Question
First before I start, let m say to all of you prefect sized women who work your butt off to look like you do...bravo! I'm so proud of you & keep up the good work!

Now I'll get on my soap box. I recently realized I am what is now considered midle aged, middle sized (not misses not plus) I also noticed that after 3 children and age catching up that I no longer burn off what I take in. I also recently changed jobs from a job up on my feet to sitting on my big butt 7.5 hours aday. In other words, I'm growing out now that I've grown up.

This is normal I know but I come very LARGE stock. we're talking tipping the 300 lb mark. I'm taller than they are and that helps some. My DF is completely happy with me He would he loves me

However, I now work at a college where everyone is a size - 0 it seems...well the new ones do anyway...freshman year will change that. I work in the student commons and there is a fitness room which I can use free of charge however, every time I go down there, i run into a teeney tiny little thing that wouldn't know what body fat was if it hit her in the face. Which I do not hold against them, I'm glad they have this time in their lives to be that way. (ok yes i'm jealous...I have to suck it in walking down the hall so i don't blow out anyones eye)

My problem is with me, I walk every day or so on my lunch break, I've cut out soft drinks, sugar, and basic junk. I try to watch what is coming in my body but I'm stuck. Haven't lost one freaking pound. I know they say muscle wieghs more than fat but I also heard that was a myth. All I know is i'm getting close to 200 which is close to the family's 300 mark. I'm 5'9" and I wieght 180 lbs. My height does help but the scale is screaming at me. My Df says i'm being ridiculous about it and I'm getting some kind of twisted view on myself. I don't agree. I think I'm being rational. As rational, as any woman can be about her body image. I know that I'm not happy with how am right now. I've gained 20 lbs in 6 months and can't shake it! I am realistic and know I'm not a size 6 and I don't care if my size doesn't change drastically I just wanna be able to put my pants on with out sucking in or squooshing my stomach rolls when I tie my shoes!!! I'm starting to look like the end of the age line in those female age progression charts...you know slumped over, head down, belly sticking out. Not cool.

Ok I didn't have any questions just needed to vent. Thanks as usual.

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God...I hear ya. No matter what I do, I just can't seem to lose that extra pound. I'm 5' 140. Okay...145. I'm only 22 years old. Up until I graduated high school, I never weighed more than 90 pounds. Actually, I was only 80 pounds until the last couple months of high school. I've gained 50 pounds in 4 years!!! I don't eat red meat (except once in a great while), lunch is usually a SlimFast or a salad, dinner is usually chicken, FH and I take the dogs on a walk every night and two or three mornings a week I go jogging. I just can't lose any weight!! My mom said it's because of birth control, but I've been on birth control since I was 14 (I actually did need it to regulate periods...I hadn't had one yet). If birth control was going to make me gain weight you'd think it would've back then, too.

To make matters worse, two years ago my father found out he had diabetes. He hates taking medicine so he dedicated himself to getting off insulin. He has. He runs at least five miles every single day. So I have him breathing down my neck every time he sees me and trying to convince me to do that. Ugh. Did Anna Nicole Smith have to go to all this work to shed the pounds?! Or Kirstie Alley?! I want to be a celebrity and be able to afford magic pills

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I feel your pain. My family is on the large size too and I saw myself heading that way. Thankfully I caught myself before it got out of control and I went on weight watchers. I lost the lbs that were really starting to bug me b/c I knew that I would be getting pregnant soon and wanted to lose the weight before that. And losing that weight made me feel so good about myself. My point? I'm trying to nudge you the Weight Watchers way. I did it online only (I really have good self control and didn't need the meetings) and it works so well and you can eat all of your regular food, just in smaller quantities. There are calculators online for you to calculate out your points and to keep track of your weight. There's also great recipes on there too. And it's not that expensive. You have to pay like a $20 dollar startup fee and it's like $16 a month, which I didn't think was too bad. You eat all regular foods, like I said, just smaller portions. There were even some weeks that I had McDonalds and still lost weight! And every week you get 30-35 flex points that you can use throughout the week however you want. It's really a great program. I raved about it so much that even my mom decided to do it and has lost 10% of her body weight so far!

Soooooo, I really think that your "taking note" of the situation is a good first step, now you just need to really do a little more than what you already are doing. You have started going down the right path with the cutting out sugars, etc, but there's just a little more to do. It's really all about calorie intake (and exercising). Remember, just a 20-30 minute walk each day can do wonders. Getting off my soapbox now!

If you have any questions or want to yell at me, feel free to PM me. I'm just very passionate about weight loss, if you can't tell. And I'm happy to say I've found a program that works for several people that my mom and I know.

