Gained a lot of weight recently and feeling awful

In the last few months, I've gained A LOT of weight. Starting in about September, I started putting on weight at an alarming rate. I weighed 180lbs, but was wearing size 14 pants, in August. By mid-September I weighed 210lbs and was wearing a size 18. On my birthday (October 24th), I had to go. Buy new jeans, which were size 20. I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing I weigh somewhere between 220-230lbs.

The only thing that has changed with my eating habits is that my boyfriend makes breakfast most morning (usually bacon, eggs and potatoes, but I don't eat a lot) and I generally cook dinner, but it's always healthy (or at least not junk). I don't eat a lot of junk food, despite the fact that my boyfriend runs a vending machine business and always has candy. I don't eat a lot of food at meals, generally one small to medium serving of whatever we're having. I don't drink soda and usually drink water. My one guilty pleasure is a glass of Minute Maid fruit punch when we have popcorn at night. My boyfriend and I do go out to eat, but we try to avoid fast food as much as possible.

I try to walk my dog every evening that I don't get off late. I walk a lot at work, walking the lot (17 total acres) as often as possible instead of riding on the golf carts. Because of my ridiculous work schedule, I haven't been to the barn in forever. I know I won't fit in my Aussie saddle. I'm not sure about my Stubben.

I am so frustrated and discouraged right now. It seems like the better I try to eat, the more weight I gain. I can't even look in the mirror right now. We went to the USMC Birthday Ball and I couldn't wear my 2" heels for more than 15 minutes. I don't even want to try riding Aires because I'm too heavy. Hell, I doubt I could even mount, even with a mounting block. Leaning down to put on my shoes and socks is a huge chore.

I just don't know what to do. I tried Lipozene for a month, but you're supposed to take it a half an hour before you eat and half the time I don't know when we're eating until 10 minutes before (unless I'm cooking dinner, of course).

I'm not being all "woe is me." I'm just...lost...and needed to get this off my chest.
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I'm so very sorry, Drafty! I'm not a plus sized rider but I can definitely see how disheartening not being able to ride your horse or wear heels would be. Have you thought about talking to a nutritionist or your doctor, or perhaps have some bloodwork done to make sure that your thyroid is working well? If you're eating the amount that you say, I can't imagine why you'd be putting ON weight, especially if you're making a point to exercise. There could be more going on than the food that you're eating, and there may be something that can help you fix it.

Sending confidence vibes your way! You're an amazing person, whether you're 150 pounds or 250 pounds. Don't get too discouraged! Theres more to a person than just their jean size and I can guarentee that you've got a lot of that 'more.' We on HF here love you!

I don't have insurance until December 1st. I did go to my gyno back in February and she had my thyroid checked. Everything came back 100% normal. I do need to schedule an appointment anyway because of other issues (fertility related).

It's not so much my looks that are discouraging me. I mean, it's a pain in the butt to have to keep buying pants for work because mine don't fit, but I can deal with that. It's that I can't do anything without getting winded or not being able to do stuff because my hips, knees and ankles hurt so much because of all the weight. I've always been active and outdoorsy...but I can't now.
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Restaurant meals have a lot of calories in them. You are often served multiple portions as one serving!

Are you doing any exercise?

Have you started on any new meds?
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I too am struggling with my weight since under going chemo radiation and 3 major surgeries one of which was a full hysterectomy (likely the biggest cause. My thyroid is almost always low and I take meds for that and other health issues, but they have yet to be able to balance it. I think my next stop will be a hormone specialist. Something is wrong and I hate being heavy... It hurts and it is embarrassing for me coming from a very thin family and always having been very very thin myself. I eat less then I did and still walk a lot. I am sick of being heavy... IF you figure anything out, I can't wait to hear it.

When we do go out to eat, it's usually to Golden Corral, so we control our portion sizes and I hardly ever actually fill my plate. I will have one meat (usually pot roast and a small serving), one cooked veggie (corn, green beans, etc and never a full spoonful), mashed potatoes with nothing on them (and again, not a full spoonful), a small salad and IF I have dessert, it's a small bowl of ice cream. On the rare occasions we eat fast food I try to get grilled chicken or a salad (I love burgers, but not fast food burgers).

As for exercise, I try to walk my dog every evening that I don't get off late and I walk everywhere at work instead of taking the golf cart (our lot is 17 acres).

I don't take any meds, period, except Aleve for pain every once in a very great while.
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I know where you are coming from
I have gained weight too
I am sorry

Sucks :( was hoping we could figure it out. At least you just have another month or so for insurance and hopefully they can sort it out quickly
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Stop going out to eat at least for a while. Those restaurants serve yummy tasting food with high fat and calorie content. It has to taste good otherwise they would be out of business. Go back to what you did prior to gaining. Keep a journal, write down what you eat during the day. You would be surprised at even the little extras that you may be consuming and not truly realizing it. Do not be overly hard on yourself. You are acknowledging it so start making changes now. One day at a time.

Bacon, eggs, and potatoes everyday?......Tell him no. You cut that out and replace it with a healthier breakfast you would drop weight with that change alone! Eat the big breakfast once a week or every other week. You can still have it just NOT everyday!

I'm with ya. I was on weight watchers and was doing so good. I got down to 167 and was so excited. I don't know what happened. I let myself balloon up to 201...my highest ever. I even had to buy bigger pants for work! :(