Hi all!
I found this forum because I am fed up with how i look and feel. I finally want to start to lose weight the RIGHT way and keep it off for GOOD. I have always struggled with weight and finally lost a good chunk of it a few months ago and felt fantastic. I bounced right back though and need to lose that and then some.

I am afraid to weigh myself to see how bad I have gotten but I feel like I have to do that in order to come back to reality again. I know I was this so bad but i just don't know where to start. I feel like i have no motivation but at the same time I want this more than anything. Im having a very bad day today only because i cannot stay on a diet for the hell of it. when i did lose the weight before it was through very unhealthy means and i know that is why i gained it all back. I know that my main problem is patience but I don't know how to deal with it. By this time next year I want to be back to my goal weight but I just need help getting there.

As of today though, i think i will quit. If there are n e pointers or even ways for me to actually get on a diet, all help is appreciated!!

looking forward to hearing from everyone!

Exercise + eat better = lose weight.

It's as simple as that

Check out my journal, maybe it can give you some ideas!

http://weight-loss.fitness.com/weigh...ted-ready.html

Good luck

~ Sarah

aw, i can sympathize... i was there last year this time... took me til february to get moving and REALLY do something about it!


Good luck! Check out the journals as was mentioned... it really will help you get started. Start writing down EVERYTHING you eat.... it will stare you in the face each day and help you make better choices.

Best of luck! I suggest starting a progress journal on here under diarys!!!

welcome!!!

You know what my advice is: DON'T GO ON A DIET.



Now, you're gonna ask why I'm being all negative about it right? Here's the secret - diets are negative. "Going on" a diet implies deprivation and suffering and struggle. And then there's the whole question of what happens when you "go off" the diet.

So stop dieting.

Start being healthy. It's a much more positive, much more helpful mindset.

Start by getting a free account at fitday.com or thedailyplate.com and logging all the food you eat. That will give you the opportunity to see not only how much you're eating (in terms of calories) but what kind of nutrition you're getting. You'll be able to see pretty quickly where you can cut back and where you can make changes to BE HEALTHY.

Then, in addition to that, start getting some exercise. You don't have to bust it out at the gym or become a gym-rat. Just start walking. Stretching. Get some movement in. Eventually you'll want to bring up the intensity, but for now - walk. It'll make a difference!

Here's some stuff that's worked for me. Like you, I've lost a bunch of weight before and gained it all back (plus some). But I'm trying to make a lifestyle change, and I suggest that you do the same, instead of considering it a diet. When diets end, the fat comes back.

Lifestyle changes:

- Keep a food log to track how much and what kinds of food you're eating.

- Make sure to drink enough water (at least 8 cups, and the more the better).

- Get in 30 minutes of cardio exercise (anything that gets your heart pumping and puts a sweat on you) at least three times a week.

- Develop some kind of strength training plan to develop your muscular system.

- Reduce intake of refined sugars, simple carbohydrates, "bad" fats (butter, sour cream, etc...), fast food, alcohol, and fatty meats/dairy. Hint: The vegetarian/vegan substitutes for meat and dairy are usually a whole lot better for you in terms of fat and calories.

- Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, "good" fats (canola, avocado, etc...) and lean protein like beans, tofu, or "skinny" meats like fish and poultry.

That's about all there is to it. Good luck!



~ Mav

I agree with all the above. Looks like Skkroll has a good workout plan that you could try. Kara's right about diets not being positive. What you need is a healthy eating plan, not a diet. Listen to Maverick and add more fruits and veggies to your meals/snacks.

Also, here's some advice I gave someone else in this forum, who seems to be much in the same position you are:

1- Sign up for a calorie tracking site, such at FitDay.com, TheDailyPlate.com or DailyBurn.com. I have used all three and my current favorite is DailyBurn (although if you have a Blackberry you can get TheDailyPlate app for it, which is quite convenient). I can only lose weight when I keep track of the foods I eat and the calories they contain. It's the only thing that works for me, and maybe it will work for you. Plus, it should help you to start making healthy food choices. No one wants to eat a doughnut when you have to write down all the calories in it!!

2- Eat healthy, and eat often. More frequent, yet small meals will help increase your metabolism.

3- Exercise. Grab some dumbbells for bicep curls and tricep extensions. Do some squats and lunges. Crunches. Push ups. Increase your weight training. This will help you build muscle mass which will help burn calories. Don't cut out the cardio, but just add some weight training in too.

4- Consider trying a protein supplement. I have added this to my diet and have seen much faster results. You can find whey protein powders just about anywhere, but my favorite is online at LINKREMOVED. It has no additives or anything artificial, so it's a great quality product. Mix some in oatmeal in the morning. Use it to bake breads or muffins. Have it in a protein shake post workout. Increased protein intake will also help with muscle growth and repair, in turn helping to burn more calories.

You've got a lot of great advice so far that can help get you on a good start. But the main thing to remember is that it's going to take a lot of work and determination. But you can do it if you stick to it. Good luck!!

Eating healthy is good advice.

Eating more frequently with small meals is a diet myth. It does not affect your metabolism. The only thing that counts is that you keep your food to the right calorie total and that it is healthy and hits all your nutritional targets.