Need to lose 30 pounds-just getting started

sunnykb

Hello and Happy Monday,

I've just about had it with being over weight. I need and want to lose 30 pounds and was hoping I could get tips on food intake such as meal plans and exercise plan. I'm 5 ft 6 inches and currently weight 170. My ideal weight is 140 lbs.

Thank you in advance!

Sunny

waltcote

Welcome! You are in the right place. Has worked pretty well for me so far. If you want to friend me feel free. I think it's a daily learning experience. :bigsmile:

leahconfere

I'm actually almost done doing the same. I was 165 to start and I'm going for 135 at this point. Just log EVERYTHING that you eat, no matter how small you think it is, and go for a walk as much as you're able. That's what I've been doing.

TeaBea

Welcome!

Losing weight can be overwhelming. My advice is baby steps. Start by logging what you eat. You will learn a lot. Some of the foods you eat now are perfect.....don't change a thing. Other foods will surprise you. Eat foods you enjoy so you don't feel deprived.

Portion control....this is key. Measure your food.....don't just "eyeball" it.

Start exercise slowly ......after you've got a handle on the whole food thing. Lots of free stuff to try.....Hulu.com (health & fitness channel) - Youtube, your local library.......free (or cheap) stuff is great for figuring out what you like. "What you like" is important here too. Exercise will help you keep weight from creeping back up.

laceyfowler

Hi Sunny! I'm 5'5", started at 159 (this time around... and was a little over 160 before that 159 weigh in) in November, am currently around 144 (weighing in tomorrow - I weigh in officially once a week but unofficially every day) and aiming to end somewhere around 125-129, depending on if I gain some muscle/feel toned/etc, so I have approximately 15lb left of my 30lb to lose :-)

Feel free to add me! My "secrets to success" for these past few months have been working out 6x/wk - mostly cardio, though will increase the resistance training as I get closer to my goal weight - and healthy eating... for me, healthy eating is lots of veggies, lean meats, some fruits, very little dairy and very little breads/pastas/starches. I don't even have a full kitchen right now but have made some incredibly yummy - and incredibly easy - healthy meals in the crock pot lately :-)

Feel free to add me and ask any questions you may have! I have to say... losing the weight is feeling good :-)

Melissa132129

I just started again on her Jan. 1st. I'm starting at 150 lbs and want to lose 30 lbs as well. Goal weight is 120lbs. It really helps to log your food and exercise to see what you need to work on. I'd say if your starting out....take a walk whenever you can get a chance to no matter how small of a distance it is. Try to find time in your day to plan to exercise. I don't eat off a meal plan. I've just been trying to eat better and staying under or right around 1200 calories.

Good Luck and you can add me as a friend if you'd like.

stormbornkraken

Welcome!
When you use it and stick to it, it works! I lost 30 pounds using MFP the first time. The community helps, when I lost touch with the system I gained back the 30 pounds I lost. Here to do it again!

5'2 - 150lbs now

What everyone says is accurate. Log everything, do as much physical activity as possible in a day and keep in touch with your MFP pals.

Best of luck on your endeavors!

Cheers!

jakenlu2

Hi. I just started a couple of weeks ago so feel free to add me as a friend. I think the daily food diary is really helpful. It really makes me stop and think before I put something in my mouth. Sometimes that moment or two of decision making can mean the difference between a good or a not-so-good choice.

BrownsFan19

I too want to lose about 30 pound. I lost 28 pounds back in 2012, but gained most of that back this past year. I really loved how I felt when I lost the weight, so I need to do that again. Let's do this! I'm starting today because my job is starting a Biggest Loser contest today. So that gives me some motivation, plus I got rid of all my fat clothes, so nothing fits me anymore and I REFUSE to buy all those sizes again. haha.

In March, I'm going to begin training for a half marathon that I'm doing in september. AHHHH!!

