If you could give only one tip.....

lhaas24

for someone starting out, what would it be?

kristen6022

Stick with it. It didn't come on overnight and it's not going to come off overnight.

Water, Water, Water.

Identify your weaknesses, figure out if you can cut back and if you can't go cold turkey. Some foods trigger some people. If you can do without them, you'll be better off.

Mell00546

Watch for hidden calories and sodium

mydeloo78

If you are not hungry, food is not the answer.

If you bite it, write it.

smemilypfeif

Great question! I'm still starting out too, but so far, the best I can say is to keep at it - do it all the way - and you WILL see changes. Good luck!

dpjoyce1

I will give two....

Buy a scale and weigh things. What I found was that I thought things weighed more than they did. I found that I could have more (beef/chicken/etc) than I thought when I weighed it and I could enjoy it more because I wasn't stressing over the unknown.

Second...

Water, Water, Water.... I didn't buy into this at first but once I went and doubled my water intake the affects were tremendous.

jessicawrites

Find healthy things that make you happy. Exercise is easy to stick with you in a form you enjoy. Eating healthy doesn't feel like deprivation if it tastes good.

SamHughes15

If you bite it, write it.

haha i love this!

stick to it and don't be scared to treat yourself once in a while!
Its a lifestyle change not a diet!

wasveganvictoria88

Never under estimate the power of exercise

kayleesays

If you stop losing weight, up your calories. Don't be afraid to, either.

amanda8o

Don't get down on yourself if you have a bad day,we all fall sometimes just get back up and move forward

scapez

Get a (good/chest strap) heart rate monitor to record your exercise, don't rely on the numbers given by machines or MFP.

jaxdiablo

Wait, we're giving just the tip? How many girls actually fell for this in high school?

ElleOQuent

One tip is usually enough.

Unless...

CallieM15

Dont take the people in the "Chit Chat Fun and Games" forum seriously. Hahaha, We are horrible.

Edit: Actually... just make sure you have a sense of humor reading most of these forums.

Duck_Puddle

1. Patience, grasshopper.

2. Please get off the scale at the following times:
-after you binged
-TOM (if applicable)
-any other time you are within a day or two after doing/eating something outside your "norm"

Nothing good will come out of you getting on the scale at these times and no you didn't "gain" 4 lbs-I don't care what you ate.

3. Take a deep breath and relax. Eat better/less and move more and eventually It will happen. Refer to point #1.

4. If you are weak, tired, dizzy, faint, or suffering other malaise-eat something. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.

Scott_P

You need to eat to lose!

Railr0aderTony

log EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING,EVERYTHING, yes what you drink and ketchup and BBQ sauce, if it goes into your Body LOG IT.

Scott613

Drevious

It's easier if you eat the same thing every day in the beginning. Choose a breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks that you love and can look forward to but all meet your caloric and nutrition goals.

Beastette

it would be that it's never only the tip.

spankywife

Stop eating 2-3 hours before you go to bed at night.

MsMargie1116

for someone starting out, what would it be?

I have two that I preach relentlessly to my co-workers here at work doing the "Biggest Loser" competition:
- Log your foods, Log your foods, Log your foods... It's the only way you know what you are doing wrong if you have a gain, and the only way of knowing what you are doing right if you have a good loss!!!
- Don't run from the scale... Eventually, you'll have to weigh in, go ahead and get it over with and face the reality. Chances are, the reality isn't as bad as you had dreaded!!!

Aviendha_RJ

If you want to be LEAN, you HAVE to use weights.

Just cardio doesn't do it.

Good luck

NajahDaMuslimah

STAY WAY FROM POTATOES, WHITE BREAD, PASTAS, AND WHITE RICE! THESE ARE YOUR ENEMIES! DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. EVEN BETTER...ADD LEMONS TO YOUR WATER. YOU'D BE VERY SURPRISED WITH YOUR RESULTS!

RaeN81

Eat less and move more.

(P.S. The eat less means less calories than you were previously. Often, lower calorie foods can actually be more volume than calorie dense foods. ex. cheesecake versus veggies)

MsMargie1116

If you are not hungry, food is not the answer.

If you bite it, write it.

Haaa, and if you nibble it, scribble it!!! ;-D

TheChosenOne_

SQUATS!

Shannon2714

Wait, we're giving just the tip? How many girls actually fell for this in high school?

*Raises hand*

Tips:

1. Put away your scale. Try to stay away from it as long as possible.
2. Buy a food scale and good measuring devices.
3. MOVE....as much as possible.
4. Surround yourself with supportive, uplifting people.
5. Stay positive. This kind of change takes time.
6. Do it for YOU. If you do it for someone else, it won't last.

Feel free to PM me or Friend me!

Good luck!

Pedal_Pusher

Keep on keepin' on..........no matter what. Excuses are all bullshi t.

kimsue123

Don't drink your calories!