I am overweight and I have no energy what do I do to get back into shape?

Question

I am 5'4" and I am obese by BMI standards. I have no energy anymore. Everytime my husband suggests we go workout I just want to cry. I use to be very slim. How can I snap out of this rut and get into taking care of myself. Serious answers please.

Answer 1

Have you ever considered that you may be depressed? That's why you have no interest in helping yourself? I lost 55 (and counting) pounds after I was diagnosed....and I find it much easier to get out and exercise now!!!! I also eat a lot less, because I feel so much better!!

Answer 2

OK Erin, I was in this same rut a year and a half ago. I was 6 feet tall and over 200 pounds (I'm a guy).
I jogged every once in a while but never regularly. Then I went out with a girl who was part of a workout group/running club. The positivity from the group and the fun people were exactly what I needed. I kept coming back. At first I could barely run a mile. Now, I'm doing a marathon on 10/1/06 and do 10K's and half marathons all the time. And love it!
Before I started all this, I'd get home from work at 6 and be exhausted and it'd take all my energy to avoid falling asleep before 9pm. Now I have a ton of energy all day and sleep great.
I've lost about 20 pounds and all my pants are now huge.
So in conclusion, find a group that meets regularly. Stick it out for at least a month or so, and you'll probably get hooked. Good luck!

Answer 3

Eat well. Cut out all the white poison: white bread, white rice, and sugar (white or brown!). Switch to whole grain products. Eat lots of veggies and fruits. Drink lots of water; 8 glasses a day! Eat moderately. Go on www.howstuffworks.com and search in the Health Stuff tab for how diets work. You have to find out how many calories you need in the day to function at rest. Usually its around 1500 - 2000. Once you find that out, your goal should be to eat less than that amount in order to lose weight. When you eat less calories than you need to function at rest, the body uses it's own calories (from the stored fat) to work and function.

Also, get a fitness DVD. You can exercise in the comfort of your very own home if you dont feel comfortable doing it in front of people. Start slow and do what makes you comfortable. Gradually increase your pace when you have more endurance. I really like Denise Austin's Blast Away the Pounds: Indoor Walk. There are 3 workouts 15 minutes each. Each one covers a mile walk. The first one is Easy Walk. It's good for beginners. It doesn't strain your body. The second workout is the Fat Blasting Interval Walk. This one is faster and you really break a sweat. The last workout is Power Walk and Tone. This one uses weights (1-3 lbs each). At the end, there is a Stretch segment for 10 minutes. This you should do before and after exercises. The great thing is that you can program the workout to whatever you want and in any order you want. If you only have 15 minutes, you can do one of the workouts. If you have an hour, you can do all of them together and do 3 miles of walking. Plus, it's not just plain boring walking. There are a lot of other moves to give variety.

You can look it up online (Amazon.com) for details on the DVD. Walmart sells it for only $10! Give it a try, you'll love it!

Good luck!! You CAN do it!

Answer 4

Dear Erin,

What you are in now is a vicious cycle.

Because you are overweight, you find it takes more effort to do things and as a result, you have no energy left over at the end of the day to exercise, because you do not exercise, you stay overweight and you continue to take alot of effort to do things and continue to have no energy...

The cycle goes on and on.

All you need to do, really, is to break the cycle by 'taking care of yourself'.

However, that is easier said than done. I think your problem is a mindset problem.

DO you find happiness in staying fat? Actually, whether you would like to take care of yourself or not, whether you are fat or not is also very much a mindset issue.

- What is your most ideal weight?
- When was the last time you were at this weight?
- Would you want to be this weight again?
- If so in how long and how short a time?
- What happinesses will you gain if you went back to this weight (pls think of at least 100 reasons, that will help to make you motivated)
- What pains will you suffer from if you stayed fat? (100 reasons)

I used to be fat as well and have never been slim in my life. My attitude when I was fat and single was that, "Nevermind, there's no one to appreciate my figure anyway."

WHen I got attached, it became, "Nevermind, there is already someone beside me now anyway."

