Don't know where to start

ligiam1412

Hello! I've never worked out consistently in my life, I've dieted but not for like more than a month at a time. I want to lose at least 20 pounds to go back to my normal weight, but I don't know where to begin. Should I join a gym? What kind of exercises should I do? (I don't know how to use the machines so they scare me!) How do I begin a diet? Would counting calories in this app be enough? Thank you!!!

jaywirth88

First off, Welcome to MFP!!! the first step is to just log everything you eat and do. I have lost most all of my weight so far ( over 20 lbs in the past 2 months), by logging my food, paying attention to portion sizes and working out on the eliptical at the gym. you don't HAVE to join a gym to lose weight. You can burn calories by walking or doing in-home workouts, but what I didn't know when I started was that my body burns TONS of calories just to function on a daily basis, and MFP takes all that into consideration when it gives you a daily calorie goal.

Good luck!!

VykkDraygoVPR

All you need to do is count calories. Exercise is for health, not really weightloss. In order to get started, just plug your stats in, and set a reasonable goal. For 20 lbs, you probably want to shoot for about .5 lbs a week, I wouldn't go for more than 1 lbs a week for sure.

I'd also recommend that you buy a kitchen scale, if you don't already have one. You can buy a suitable digital scale for $10-$20. Use it to weigh all solid foods. Only use cup and spoon measures for liquids.


If you enjoy exercise, by the way, I would reccomend joining a gym. I joined my first gym in August. I am enjoying it very much. Personally, being thin but out of shape isn't appealing. I like feeling strong, and healthy, so I workout to achieve those goals.

PinkPixiexox

You'll need to really hang in there and stick it out if you want to see long-term results!

Eat at a calorie deficit, track your calories (MFP is the best way for this IMO!) and make it sustainable. A huge factor for people 'failing' is the huge restrictions they put on themselves. I see so many posts from new people vowing to 'cut out all junk food' or 'quit chocolate' and it really doesn't work. Deprivation leads to binge eating, in most cases. Fit THIS around your lifestyle, move more if you can but ultimately, it's the calorie deficit that's going to cause the weight loss. Good luck

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valmaebel

All these comments have been right on the money! I especially second the idea that this shouldn't just be a diet, but Somethng you can sustain for life! Remember, food has no moral value...it's not good or bad. It's just food. Eat slowly and purposefully. Contemplate what you are eating what you're eating. To fuel your body? Enjoyment? Don't force yourself to eat something you don't like just because it's "good". Instead, experiment with ll different kinds of nutrient dense foods to see what you like. Don't ban foods you like just because they're bad! I have ice cream, when I want. But it's easier to keep the portion small, knowing I can have it whenever I want. It prevents binge eating. Best of luck!

ligiam1412

jaywirth88 wrote: »

First off, Welcome to MFP!!! the first step is to just log everything you eat and do. I have lost most all of my weight so far ( over 20 lbs in the past 2 months), by logging my food, paying attention to portion sizes and working out on the eliptical at the gym. you don't HAVE to join a gym to lose weight. You can burn calories by walking or doing in-home workouts, but what I didn't know when I started was that my body burns TONS of calories just to function on a daily basis, and MFP takes all that into consideration when it gives you a daily calorie goal.

Good luck!!

Oh wow THANK YOU! That is amazing advice and motivation for me! I usually use the elliptical in the gym and didn't know it could provide results like yours combined with this app. Congratulations!! I'm looking up to you as my role model now!

ligiam1412

VykkDraygoVPR wrote: »

All you need to do is count calories. Exercise is for health, not really weightloss. In order to get started, just plug your stats in, and set a reasonable goal. For 20 lbs, you probably want to shoot for about .5 lbs a week, I wouldn't go for more than 1 lbs a week for sure.

I'd also recommend that you buy a kitchen scale, if you don't already have one. You can buy a suitable digital scale for $10-$20. Use it to weigh all solid foods. Only use cup and spoon measures for liquids.


If you enjoy exercise, by the way, I would reccomend joining a gym. I joined my first gym in August. I am enjoying it very much. Personally, being thin but out of shape isn't appealing. I like feeling strong, and healthy, so I workout to achieve those goals.

Oh wow I hadn't thought of getting a scale but that's an amazing idea! I had no idea that this could work without a gym involved! Thank you for being so informative!!

ligiam1412

PinkPixiexox wrote: »

You'll need to really hang in there and stick it out if you want to see long-term results!

Eat at a calorie deficit, track your calories (MFP is the best way for this IMO!) and make it sustainable. A huge factor for people 'failing' is the huge restrictions they put on themselves. I see so many posts from new people vowing to 'cut out all junk food' or 'quit chocolate' and it really doesn't work. Deprivation leads to binge eating, in most cases. Fit THIS around your lifestyle, move more if you can but ultimately, it's the calorie deficit that's going to cause the weight loss. Good luck

That is amazing advice, I was thinking of cutting back on sweets even though I have a massive sweet tooth and it would probably make it harder than it should be for me. I won't make that mistake now, thank you!

Liftng4Lis

Welcome to MFP. Input your data and goals in and follow the number it gives you. It's that simple. Remember, the deficit is already built in and you will be earning more calories through exercise.

ligiam1412

valmaebel wrote: »

All these comments have been right on the money! I especially second the idea that this shouldn't just be a diet, but Somethng you can sustain for life! Remember, food has no moral value...it's not good or bad. It's just food. Eat slowly and purposefully. Contemplate what you are eating what you're eating. To fuel your body? Enjoyment? Don't force yourself to eat something you don't like just because it's "good". Instead, experiment with ll different kinds of nutrient dense foods to see what you like. Don't ban foods you like just because they're bad! I have ice cream, when I want. But it's easier to keep the portion small, knowing I can have it whenever I want. It prevents binge eating. Best of luck!

I agree, I'm so humbled and amazed by the information and motivation in the comments! I like the way you see it, I'd never thought of food being more than a necessary evil so I usually under eat. Wow I don't have to stop eating my beloved ice cream! Thank you!

ligiam1412

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

Welcome to MFP. Input your data and goals in and follow the number it gives you. It's that simple. Remember, the deficit is already built in and you will be earning more calories through exercise.

Seems like I definitely made the right choice with MFP! It sounded harder than it is! Thank you!

Yi5hedr3

Yes- calorie counting and diet. ..that's what you need.

Unknown

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