Newbies

Thank you apensa and Seaborngirl! I guess there is some kind of support here. The BMI feature doesn’t work, BTW. I tried doing that before my first post and it made me MORE frustrated. I used to teach nutrition. That’s why I never eat the 5 bad foods. I really need support and accountability. I am just too tired to do anything more than what I have to do. I miss playing with my grandkids, too, but I am powerless to change. Wouldn’t it be great if someone could take care of US for just 2 weeks so we could eat well and gain strength to take care of ourselves? I was really hoping for more help than I can get through this website. There seems to be no one here except other people who are in a bad way…well-meaning, nice people, but blind leading blind. We are ALL messed up or we wouldn’t be overweight! I like to blame my extra pounds on prednisone, but I put the food in my own mouth. Thanks for your kindness. I guess I am done. It takes all my strength just to walk to the bathroom. How did I ever think I could effect a positive change in my life. This is not life. Good luck to you all. I’m getting out before things get worse. I’m sure you’ll all do great.

Hello OliveOyl
I have been staying off the forum for a time while I get over something I am going through…but, I always read the comments as they come through. I would much prefer if there was a PRIVATE MESSAGE option on the forums, because sometimes I think it is necessary, and I would prefer to Private Message you.
My heart goes out to you girl, and I just want to say, don’t give up…you have had so many things against you, and now is the time to put them on the back burner! Stand up against them, don’t let them beat you down.
I am in a similar situation physically, and emotionally as well…it is very depressing being in so much pain and being obese and needing to eat right and exercise!!! It is a catch 22 situation…and there is so much pressure which then causes the stress emotionally. And then having to prepare meals (which I hate doing too), and for a husband who expects everything to be as it used to be, not understanding what you are going through.
I hear you Olive. I have felt exactly how you are….last year I was ready to throw the towel in!!! I felt absolutely hopeless, helpless, and a huge waste of space in the lives of my family and friends. I couldn’t exercise to lose the weight, and I had no energy to do anything anyway…I was turning 60 and getting fatter!!! The things I wanted to do I couldn’t do anymore…I couldn’t run around with my grandchildren which was the worst thing. How were they going to remember me? As this fat wobbly lady with a double chin, who was too lazy to do anything??? That is not me inside…I want to do those things! I live to do those things, only they would never see me in that way unless I did something about it! It was so depressing, and my thoughts weren’t helping. One day, in my desperation, I just burst with shame and self-despising about what I had become, and cried out to God to help me (this wasn’t just a normal little prayer for help)…I must have cried for half an hour to Him. Afterwards, I picked myself up and shook myself off, and did what I had to do! I felt much better for it of course…a good cry and rant away from everyone else always seems to change things for the better…clears away all the cobwebs, clears the vision! And then the last week of December, I was on Facebook, and I noticed an advertisement for Trim Down Club on the side of the page…now I had seen that before, but I normally don’t get involved with diets…tried one before online and couldn’t get into it, and didn’t like the cost. Anyway, when I saw it, I realised this may just be my answer from the Lord. So I clicked on it and read about it. As it didn’t cost too much I decided to give it a go. And here I am…I have lost weight and put it back on…but I am hanging in there as I know the plan is working for me in other ways…and it is working for so many others. At this time I just have to get over what is holding me up, and I will be back into it fully again.
I don’t know if this is helping you, but maybe just knowing that there are others here who understand your plight….people have the same physical problems, the same battles…and although my husband is much more caring since we became Christians 31 years ago, he still has his moments…he still expects me to serve him, and look after his every little need, and prepare food that he wants!!! Lol…Give it time Olive…I too had to put up with preparing two different meals for a few weeks, and then my husband decided to try some of my stuff! But don’t give up…don’t let him stop you from doing what you need to do about your weight and what you eat! Just do it for you.
Don’t give up…it will be slow going for both of us. Get back on the site, and read, read, read…write up a list of you have to…but try to follow any instructions they have given in the plan.
As far as your BMI goes.If you click on your APPS at the top of the home page, there is a PROGRESS METER. Click on that, put your weight in, and click on the BMI button, and it shows your BMI.
I do hope you don’t give up Olive…keep going…you know what you need to do…don’t let those obstacles win the battle! You need to do it ONE DAY AT A TIME! Change your thinking, and don’t voice your negativity about it…learn to be thankful for the small things. If you fall over, don’t worry about it, get up and brush yourself off, and face it again. The main this is to get the weight off so our joints don’t get any worse. I have been struggling with extreme sleepiness, and was just too tired to deal with worrying about food…it was just causing me more stress. I had to get myself over the tiredness and depression it was causing me, and now I am almost ready to tackle it again.
All the best as you make your decisions….look at your options, weigh them up and make your choice Olive. Regards, Bev.

Foxx, glad garcinia cambogia helps you. I tried it for 2 months and I am 10 pounds heavier.

Joined last week and have been reading the guides and such and playing with the menu planner. I reckon what I really need to do is just start. Wish me luck!

Hi, Keren (Tomjerry 8), and welcome! After completing your profile, The best place to start is with the program overview or Quick Start Guide, followed by online guides (all in My Downloads above). After going through the overview or Quick Start, try the Menu Planner application. It is easiest if you start gradually, first choosing foods that are already in your kitchen, but trying a few new foods that may be healthier upgrades of those that you already like; same with recipes – only a few at first. Start to follow your menu, get used to how your pattern looks, how easy or difficult it is to follow, and how you feel as you follow it; note what you might change next time around. Gradually try more and more new foods, and get used to healthier ways of cooking. Along the way, gradually add exercise to your day – start with 10 minutes and work your way up.
If you have any other questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to post here 🙂

Hi, lensimak. Welcome. Yes, many of the items are found in health-oriented shops, including large chains such as Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s, as well as online.
With regard to sugar, the recommendation is to avoid ADDED sugar – the place to look is in the ingredients more than the Nutrition Information section where “Sugars” are listed under “Carbohydrates”.
This is not really the caveman diet, but there are some definite similarities, as you notices. A key difference is that whole grains are indeed encouraged, and you can definitely add salt “to taste” (it will almost always be less than what is found in processed food).
If the changes in this program seem too big, make them gradually, even one at a time if you have to. The goal is for you to find a plan that you like and that will suit you long-term.

Thank you, Chia & Lynn! I tried the maintenance button and it worked 🙂 I also intend to try the gelatin/collagen. Thanks for the tip!