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hey there gertielou, dont get so down. i too am not the size i want to be and im short. i have 3 kids like u so i no what its like, especially when they dont eat all their food. i always say i need to lose weight and try a diet for a couple of days and then cheat and forget about it. i made a goal for myself and thats i cant go try on dresses until im to the size i want to be. so i carry a couple of pictures in my purse of dresses i like and everytime i want to go eat fast food or just cheat i look at them and i get back on track. i want to feel beautiful on my wedding so i know i need to stay focus. anyhow im doing the slim fast plan and i feel so good right now. im very proud of myself cause im really sticking to it. i go onto their website www.slim-fast.com and read the success stories once a day. everyone that diets wants to see results quick and of course thats not the way it happens and especially if u want to keep the weight off. well just thought i would let u know whats working for me right now.

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Ok, now I'm a little offended here....I'm exactly 5'9 and 188 pounds. I'm not fat by anymeans....I'm not slim I understand that, but I look good. 15 years ago I was 5'9 and 135 lbs and had doctors tell me that I was severly under weight(yes Vogue and Cosmo say for that height a person should be 140-145lbs) ... you could literally count every vertabrea, rib and every other bone in my body. I was not anorexic, bullemic or have any other eating disorder. I had a very high metabolism. Now, after 2 kids I am at a decent weight...yes, I understand losing 20 lbs would make me look better, but I am in no means fat. I have some pics in the gallery and if you think I look fat well then I take great offense. Yes my butt, thighs and stomach could use some trimming up I admit, but I feel I still look good.

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justnmary, i think u look great! some people just carry weight differently. i have some friends that are the same height and weight and my weight is just in different places. everyone tells me i look great but inside i dont so thats why dieting. so dont feel offened in anyway.

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Oh, I so feel your pain here. I'm 28 and in the past year or so have gained 25 or 30 pounds. I was always the skinny girl in school wearing a size 4 or so. But of course I thought I was fat. Now I just want to be back to a size 8 and I would do just about anything to be back to my weight at age 22.

I work out (run, bike, swim)5-6 times a week plus take the dog on walks everyday and I don't eat horribly. But I haven't lost any weight. I have belly rolls for the first time in my life and I have BACK FAT! I have no idea how to get rid of it. There is no muscle there to tone. Where does it come from? I hate it so much!

I'm also a vegetarian so dieting is a little harder for me. All of the diet books tell you to eat chicken or fish, well what the heck am I supposed to eat to lose weight? Plus I'm on birth control and anti-depressants which both promote weight gain. ARGH.

Like you, FH thinks I look great but he's a triathlete and has a metabolism so fast that he loses weight OVERNIGHT while SLEEPING! It's sickening really. He'll eat an entire Ben and Jerry's ice cream and lose weight where I take a bite and gain a pound. I hate feeling fat next to him.

I don't really have any advice since I'm in the same predicament. But if anyone else has advice, let me know too!

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Originally Posted by justnmary Ok, now I'm a little offended here....I'm exactly 5'9 and 188 pounds. I'm not fat by anymeans....
Didn't mean to offend you at all. Maybe if I carried it differently it wouldn't bother me but it's all in my stomach sticking out for everyone to see and my butt no longer is contained to my butt it's going south... It's no longer even a butt it's more like an extension of my legs.

And by the way, you look lovely in all your pictures. I however, have thin arms and small chest (still in an A cup after 3 kids ) so the lower half of my body has all my weight throwing me off quite a bit. Like a weeble wobble.

I did not mean to offend anyone.Please forgive me.

As for weight watchers my mom did awesome on it a few years ago. She lost 47 lbs and looked great then quit! she plateaued and quit. She has all the books and menus and I have been basically using that as a guide to go by. I walk atleast 3 days a week for 30 minutes of my lunch. For dental reasons (major dental procedures) I cut out the sugar and felt much better. I drink water mostly now but can't figure out what to do to actually LOSE the weight. I don't even care if I don't lose it if I can just pull the lower half of my body in that would be great too. Sorry for whinning It's just on my mind a lot and everyone in my life keeps telling me I'm being silly and not to worry about it. These are also the same people with medical conditions that could have been avoided if their wieght was under control. Oye Vey! I need Pepsi!

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BACK FAT! Wasn't that a wakeup call after the freshman 15 (ok 20...25)??

