If you are over weight how do you visualize what you need to lose?

@GardenGerty (157050)
United States
September 18, 2010 10:59pm CST
I have quite a bit of weight to lose. I have seen television shows where they show you what ten pounds of butter looks like, for instance if you need to lose ten pound. I had a revelation today about my weight. I am tired all the time, and sometimes feel like I cannot even drag my body around. One day last week I went to WalMart and got a bag of garden soil, because it was reduced to one dollar. I could barely lift that soil into the cart. It was nearly impossible to get the bag into the trunk of my car. I had a very hard time dragging it across the yard to where I needed to fill in a hole. My husband and son went to pick up a lot of bags of it for me today.While looking at the bags of dirt I realized that the extra weight I carry around is about the same as that one bag of dirt. No wonder I am tired all the time. I can barely lift it. I hope this will motivate me to work harder at weight loss. I have lost ten pounds in the last month, but I need to lose fifty more.
10 people like this
34 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28719)
• United States
19 Sep 10
It didn't really work that way for me at all. When I had my realization I was watching The Biggest Loser on TV. I hadn't weighed myself in a long time, and knew that I was gaining a bit.. so during a commercial when I went to the bathroom I got on the scale.. It said 225. That's when it hit me.. I was about as big as some of these Biggest Loser Contestents. If that's not enough to totally freak a person out I don't know what is. I guess until that point I'd never really realized I was THAT heavy. I knew about how much I weighed.. I knew I was overweight.. but I didn't think it was that serious of a problem and I just kept thinking that eventually I'd lose the weight.. though I never expected to really put my mind to it. Well that night changed my life and I put my mind to it! I lost 80 lbs in less than a year, but in the past couple months I've put about 5 lbs back on. I still work out at least 3 days a week, but my eating habits have gone right back to what they used to be.. shame on me. I do not want to gain anymore weight back, so I have to get back on track with the eating and working out more.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
19 Sep 10
katsmeow when I was weighed at my doctors office and i went to 224 I almost cried I was so upset, I mean I know I was overweight but that figure was the most I have weighed, and now I have cut back on a lot of the carbs they serve here. I have lost 25 pounds now to tackle the 200 pounds, doctor says 150 is where he wants me so thats what i am aiming at and when I came here I was onlyh 175 which is still too big for me but the diet here is so mu ch different from what I ate when I cooked for myeself.they lean heavily on carbs and not much protein so have myh work c ut out for me.so he says five or six pounds only to lose each month so it will take time but I will love not being ashamed to see myself in the mirror.I am a diabetic so its really crucial I lose the weight.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
19 Sep 10
Six weeks ago I was 226.4 lbs. I am down this week to 216.4. I am 5'7". Love water, love healthy food, but generally also love big portions, and I have been sedentary for about nine months now. I notice I am getting back to a fidgeting habit, which also helps burn weight and I listen to lively music and notice that I even "dance" at the computer. I just need to do more. I drink water almost constantly, always have. My mother thought I was "sick", probably diabetic, because I always liked water.
• United States
19 Sep 10
Anonymous.. I don't know what it converts to.. but I'm only 5'3 so 225 on me is obese. I am around 150 now.. which according to the idiotic BMI is still "overweight" but I am happy with this weight and will keep it here. Hatley... where are you that you can't cook for yourself? I think the biggest thing is getting plenty of exercise. When I was losing weight I drank tons of water and worked out for at least an hour everyday, and when I wasn't working out I stayed very active, going for walks, blasting music and dancing around the house, cleaning and doing chores. Every little bit of movement helps. The only reason I haven't packed all the weight back on is because I am still working out.. cause I have been eating nothing but garbage lately!
1 person likes this
@free_man (7330)
• United States
20 Mar 11
Hi GG. I can tell you an easy way to loose weight I lost a little over a hundred pounds in less then a year. Really. I started eating special K for breakfast and sometimes for lunch. I take apple cider vinegar plus http://www.botanicchoice.com/ it is all natural. I walked 3 miles a day and it took the weight off. I keep the weight off by walking daily as far as my legs can stand it some days it is quite a lot of miles. Good luck hope you have lost lots of weight.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
21 Mar 11
I did well until Christmas, then gained. I will eat Cheerios, not so fond of Special K. The problem is that hubby is at home and he wants big meals and he wants me to eat as well. Spring is here again and so I started losing again.