AndreaIteka

Hi !! I'm looking to lose 30-35 pounds for the summer and reach the half way mark by march before my birthday I already lost roughly 33 lbs and currently weigh 169 . I'm 5'9 .I lost 16lbs two summers ago doing a low carb high protein diet for the duration of one and a half months and another 16 lbs previous to that doing other diets ( Special K , 5:2 etc ) . Ive struggled to maintain due to not changing mu lifestyle completely I'm sick of these fad diets and want to lose the last 2st and 7lbs the healthy way !!! Planning on joining slimming world combining it with MFP. Exercise wise I'm currently doing C25K it's great I highly recommend it @ BrownsFan19 !! They have free apps and a C210K program too feel free to add me

Crystalena1

I need to lose 30 pounds as well I just joined this site tonight I am about 5'5 and weigh 172 I wanna lose 30 pounds but my main area is my belly I do have 4 kids youngest is 21 months and had csection then had bladder surgery in August so I am just now being able to work out again but all my weight is tummy and hips I am no good at dieting

elonwyhickey

I downloaded the MFP app to my phone. It totally helped me on Wed when I was at work (I work at a restaurant) and they brought us out a bowl of chips (fries). I looked up how much they would cost in my day and only ate 6. Before I would have just snacked away at them in passing until they were gone.

dramamug

hi just started mfp and 5 ft 1 inch i am 158 lb need to loose 35 lb . logging everything but having some off days. i am 34 f asian and yes currys, chocolate and fried food has done this to me.

If anyone would like to add me. Thanks

bjaune

Today is day 1 for me today (again) I stepped on the scale and just wanted to cry!!!! 30 pounds exactly needs to go and tired of my knees and body hurting!! I love to exercise but my eating habits are horrible!!

fitdiva1day

Chrystalina I just recently joined and would love to lose 40 pounds by june but will gladly take 30! We are both the same height and weight so I would love it if we could motivate each other...and anyone else who wants a buddy here...add me if ya want :-)

JiggleWhenIWalk

I am in the same boat as most of you here. I want to lose 30 lbs I have been lugging it around since childbirth. Please friend me
Anyone who wants to) so we can stay on track together. 5'5" 176 lbs

turtledove773

I just started MFP last week and I love the meal tracking and all the support that I have found here! I am 5'6 and weigh 157.. I am looking to be fit and toned as well as lose weight, my goal is 140 -145.

karleigh55

I'm in the same boat. Need to lose 30 pounds. I am 5'6.5 and currently weigh 170. I weighed 245 at one point and managed to lose over 100 pounds and keep it off for seven years. I was at 140 to 145 for seven years. This past year I have put on 30 pounds due to eating badly and not working out. I joined MFP some time ago but didn't stick with it until just recently. I am having a hard time staying true to my calorie count. Really looking for friends that have the same 30 pound weight loss goal. It seems harder this time. I agree that logging what I eat and exercising is the way to get there. The 30 pounds has landed right around my middle. I fit better into junior jeans and was in a size 5 or 7 depending on the brand and am now in a very tight size 11 or 13 - UGHHH!

JordanInMT

Sunny, you WILL do it! Welcome!

wadevb1

I too decided to set a thirty pound goal. I originally found this site looking for a calorie calculator and discovered there is much more to learn. My local hospital has a preventative program and for a measly $10, I get my BMI measured and discuss my goals, food consumption (I refuse to say diet) and my current exercise program with a registered dietitian.Thanks to MFP, I came to realize the importance of knowing your BMR and TDEE, all which will be discussed during my consultation with the RD.

I came close to reaching my goal on a few occasions, but believe I sabotaged my efforts due to my lack of understanding the value knowing how and when to match caloric intake to your body's needs.

FeIsMe75

I started on my journey on May 20th. First and foremost, I cut out all sugary drinks and no pop. I only drink water with lemon juice and sweet n low or unsweetened tea. I am still sticking to this regimen and believe it is the reason I have maintained my weight loss when I quit working out and counting cals. I started at 216 lbs and got down to 158 lbs by October 1st. My mother passed away October 10th after a very short illness and it has definitely set me back.
So here I sit at 164 lbs and ready to start it back up. I want to lose the last of my weight. My original goal was 145 lbs but I would much rather be at 135lbs.
Exercise and counting calories is key. Count every calorie and measure everything until you get comfortable with eyeballing it. I started off small with working out 10 minutes a day and increased it every week by 5 minutes. I loved doing all the dance workouts and Shaun T Hip Hop Abs was the main reason I stayed with working out.
Good luck to you and just know you are not alone

grandmothercharlie

As everyone says, keep the diary under your Food heading. Research has shown that logging your intake gives you a greater chance for success. As you are logging into your food in your diary, find meals that you enjoy and are at different calorie counts. Save these to "My Meals" and title them first with the number of calories. i.e. 510 Pei Wei Korean Steak Lettuce Wraps. That way, if you have 520 calories remaining in your day you can easily find a meal to fit.

ofccat

You can do it. This is a great community of supportive people and you can find tons of information here.

