Made a decision

[SusanLR]

I've gained more weight than I want over the past year.
I don't snack. Don't crave sweets.
In fact I hardly ever even feel hunger.

A bad knee that needs fixing keeps me from walking like I used to.
I still do upper body work outs and what I can as far as walking, but, I walk slow due to the knee.
One thing I found out is I'm having lymphedema from vascular problems in the legs.
Getting ready for some surgical work on that soon.

Instead of losing weight when depressed or anxious, I think I gain it.
Even though I don't want to eat.

Getting the medical issues done, hopefully will help for me.
So there are different reasons for weight gain.

@Major Tom good luck and keep us informed.

 

[Magna]

I wrote this thread and that's exactly what I did, went for a walk. It's so beautiful here that as long as I appreciate the beauty, it should keep me motivated. I only did 8500 steps today, but it's better than my usual 2-3,000.

Here's what I can see just a little ways from my house:

Good luck, Tom. You're motivated to change things and you're actually taking measures to change. You're on the right track!

Your video reminds me of the Great Lakes.

I bought a Fitbit years ago and it's been a tool that has helped better than anything for me to stay fit. I'm anxious for better weather so I too can get outside more and get more active. I don't like walking on a treadmill because it's so monotonous so my fitness tends to suffer in the winter as well.

 

[zozie]

I'm part of the "gained 'the Covid 19'" club, only it was about 30 pounds. This isn't really all that much for me, considering that I've lost 110 pounds in the past decade. That said, one can still lose weight and have a massively unhealthy relationship with one's body and food.

Here's what has helped me:

1. Exercise comes first when trying to regulate my diet. I have no idea why I can't do diet first and then add exercise, but I get miserable and stress-eat a lot more. Find the thing that works for you and do that, even if there's a "should" in there somewhere. Whatever works, works. Period.

2. It takes 4 weeks minimum to see a difference. I have to tell myself this because after a month of weights, I'm 10 pounds heavier on the scale, but my clothes are looser. Getting hung up on a number happens to me, so I tell myself 4 weeks at least, before the body adjusts to regular exercise. In a lot of ways, the beginning is the most difficult. I do track strength gains, though. Those are immediate.

3. Write, write, write. I journal before exercising and after, taking note of my judgments of my body, both good and bad. I usually spend most of this time telling myself to be patient and stick with it.

4. Ditch exercise/food that you hate. I've tried so many routines that I just don't enjoy, so many foods that are "supposed" to be good for me, only to toss them -- money and time down the drain -- and reach for things I enjoy.

5. Slowly but surely. This one is TOUGH for me. Right now I've got a sprained medial ligament in my left knee, a tragedy for a runner. I've also got peroneal tendonitis in both feet from working at Amazon, and a herniated disc in my back. So I'm injured and going too fast or wanting to push hard is not an option. Fortunately, these injuries have resulted (after 7 months of depression and frustrated agony) in finding functional exercises that I love. I'm getting stronger in ways that my injuries require for healing—and that I had been neglecting in my years as a runner.

6. It's never "too late" to start again, and starting again doesn't erase past progress. "Again" doesn't mean "over". There's no such thing as "back at the beginning". Each moment is progress, visible or not.

7. You're not alone, but you're your best resource on what you need. Suggestions abound, but your body will be able to tell you what it needs and what fulfills it better than any of us.

Good luck, and solidarity <3

 

[Major Tom]

I put in 10,000 steps yesterday, ate well, and cut firewood. By the time dark came, I was so tired that I couldn't keep my eyes opened.All that exercise was a better sleeping aid than my prescribed sleeping pills. I was and still am very sore. I think I do need to limit myself and go more slowly. The problem is, I only have two speeds. Stopped and full speed haha. I'm going to walk to and from work today, continue eating well, but other than that I need a day or two to recuperate. Otherwise I'm going to overdo it and slide back into my old pattern.

Thanks for all the good advice and support all!