1 person likes this
@free_man (7330)
• United States
21 Mar 11
Hi GG. I know what you mean I am still loosing and when I don't eat my husband says he wants me to eat. But I found the cure for that I just tell him if he wants me to loose weight he needs to let me eat what I can and not over stuff myself. Now he don't say a thing. Good luck on loosing weight my friend.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
19 Sep 10
hI gg, that's a pretty neat way to compare what u need to lose. I need to lose to & have lost but need to lose some more. congrats on the 10 lbs. good luck w/the 50. Hope u are having a good sunday.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
It just finally made sense how much extra I am carrying.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
30 Sep 10
Rude awakenings are pretty tough sometimes. Hope u can lose some of it.
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
20 Sep 10
I prefer to visualize, what I want to look like physically, how I want to feel, picture what I want, not what I don't want. I learned that from the Secret, it seemed to work with my bills.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
I guess that is what will help me on down the road. What happened with the soil is that I could finally SEE what I am carrying around, and it just really hit me hard.
1 person likes this
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
30 Sep 10
Hi impact visualization works wonders, and that is what the soil is. Just in my mind it shows you what you are, not what you want to be, so you would be more of what you are, unless you are envisioning the soil flying away as you dig deeper to more the shape you want of yourself, at least that is what is in my head.... Cheers.
• Pamplona, Spain
25 Sep 10
Hiya GG, The mini trampoline sounds like a lot of fun would it really hurt your feet a lot if you use it say in combination with one of those Pilates Gymnastic Balls that they have too and a bit of weight lifting might do the trick as well. I would use only the one Kilo weights if you do use them and build it up very slowly so as not to wake up the next Day with so many aching muscles. Hope you reach your target GG.
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
I have weights on hand lots of places,I pick them up and use them a little all the time, and I do yard work, so I have some decent muscles on my arms, and legs. I am concerned because for the first time in my life I have belly fat.
1 person likes this
• Pamplona, Spain
3 Oct 10
Hiya GG, Oh I see. But you don´t have to think that you are stuck with it. Most of us Women have that problem a bit at least from time to time. I was also looking at those resistance Bands they are supposed to work off some weight and build real muscle and you can practice while watching the Television too. At the moment I push against the Doors in the House and the Wall. Of course I don´t knock them down (grin) but it´s supposed to be strength training. I never do the same exercise every Day I tend to vary it to make it less boring. Good luck GG sure you will do it. Much better to lose it very slowly than all at once. This is what I have read not me saying it. Let us all know how you do with all that.
• United States
19 Sep 10
This is an area of success in my life, as although I was not very big, last October 2009 I decided I wanted to take a new approach on being healthy. I was in the modeling world exposed to the indignity that I always had to be skinny. So I was a roller coaster dieter and starved many times. It was always easy to lose weight but not easy to keep it off. So last Oct I finally listened to my son, and I bought a great stationary bike that I used 1 hour per day for 5 days a week, I began eat 3 - 4 meals a day, and finally for the first time drink water. I drink almost one gallon per day and only use my bike now only for cardio 3 days a week and only for half hour. But I can tell you that I successfully in 5 months lost 60 lbs. I still eat my meals except when I am so broke...LOL... But my skin and health are healthier than ever, so what I suggest is that whatever regimen you start that you keep it consistent. But honestly friend outside of your health, I love who you are as you are a beautiful person!!
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
19 Sep 10
I spend way too much time on the computer, and it just makes me tired to carry my weight around. I want to lose for health. My husband actually thinks large women are more attractive, but he also knows that I need to lose for my health. I went up another 15 or so pounds after my foot surgery. Jumping rope is very aerobically effective because it uses both upper and lower body and it gets your metabolism up there. Unfortunately, the foot doctor does not want me to jump rope. I may eventually get a mini rebounder to jump rope on, so it does not damage my foot.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
19 Sep 10
Hi Hardworkinggurl, Yes....the water! I drink tons of water too and it helps to flush the system as well as curb the appetite. I drink iced water because it boosts the metabolism...it really does. Exercise is also very good. My apartment is real small and no room at all for equipment. I invested in a hula hoop and a jump rope. Both are really good forms of exercise and kind of fun.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Sep 10
Hi sid, yes improvise to gain better health is a wonderful idea. As a matter of fact one day I will buy a jump rope and mix it up a bit. Thanks for the idea this is great.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36449)
• United States
21 Mar 11
Well it can be a hard thing to do when you know you have some weight you need to loose. And even with other Health issues when you feel like you cannot lift, or sometimes even walk around somewhere without it hurting you, it could be a hard thing for sure. I know many times I hurt and yes, loosing about 20 more pds. would be nice but for me there are other issues associated with the pain as well.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
21 Mar 11
I know your diabetes causes you a lot of pain. I would love to lose fifty bounds, though.
