Hi all -- I am very busy 25-year-old professional who really packed on the pounds during college and grad school. I finally got fed up this week when my size 12 jeans starting feeling snug. I'm guessing that a lot of women today are in my situation, and I'm hoping that you all will provide any tips you might have (e.g. should I concentrate on calorie reduction, cardio, and/or weight lifting? How do you make time for these things? How do you resist the urge to "reward" yourself with food after a really hard workweek? How do you deal with a spouse who isn't committed to making the same changes? Etc.) My pictures are below; sorry for the blurring but I'm in a profession where pictures in bathing suits on the internet would not be taken very well! (I'm 5'6, by the way, with a BMI of 25.2).

Everyone's stories and pictures here have been a huge inspiration to get me to the point of wanting to make a change, and I'm incredibly grateful to be able to post in a community like this. I look forward to showing you all some positive developments in the coming months!

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I had all of those questions when i started a month ago.

The biggest advice i can give you is you have to find inside your self the will and determination to maintain a life style change. Once you find that certain thing, and it drives you every day you will never look back

For myself, I have been eating around 50%-60% under my BMR (read the stickies under the nutrition thread to understand what that is). My BMR was around 3500 calories a day, and I have stuck with 1000-1500 calories a day for an entire month. The food i eat has changed well Lean proteins, whole grains, and organic foods. No dairy, fried foods, etc. I drink only water, and rarely have juice. As for cheating. eat what ever you want once a week. Keep under your caloric intake for the day, and drink lots of water with it. Your body won't notice a difference. Well i shouldn't say that. i've been eating so much good food lately, that i had a Cornbeef ruben last week, and it made me sick to my stomach because of how rich it was.


I go to the gym 5 to 7 times a week. It takes me 10 minutes to get there. I run for 30 minutes exactly, then weight lift for 20-30 minutes exactly. I never stay more then an hour. But while i am there i push my self, and make every minute count.

I've been doing this for 1 month and 2 days, and i've lost 17 pounds. Now don't think you will see the same results. Your figure is considerably smaller then mine. But you will see a change.

Put good food in you. Get your body moving. Drink lots of water. So much more then your figure will change. You will just feel better. Coming from a fat guy, the changes i've seen in a months time have been noticible. My pants are falling off my waist. My skin feels different, and not as oily. I don't get hot as fast, or sweat as much. My range of movement has improved, i walk a lot faster then i did. AND I'm looking better in the mirror.

About the spouse situation. I tried for along time to get my girl of a year and a half to do this stuff with me. Well she left me last month, and instead of getting down and defeated, I'm getting healthy. So i cannot offer you any advice there.

Anyway I have written you a novel.

I know you will stick with it and get to where you want to be.

You are the master of yourself. Don't waste any time.


Daniel

Hello!! I think your great for posting your pics for starters, and I want to say that I to am 5.6 I weigh in the upper 160's and wear a size 10, I think you look GREAT, you look thin, the only thing I would recommend for you is toning, maybe your mid section and maybe tighten the glutis maximus a little and you will look perfect. Some weight training and a little cardio should do that just fine.

I to am a professional I'm a state auditor and every time I turn around someone in the office is having a birthday or bringing in treats, and how I deal with it, is by keeping my own low calorie treats in my desk, and when cake is given, I DO allow myself some, but....... a very tiny piece, so at least I feel like I didn't deny myself, yet I had two bites and I'm satisfied and move on. Cravings are a given, and during a long week when you feel like you deserve something special at the end of it, you need to make something sweet, but good for you, don't deny yourself, just minimize your portions and don't have it every day, once a week is fine.

Walking and using free weights at home is a good way to get started on the right path, you dont have to beat yourself down to lose inches, just do some moving every day and eat balanced meals and you will get there. YOU LOOK THIN already, just a little critiquing is all you need!!!
Good Luck to you!!

Hate to break balls, but all three. Reduce your calories by no more then -500 of your BMR, do lots of good cardio, and lift heavy weights (relative to your strength) to preserve as much muscle as possible.

Thanks for the great advice, everyone! Rowe, I'm sorry to hear about your girlfriend taking off -- she's obviously losing out big time! Your mentality is very impressive, however.

Ladybug, thanks so much for helping me see my situation more clearly and sharing your strategies with me. It's heartening to know that one can keep control with an office job, parties, etc. You must be very muscular to be size 10 while in the 160s -- that's fantastic!

Matt - I totally agree with you that all three need to be done, and thank you for reminding me of that. My problem is that I have very limited free time, maybe 30 mins per day, so I was wondering what the best use of my time might be.

hey!! good to meet you on here
im the same height and almost the same weight(a few ponds lighter)... but im a whole lot jigglier! ive just started my weight loss journey... all the best!!!