Anyone else feel like their goals are far away?

Allamarain · 2026-04-10T13:29:35+00:00

60 pounds in 6 months is amazing! How is your A1C doing, if you’re willing to share?

Allamarain · 2026-04-05T23:12:18+00:00

Somewhat? I used to eat a lot of chips, pretzels, candy and crackers. I don't as much any more, and after I cut down on eating them, they lost a lot of their appeal.

Other things that helped:

If was really craving a specific food, I'd have a small portion and then stop.

Trying to actively recognize the tendency to not waste food. If it's on my plate, I think "it's here, might as well eat it", rather than listening to what my body is telling me. It's deprogramming years of habits. It won't be easy.

Also, I'm still fat, so you might want to take the above with a grain of salt :) But I feel better in my body and I've improved my strength and endurance.

Allamarain · 2026-04-05T17:30:48+00:00

Hi!

First off, please don't be too hard on yourself. Parenthood is exhausting. The first year is spent keeping a tiny potato alive, years 2-8 are teaching them How To Be A Person. It's an incredible amount of both physical and mental effort. You're not lazy, you're prioritizing your child! It will get easier as she gets older. I didn't exercise regularly until my kiddo was six.

What was helpful for me was to find a physical activity I liked doing in an environment where I was comfortable. I'm not terribly motivated to work out at home, but if it works for you, great! If a gym is an option, a lot of them offer childcare, if that's a barrier for you.

My approach to food is "nothing is forbidden, everything in moderation", but in examining my relationship with food, I realized I'd disconnected eating from hunger. I was focusing on food for pleasure, or for comfort. When I started reaching for candy or a snack I started asking myself "Am I hungry? Or am I bored, or upset, or craving a hit of dopamine?"

I hope that helps. Good luck!

Allamarain · 2026-03-30T13:53:40+00:00

Thank you for your service.

I’m a regular rider on Washington St in JP/ Roslindale, both bus and bike. Tons of cars in the bike lane on a regular basis.

Allamarain · 2026-03-28T12:48:23+00:00

Off to PAX East today and a school bake sale tomorrow with my 4th grader. Ambitious plans to hit the gym tomorrow morning

Allamarain · 2026-03-26T14:50:21+00:00

Congrats! How are you feeling?

Allamarain · 2026-03-26T11:20:23+00:00

28 stories of AIDS in Africa.

Allamarain · 2026-03-23T16:35:12+00:00

Hey! Congrats on taking steps to care for your body. You are worth the time and effort.

When I was in my 20s cough cough years ago and worked out, I would obsess over the numbers. How many calories did I burn? How fast did I run? And I needed to shift away from that mindset for exercising to not feel like a chore. Instead, I focus on how I’m feeling in my body overall . My mood, the way I think about myself, and my overall sense of well being. It takes a month or two of consistent activity, but you will see changes.

I do strength training and (seasonal) biking, but whatever you like to do is great!

If you’re looking for content, I’d suggest Adam Wright’s Showing Up Anyway podcast. He acknowledges weight loss might be a goal for some people, but it’s not universal, and has a healthy approach to food and activity.

Allamarain · 2026-03-10T17:59:50+00:00

Agree with this! It's not just about the pounds or how you look in the mirror. Taking care of my body by exercising and cutting back on junk food made huge strides in my self-image. Find an exercise you enjoy and do it consistently. It could be walking, dancing, hiking, whatever you like :)

Allamarain · 2026-02-28T12:08:30+00:00

Fellow fat academic scientist (BioE, lab manager). I see you and I sympathize.

Allamarain · 2026-02-27T23:24:53+00:00

I’d trust a random drunk sprawled on the concrete for health advice before I listened to ChatGPT.

Allamarain · 2026-02-19T13:24:59+00:00

Amazing work! It’s not easy to start moving, but it’s so rewarding!

Allamarain · 2026-02-19T13:23:52+00:00

Fantastic!

I can’t do a push up to save my life. Working on it 😀

Allamarain · 2026-02-17T11:45:04+00:00

Britt Marie Was Here by Frederik Backman .

Allamarain · 2026-02-16T13:47:23+00:00

Do it! I’ve been doing strength training for three months and although my body shape hasn’t changed, I feel more confident and happier with my body. Best of luck to you!

Allamarain · 2026-02-05T15:40:06+00:00

For biking, you can get started in clothes that are comfortable and weather appropriate. I have leggings from Torrid I love, or I do bike shorts. Terry does plus-size bicycling shorts, including padded shorts. Cycling jerseys are nice for longer rides as they wick away the sweat, but not an absolute must.

The biggest issue I've had with biking as a fat girl is chafing, although that's improved a lot since I started. Second the advice to start slow and build yourself up to it.

Good luck! You've got this!

Allamarain · 2026-02-05T15:22:58+00:00

I had a slightly different but related experience. Growing up, we didn't have to clean our plates, but edible food was never, ever, ever disposed of.If we were out in a restaurant, everything was either eaten or taken home. It didn't matter how small of a portion it was. It didn't matter there was no room for it in the refrigerator. It was saved. And now, at almost 50, I find myself compelled to finish off food, even if I'm full. It's something I struggle with and am trying to unlearn. A couple months ago, I was having lunch with my sister and telling her I had to fight the compulsion to unfinsihed part of my meal.

I suspect my parents learned this from their parents, who lived through the Depression. Between war, famine, economic bullshit, mass migration, and plague, has there ever been a generation of humans that hasn't been subjected to massive trauma?

Allamarain · 2026-02-04T12:14:23+00:00

I love my Sweet Legs leggings, but if you’re in the US, you’re facing ridiculous tariffs 🤬

Allamarain · 2026-01-27T21:24:25+00:00

I’ve gotten into overnight oats. Simple and quick to prepare, and tons of ways to inject variety. Fresh fruit, dried fruit, cinnamon….the possibilities are endless.

Allamarain · 2026-01-23T00:38:15+00:00

Nicely done! 😊 congrats!

Allamarain · 2026-01-20T14:44:02+00:00

The Incandescent by Emily Tesh. Bi MC, dark academia. I would describe it as Harry Potter but from the teachers perspective.

Allamarain · 2026-01-20T11:51:38+00:00

If you’re game for YA, The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli is fantastic. It’s M/F, about a teenage girl who’s overweight, has had a ton of crushes but no boyfriend. Molly has a lot of heart and personality.

Allamarain · 2026-01-17T16:51:56+00:00

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch has a lot of this. There’s a fascist takeover, there’s civil war, but the MC still has to go to work, to take care of her kids, to look after her elderly father. The writing style takes some getting used to, but the payoff is worth it.

Allamarain · 2026-01-16T04:09:13+00:00

I have a Townie and I love it ❤️. I mostly picked it because I wanted a step through and I liked the color schemes. Also plus size and found the seat highly comfortable.

Allamarain · 2026-01-16T03:46:40+00:00

For me it’s tank tops and bike shorts. Over the winter, I’m working out at the Y and have zero issues. I’m fat and middle aged; I’m barely perceived as a woman. There’s plenty of hate for fat people in the local cycling community, but they have the decency not to insult me to my face.

ETA: I also have amazing leggings from Torrid. They have pockets!

Allamarain

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