Starter's Frustration!!

AnaMarie682

Hi everyone! I am new to MyFitnessPal and I need some MAJOR support. I'v always struggled with my weight ever since I remember having the ability to eat, lol. But I never really veered completely off course until the end of nursing school. There was a lot of drama and personal tragedy in my life at the time and from May of 2007 to now, I've gained 60 lbs. I feel absolutely horrible! I am only 5'1 and it has robbed me of my self-esteem and self-worth completely! I avoid any and all social situations because when I'm out and about, all I can think of is how people must be looking at me thinking, "Wow she's huge!" I realize logically that this is a bit ridiculous, but even MORE ridiculous is the fact that I cannot even look at myself in the mirror....literally. I take showers with the lights off, and the only color I wear is black (most slimming, right?) This past September I broke my right foot and was immobile for 3 months, which has done nothing but add to these already crazy insecurities. This is the most out-of-shape I have EVER been....it feels like all of my muscles have completely atrophied. I'm ready to go back to work after Christmas and I would love nothing more that to be in shape my at least April.

If anyone has any advice whatsoever, or has any tips in what to do to start out I would GREATLY appreciate them! I thank you all in advance

Andrea

lauriemueller9

I would say the first step is to honestly log everything. Weigh everything and find yourself some supportive friends. This is a great site and most people I have run into are very helpful. Good luck with your journey. Feel free to add me if you would like.

llephx

I agree with the previous post that you should log everything and pay attention to how much you are eating. If you have an off day though or go over your daily limit, try not to beat yourself up over it. Simply try to improve the next day and make it better. You will be able to lose the weight if you stay positive, as well as believing that it is possible. I have quite a journey ahead of me as well so you are welcome to add me if you would like. You can do it!

Followingsea

Tips to start out:

Barring health variables you didn't mention here (thyroid or hormonal problems, metabolic disorder, mobility problems) weight loss is incredibly simple: burn more than you eat.

Note I said simple, not easy.

So there are two sides of this. You will need to know what you are burning, and what you are eating.

In terms of burning: if you have the cash to spare, a daily activity monitor such as a Fitbit or Bodymedia or Jawbone can help you really nail down your TDEE (what you burn in an average day). If you can't justify the expenditure (they aren't free, sadly), look up a calculator (this one is pretty well regarded: http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/) and figure it out. If you do regular workouts, consider getting a Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) to help figure out what you burn during the workout. Beware - MFP (and many exercise machines) will exaggerate calories burned in a session.

In terms of eating: log every single thing that goes in your mouth. Even if you're tired, even if you're angry at yourself for eating a whole pizza instead of just a slice, even if you don't want to know, even if it's just a squirt of ketchup. Every single thing. And for that matter, it's best to measure every single thing, as well. Studies show that people are amazingly bad at estimating portion sizes. Not weighing your food (full disclosure: I guesstimate myself) leaves you open to underestimating calories eaten, which will slow (or halt, or reverse) loss, especially if you're overestimating calories burnt through activity at the same time.

Some people find it helpful to log meals before you eat them (or, in restaurants, before you order!)

Also, you're just getting started. Grab a camera, strip as much as you feel comfortable doing, and snap some full body shots in the mirror (or have someone take them for you, if you can!). Take a series of poses: front, side, back. Update these regularly. It will be tremendously motivating at first (that's me?!) and later (that was me?!) and still later when you compare the "before"s and the "during"s and the "after"s.

You can do this!

Welcome!

Good luck!

lesbro1

I am right there with you! I feel like I am starting over with my fitness/eating plan for the hundreth time. I am a nurse also so I understand the job. We can do this...let's get motivated!!!

cmriverside

Just start. Seriously.

Log food. Get 7-9 hours of sleep every day. Study your Food Diary and learn. That's what we all did. Make little changes when you can - if you try to overhaul your whole life you may feel overwhelmed.

I have found that life will continue to surprise you - sometimes in not the most pleasant of ways. Your success depends on your reaction to these things.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and accept with grace whatever happens.

:flowerforyou:

badgerdh

I agree with the above comment. The idea is simple yet it took me forever to really figure it out...burn more then you consume. Us MFP religiously, it's a great tool. I do some great exercises that burns lots of calories, feel free to message me for more on that.

As far as self esteem and confidence? That's a work in progress. As you lose, some of that confidence will come back naturally and some you will have to work on to slowly get it back. Starting here and getting a good network of people who are in your boat is a big step. Be honest with yourself and be open, i've made lots of good friends on here who have helped me a lot.

Good luck,
Feel free to friend me if you'd like, the more support the better.

Sreneesa

Logging your daily food intake, calories is essential for beginners IMHO.

I used to log but now its ingrained in me so I no longer do that, or shall I say, consistent in my logging.

I recommend starting from there and try to start fitting in some daily activity, whether its walking, some jumping jacks, squats, or whatever. Youtube has a lot of different fitness videos that may suit your likes and needs.

Just got to hold on and take it day by day.

walterm852

Hey, great start by reaching out.

All you have is the next moment in front of you, just do the next right thing. Just keep making the next right choice, if you trip and fall, get up and try again.

1) Go to the success stories and see how others have done it
2) Use the forums, do research, find the "winners" and do what they do
3) Get friends here, they will help motivate you.
4) Give this thing 90 days, whats the down side?


All the best

mrsgrimsdale

I really really believed I would Not do this that I would give up or simply fail.
I started thinking I'll just see how many calories I am eating and now 3 months on I have lost a stone!
I am content with my rate of loss as I have all sorts of medical issues to contend with and at the end of the day the less I have to change my life to lose weight the more likely I am to continue, when I am feeling content with my new lifestyle which I am almost feeling now I will consider stepping it up a gear adding a little more exercise, the pay off for which is a little more food.
You have been given great advice and if you log daily, and are honest with yourself you too will succeed. :~D