I'm getting frustrated right now too, although it's just silly girl stuff. I"ve been working my butt off at the gym and I can see some good changes happening, but the scale ain't dropping for me even though I'm eating 2 protein shake thingies a day and a regular light dinner. Grrr. I know if I keep plugging away it's bound to work, but it's discouraging, you know? AND this is my weight that I can never seem to break through to drop lower (I'm 5'8 148)-I'd really like to be about 10 pounds lower and I always kick right up to 148 and then float between there an 150. Any tips on getting through the plateau are always appreciated-otherwise consider this my weight gripe!

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Dont worry, we're all in the same boat.

I do have to say that muscle DOES weight MORE than fat. My mom is a size 18-20, she's 5'0 184lbs. Me - I'm 5'3 and weight 171, but if you see me, you'd think im 135-145. It drives me nuts that im up to 170.

I started Jenny Craig and i actually love it. If you eat out alot, this is perfect because the foods are already set for you. It can get pricey though ($100 for 7 days food supply - breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks) but if you break it down, you probably spend about $40-50 per week eating out for lunch anyway, so it will save you money in the long run.

Thats just an idea

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Don't sweat just the numbers -- muscle DOES weigh more than fat and so much of it is proportion. I'm 5'6" and weigh 184. I'm NOT skinny or muscular...you all have seen my pictures...but, I'm a 40D, I have a well defined waist, I have curvy hips -- I'm not a monster, either. I don't love the way I look, and some days I absolutely hate it, but I also know I look fine.

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gertielou I know how you feel I'm 5'9'' and about 185 myself and to justnmary wow girl you really carry that well, it must be all muscle huney. actaully I used to carry it that well and then I had my baby now it seems it's all gone to my stomach.There are time I still look pregnant. WTH. I've done Weight Watchers but have gained it all back just cause it's a lot of work with the life we live. I want some magic pills too cause I gotta buckle down or forget about it, and my dress just fit when I bought it.
AshyBekka your at almost at what most doctors and even Fashion mags claim is the correct wieght for you hieght less stress huney.

But I think what we ALL need is to try to be happier with ourselves cause you know weight is only a number as long as yoru healthy and if your man loves you the way you are, and you love yourself, who cares what the girl in her size 0 jeans thinks.

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I "lost it" with my weight gain when I developed stretch marks on my inner thighs. I was never overweight when growing up. But, once I quit dancing, got on anti-depressants and BC, and got a desk job. I sky rocketed in a matter of 1.5 years from 115 lbs to 168 lbs. It was bad. I was determined to lose weight before my wedding. And, I used the South Beach Diet and a modified Slim-Fast diet, and managed to lose 30 lbs in about 9 months. During my honeymoon and the past holiday season I regained about 5 lbs. Right now I am trying to slowly lose the rest of my overage. I would like to get back to 125 or so. Unfortunately, I have stalled at 141. I am trying to work in more exercise and have started using http://www.sparkpeople.com, a free website, for tracking my nutrition and exercise each week. (Jennifer actually recommended it a while back, and I really like it.)

That's a long story to say that you can't always rely on a scale to tell you whether you're doing well with your diet. Eventhough I haven't lost a single pound in the past 2 months. I have had multiple people at work and some friends comment on my continued weight loss. I am toning my muscles (which do weigh more then fat for the amount of space they occupy). So, I know that even if I don't ever make my 125 lb goal. I am improving my health and appearance. I feel better about myself for every day I keep up my self-defined program and that makes it easier to continue.

A really interesting book I recently came across is called 8 Minutes in the morning for Real Shapes, Real Sizes by Jorge Cruise. It has a very simple exercise and nutrition plan, that I have recently incorporated into my program. And, I love it, because so far it seems to work and is soooo simple.

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Originally Posted by Lizbet
A really interesting book I recently came across is called 8 Minutes in the morning for Real Shapes, Real Sizes by Jorge Cruise. It has a very simple exercise and nutrition plan, that I have recently incorporated into my program. And, I love it, because so far it seems to work and is soooo simple.

Thanks for the advise. I'm going to check out the website in a minute. I have heard about the book and heard it is a "reality" check that works.

This week DF walked with me and he did more for my ego than anything. We walked 4 miles saturday and 4 miles sunday (this is "arond the block" where he lives ) Other than a sore ankle I feel awesome and energetic. He said he's ready to die! He works manual labor and I sit at a desk so he "assumed" he was in better shape than I am. I haven't lost one pound But thanks to your encouragment I feel pretty good. Getting "healthy" may be more important right now given my family history than getting "skinny' although my clothes are slowly feeling more comfortable.

It just amazes me how we can knock ourselves down lower than dirt when we are all basicaly in the same boat. Men do not do this to themselves...so why do we?

