New - 5'2 and 226lbs!

pensierobello

I recently joined as a precursor to going to see a dietician in a couple of months - I've struggled with my weight since bullying in primary school and now I really want to make a concerted effort to get to 14.5 stone by my 30th birthday next February. I'm currently at 16'2. 16'7 is the heaviest I've ever been (depressingly recently) but I'm slowly working on it. I had a life-changing accident a few years ago which has really set me back healthwise - I lost a ton in the immediate aftermath and then slowly comforted it back on, with various flare-ups contributing.

An exercise therapist told me that it's 80% nutrition and 20% exercise when it comes to weight loss, so I'm trying to be focused and think long-term. I don't want to deny myself anything, as I know that's a recipe for disaster, and I reckon it's everything in moderation, with additional exercise. I actually eat a lot of vegetables but I know I overdo it on carbs (just love rice, Vogel toast, and I used to be addicted to crisps, and I'm a total cheese fiend). I've also got into bad late night snacking habits, and my workplace is rife with cake - I've put on 1.5 stones since starting there!

However, myfitnesspal is freaking me out - for instance, today I went for a cup of tea and had a slice of orange polenta cake and MFP is telling me it's 600 calories! Obviously that's an estimate, not knowing what's gone into it or what a slice is, but it's telling me I need to eat 1400 a day before exercise (and I don't trust MFP's calorie burns for the stuff I do do!). Today I only did a Pilates class so I seem to have run out of food already, even before dinner - I think today will have to be a 'go-over' day...

Anyway, I'm going to try and keep this up, and keep an eye on you guys for tips etc.

suejoker

Welcome to MFP! There are a lot of wonderful, supportive people here, so find your "weight loss tribe" and stick around:) I joined MFP at 5'0" & 220lbs. I didn't exercise at all. I only moved when it was absolutely necessary. I'm now at 177lbs. I get 100% of my nutrients from food and have room leftover for treats. I exercise at least 720 minutes/week & actually enjoy it!

The way I transitioned into a healthier lifestyle was to first focus on improving my eating habits. I just started eating more fruits & vegetables, without worrying about calories or fat. Then, I started working on meeting my calorie goal. Then, I started striving to get 100% of the recommended daily intakes of all of my nutrients. Small, achievable goals are the way to go, imo.

These are the 9 things that have helped me.

smile Maintain unconditional positive regard for yourself, no matter what
smile Show love and care for yourself, at every opportunity
smile Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small
smile Start where you're at (i.e. if you can only walk for 10 minutes, commit to walking 10 minutes/day)
smile Make small, easily achievable changes, when you are ready
smile Pair your strengths & passions with change objectives (i.e. if you like to dance, dance your booty off in your room)
smile Normalize setbacks and struggles
smile Create a strong support network
smile Acknowledge anniversaries of your change with your support network, to encourage maintenance

pensierobello

Hi Sue, thank you for replying That's wonderful, well done you! The therapist said I'm young and springy enough (ha) that if I lose sensibly it shouldn't affect my skin, even if I lose a fair amount, which is good news, but like you, although I'm aware that exercise isn't the main thing, it has to be factored in even just for the purposes of toning (hugely important, the idea of weight loss surgery or anything is so repellent to me).

Excellent advice - I'm trying to focus on having less carbs later in the day (hard!) and making sure I'm having some form of protein with vegetables. I'm not having too many problems meeting calorie goal if I don't snack on bad things (though nuts have turned out to be much more calorific than I thought!) but I haven't been eating out, which I know will change things.

Yeah, exactly re small goals - if I said 'I want to lose 100 pounds', that's totally unrealistic. Better to think small. Right now I'm just focused on getting under the 16 stone barrier again.

I love 'celebrate your milestones' and 'make small, achievable changes'. Thank you Sue!

serindipte

Live and learn.. now you know how many calories are in that treat. Next time, you may want to log first and then decide if it's truly worth the calories. These links are what helped me get going:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

If you aren't already using one, get and use a food scale. Weigh all solids. Measuring cups/spoons are not accurate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY
Neither is guessing:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1270280-food-weighing-scale-miracles

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide

JoanneLynn

Welcome to MFP. I'm 5.2 and taking small changes to lose weight. What helped me to continuously lose weight is to stay committed for the long term. I'm 55 and at 1200 calories I lose 0.8 pounds per week. I'm OK with that. I try not to eat out (high calorie and salt and really no way to count calories). I also leave 150 calories for dessert, so I don't feel deprived. For exercise I walk. I feel that I can keep walking for the rest of my life even when I'm 80. This is a long life change for me.
Here's a link to get you started. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

pensierobello

Thanks Joanne!