Feeling defeated!

LAM524

Hi all,

Thought I'd introduce myself and ask for some advice.Pprobably some encouragement also. Ive been engaged since December. Our wedding is May 2014. With, ideally 90 lbs to lose before my fairy tale come true day, I started Nutri-system weight loss program after our holiday vacation (in January) I did very well. Lost 20 lbs in 2 months without exercising. I had a meeting with a trainer but after he trained me on 2 pieces of equipment he told me that he couldnt train me because I was having pain where I shouldn't have. In my neck.( Ive had 2 neck surgeries (discs) within the last 3 weeks. One surgery led to a horrible staff infection and 3 additional surgeris as a result. Surgeon removed a lot of dead muscle, leaving me with pain on exertion)

I also suffer with bad feet/ankle problems from years of tennis and running on treatmil, cardio is not my friend. Anyway, I was devastated when trainer told me that.  I ended up canceling the Nutri-system because of financial reason and joined Curves last month. One work out and I put the membership on medical hold after abdominal pain that I had been experiencing for a few weeks intensified. I thought I sustained a hernia. For the last 6 weeks I was basically bed ridden. Specialist thinks its Cronhs disease.

I am feeling much better now and waiting on insurance approval for some testing. I also have Fibromyalgia with chronic fatigue. Doing good at the moment tho. With my physical limitations, neck & feet I am at such a loss of how to exercise. Last year I tried the aquatic problem but, believe it or not, ended up pulling the tendons/ligaments in both my feet and was told to avoid the water workouts.

I am so scared that I wont be able to reach my goal of 70 more lbs. I originally thought I would go gown shopping in August but Ive blown these last 6 weeks of dieting and now feel I need to push it off til October, the latest.

Im sorry, I must be babbling. I just dont' know how to do this. I know he loves me the way I am now but honestly, its not about my loving FI. Its all about me. I want to look and feel the best I possibly could. For me, its dropping this weight. I dont want anything to take my attention off of that moment I see him and he sees me for the first time. I dont want to worry that I look "fat" or if this bulge is being seen or that flab is wiggling. Nevermind the prospects of engagement photos and wedding photos being taken while Im this overweight. (photographer said we can do engagement photos anytime before wedding. No I did not verbalize my lack of desire to be photographed right now)

I must sound shallow. Pleae belive me, I am not. At 46 years old, I am getting the most amazing 2nd chance and I dont want this "jail" I am in to take away from wedding day.

Is it possible to lose 70 lbs in 12 months? I would be happy with 50 lbs by Oct. for my gown purchase. ANy advice/words of wisdom from you would be so appreciated. Im feeling very overwhelmed and sad right now.

raidawn11

Hi! It sounds like you really want to do this, but your body limiting you. Like Xcaly said, check with your doctor before changing or trying anything. I would suggest seeing a physical therapist to help with your feet/ankles and neck. You certainly don't want to push it and further injure yourself, so take time to strengthen, heal, focus on your health and then work on exercise/weight loss.

Possibly consider a nutritionist or allergy testing, gluten can be really hard on the body especially if you do have Cronhs. You can also get tested for hormone imbalances that may be causing problems with weight management.

Best wishes to you!

jennylee813

Congrats on your upcoming wedding! I'm a second-chance-r too! I never thought I'd be getting married again, that's for sure, but here I am. I found a wonderful man who treats me like a queen, loves my kids as his own, and is building a life with me...

Listen to these women. They are wise.

Right now, see a nutritionist and a doctor. Focus on your diet. I've been working out like a maniac, but my diet needs work, so I'm not seeing results like I want. I'm focusing on my diet now (since I've got the workout habit) and am hoping for the best. You have time take it slow. Your doctor can develop a plan for eating and maybe incorporating some activity into your lifestyle. 

I know it's frustrating. believe me!

Stick around, post on accoountability. There are lots of helpful, supportive people here.

Good luck!

entropicbeauty

I agree with everything already said. In addition - does walking hurt?

If you're able to walk, just start incorporating more walking throughout your day. It doesn't have to be high intensity cardio that gets your heart rate up...it could be as simple as parking further away at the grocery store and work. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator etc. 

I also can't agree enough with joining a site like myfitnesspal.com and counting calories. I was exercising like a mad woman for months and not seeing any loss. It wasn't until I started keeping track of what I was eating that I saw progress.

Feel free to join us on our daily accountability threads - and goodluck!

winelover123

Hi and welcome! I can't help but echo everyone else here. I'd definitely start tracking food so you have some extra information to give the nutritionist if they ask you about your eating habits now. If walking doesn't hurt, park further away when you go out. You'd be surprised at how much something little like that can make an impact. Talk to your doctor and see what you can do.

LAM524

Thanks everyone! I love the "My Fitness Pal' and signed up! Thanks for your suggestions and recommendations! I do walk when my foot/feet allow and I do those little things like parking farther away...no elevator etc. My real problem, and I know it, is eating enough in the day! My nutritionist recommended a protein powder, which I added when I was doing the Nutri-system! Its a great product my son introduced me to. Far ess sugar, carbs etc. then I was able to find! I really believe thats why I did so well on Nutri-system because once I added the protein shakes, the weight seem to melt off...and I wasnt working out.

I am looking forward to using Myfitness pal for sure. Oh and I want to thank everyone for not jumping on me about being shallow. I knew "brides" would understnad. When talking to friends, family, they tell me things like "You should be grateful..." "You dont need to worry or think about that" " he loves you the way you are..." etc etc. They mean well and yes....I am very blessed. Like I said, this is for me.

LAM524

Oh and I even did the ticker!!!

LAM524

Thank you!!! Portion is key,,,thats why nutri-system worked so well for me! Pre-measured, Now...I will do it myself with support!

ptrose13

It was mentioned above as well, but I would definitely see a PT as far as especially your neck goes.  Since you are only 3 weeks out of surgery on such a delicate and complex area, plus you had complications of the infection, I think you should start there, as well as getting cleared by your doctor for exercise and be sure to ask if there are any precautions or contraindications from your surgeries that you need to avoid. If you have no metal hardware, there may not be any restrictions, but it is always good to make sure anyway.

LAM524

ptrose...thank you. I am so sorry!!! Typos...confuse myself reading my post! I had 3 disc surgeries in 2 years-2011-2012...and in 2011 had the staph resulting in 3 additional surgeries within 3 weeks. I do had hardware holding space within the disc space. I did have p/t the problem is that because of the loss of muscle (removed because it was dead from infection) they cant really say whats permanent or not. Sorry for the confusion!