Here's my story . . . I NEED help!

msbvet

I was in your same boat in January, same height as you, except I weighed more. Nothing motivated me to eat better, and every day I'd say "tomorrow I'll exercise, eat better" etc. 6 months later I'm down 38 pounds.

Everybody is different, but for me, this is what has been working:

-Gym 3-5 times a week, and because I don't like going, I either bring a book or watch the tv, and it makes time fly. Days off from the gym I try to do something outside, mow the lawn, rake, go for a walk.. etc.

-If you think in terms of "diet" and cut everything you love out, then you're bound to fail because it sucks, and it's hard to stick to. Instead, I chose to exercise portion control, and buy healthier versions of what I like. For example, skim milk is tasty after you get used to it. I don't drink soda anymore because I find it too sweet, instead I drink flavored seltzer, which is very refreshing. Also I started buying frozen healthy lunches to monitor my calorie intake, and complimented those with lots of fresh fruit. Make sure you eat breakfast!

-Lastly, don't get rid of the sweets completely! For me, I love those little Lindt chocolates. If I go to the gym, I reward myself with ONE Lindt. Satisfying, and it makes me happy .

Buy a scale. Once you can see the results, that is enough motivation to continue. And allow yourself a cheat day. Don't go out and eat everything under the sun, but have the hamburger or steak that you've been craving, and don't feel guilty about it. The next day, go back to your routine . Routine is key.

Good luck

Dudagarcia

I lived in Murfreesboro for five years.

All of the advice above is good.

Personally, I'm not friendly. This is how I motivate...

A Meathead's Guide to Low Calories
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/649719-a-meathead-s-guide-to-low-calories

When You Cry... They Win. (Ameliorated Version)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/640195-when-you-cry-they-win-ameliorated-version



Gc thank u

8 Myths about Self-Defense Training
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/639236-8-myths-about-self-defense-training

Gym Etiquette: Things that make you go Mutha#&$ker
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/642261-gym-etiquette-things-that-make-you-go-mutha-ker

My first Zumba Class (Video Footage)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/644761-my-first-zumba-class-video-footage

Food: Why are we so Defensive?
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/651150-food-why-are-we-so-defensive

SteffieSunshine

This is a great start! There is more support here than anyone could ask for.

We are all in this together!

barbaracoffing

Sounds like you've hit rock bottom and now here's where you need to be! That's where I was...sick and tired of being sick and tired! The more friends you have, the more support and the more you use this site and learn to love to exercise, the more you will lose! Feel free to add me if you like! Believe it or not once you wean yourself off of sweets, you won't crave them anymore....I iuse to be a sweet addict too!

Vercell

You can do this. I am a wife and mother of 4 kids and I work full time and I pack my lunch everyday with healthy food choices. Find yourself books on healthy eating, look on the web for information, just takes a little extra time you worth it you can do it. We give ourself so many excuses why we can not. I started out at 220 in 2006 I have been struggling for 6 yrs to get down to my goal weight of 150. I am at 180 lbs. I only been losing a 1lb a week but am okay with that. Just take little steps. I workout 6 days a week and I keep my calories at 1300 to 1500 calories a day. I give myself 1 cheat day cause I love sweets to, but the more good food you give your body the less you will crave sweets, I can testify to this I use to go threw 5 bags of gummy bears and a bag reese cups and eat it all in 1 day. If you would like you can add me I no how hard it is I fight everyday but its the best fight of your life.

thescrumisfun

You CAN do it. I am 5'3" and 189 pounds, down from 195. Before I joined MFP, I was at about 200. The only reason I have been losing is because I am in training for the upcoming rugby season...and I have never cared about my health that much until now, when I've realized my fitness can only help my team .

Sweets and carbs are also my biggest downfall. I work them into my calories; if you can't treat yourself, you might end up over-doing it. Take everything one day at a time. Instead of talking yourself into why it's okay to eat the bad food, talk yourself into why it's not okay to eat it. Also, try and measure everything out, and start cooking as much as you can. It might be a huge pain in the butt, however, you will realize how much filling, nutritious food you can eat once you start to cook and measure. Stick with serving sizes, and learn to tell yourself no. It sucks at first, but the less you eat of sweets and such, the less you will crave them. I actually was eating my allotted chocolate the other day, and put it back, simply because I didn't want it anymore. Also, I log everything, and I'm strict about it.

As for healthy food being expensive...that, in part, is true. However, my family is being assisted with food stamps right now, and we're managing to buy healthy food and fresh fruits and vegetables. Just know where to look, what you want to eat, and when it's on sale.

Don't give up on yourself. You're worth it!

ShioriAilill

You've done a good first step and a lot of people have already mentioned a lot of good advice. I am in a similar boat as I'm 26, 5'3" and my heaviest was 220. Here are my two cents.

Learn to cook. The quick and easy stuff (both the fast food drive through and frozen meals) tend to be full of crap. I've even noticed that once I stopped eating this stuff and was trying to eat more healthy foods I felt less lethargic and bleh after meals. If your parents are nearby and one of them knows cooking, ask for their help on cooking and making meals. Some things can be expensive at the store but there are plenty of things that are healthy that are within your budget. It might mean that you don't have any fish but tuna in a can, can only buy chicken thighs, and have to be really picky with what red meat you get, but there are plenty of recipes so that you're eating a variety of meals that you won't get tired of after awhile. Ground meat isn't all that bad just try and get the leanest you can afford (don't go before 80% meat) and brown it before putting it with anything so you can drain as much of the fat off as possible. If you have a farmers market go to it. You'll get great food and prices normally aren't that bad. If they are, ask for the "seconds" aka the produce that they have that's slightly damaged. They're still good to cook with, you'll get them at a cheaper price, the only negative is that you'll want to use it that night. As for recipes there are TONS online for both healthy and on a budget just look them up.

Walking is a great exercise and people have lost weight by doing only that. Perhaps make it a new bonding time with your dogs by walking everyday (or every other day or however you want to start) with them?

As for the scale. Weighing yourself can be a good thing, it can also be a bad thing. It only shows one aspect of getting healthy. I've seen people on here getting obsessed with the number on the scale and get to the point of weighing themselves multiple times a day and letting the number they see dictate their mood/mental state etc. I at first weighed myself every day. I stopped this when I noticed I would be getting really upset when I saw the number rise for multiple days in a row even if the total was less than a pound. There is water weight to consider and your body fluctuates a lot. I now weigh myself once a week. Also I suggest measuring yourself and using a mirror so even if the needle doesn't budge, you can notice the difference that is still happening and feel good about yourself.

A lot of text, I know, but don't do everything on here at once. Little slow steps are better than big fast ones in this case. You'll get there! As someone on this site said, "The weight came on because of years of bad habits, it's going to take time to correct it."

Good luck to you! :flowerforyou: