Anyone here who isn't living a healthy lifestyle? Cravings, Hunger..

LaurieAnne83 · 05-28-2007, 01:26 AM

I'm pathetic. I used to come here a lot a few years ago, but I left because it seemed like I was the only one who couldn't get a handle on my health. I'm 24 now, and I keep getting worse and worse, and I know its mostly my own fault. I have very bad insulin resistance / high insulin, high tesosterone and dheas, high cholesterol, BP, and very high triglycerides, low iron, low amount of red blood cells, high amount of white blood cells, and an addictive personality. I'm smart and I know it all, and I try to learn as much as I can about my health, but I just have never been able to lose weight. The last time I was normal in weight, was about 15, and then I was bulimic. Since I stopped that back when, I will eat probably one meal a day, usually in the middle of the night, sleep all day when I can and stay up all night, I'm always always exhausted and depressed and can get nothing done ever. I crave fatty foods alllll the time, and I eat no fruit, no vegetables, and like pure fat and carbs and salt etc all the time. My diet IS fat food, cheese, pizza, mac n cheese, fries..etc. I'm terrible, and now I'm quite obese, I've ruined my looks and body.. and I've tried a lot of medicines. Is there anything I can do to help myself? Anything I can take or any diet that isn't painful? People on here are able to do very low calorie diets, low carb, etc, and I just dont know how anyone does it. I'm very very picky, and no diet plan ever works for me.. and I'm always hungry. I've tried the south beach diet so many times.. and I thought I was going to DIE within two days. I just can't do it. If I don't get my food calm down, I literally feel angry, depressed, shaky, grouchy, etc. I just cannot lose the weight. Help me, before I die not taking care of myself. Thanks so much everyone, hugs!

askcassyfirst · 05-28-2007, 01:49 AM

LaurieAnn,
I think we all hit a point like this, when we feel overwhelmed and angry and depressed just like you described. Asking for help is a great way to make a change, sometimes we need help. I'll admit that I did. I found a great practitioner whose own life inspired me. Sometimes the relationships we have with others can be a huge inspiring reason to make drastic changes. Like some who decide they want to be active so they can be strong and energized so they can keep up with thier kids...if that makes sense.

Have you thought about working with a practitioner, or dietitian or nutritional counselor? Having someone partner with you can be very helpful. Like an investment in your self. It sounds like you need someone to help you stay on track, and like most of us, having someone to answer to can be helpful.

Also, any diet that makes you feel that ravenously hungry, or one that cuts out an entire food group (not that you are, but just in case) these things can defeat you before you even start. Keep your head up. The gals on this site are soooo inspiring to me, and I'm sure they are to you. Keep your eye on the prize...

May I suggest that you look into Traditional Chinese Medicine? I've found it to be very sucessful for me. On the whole, these doctors are taught to help us find balance, so for PCOS its helpful. THere is a great thread about this on the alternative remedies thread...

Best,
Cassy

KatCarney · 05-28-2007, 10:42 AM

The good thing is that you're at a point where you KNOW you need to make a change. The problem now is sorting through all the stuff, to find a specific direction.

You mentioned you're a picky eater. Are there any so-called 'healthy foods' that you like? Let's start there.

Also, are your sleep habits all over the place due to work? If not, try getting on a regular sleep schedule. A well rested body and mind will help you on your journey. A poorly rested body and mind will make any efforts harder.

What beverages do you drink? Would switching to water, tea, and lemonade be difficult? I mention those beverages since they're my favs, and make it easy to for me to stay well hydrated. It's not unusual to mistake thirst for hunger, so staying hydrated is important. I make 2 quarts of iced tea a day using a Mr Coffee Iced Tea Maker ($20 at Walmart). Or I'll make a pitcher of lemonade by throwing a whole, peeled lemon in a blender, and adding water. If you 'have' to have something fizzy, make it with sparkling water.

You might find that by changing sleep and hydration, some of the anxiety of weight loss will go away on it's own.

