Hi Ladies....

I have never posted on this board before, so I would like to introduce myself, my name is Melissa. well since getting married 2yrs ago, I put on a little over 50 lb. this is the most weight I have ever carried. and it is depressing. yesterday dh bought my and eliptical, I was very excited about that, but how did you ladies dedicate yourselves to exercising and dieting,and how do you know wich foods to eat and what to stay away from, this is the first I have ever had to diet and I am clueless.
Thanks....

Re: Hi Ladies....

I'm in the same boat, I can't seem to get into the habit of exercising even though I have a million DVDs. I like yoga but in the hot weather I feel like I'm melting. I had success in the past counting calories. Try Calorie King. com
For 40 bucks you can download a program that tells you how many calories to eat per day or you can just buy one of his books for like 5 bucks. HTH

and I just came across this:
http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/06/29/400-calorie-fix-diet-review/?ncid=webmail

Message edited 7/6/2010 9:44:40 AM.

Re: Hi Ladies....

I am a big fan of weight watchers. Have you ever tried it? I had a lot of success with the program. It really works if you follow it!

Re: Hi Ladies....

Re: Hi Ladies....

First of all, welcome. Deciding to make the change is the first step. I have found weight watchers to be the most successful for me. I had about a total of 90 pounds to lose and I am now more then halfway there by losing 56 pounds so far. I tell you this because hearing other success stories will help you realize that you can do this. If you don't want to join something like weight watchers then my advice to you is:

1) Make small goals for yourself-5 pound increments.
2) Write down everything you eat, and I mean everything! As they say in ww if you nibble it, scribble it.
3) Focus on your diet first and then add in exercise. I say this because exercise alone will not help you lose 50 pounds and my experience is changing your eating habits first will lead to more success. Doing both will be a lot on your body and I find most people give up within a few weeks when they make the drastic changes. So get the diet under control for a few weeks and then add in the exercise
4) Think of it as a way of life, not just a diet. A diet is good if you only need to lose 5-10 pounds to squeeze into that dress for a wedding. If you want to lose 50 pounds you need to change your way of life
5) Remember that the first few weeks are going to be the most difficult. It takes a person about 4-6 weeks to change a habit. So give yourself time
6) Don't get upset over small losses or even weight gains. Remember your overall goal and you will have weeks that are really good and weeks that are really bad.
7) Having one bad meal does not mean that you've blown it. It doesn't mean that the day is ruined. Just get right back on track for the next meal
8) Ask for help from your DH when you need it. You can't and shouldn't do this alone
9) Don't beat yourself up. We tend to think so much worse of ourselves then we should. Allow yourself mini cheats and keep focused on your main goal.
10)Celebrate mini victories with numbers that you hit and sizes that you go down. But don't celebrate by going nuts with eating. Instead celebrate it by buying new clothes, having a special date night with your DH, take a small overnight trip-whatever it is that will keep you motivated. You deserve it and it will help you so much.

So that's my advice-sorry so long. I have plenty more if you want. if you have any questions please ask away. Remember we are all here for you and you should use this board as a support system. Good luck to you with everything.

Re: Hi Ladies....

WW is a great program for many people, I know lots of people who have lost weight on it. I did it in the past and found I had a hard time knowing what to eat or feeling like I was getting the right nutrients. It also gets expensive to go to meetings and to pay for the online tools.

I am a bit of a graph junkie, I like visuals to help me see the progress, so I use this site - Calorie Count. The site is totally free. It doesn't support a specific diet plan, but helps you to determine a calorie amount - you can change your calorie amount if you disagree with the one they give you (I used the one from the Biggest Loser Diet Plan which is your weight x 7), you can also adjust the ratio of carbs/fats/protein.

The site also tracks cholesterol, sodium, fiber, vitamins etc. Tracks these things helps me to make better choices, because I see which nutrients I need or which things I am getting to much of. I really am a visual person so this helps me.

Here are some examples of the charts:






You can do this, the thing we need is determination. Motivation dwindles, but determination is there in spite of a lack of motivation, it is why you pick your self up and get back on track when you want to give up!!

Message edited 7/7/2010 9:20:16 AM.