• United States
22 Sep 10
I don't really visual how much extra weight I carry around, but I do visualize myself looking/feeling better after losing the weight. However, I find it harder to get motivated as I get older because I'm never going to look like that 25 year old hardbody in a bikini. But, I can try to look like a 42 year old hardbody, though.
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@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
I hear you about not ever being in that 25 year old body. I would not mind being down to where I was about thirteen years ago.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
19 Sep 10
loseing 10 pound in a month is a good atart I think you need to keep up what you are doing. and dont be surprized if you freeze on a certain amount all people do just keep doing hwat ya doing and you should get downt o what you want GL hugsssssssssssssssssssssss
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
I am never surprised when I manage to stall out. I just have to get motivated to move it on down again.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
1 Oct 10
cool
@AmbiePam (84668)
• United States
22 Sep 10
Good for you! Unless you have gained weight since I saw you, I wouldn't think you needed to lose that much weight. My goal is to lose 50 pounds. I struggle with the exercise since my back is so bad. I'm hoping as the weather gets cooler, I'll be able to walk more. The heat always zaps me, it always has. Good news though for my dad. He has lost 25 pounds! I had been worried because he had gained weight, and you know he is the primary caretaker for my mom. He had neglected himself way too much. And, to be honest, food was his comfort because the thing with my mom is not getting better. So I'm so proud that he is taking control of the situation and losing the weight. Sadly, as my dad loses the weight, my mom seems to gain it. She just eats and eats. I guess it is comfort to her as well.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
Some of the meds your mom takes may cause her to eat. When my hubby was ill I walked for stress relief, until he got too sick for me to leave. I did not lose, but did not gain. I may have gained ten lbs. since I saw you. Actually that is the ten I lost.Hang in there with the health changes you want to make.
• United States
19 Sep 10
Muscle is heavier than fat. Basically fat is bigger but lighter than muscle. My high school coach told me that in college one of his friends was very sexy but she had a heart attack because she was fat. Even though she looks fine and sexy fat can still live in your body and kill you. I think it's good to build muscle mass so you can burn more calories, and in turn you will lose fat faster. Good luck.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Sep 10
To visualize the weight you must lose take a look at the height and weight chart. There you will see the suggested weight range for your height at your age.
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@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
19 Sep 10
Oh, If I look at the height and weight chart I will need to lose another twenty pounds more. Total of 80 lbs.) I have large bones, and I used to muscle up rather easily. I always weighed about twenty pounds more than most people who appeared to be my size. If I move all the dirt hubby brought home I will add muscle mass for sure.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
19 Sep 10
Hi Gerty! I think I know what you mean. I don't have to lose alot of weight, 20 pounds would be fine, but even that amount of weight is difficult to lose for me! And even though it doesen't sound like much it is to me. I feel the difference when I am lighter. So I do understand what you're saying! I seem to be tired all the time, but some of that is from lack of sleep due to my Insomnia. It seems everything I do takes twice the time and I have to rest constantly while I am doing whatever chores. Kind of makes me depressed because I have another birthday coming up (10/10/10-very cool numbers) and it just makes it more difficult to resign myself that I am really getting old~
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
19 Sep 10
I hope I can get my hubby convinced not to serve me large plates of food, as that is a kicker right there. Even just little things like walking more I think will help. Actually, getting enough sleep is supposed to help you lose weight. I do not have trouble falling asleep, but I have found I sleep better when I take melatonin at bedtime.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
19 Sep 10
OMG Gerty! I forgot to congratulate you on your weight loss! That's a pretty good start! You are a pretty active lady and I know that you have lots of willpower. Keep up the good work and let us know your progress so maybe it will wear off on me!
