Feeling bad about myself lately

CowgirlK39 · March 2014

I feel like crap lately. I put on weight over the past year, and so I started going to the gym about six months ago to try to fight it off. Even though I felt better and felt more toned, I didn't lose any pounds. With all this cold weather it's been impossible to get to the gym recently. So now I feel even bigger and crappier. On top of all of this, the stress of my job is just devouring me. I have been working non stop and dealing with some very stressful projects.

Tonight I attempted to paint my own nails, something I haven't done in probably a decade or more. DH began playfully mocking me and how bad they looked and I just started crying. He felt terrible and apologized but it was more like me just snapping. I'm sick of feeling bad and looking bad and being wound so tight from the stress. I need some suggestions on what to do to feel less crappy. I'm going to try to go back to the gym again as much as possible but I'm just looking for anything to help get me back on track.

CowgirlK39 · March 2014

Oh frig, how did this end up in the wrong board?? Can someone move it?

vlagrl29 · March 2014

I don't know but sorry you are going thru this! I had to loose 76 lbs of baby weight after DD and I was constantly motivating myself by wanting to wear my old clothes again and fitting back in my bikinis. I had a newborn and was going to the gym 4-5 days a week. you just have to go and don't make excuses. It's also about what you eat. Try to eat non processed food and eat clean. You also need to take care of yourself. I go to the spa twice a year for a full hour massage and facial. I also go to yoga class twice a week. Working out is taking care of yourself. Try and get rid of the stress in your life. Is there a way you can not work so much. Learn to say "no", it really helps

Xstatic3333 · March 2014

I can identify as well! I gained about 20 lbs recently when switching from an active life as a grad student to a desk job. Because I've never really worried about my weight, it really snuck up on me. I didn't notice until things stopped fitting.

Now I've been in a great workout routine for two months (Zumba! It's the best!) but still haven't lost weight. I do feel better and slimmer, so I'm telling myself that the number hasn't changed since I'm building muscle. I've always eaten healthy whole foods, but am trying even harder now to practice portion control and also cut back on the beer.

No real advice-but I feel your pain!

Sisugal · March 2014

Sorry you are feeling so down. Hang in there.
Please keep in mind that the excise will trim and tone your body and give you other health benefits - alone it will not lead to weight loss .
You must look to your food intake - what you eat determines 80% of your weight,
I would suggest looking for a nutritionist who can guide you with a food plan to lose weight.
A good food plan coupled with a 4 day gym routine will work.
Focus on adding lots of vegetables and fruits to your diet.
Your plate should be 1/4 protein, 1/4 veggies, 1/4 fruit and 1/4 carb(bread, pasta, rice etc )
Learn what a portion size looks like.
A food diary was a great help to me as I learned just how much more I was sneaking in than I realized. If it goes into your mouth - write it down.
Add LOTS of water intake
Hang in there -
Start small with the food changes and add a new one each week.

jessica490 · March 2014

Sorry your so bummed. Here are a few ideas:

Excersize as much as you can fit in through the day. Talk small walks, do a fitness video on demand (if you have comcast), even You Tube has videos if you don't feel motivated to go to the gym. Make it fun, walk the dog, take the stairs, bike ride, kayak (not sure where you live) if you have kids run around outside with them. Join a gym that has free classes to make it more fun. Get a trainer to help you get there and keep you motivated.

Maybe see a nutritionist to help get tips on how to eat better or just use Pintrest for healthy snack/meal ideas.

See a therapist to help get you through these blues. That has always worked for me.

Have DH included in all these activites, it's always better to have someone help/cheer you on along the way. Make sure you tell him how your feeling so he won't make fun of you.

Good Luck!

maple2 · March 2014

In terms of getting in more exercise, I have recently started the practice of taking 10-15 minutes every 2 hours to get up, move around, run the stairs, do yoga or strength exercises, etc. I still try to find 30+ minutes most days for more focused cardio or to take a class at the gym, but adding the daily breaks helps me 1) avoid the dangers of sitting too much, 2) get in some extra strength training, stretching and/or calorie burning and every little bit helps, 3) tone back the stress, and 4) stop eating extra snacks as a break from work or to deal with stress. It's not a radical change, and it certainly hasn't led to massive weight loss, but it does make me feel better about myself mentally and physically. Good luck!

Erikan73 · March 2014

Sorry you are going through this. Make sure to take your measurements as you workout. As you lose fat you will be gaining muscle, but muscle is leaner so you can stay at a weight but still end up gettting skinner. Sometimes a tape measure can be a better friend then a scale during the weight loss battle.

I wish had some good advise besides that but I don't. I'm facing the same battles. So just know you are not alone and feel free to post on any board and you will find support.

bnunn03 · March 2014

Yep.. food is the most important part of losing and mainting weight and lets be real.. gaining weight. I lost 50 pounds through weight watchers.. you really just need to practice portion control, track what you are eating and getting in some daily movement.. also drink that water!

emily1004 · March 2014

bnunn03 said:

Yep.. food is the most important part of losing and mainting weight and lets be real.. gaining weight. I lost 50 pounds through weight watchers.. you really just need to practice portion control, track what you are eating and getting in some daily movement.. also drink that water!

Agreed! I love weight watchers. I lost 17 pounds. I have a very small frame and I'm only 5'2 so that was a lot of weight for me. I gained too much weight after college.

