Need some friends and some advice....

ToniChansNewLook

About a thousand times have I proclaimed "I'm going to lose weight by..."

.... and nothing happens.

Usually I set myself a timelime and try to lose weight by a certain date, but I always fall flat...

Well, this time, I don't have a set date. It might help, but it never worked in the past. So I'm just going to go my own pace, and see what happens.

Food has always been a problem for me as well. I try to watch my calorie intake, but because of forceful habits that I just can't seem to shake off, I find myself gravitating to sweets and extra portions....

I never like going to the gym, probably because I tend to overwhelm myself (45 min a day, four days a week... I tend to groan going) So I'm going to attempt to cut back jsut SLIGHTLY (3 days rather than 4, thirty minutes, two weight machines instead of four)

Advice and motivation from others have helped in the past. What do you think I am doing wrong? Should I actually go back to pushing myself, even if it tends to do more harm than good? Since I don't give myself a deadline, I figured there's no pressure.

And what can I do about my eating habits? I can probably answer my own questions by reducing my portions, but.... habits..

So feel free to critique me. Tell me what I should do that can help. Give me some advice. I would really appreciate all the help I can get.

And friends would be nice too

Elise4270

Dieting is a road forever long. Set mini goals for yourself. Maybe for February eat one new healthier meal a week (I did vegetarian meals). I also bought a Runners world cookbook and try to only cook from it. I gave up all my regular meals, like chicken enchiladas and lasagne and Alfredo fettuccine...

Realize there are steps between now and your big goals. If I make it to the gym 2-3 times a week I'm on track. Set mini goals for a few weeks to a months. In time you will have retrained your palate, and developed new habits.

KimWW

Setting a date can be motivating, but when you reach it, whether you have lost weight or not, there can be a mental "finish line" and the motivation goes away. So, all in all, if it isn't something that works for you, drop it.

Find exercise you love doing. It may be something at the gym, it may be something like walking in the park or swimming. If you love it it will be less likely to make working out a chore.

As far as food, if WHAT you eat is the problem, try changing one or two things first to change your habits, then something else. Some people have success by ADDING healthy stuff before they start taking away what they love that is not good. And, if you can keep your portions withing your calorie goals, enjoy what you love.

lovematthewchristopher

Hi Toni, i havent been at this for very long, but have still managed to lose 36 pounds since last september. I too have a problem with sweets and larger portions. I love to cook, love to try new foods, love to eat and love to enjoy life. I joined MFP in November, after losing about 10 pounds on my own, but was finding it very difficult. The support that you get here is wonderful, it makes each day easier. I find that planning my meals for the week, or at least for the day, ahead of time really helps. I can divide up the calories into three meals and snacks (depending on the hours that i eat, and whether i need snacks or not). By doing this i know where i am going for the say. As for exercising,, you dont need exercise in order to lose weight, it is more for health. You can lose weight without exercising. I dont exercise that much since i have really bad knee problems and spend most days in pain. I watch what i eat,downsize my portions, and eat alot of salads with my meals to help fill me up. At first it was hard, but as time went on, it became easier and easier to stay away from the sweets and easier and easier to bring down the portions without feeling like i was starving myself.I still have some sweets once in awhile, but nothing compared to the amount i used to have on a daily basis. You can do this, just put your mind to it. I think about the end result. The way i will look, the way i will feel, how much less weight that will be on my poor knees, and the treat of some new clothes that i will buy at the end of this whole thing. Find something that makes you happy....and run with it. If you really want it, you can do it. Good luck. Feel free to add me if you would like a friend that you can talk to, and someone to help motivate you to get you through your journey. Good luck!

kss1231

First you need to have the right mindset and be ready to start this journey, with out that you will not be able to maintain it. Second, don't give up the foods you love, just learn to eat smaller portions (get a good scale and measure everything) and limit how often you have them. Depriving yourself is not the answer if you want to maintain this new lifestyle for any period of time. Third, find an exercise you enjoy doing like walking or dancing and start from there. Once you feel the increased energy you will be more motivated to go to the gym. If you do go to the gym then mix it up, don't do the same things over and over and let boredom kick in, that is when it becomes like work and it's easier to make excuses for not going. Hope this helps.

score45609

"First you need to have the right mindset and be ready to start this journey, with out that you will not be able to maintain it. Second, don't give up the foods you love, just learn to eat smaller portions (get a good scale and measure everything) and limit how often you have them. Depriving yourself is not the answer if you want to maintain this new lifestyle for any period of time. Third, find an exercise you enjoy doing like walking or dancing and start from there. Once you feel the increased energy you will be more motivated to go to the gym. If you do go to the gym then mix it up, don't do the same things over and over and let boredom kick in, that is when it becomes like work and it's easier to make excuses for not going. Hope this helps. "

Great advice kss1231