Welcome to Gaia! ::

So...I've gained a lot of weight due to the medication I have to take. It's the only thing that allows me to eat without getting an upset stomach, but at the same time, it also makes me crave fatty and sweet foods, and makes the user prone to weight gain.

I've been trying to eat more healthy and so far I think I'm doing pretty well at it. Except for my last grocery order, where I bought chocolate, a pack of strawberry licorice twists and some mini custard tarts. I enjoyed them but I've been kicking myself for that too.

I know exercise is the key to losing weight. But I find it hard to leave my house due to my anxiety. I have an exercise bike indoors but haven't been using it like I should. I plan to go to the swimming pool, and I enjoy walking with a friend when she is free. It's hard to get up early and make a daily excercise routine, even though I know that's what I need to do.

What makes the weight worse is that it's painful and uncomfortable to exercise, even walking. My thighs chafe together and my back aches, I pant and puff. I feel like a 90 year old woman! On my family holiday to Stradbroke Island with my family and some friends, I lagged behind on beach walks and couldn't keep up. Had to stop for breaks to work out the cramps in my legs and back and catch my breath. I felt so ashamed. Everyone was kind, encouraging and supportive, and they convinced me to cut out sugar, which I've been trying to...it's so hard.

I also feel unattractive. I just want to be slim and pretty like I used to be, but now, it seems no matter what I wear or what I put on, I just feel ugly all the time. It makes me self conscious about going out in public too. Swimming especially, even though that's the easiest way for me to excercise. I just have this huge round stomach that makes me look pregnant. XP I also grew out of the pairs of jean shorts that I used to fit in just a year or two back. I feel like no guys will find me attractive because I'm so fat. I'm not obese...but I miss my figure that I had in my twenties.

Anyway, just wondering what helps you when you're trying to lose weight, and exercise?

That's good that you have given up the soda. One step in the right direction. ^^ I should have exercised today but I've been on my laptop talking to new people in the new server I joined.

Oh yeah, I can understand that. Heat makes doing anything hard. It's hot here most of the year, and the humidity is the worst. I like to go walking at Spinnaker park near the ocean to get the sea breeze since it's much cooler than other places in town. Also, we have a local pool with an indoor heated pool and outdoor pool. They're renovating the kids play area atm but it looks fun as well. I wish they'd put slides into the adult pool.

There are lots of nice places in Australia. I feel lucky to live here. It's a good country, for the most part. I prefer the quieter places like Gladstone. But my brother and sister live in Brisbane, which has lots of shops and attractions. And my mum lives in Toowoomba, the garden city. It has a flower festival every year.

In bigger places like Sydney and Melbourne, I feel like it's not as nice due to being more populated. But cities like Gladstone are super nice. We have the beach a 20 minute drive away from where I live.

I've asked a friend to go walking with me on Tuesday afternoon. She said yes so I'm happy because it's another positive step towards exercising more. cat_smile I also had a chocolate Isagenix (diet shake) for breakfast and I got up earlier than usual, so I'm feeling pretty pleased with my choices today.

Accepted! Thanks Rainbow. cat_smile

I'm wondering whether I'll ride my exercise bike today. I have some rp posts that I want to do first. But knowing me, I'll get sidetracked and do more things after posting on those. Lol.

My cat keeps coming up for pats and scritchies. She's so cute. She slept in my hair a few nights ago. First she made biscuits on my long hair then she curled up on it and snuggled close to my head. Unfortunately, if I moved even a little, she hopped off the bed. Fussy cats. Lol.

My cat, Chi, is also chunky and I'm trying to help her lose weight as well. She's meant to be 4-5 kg but she's more 6-7. It doesn't help that she finds most toys boring and won't play. I try to engage her but she goes and sits at the cupboard where she knows the biscuits (kibble) are kept and meows at it. And just ignores the fishing rod toy with turkey feathers. Sometimes she will play. But she is very finicky on what she finds entertaining. She's very food driven, like me. cat_razz

Ya, some cat breeds are bigger than others. But my little kitty is definitely overweight. I tried feeding them a little less wetfood last night and felt super bad when they still acted hungry.

I need to go to the vet and get some more of the specialist biscuits and wetfood for them, it's much healthier than the cheaper supermarket stuff.

It is. I'm mainly just trying to eat healthier, while still allowing the occasional treat now and then. And I've made an arrangement with my friend yesterday that she and I will walk at least 3 days a week. She said she is happy to do that, so I'm glad, because I'm too anxious to go walking by myself, outside, even though I walk to work and back on days I work.

She also goes to the pool but she attends the early morning classes. My mum said I should go. I'm thinking about going to it but boy, it's hard to get up early. Lol.

Oh, and thank you for the info, I'll keep that in mind. cat_biggrin I do have protein shakes from Isagenix, so I'm having those as meal replacements as well. Had a chocolate flavoured one this morning, they are quite nice.

Thanks for sharing, that sounds so healthy! cat_biggrin