deeply appreciated.

[Anonymous]

That's what happens when most people diet. If you learn a bit about body chemistry, it's easy to see why this happens.

The glycogen that you carry around with you in your muscles all the time, is what your body can use for fuel when the glucose levels in your blood get low through lack of eating. But it only lasts so long. When your glycogen levels are depleted, it takes a while for your body to switch over to breaking down fat cells for energy.

This is why most dieters can lose 10lbs or more very quickly, because they are losing glycogen and water. (Glycogen is like a sponge and can hold up to 5 times it's own weight in water). Then the diet slows way way down, usually after 10 days or so, and they get discourged and give up, and put all the water weight back on.

It sounds like you're doing the same. You're dieting until you hit that tipping point, and then you're not breaking through the metaphorical wall, to the point where your body starts to consume fat cells for energy, and you'll actually lose weight.

There are a couple of things you can do. Exercise can shorten the amount of time it takes to break into the fat cells. And there are supplements you can use to combat the hunger pangs. Lecithin, for example.

[aMuse]

How much overweight are you? I think one of the best ways for someone to lose weight is to train for and then participate in a half marathon. That's 13.1 miles of walking. If you make a goal like that and you train to actually complete it then you have goals every week to complete to be able to get there and finish it. You need to eat right and exercise or you will never finish. No one wants to ride the sad wagon for not finishing on time so make that your motivation. =) Then find a friend that is willing to train with you and participate in the event. That way you can both hold each other to your eating and exercise goals.

[CrystalMinds]

A diet isn't a good way to stay the way you will be. Sounds a bit weird but: if you go on a diet for about a month (I don't know how long people go on diets) and you get your goal weight, you'll start eating the way you did before, because hey, the diet is finished. So you'll gain weight again, and after a while you'll wanna go on a diet again. See the circle here?

Best thing is to watch what you eat. I know it's hard when you're used to eating, like when you're watching TV or a movie, it's more fun to have a snack, not because you're hungry, but because...you just feel like eating, an urge to eat.

My advice is to watch what you're eating. If you have a craving for food, just take some fruit (and spring is happing now so more jummy fruits!) and go to a gym or walk your dog (if you have one or your neighbour's dog) or go for a run in your neighbourhood. If you're a person who takes the car when she only has to go a place a couple of streets further, use your bike, ...

Just little stuff like that.

Wish you good luck! And don't feel bad about yourself, rather a curvy girl than sticks and stones ;)

[Asker]

Thanks, but what about the clothes that don't fit? It makes me feel sad. Should I buy more looser clothes?

[CrystalMinds]

Well, if they don't fit, you should buy clothes that fit :)

But don't go and buy em two sizes too big, wear clothes that fit, because people that wear clothes too big look bigger too, no matter what size they are.

[starlight124]

Begin exercising and eating better, summers coming so you have time to lose some weight and feel better about yourself. And until you lose weight just think of positives, your still pretty, strong, and clever :) so don't worry

[wallaber]

Just daily cardio combined with some light weight lifting.

3 decent healthy meals a day, and when you do have the urge to eat, chew gum! It's a bit like a nicotine patch for eating as it gives your teeth something to chew without actually eating anything.

Hardest part is getting the will power to stick to the diet and workouts! But it can be done, good luck :)

[yopyopyop]

You shouldn't buy new clothes. That would be accepting your new weight, psychologically.

So use your will, the summer is coming ;)

Reminds me I have to lose 7 kgs too ;)