How to start?

dmhat6278

This is my second attempt and I want to get it right this time...what has worked for you to get started? One little change at a time? Do you plan all your meals ahead? Do you set mini-goals? Any ideas would be appreciated.

mnec2010

hey! I don't necessarily plan meals in advance; I don't really have a whole lot of time for that. However, whatever I feel like having, I usually log it first to see the calorie count and then decide if its worth it, how many portions I am able to have etc. For example, if I feel like having a treat, I usually log it, see what comes up, and then seeing '500' cals often makes me change my mind! If Im having a salad for dinner, ill log the ingredients so that I know if its super low in calories, I can have a little extra. I find that works rather than logging AFTER you eat. If you do have time, it might be best to plan meals in advance, but like I said, usually that doesn't work for me, but everyone is different! Just try not to go over your calorie intake, and exercise whenever you can and you will start seeing results!!

papa5280

For me, the biggest determinant was the decision that this is for real. Once I made that commitment to myself, there could be no half-way attempt. To me, that's just a way of giving yourself an out when it gets challenging.

So, for me, the keys are:

1) Decide if this is something you really want to do, to become someone you really want to be.
2) Stock up on the right foods and give away the bad foods that you know you can't resist.
3) Plan your breakfast and lunch...for me dinner usually isn't a problem if I've been working hard at being good all day.

4) This one works for me, but may not work for everyone...Remember that hunger isn't the enemy. That pang you feel means that your body is burning fat, which is a new habit for it. Embrace the hunger. Celebrate it.

garlic7girl

I do a little of both...I plan most but I also keep quick healthy foods for times when life gets crazy. For example, I keep a lot of frozen veggies in the freezer...helps a lot.

Missmaggieann

I am doing the South Beach diet and I plan my meals ahead of time. I log them ahead in the food diary to insure that I will meet my calorie goal, this also helps me shop for that week. I work 12hr days so having pre packaged food makes it easier to stay on track and not have to 'wing it'

Hope this helps.

MB_Positif

I decided to spend a couple of months getting a handle on eating before trying to implement regular exercise into my life. I felt like doing things one at a time was a safer bet than trying to add too many new things to my life at one time! Good luck! Add me as a friend if you'd like!

TromaRon

I just treat it like a game. Every day I finish under my calories, I win. I also log my calories before I eat them. Sometimes it helps me change what I'm going to eat before it's too late.

NoAdditives

When I first started I did everything in steps. For the first week I focused on meeting my calorie goal. I was undereating big time but it's a good place to start no matter what your eating habits are. Then I focused on meeting my macro nutrient goals. I figured out where I could cut fat, increase protien, etc. After that I made a point of getting junk food, sweets and soda out of my diet. Once I was at that point I was still making minor adjustments to my diet, switching out white carbs for whole grains, getting as much organic as possible, etc.

I found it to be a lot easier to make changes in steps rather than all at once, it was less overwhelming. Sometimes I find planning my meals a day in advance makes things easier for me. I'm a stay at home mom and sometimes trying to think of what to eat is tricky. Planning is also good when you're making lunches to take to work or school. I never set mini-goals because my goal isn't specifically weight loss (even though I have a fair amount to lose) it's overall health. When I was losing weight (I'm pregnant now) I was eating at a calorie deficit and I was exercising 5 days a week but my focus was never on being a specific weight or on being skinny. I have a weight range that's right for my height and body type and I'll know I've met my goal when I can fit into my old clothes and have a healthy body fat percentage. So while seeing the number on the scale go down is encouraging, so is seeing the inches drop. I never felt like I needed specific rewards, my progress was enough.

gsenriquez

Logging what I eat helps a lot. It makes me aware what food is high in calories. I can also use the app to pre-log my food so I can plan ahead. As for the exercise, it makes me physically good seeing that I pit in some type of exercise a day. I don't exercise 7 days a week but when I started I used to exercise 2x a week...now I exercise 5x a week and I make sure I have 2 days to rest my body.

Troll

I don't plan meals ahead, because i eat A, B, or C foods pretty much every day (boring, i know).

Setting big AND little goals along the way keeps me on track. But when i fall off the wagon and take too long of a break (ahem....like a few month ago's ice cream incident....) finding a too-tight pair of jeans or a shirt is enough to get me back on track.

Like, right now- i have two weeks before i try on my wedding dress. I want another half-to one inch off my hips. I know this means i have to step up my cardio in addition to my normal weight routine. My mini goal, then, is less salt tomorrow than i had today. Try to drink a gallon of water at least every other day. Do at least one hour of cardio a day, and just to be sure-i'm trying to walk my dogs longer when i take them out.

By the holidays i want to be down to the teens in body fat percentage. Meaning the steps i take today will get me closer tomorrow. Having a goal, even if it;'s just a goal for the next hour of my day, keeps me focused.

chrissaucier

This is also my second attempt. First time wasn't serious enough about logging ALL food chioces and left out exercise- thought I could do it withput exercising-silly girl that I am. Now game on! I view exercise as my ability to have extra food chioce- no exercise no food, hmmmm no brainer. Feel free to friend me, we can do this together!!1