hey to everyone,

im excited about being a part of this forum!

my name is faye, im 20 years old. A british national but have been living in america for a little over 2 years. When i arrived in america i was approx 175lbs and am now 218lbs

I get alot less exercise over here, and for a while really let myself go with all the many fast food choices there are here, not to mention the sweet options !

anyway, my weight is really depressing me now, and i dont want it to affect what my partner thinks of me, even though he has said he loves me the way i am... every girl wants to look sexy in a little black dress.

Im not allowed to work, and dont have a car or bike, so my exercise is the gym 3 times a week when my boyfriend goes, and walking the dog . The thing i find hard is cravings, I stay home all day so find mysef snacking alot. HERE STARTS THE NEW ME !!1

i'll be monitoring my weight here week by week so everyone can see how im doing. I'm 5"4, so being 218lbs with most of it around my lower waist/thighs is not pretty

Id like any advice from people on ideas to help stop my snacking, and my constant sweet tooth cravings

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6.../PICT00078.jpg

this photo was me when i weighed 160. id like to get down to that by christmas, i will try find some bateries to take a photo of how i look now and post that a.s.a.p

Hi, Faye, and welcome.

I'm relatively new to all of this, as I've just made some massive lifestyle changes, but I can at least tell you what's working for my boyfriend and me.
We're both eating a healthy/hearty/big/high calorie breakfast after we work out in the morning. When I say high calorie, I mean, high calorie as far as our meals go. Eating breakfast, I think, is key because it sort of diminishes the urge to snack or graze later in the day. In addition, we're eating healthy (usually a piece of fruit or a piece of fruit and a few raw almonds) snacks between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner. Essentially we're eating five times per day and only five times per day. By planning to eat at certain times (even if the timing isn't always precise), we prevent ourselves from snacking here and there or whenever.

I'd also say it's a good idea to purge your house of all the foods that tempt you if that's even possible. I know living with someone who has different ideas about food and different eating habits can be hard, especially if you're trying to watch what your're eating. This last week was my first week back to work (I'm a school teacher.) and our faculty lounge is always stocked with free cookies and chips and sodas. And though I was tempted only a few times, the urge to eat those things lasted seconds. Whenever I'm a little tempted to eat something unhealthy or unreasonably high in calories I just say to myself, "It's not worth it," and that works for me. I think my boyfriend does the same thing, as we've discussed temptations to "cheat" or binge while not at home.

As far as the sweets, I suggest trying to replace the things you crave with fruit, especially berries. Or, since you don't work and you don't have a car, if you have the time, you should bake some low-fat, low-calorie muffins or cupcakes or something. And then perhaps use those as a reward for yourself after dinner if you've been good. That's what we do.

Anyway, best of luck to you

Tamara

Howdy Faye,
Welcome and GL I have a sweet tooth and love to snack and I keep lot of the 100 cal pk snacks,popsicles(40 cals) fruite good cals watermelon and grapes are very low cals als almost any sweet you like they make sugar free or lite ect,also before bed if I am feeling starved and my sweetooth kicks in I grab a smoonfull of peanutbutter.Hope this helps,you can do it,enjoy your weekend,Tammy

Hi faye, Your goal is reasonally be able to be obtained you really just have to watch what your eating. as far as snacking goes the other ladies have given you some great choices. I also have a been sweet tooth specially around the tom so what i do and is the same as tammy i keep those little 100 cals packs in the house which are great. They have some that are like reece's but are trailmix type ones and they have rice cakes with chocolate drizzled on them that are in like 90-100 cal packs that are very good and filling at least for the sweet tooth that i use as snacks. Also its good to every now and then just have a cheat day as long as you don't go too wild on it. I every now and then if i am having a very rough day will have a candy bar but i include it in my total cals for the day. Hope you have a great weekend and Good luck on reaching your goals.

I found that committing to drinking 2 litres of water a day helped with the cravings and cured my sweet tooth. It gave me something to consume when I wanted to put something in my mouth. I used to think I was hungry or needed to eat but I was THIRSTY. Also, in three weeks I could see my skin looked better.

Welcome to WLF. There is all the support and information here to help you on your way. I started at 220 five years ago. Last January this forum motivated me to lose 20 pounds in five months.

It is a long process that requires dedication and lots of thought as well as the abiliity to fall and get back up again.

thanks for all the welcome messages

after a rough weekend im knuckling down and am focused and determined to begin my weight loss journey.

ive made some lists of the foods im allowed, and foods im allowed in moderation and am trying to formulate some exciting meal ideas. I have taken advice from some of you and realise by cooking interesting healthier meals it will take up some time and also be good for me

My excercise is as follows : gym 3 times a week, with 1 hour cardio, 20 mins free weights, and i walk my dog on a 1mile circular circuit 5 days a week.

So i wil report back a week from today

Hi! I totally know how you feel! I am new here too and I'm a total blob now I love your tattoo by the way!! I am a tattooed female myself! I added you to my friends list.

I too am really depressed over my weight. Its horrible and I feel horrible! I know I can do this though! I am so glad I found this forum

hehe cool. what tattoos do you have?

its so easy to get depressed about weight. I never envisioned myself getting as heavy as i am, and i know when i truly get in the mindset it wont be a struggle to lose the weight.

I weighed in today at 150, 3lbs down hehe. My goal for this week is 7lbs, it seems steep but for some reason my body drops weight easily.

The problems arise, when i have a bad meal, or i cheat...then i just cheat all week and put on what i lost !

Today i put on the exercise gear and danced around to the eric prydz video - call on me, i know its silly but it feels such a pumped workout

You're down to 150, that's so close to your goal! That's seems like a lot of weight for 5 days though. I dropped in to your journal to return some of the support you've been giving to me in mine. I wanted to let you know that I'm adding you to my buddy list.

150? huh?

my ticker should say 214 lol.

It was just a typo... congrats on your weight loss!

Hi Faye!

Welcome, I agree with the others on the 100 cal packs for your sweet tooth. Sometimes I enjoy the sugar free chocolates too. Your tattoo is Awesome!! I know you will find the support here to reach your goals. GL girl.

Katt

Hey! Welcome to WLF!!!! I know you can do it! Good luck!!

-Love, Kiera

Hi Faye and Welcome to the Forum!

Just never give up and don't be depressed...

Life is beautiful!!!

Take care, Mel