Also consider following Cassy's advice and talk to a medical professional to help you out.

dna · 05-28-2007, 04:33 PM

I was ? am .. at a point similar to yours right now .. hard to admit to myself but here I am ! being brave like you and admitting it ..

Tomorrow I am going to start with one meal. I am going to make that meal balanced and healthy and PCOS friendly. For breakfast I am going to have 1 egg with lots of veggies omelet style, 2 pieces of Weight Watchers toast (not so friendly but better) and a tea w'milk. For a snack I am going to steal one of my kids apples and slice it up (crunchy and crisp) and dip it in source yogurt.mmmm

For lunch and dinner and everything in between and after it might not be as healthy but .. maybe with a good start to the day I will want to keep at it ?

For excersize I am going to walk to pick my son up from school. Its about a half an hour walk. Not too bad, its a start right ?

I think when we dig ourselves this deep into it we have to crawl out a step at a time. So for me and maybe for you a meal at a time is going to be it.

Take good care of yourself

Amy

blythe · 05-29-2007, 12:17 AM

Do you like to cook? I'm not one for diets, as I get really depressed when I don't stick exactly to them. So I mostly just try to be conscious of what I eat, and not beat myself up when I have something "bad." I really like going to my local farmer's market and the Chinese markets, because they have lots of fresh vegetable and fruit at much, much more reasonable prices than the supermarket. It's cheap, healthy, and good for the environment...woohoo

One thing that really helped me out of depression was eliminating some of its external sources. So when I can't cope anymore, I stop listening/watching/reading the news (just for a little while), and I refuse to read any gratuitously depressing novels or watch any tragic TV shows or movies. There's enough unhappiness in my head already! I like reading stuff with hope, too. It depends on what your tastes run to, but off the top of my head, there's James Herriot's books about being a country vet in Yorkshire in the 1930s (It shouldn't happen to a Vet, Let sleeping vets lie, All Creatures Great and Small, etc); the Caves of Steel books by Isaac Asimov; Anne of Green Gables (ok, so those are thoroughly syrupy, but I love the 2nd, 3rd and 4th ones: Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island and Anne of Windy Poplars); Pride and Prejudice (acutally, most 19th century fiction has a sense of hope that the avant-garde of this century decided was uncool. I say cynism breeds despair); Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder; Stanley Park by Timothy Taylor; JRR Tolkein...

I know you've probably heard it a million times before, but being healthy isn't just about what you eat and the medications you take- it's also in what you do and what you think about, and figuring out, realistically, what you have control over.

Really hope this helps a little. Hugs!

stellarnix · 05-29-2007, 06:46 PM

start small. Change just one thing, and when you realize that the one change wasn't so bad, make another. I switched from regular to diet soda. About a month later, I realized, "hey, i did that, i can do something else" so I started to take the stairs, only down, not up instead of the elevator. Then stairs in both directions, etc. It doesn't seem so bad when you dont try to change it all at once.

One of the best people I found to help me was a psychologist that does biofeedback. She taught me how to breathe better, and what vitamins and foods would help me feel better. Have only lost 3 lbs, but I no longer sleep all day, and feel really positive about where my life is headed.
Good luck. I wish you the best.

siegeli · 05-31-2007, 12:20 PM

I also go thru times especially when I am stressed the same as you described. I am actually dealing with being out of control this month.

I think what really helps me is to plan out your foods in advance. Either bring them with you all day or write down when you plan to eat during the day and this helps you stick to it better.

Good luck!

missbehavin83 · 06-01-2007, 02:08 AM

I completely understand. After having my daughter I was one of the ones determined to get better because i wanted to keep up with her. I lost 60 lbs after having her and was below my pre preg weight. In the past 2 months I've gained 15 lbs. I've been so stressed. had to have laproscopy done , found out I had endometriosis too and other things, finals with school, daughter in her terrible 2's...it just seems easier to eat junk than healthy stuff. I keep saying "tommorow". It's about time I stop too...my daughter deserves a healthy mom ...not a procrastinator...thankyou for making me think about that!!