1 person likes this
@piya84 (2581)
• India
11 Oct 10
I just look into mirror and i know i need to reduce weight.I do have a weighing machine at home and i know accurately ho much i need to reduce once i stand up on it. You are right when your weight is up it become difficult to carry yourself and do other small small task.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
4 Mar 11
I hope that you are losing weight and gaining health.
@maezee (42003)
• United States
26 Oct 10
Finding something to lift that is the same size as your "extra" weight sounds like a good idea. I'm struggling with about 20-30 pounds (ideally 30, but eh) and I can't find the motivation to continue eating healthy and exercising. I really can't. Maybe I should go buy some soil..
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
27 Oct 10
Seeing and lifting that soil did help me. I also have a new pedometer. It lets me see how much I am moving. The other thing about the soil and yard work is that it is more exercise as well. Good luck finding your motivation.
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
20 Sep 10
Good job, Keep up the good work. I have some pounds to loose too. My girlfriend and I walked up a bunch of stairs, I was sort of winded some. She was ready to keep on going. I explained to her that I have the extra weight that I am carrying up the steps. I am close to 6 ft tall so my weight is distributed all over. She is about 5 ft tall and maybe a hundred pounds. I asked her can you imagine carrying a big bag of dog food or something else heavy up the steps, you are bound to be a little winded. I wasn't so bad that I was huffing and puffing. Good luck with continued success.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
That is kind of like me with my garden soil. I am not quite as tall as you, but I am not short either. I look at my adult daughter, an inch taller than me and 80 lbs or so lighter. She moves so easily and gracefully. I have not been that light for over thirty years.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
20 Sep 10
I have lost thirty pounds and a lot of people have noticed. I have not done anything special to lose all these weight, I did not diet or do exercise. I put the weight I needed to lose in terms of pounds and inches. I do know that I lose one inch for every five pounds that I lose. I was fifty pounds overweight and felt a lot of aches and pains in my body. Now, I still have to lose another twenty pounds so that I can fit into my dresses that have been put away for quite some time because I no longer fit in them. The biggest factor in my weight gain was stress. I was carrying a lot of emotional baggage when I was still 50lbs overweight. When I learned to let go of the things that I cannot control, the pounds dropped. Now I need to lose just a little more for my health.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
Emotional eating and emotional stress does contribute to weight gain. On the other hand, some people lose weight when they stress. I congratulate you on getting your stress under control.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
20 Sep 10
We're about in the same position, Gerty! I had lost a lot of weight then I got divorced and it slowly piled back on. I make my goal a pound a week. That's not too much and sometimes I don't make even that. It's very hard for me to lose since I have trouble with exercise--first, I don't want to do it and second, it hurts my joints and my back. I've found a neat trick, though! When you take a bite of food, if your cheek bulges you've taken too big a bite. I mean, look at the way thin people eat--you'd never know they have anything in their mouth unless their jaws are moving. They take tiny bites and chew a lot. I ate a lot less yesterday trying this trick. Plus, the knitting I do at night helps take my mind off food and hunger.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
I like the small bite trick. If I would do a lot more instead of be online, I would slim down. I have all kinds of projects I could do. Maybe by this time next year I can be showing off a neat and compact me.
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Sep 10
I visualize liposuction being done, or better yet, I just rematerialize with my old body. :D
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
Wouldn't that be nice. I wish I could just unstrap that bag of garden soil from my waist.
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@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
20 Sep 10
I look at myself in the mirror and know I need to lose quite a bit of weight. I have high blood pressure and I know for a fact it is caused by my weight. I have not looked at a set of scales lately. I know I have lost weight but I do not know how much and I am in need to lose much more. I am rather ashamed to even admit to how much I need to lose. I am not currently at my heaviest but with my age I am extremely unhealthy. I really need to stick to an exercise routine to lose this weight. So much easier said than done!
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
The weight mostly affects my joints and my overall comfort. My blood pressure is normal, I get it checked when I give blood. I would worry to see if I am leaning toward diabetes, though, because many in my family went that direction when they got older.
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
20 Sep 10
You are off to a good start Gerty. I love water and try a lot of it. I try to walk as much as possible. I am glad fall is coming as it is hard for me to walk in the summer with all the humidity. I have been losing weight, but I have a ways to go. I have been trying to eat more vegetables, the problem is I love them with butter :-( Keep up the good work!
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
30 Sep 10
I got a new pedometer yesterday, so I stopped and took and extra walk today.