Hey everyone! I am new here and new to seriously tackling my weight loss! I am 26 yrs old, former college athlete. I fractured my spine about 5 years ago, thus ending my competitive athletic career and lifestyle and have since put on quite a lot of weight. I am 5'10 and at 218. I have a lot of muscle though and most people don't think that I need to lose weight, however coming from a fit and healthy past I know that there are changes that need to be made. I have, since last Wed,( 3/30) adopted a lower-carb eating style, and have cut out all pop. I am not going gung-ho Atkins or South Beach, but applying more of the South Beach principles to my eating habits. I have not had any bread, or pasta since then, and believe me it's killing me!

I have also started doing Tae Bo (any thoughts on this excercise routine? ), which is a 30 min tape for the beginners and doing 50 crunches/pushups a night, trying to do this at least 6 days a week.
As of Wednesday 4/6 my weight loss was only 3 lbs, ( 215 now)

The thing that's hard, is that unlike a lot of people, I don't eat junk food. I don't eat potato chips, cookies, brownies, ice cream, candy..etc... so that's not my problem. It's fried foods, potatoes, pasta's and was pop. I'm very picky and I know that doesn't help, I hate tomatoes, broccoli, and don't really like red meat. I used to easily drink 8 Coke's in a day. I have completely cut that out, since discovering Sierra Mist Free, Propel, and good old fashioned water.

That's the background, here is the goal... from 218 to 160 by beginning of August. I realize this is probably impossible, but I hope to get any suggestions possible to help me along to this! Any work out tapes, better than Tae Bo? Keep in mind, I have quite a lot of pain still from my back, so running, after a while, hurts me pretty bad.
Sorry this was such a long post, thanks for anyone who read it and your suggestions!

~Trying my hardest!!!
Rhiannon

Hi and welcome to the forum. it sounds like you know what you want and where your going. ppl here are great, my suggestion, post a few questions and ppl will be glad to answere them
instead of running have you tried the elliptical? i'm a big fan Good luck

Welcome and congratulations on deciding to make a change! I know what it's like to be a picky eater! Sadly though, I love the snacks!

I'm with Smiley on this one...the elliptical may be a little better for you. I love it and it definitely helps with my knees. I don't know what your personal tastes are but I love Taebo and it really does seem to help. But then again, it's always better to be doing something that you enjoy. Make sure you start a diary. Best of luck to you!

Hi loyd, I am so not the queen of exercise lol but have you thought of doing some kind of water aerobics. The water should help keep the strain off your back. I wouldn’t be doing any exercise videos until after you have a chat with the doctor and find out what’s safe to start with. Im glad its you not eating bread and pasta that would kill me to lol. Welcome to the forum.