daniellegautreau

Starting today looking to lose 30-40lbs. Joined MFP over a year ago to use it as a calorie counter but never list more then 10 or so lbs before giving up and gaining anything that I lost back shortly after. Finally fed up with being over weight and looking to finally make a lifestyle change and lose this extra weight. Currently 196lbs and want to be down to 155-165lbs or less. Anyone have any good tips for just starting out. Add me if you want. Thanks )

Autk79

I think were around the same height/weight so anyone feel free to add me! We can motivate each other

BootCampCrazy

Our stats are so close! I'm 5'6" and my starting weight was 172...this time.... (I started at 185 in 2012, got down to 139 and then got pregnant so I'm 'starting' all over again Some things that helped me be successful last time was 30 mins cardio 4 x's a week (I like the elliptical because it's less impact & 15 min weights after the cardio. If you don't belong to a gym, check out 30 day shred by jillian michaels. As for foods, keep it clean and simple but find substitutions for things you love. Think of it as a lifestyle change, not a diet. Do things/make changes that you can sustain long term. I love ice cream... skinny cow and weight watchers have some that taste pretty dang amazing when you have a sweet tooth. Fiber one bars are like candy to me too. I typically eat oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast. For lunch I keep frozen tyson diced chicken in freezer to heat up and put over lettuce with lite salad dressing & veggies. I can usually eat whatever I want for dinner (I just keep an eye on portions)....and if I need more calories, I workout longer or harder. It's like a budget lol you have to eat at a calorie deficit to lose weight.... and Water is crucial!!! I can only drink so much boring plain water so I put orange mio in it. Good luck!

brett1117

Welcome!! Look into Keto Diet for 2mths! Have to change your mind before you change your body!! 75% of your body is made in the kitchen

sweetpea03b

No one thing works for everyone. After some trial and error I settled on 1500cals/day for my goal. According to my fitbit I burn between 1800-2100 calories/day. I eat 85% "clean" but I'm not really a nazi about any "no-no foods". I eat what I want in moderation for the most part. I'm doing New Rules of Lifting for Women as my primary workout. Occasionally I will go for a run or walk... play wii fit, wii dance or something for about 20-30min and that's all the cardio I'm getting. The weight is coming off SLOW but it's staying off. I took a week off last week and only had a deficit of 700cal for the week... but I didn't gain and I didn't stress about it.

Slow and steady. Good luck! Feel free to add me!

befitnow3

Hello and Happy Monday,

I've just about had it with being over weight. I need and want to lose 30 pounds and was hoping I could get tips on food intake such as meal plans and exercise plan. I'm 5 ft 6 inches and currently weight 170. My ideal weight is 140 lbs.

Thank you in advance!

Sunny

I'm at your weight and height and the same goals too:) just started here a month ago. Hope to connect!

marym251082

Hey all,

I started with the atkins diet today.have heard a lot about it and read some success stories on MFP. Thought would give it my best shot along with working out 6 days a week.tired of being overweight. I dont feel confident anymore..have been on the other side of the scale almost all my life. I m 5 feet 4 inches tall and need to lose 30 pounds.. currently weigh 177.. Anyone has tips or suggestions ..thanks in advance.

paxbfl

Welcome to MFP! I like your determination. I felt the same way when I started and I still feel that way. The weight will NOT come back!

I've lost about 50 pounds and feel awesome. If I could do it, you can definitely do it.

For me, MFP helped me realize why I was so overweight in the first place. I worked out fairly regularly but couldn't lose weight. I blamed genetics, metabolism, thyroid, anything and everything. My first day of MFP was a "normal" day where I just logged what I ate. The total came up to around 3,500 calories - and I cut back my evening snack because I realized how high the numbers were getting!

I realized that I was eating way, way, way too much food. I learned what BMR and TDEE is, and what I should be eating (around 2,300 calories - I'm a 6'2" guy). I bought a heart-rate monitor so I could more closely measure how many calories I burn in my workouts. As I started losing weight I started increasing the intensity of the workouts to burn more calories.

I have an eating and nutritional plan that works for me, which I'd be happy to share with you. But the key is finding what works for you - eat the foods you like to eat (and can eat in moderation)... be as physically active as you can, doing activities you enjoy doing. Recognize that this is a lifestyle change, so change your life in a way that works for you - that way you'll stick with it.

If you restrict your calories too much and workout too hard, you're more likely to get sick of the whole thing and go back to your old habits - which is what caused you to gain those 30 pounds in the first place. This is what most people do through dieting - so decide you're doing to do this RIGHT - and do it!