Things to remember

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1) You're already beautiful. Work on being healthier. Sometimes, you feel the results before you see them. Don't get caught up on the number on the scale.

2) There's more to life than calorie counting. Plan where you can. Try not to go overboard. Do your best. But go out for dinner with your friends, have the birthday cake, enjoy yourself. Being too strict will only make you miserable. Don't be too hard on yourself. As long as you're working towards your goal and don't give up, you're doing just fine.

3) It's hard. It's really hard. You have a whole network of people on MFP who are going through the same thing. Lean on them for support, and know that you're not alone. Be patient. It'll be worth it.

Machka9

Happily, you can stay within your calories and have your birthday cake.

Also, there's no need to make it harder than it needs to be. The only restriction is the number of calories. Within that, you can eat whatever you want. Experiment. Go to several grocery stores and markets. Browse thoroughly. Discover delicious food within your calorie limit! Have fun with it! And exercise. Exercise gives you the flexibility to eat more.

But you do need to be patient.

daneejela

I like the thread I'll add few that I would like to remember:

1.) Embrace the discomfort - whether it's hunger or feeling clumsy while doing an exercise/activity for the first few times - embrace it, don't run from it - embracing the little discomfort everyday saves us from big discomforts.
Be hungry a little every day. Sweat a little every day. Struggle a little every day.

2.) Focus on behavior not pounds - number on scale is just an indicator of a single moment, behavior is what makes and keeps those indicators in place. We are what we repeatedly do.

3.) Taking care of your body is not a selfish thing - it's act of gratitude toward your Creator (whichever you believe in), it's a beautiful gift to your spouse who enjoys it the most, it's an awesome foundation for your kids (it increases your time on Earth you are here for them, it gives them great role model, it increases chances that you'll be able to take care of yourself deep in the old age), it's an act of respect toward your parents who put much effort to raise you up and save that body from all potential danger while you were growing up. It's even a contribution to you community, society and country - to increase your abilities and decrease needed (medical & similar) help.

4.) After first discomfort, it's very enjoyable, it's only natural thing to do. That being said, we all need support despite the joy.

5.) A tip from gardening - You can't plant and harvest at the same time - I think this is the essence of patience, to be able to harvest you need to plant a little seed, take care for it for moths and it will reward you with the plenty of harvest. So, whatever you do, think in seasons, not days or weeks or even months.

facetocallhome

daneejela wrote: »

I like the thread I'll add few that I would like to remember:

1.) Embrace the discomfort - whether it's hunger or feeling clumsy while doing an exercise/activity for the first few times - embrace it, don't run from it - embracing the little discomfort everyday saves us from big discomforts.
Be hungry a little every day. Sweat a little every day. Struggle a little every day.

2.) Focus on behavior not pounds - number on scale is just an indicator of a single moment, behavior is what makes and keeps those indicators in place. We are what we repeatedly do.

3.) Taking care of your body is not a selfish thing - it's act of gratitude toward your Creator (whichever you believe in), it's a beautiful gift to your spouse who enjoys it the most, it's an awesome foundation for your kids (it increases your time on Earth you are here for them, it gives them great role model, it increases chances that you'll be able to take care of yourself deep in the old age), it's an act of respect toward your parents who put much effort to raise you up and save that body from all potential danger while you were growing up. It's even a contribution to you community, society and country - to increase your abilities and decrease needed (medical & similar) help.

4.) After first discomfort, it's very enjoyable, it's only natural thing to do. That being said, we all need support despite the joy.

5.) A tip from gardening - You can't plant and harvest at the same time - I think this is the essence of patience, to be able to harvest you need to plant a little seed, take care for it for moths and it will reward you with the plenty of harvest. So, whatever you do, think in seasons, not days or weeks or even months.

Great input - thanks for sharing!