Must be hormones!

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Originally Posted by Gertielou Must be hormones!
So true!

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I've beem trying to shake 10lbs since Xmas now! I'm 5'6" and weigh 130lbs at the moment, my wedding dress goal is 120!

Admittedly I have not been trying hard enough - but I just wish it would be gone!

An extra 10lbs is really noticable on me and I am feeling really fat becuse of it - URGH!

Oh and to top it all off the extra weight always goes straight to my boobs which I hate - I have always had a huge love / hate relationship with my boobs, I hate them mostly as I have always been quite busty compared with the rest of me!

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yup.

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Originally Posted by Gertielou Must be hormones!
Yup. I think it must be.

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Originally Posted by Lizbet I am trying to work in more exercise and have started using http://www.sparkpeople.com, a free website, for tracking my nutrition and exercise each week. (Jennifer actually recommended it a while back, and I really like it.)

Whoever found this site THANK YOU! THANK YOU! It's amazing...& addictive...and FREE!!! Wow I did not know the numbers looked like that. It's a wonderful site. It really looks like it can help you see what you are taking in and burning off. I need that kind of "answer to" system without a person looking at me shaking their head

Thanks for sharing. It's now on my faves along with this one!

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I've been having issues with my weight as well. My schedule and living situation has only been allowing for fast food or restaurants about two years. I didn't start to gain weight for awhile and then it was like freight train that ended with me weighing 30 lbs. more than I was used to. I'm 5'3" and 164 lbs. at the moment. I am ever so thankful for the referral to the website, I joined and immediately like what I see. (I can look up the stats on all the horrible fast food I eat! Some of it is worse than I thought.)
I carry my weight in my thighs, hips, and the recent addition- my stomach. The recent shocker has happened as I am looking more and more like my mother, my mom is pretty, but I fear she may be quickly wearing a smaller size than me, she's got height on her side. FH loves my body, but I want to lose weight because it makes me feel better, more energy, etc.
We can do it ladies!

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I joined the website when I first mentioned it to you guys but haven't been on it since b/c I have been on Pash more, LOL! I'm a one site type of girl, what can I say?

But I feel all of your pain on the weight issue. I'm 5'3 (and a half ) and the heaviest I have been too. It may seem average to most people, but I have a small waste, like 24-25 inches and I wear a 34C bra so all of my weight is in my hips and thighs. I hate not being able to find jeans that fit my waist and hips at the same time, you know? And although DH is a sweetheart and never complains about my size, BUT he also loves the Olsen twins, so I know he wouldn't mind if I dropped 20 lbs.

When I got on my new migraine medicine I dropped 7 lbs in 4 weeks and was so excited. I think it gave me the boost I needed so I can start to watch what I eat now.

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Hey, we should start one of those groups for Pash Women on the SP site. Anyone up for it?

Also, if you want to check out my SparkPage, my Alias for their site is Elizabethan. (Lizbet was already taken when I signed up. LOL) I haven't really used it much. I generally stick with the self-tracking and stay off their forums and such. Pash and Heather's PW site are my only forum addictions.

But, I'd love to check out what you gals set up, once you get done.

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I love the idea of setting something up here like that. I have to admit I'm addicted to this site. I feel like I'm "cheating" on everyone if I even look at another forumn. lol I just liked the way it was set up to help me keep my stats in check.

BTW:what are these other places y'all talk about from time to time? SP & PW

I'm lost.

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Gertie I'll send you a PM.

I'll join a Pash group with everyone. I'm 5'6 and weigh 128. Now, before you all think I'm crazy, I'm very much like Emily except my weight doesn't go to my boobs, it goes to my stomach. That's the only area I'm unhappy with because of my back issues - I can't do sit ups, etc. I have a tiny frame so when I put on weight it's really noticeable. The big thing for me is increasing muscle mass and toning all over.

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Originally Posted by Gertielou BTW:what are these other places y'all talk about from time to time? SP & PW

I'm lost.
SP is Spark People. As part of their site, they have groups or teams that anyone can set up to provide support groups. You can have a public group (that anyone can join) or a private one that requires an invite to join. I was considering setting up a private team on the SP site that could be used by just the Pash women who have joined there. I am not going to let it interfere with my Pash posting, of course. But, I think it would be nice to be able to use that resource to keep each other motivated, since we all seem to like the site. What do you guys think?

PW is http://professionalwoman.us. The PW site was started by Heather as a free resource for women. She has a bunch of different articles and links to help with all aspects of life from career, to finances, to motherhood. I also help her run a book club through her forum.