Major weight loss advice!

katiemstamey

Hello! I'll start with a little information about myself I'm 23 (turning 24 December 31st), I'm 5'3" and weigh about 196. Trust me, I know I'm overweight. My struggle has seemingly been since high school. I played sports year round and I was in shape and tops 130. But since everyone else was developed differently than I was, I always felt overweight. I worked in a fast food chain during high school and during college I waited tables at an Italian restaurant. As silly as it sounds I feel like one day I woke up and I was in this body I didn't recognize as my own. I want and need to make a major over haul in my life.

I've realised that during college I bought fast food out of convenience but also because I could. No true rhyme or reason behind it. I moved to Amsterdam in July and my parents are hoping to visit this upcoming may. I'm hoping to lose 70 pounds by then.

I don't drink soda and don't eat fast food. The not eating fast food has only been a recent change (after my move) because I lost the convenience of getting food in a car. I'm working out 5 days a week and starting to track my food religiously.

I guess I'm looking for any advice from others who have done it. I'm worried about hitting a plateau or temporarily gaining weight from working out. Also, if anyone is interested in adding me to their MFP friends list to have a larger accountability group.

Thanks! Sorry for the novel!

rosebarnalice

Weight loss in a nutshell is burning more calories than you consume. If you are tracking "religiously", and have started a regular workout routine to increase your activity level, you're on the right track.

There are a number of reasons that your weight might fluctuate that are completely normal-- from water retention, to menstruation, to sodium, to digestive issues. If you are concerned that seeing these daily fluctuations will lead to freaking out and feeling bad about yourself and getting frustrated by your progress, then limit yourself to weighing once a week or even every two weeks.

Unknown

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melmerritt33

It sounds like you're on the right track, if you record your food properly, keep within your calorie goal and exercise you should see a steady weight loss. There will be times when you stand still or go up a little but it usually doesn't last for long. My last standstill I soon realised was caused by underestimating my portion sizes, I've now got some digital scales and was shocked by some of the differences between what I thought I was eating and the actual calories. Add me as a friend if you want to, I'm on here every day as I find it really helps me stay motivated.

beaner1034

I've learned and implemented advice from another woman who is similar to my age, starting weight and height who posted about her 70lb weight loss in 8 months. She reported a daily 500 calorie deficit between consumption and exercise. For example and simplicity sake: consume 1250 of your 1500 daily caloric intake AND burn 250 calories through exercise for a 500 calorie deficit. Since implementing her success two days ago, I broke through a plateau and lost 4lbs! Good luck!

ColinsMommaOC

beaner1034 wrote: »

I've learned and implemented advice from another woman who is similar to my age, starting weight and height who posted about her 70lb weight loss in 8 months. She reported a daily 500 calorie deficit between consumption and exercise. For example and simplicity sake: consume 1250 of your 1500 daily caloric intake AND burn 250 calories through exercise for a 500 calorie deficit. Since implementing her success two days ago, I broke through a plateau and lost 4lbs! Good luck!

So on top of the deficit that MFP gives you, you are also eating an ADDITIONAL -500 cals? So assuming you were already at -1000 cals (a 2lb/wk loss) you are eating -1500? That is not healthy.

sunandmoons

Buy a food scale. I read a post regarding food scales a few months back....it really makes a difference. Good luck on your journey!

vivmom2014

catscats222 wrote: »

Good to leave fast food and fried foods alone.
Focus on lots of lean protein, vegetables, and fruit.
Get a food scale if you do not have one - everyone does eventually.
This place really works. Stick to the numbers !

You don't need to leave groups of food alone. In fact, overly restricting yourself usually leads to a massive downfall. Eat the way you want to eat for life - fit in foods that you truly enjoy - and stay at/under your calorie deficit until you reach maintenance.

ajgordo150

Thank you