OP, you sound a little depressed, and I don't mean that to sound cruel. Everyone gets depressed from time to time and I'm not a doctor, but it could be seasonal. I don't know where you live, but the weather in the north has made me feel a little less happy. The best thing I do is get up and move. Even working out for 20 minutes will do wonders.

hoffse · March 2014

I have found that drinking 8 oz of water before each meal means I eat a lot less. It's also good for you.

I recently got a fitbit to track how many steps I take per day. You're supposed to take 10,000 steps per day. On the weekends I can get close to that 10,000. But on days when I work, I am usually between 3,000-4,000. I am trying to increase that number slowly, even if it means taking a walk during lunch or walking a lap around my apartment when I get home in the evenings. Last night I didn't get home until 8 pm because I had a reception to attend after work. It's hard to get motivated when you're home that late, but it's something I really need to work on.

Walking does make a huge difference for me. I was in the 120's in college when I lived on a residential campus. I had to walk everywhere. And honestly, I didn't watch what I ate at all. Then I went to law school and was driving to campus. Still walking a good bit once I got there, but just adding the commute gave me 8-10 pounds. And then I gained another 10 pounds when I started my desk job.

I spent a month in Rome during college, and even though I was in the 120's I literally dropped another 10 pounds in 2 weeks just from walking EVERYWHERE. I wanted to see so much that I was probably walking over 10 miles per day.

I will probably not get back to the 120's, but there's no reason that I shouldn't be where I was in law school. Dieting has taken me a certain distance with that, and I am hoping that increasing my walking will be the edge I need to keep going. At the very least, the 10,000 steps is a pretty good benchmark for general health. And obviously I need to work on increasing that.

vlagrl29 · March 2014

hoffse said:

I have found that drinking 8 oz of water before each meal means I eat a lot less. It's also good for you.

I recently got a fitbit to track how many steps I take per day. You're supposed to take 10,000 steps per day. On the weekends I can get close to that 10,000. But on days when I work, I am usually between 3,000-4,000. I am trying to increase that number slowly, even if it means taking a walk during lunch or walking a lap around my apartment when I get home in the evenings. Last night I didn't get home until 8 pm because I had a reception to attend after work. It's hard to get motivated when you're home that late, but it's something I really need to work on.

Walking does make a huge difference for me. I was in the 120's in college when I lived on a residential campus. I had to walk everywhere. And honestly, I didn't watch what I ate at all. Then I went to law school and was driving to campus. Still walking a good bit once I got there, but just adding the commute gave me 8-10 pounds. And then I gained another 10 pounds when I started my desk job.

I spent a month in Rome during college, and even though I was in the 120's I literally dropped another 10 pounds in 2 weeks just from walking EVERYWHERE. I wanted to see so much that I was probably walking over 10 miles per day.

I will probably not get back to the 120's, but there's no reason that I shouldn't be where I was in law school. Dieting has taken me a certain distance with that, and I am hoping that increasing my walking will be the edge I need to keep going. At the very least, the 10,000 steps is a pretty good benchmark for general health. And obviously I need to work on increasing that.

That's so true that a desk job adds weight gain. When DH and I were dating I was 133 and had to buy a size bigger pants for work. Ended up getting laid off and got pregnant and obviously gained weight there but now I'm 120 and back in the size 4 pants I thought I'd never wear again. When you sit all day long it's good to make sure you are active when you get off work.

cloudymeatballs · March 2014

Sorry you are feeling down. We all get there sometimes.

Start small. First just start drinking ONLY Water! I swear it makes a huge difference. It is amazing all of the empty calories you get just for drinking other things. Skip the fruit juice, soda etc. As PP said, with the snacks, keep them healthy and worth while. Have the smart things and try to stay active, just a little bit at a time. Go for a walk, take the stairs, park your car a little further than usual. If in an office job, make yourself get up and stretch every 20 minutes or so. It takes time and it is a life style change, don't bother trying to diet. It is useless and a change will keep it up! Good luck and keep us informed on how you are!!!

xo

CowgirlK39 · March 2014

Thanks girls. I know my diet needs to change. I am married to a man who acts like he has pregnancy cravings, so some days he will just blurt out "omg I want pizza!" He will not settle for anything other than what he has a craving for. Cooking is very hard in our place because the way our apartment is laid out we have very little counter space, and no electrical outlets around what counters we have. So we eat a lot of crap.

The project I have been stressing about became my first official sale yesterday and I couldn't be happier. But 24 hours later, an even bigger project surfaced that I now have to freak out about. Ugh. My job is very very stressful and I need a break so bad but with the sudden massive influx of work, I can't get a break.

goldiemu · May 2014

If you're like me, I look for comfort food when I am stressed. This typically means carbs which is how I gain weight. Here is my experience, keep working out even if you are tired, at least do a 20 minute walk around block. It really does make a difference.

Also, find comfort foods that are better for you but work. Here is what I discovered and I am a really tough nut to crack:

*warm soup - mine is trader joes tomato in a box which is really good

*really anything warm makes me feel more satisfied. I drink alot of warm tea as well

* Never eat a naked carb. So, have fruit but eat a protein with it. At night, I like something sweet so I have fruit but then eat a few nuts with it.

* avocado - this feels like a treat to me so I add it to salads and my eggs in the morning.

* hummus - A third of a cup with my favorite veg may not feel the same as what I want originally like chips or cookies but once I dive in, it is better because it tastes rich.

*cottage cheese with salsa is so good and filling.

Find things that are protein based but comforting too. This may help you feel satisfied while stressed

Feeling bad about myself lately

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