Welcome to the WLF and good for you for taking these first steps in getting fit and healthy

I'd start by taking small steps, drink a bit more water, cut your portions a bit, skip the fast food or sodas. Look at whatever it is in your diet and try to improve some small, easy to manage aspects.

Work out your 'triggers' if you have any and find a way to avoid them (tiredness, emotional eating etc)

As you start seeing results, it's easier to continue.

Get out and move a little more - go for a 45 minute brisk walk a couple of times a week if you can, swimming or cycling are also lower impact easy exercises.

A lot of people find counting calories works, if you eat less than you use you will loose weight (dont go below 1200 a day for girls and about 1800 for guys).
Check out FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal if you want a place to track and record your diet/calories or exercise.

Start a journal here in the diary section and we can get to know you and offer support while you reach your goal.
If you feel like some motivation then jump on in to the Challenges threads.

Remember, you CAN do this - it's one day, one meal and one pound at a time

Thanks M2M for contributing to a good portion of this post

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some good advice there, thank you for the ideas!

yeah, really good tips. what i have been doing other than exercise, lots of water, etc, is making new low cal dinners that i find on the internet. it's fun, and then i always have new things to eat so i don't get bored. my son is eating much healthier now too. btw, you're a cutie, super geek!

me? a cutie? what?! :O

*falls over in a faint*

Thanks Wishes. really needed to see that this morning!

Thanks for the tips!

I second the fitday support! I love that site. =)

thank i just joined and i guess i picked a good place to start. lucky me.anymore advice?i got 100lbs to loose.

I joined over the weekend. I appreciate everyone taking the time to share their stories - successes and challenges.

I'm commited to increase my aerobic activities and at least 3 times a week work out for 30 minutes at my target heart rate. I found some one at my gym who is an expert in aerobic exercise and in building stamina.

He found the initial heart rate range I should work at. I haven't been doing it long but I'm finding that toward the end of the session I need to work less to keep the heart rate in the right range. I think this is how you build stamina.

I'm still at my first target range but hope to meet with him each month to get his input.

Everyone on this website - no matter which forum is very open and supportives. The Universe is good and I feel fortunate that I found all of you at this point in my journey. Thanks.

aww im loving this site...ohh btw..im a bit of a computer illiterate...so how the heck do i post my ruler thingy ine here??..lol...apreciate some answer..

Chica, click on one of the tickers and go to the ticker site. It gives you directions there. Place the code for the php boards in your signature. You can find that in your User CP up at the top left. I think there is a thread on the forums about it to.

Sorry for being off topic.

I've been here for about two days and have learned so much, in such a short time! Thanks for the tips, they are ALL helpful!

Thanks, I registered at fitday, seems great so far. I can't wait to punch in all the stuff I eat.

Hi my name is lora jean and i am a new member but do not understand what to do. well anyway i am a 30 years old female and i am married to a great man but he does not understand what it is like to be over weight and know it is way out of hand and i need all the help i can get. i want to lose the weight because the doc. said that if i would lose the weight then i could have children. so i will be willing to do what ever it takes. will anyone help me???? thanks lj

hmm well...do you want to partake in exercise or just improve your eating habits...or do you want to workout AND maintain a balanced and healthy diet. The first thing I did was try working out at a gym..I found it wasn't for me (it's also kind of expensive) so I bought a couple of workout dvds. It's been working fine for me, I even bought a stability balls, dumb bells and a chi ball...so I've got a mini gym in my basement

I also find gathering information on different exercises as well as eating healthy is very insightful. I have gained a better understanding about my metabolism and how to eat healthy while on a budget and time crunch.

GOOD LUCK.

What a fantastic forum for all kinds of support. Since my first pregnancy, 28 years ago, I have always been interested in and looking for as many weight loss and management tips as possible. I did manage to get my weight back down after every pregnancy (4) using all I learned, and what worked for me. Now I face another challenge---middle age Yikes! I will be 49 this month, although I don't feel it, but have really noticed changes in my weight. I tend to gain weight during the winter so I am now trying to shed that 'hibernation' weight. I tend not to use a scale; I use my clothes--the ones that I was happiest with my weight when I fit them--as a guide. My guess would be that I have around 15 - 20 lbs to go.
Thanks for taking the time to read my message!