I had to write 175 reasons before I took action to really slim down. After that, I lost 15kg within 2 months and stayed that way all the way till i got pregnant ;)

Good luck!

PS: My mother always says "Lazy women dun have the right to look beautiful.." I am sure you are a beautiful woman.. come on, let's get out there and get moving.

PPS: After you answered those questions and decide that you DO want to lose weight, you can email me. I would gladly share how I lost weight with you ;)

Answer 5

You are in a rut because losing weight seems overwhelming and maybe your husband's encouragement, though well intentioned, only reminds you that you are not as slim as you once were.

Set small goals, starting with a short walk to the end of your block, then increase the distance as you feel comfortable. Also, make a goal to try a new food every week to substitute something less healthy in your diet. You don't have to change your habits overnight, in fact, you should not try because it will be less likely to stick to it.

You can absolutely become healthier, lose weight, and regain your energy! Think baby steps! It also sounds like you have a supportive husband so lean on him in the beginning, but in the end, do this because it makes you feel good!

Answer 6

Try to set up a goal for yourself that every week you wil go to the gym at least twice, then increase that goal until you get to around mayb 3 or 4 times a week. It will be hard but take it easy and in time it will become a necessary routine that your body will push you to do. The hardest part is starting because once you have the ball rolling you'll realize that exercising isnt only to get slim but also good for your self esteem (not saying you have an issue with that- but its almost scientfically proven that you feel better about yourself once you exercise as a result of hormones being released in the body) and also for your health. Hope this helps somewhat and good luck.

Answer 7

I dont really have that problem, but I have felt very, very unmotivated before! Try doing something that you really love doing, and start by yourself at first. If you like it, find someone that does to so you will have a reason to keep at it. I used to model and to keep my figure down I would cut out motivating pictures from magazines of people I envied and posted them all over my home & when ever I wanted to go eat something just because I was bored or watch an extra hour of TV, I would see one of those pictures... and i would remember why i shouldnt! I know it would be hard to start, but once u start to see results you wont be able to stop!!
And another thing, dont step on a scale for 2 weeks... i know it will be hard, but when u finally do and you see that you've lost so much it will feel amazing!!

Answer 8

Sweetheart, you just have to want it. Start slow. take a walk around your block. just making an effort works. Don't listen to harsh criticism. Many people don't have to deal with it, and others just forget. I've personally gained 10 pounds since March, and I've now joined a gym. My husband is just about obese himself. it just takes desire. He got up and started at the gym too, just walking. If you keep your heart rate up, that's the main goal. It makes no difference if you sweat or not, just don't hurt yourself, and watch your heart rate. (too high can be bad-just research what is best for your age).


Good luck, remember how much energy you had when you were slim, and think positively! :-)

Answer 9

Start off slowly, like maybe walk up and down the stairs a few times. Or try swimming so your joints won't be under as much stress. I know this may sound cheesy but my mom told me playing table tennis is a good a workout than going to the gym. She saw that on the news. Good luck:)

Answer 10

Eat several (5-6) small meals a day...your body will burn calories faster and build your metabolism in a short period of time.
(eat about every 2 hours)
The first 8-10 pounds you shed is water.
Meal suggestions:
1st: piece of fruit
2nd: string cheese, summer sausage/tuna, cottage
cheese/yogurt
3rd: bowl of cereal
4th: soup/sandwich
5th: a good dinner-meat, potatoes/pasta/rice, veggie...your body needs carbs, protein and vitamins to stay healthy
6th: salad/raw veggies
Drink plenty of water
Drink milk or juice/water with every meal (no soda pop)
Stay away from munchies, fried & fatty foods.
Cardio exercise is great, but most people don't continue for an extended period, do "daily" simple exercise like walking/hiking...swimming and biking are low impact, playing games like basketball, baseball, volleyball will tone your body and you'll have fun doing it.

Answer 11

Look, your in this life for the long haul, there is no easy quick fix to your problems. It is going to take many years to undo what has been done. Start slowly, but be consistent. After a while things will get easier. Also, keep asking yourself "why am I being so self-destructive?" You will be amazed at the answers your mind will come up with, but most of them are lies. Good luck.