Where to start???

Today is Day 2 of my being "back at it."

Had a mortifying discussion with my hubby on Wednesday who was concerned about how much weight I'd gained, especially with my family history of diabetes. He pointed out that we want to start a family at the end of next year, and that getting pregnant/being pregnant, etc. could be hard if I'm at this weight or higher.

I am at my highest weight ever (236) and am overwhelmed.

I am trying to take it one day, one MEAL at a time, but **for those of you doing awesome, how did you start out?** What were the first changes you made? How did you begin to implement the healthy habits? What exercise/how much exercise did you begin with? I just need some direction....

Replies

  • Hi there,

    So sorry to hear of your struggle with weight. It's a hard thing for most of us. I decided to join Beachbody as a coach (www.bbcoachkim.com) and joined in a challenge group on Facebook (Beachbody Coach Kim). It's a secret group where we share before and after pics, and weigh-ins and measurements every Monday. Let me know if you want to join. There are plenty of workout programs to choose from, as well as Shakeology (www.weightsimplified.com). I am doing TurboFire and Shakeology right now! They are both really awesome!



    Whatever you choose, I wish you the absolute best!! You deserve to be happy and healthy!! :)

    ~Kim :)
  • prokomds
    prokomds Posts: 318 Member
    You'll probably get an overload of advice here... just try and take it with a grain of salt. Start with some easy changes before making it more difficult on yourself

    Firstly, if you're here, I'm guessing you're going to track all the food you eat. Do that for a couple days without worrying too much about all the MFP settings and numbers and everything. Gives you a good idea of where you are now. Do a little reading on BMR and TDEE and find out how many calories per day are appropriate for you to lose weight in a steady, but not rushed way (if you think eating as little as possible is the right path, keep reading. 1200 calories a day is probably not the answer).

    To start out, do whatever exercise you enjoy. You need to stick with it, so find something fun. As you start to get more serious about it, you can add more challenging things. Keep in mind generally that strength training + cardio is vastly better than just cardio. Personally, I love tennis and volleyball, even though I'm pretty appalling at both. Some people love Zumba and other dance-based exercise

    People might list a hundred specifics, but start with things that work for you, and add more when you're comfortable. Best of luck!
  • hauer01
    hauer01 Posts: 516 Member
    Welcome back. You are at the same place I was 8 months ago. I was 236 and just didn't know where to start. I did log my food for 1 week and eat like normal, just to see what it told me. Well, it told me that I ate a lot of pre-made, high sodium, high fat foods. So I made a deal with myself. Once a week, try to make a new wholesome recipie. I didn't dive in full force, I dipped my toe in the water. I started walking every morning before work.

    Soon, my "try a new recipie every week" became a regular thing. I found so many foods that I just loved that were good for me. Then I added more excerize to my day, I still walk every morning, but then I also work out about 5 days a week in the evening. Before I knew it, the weight was just falling off of me.

    I just noticed today, that when I started MFP, I picked a rediculous goal weight, one I thought that I would never obtain, but a goal non the less. Today, I noticed that I was 1 lb away. Today, I changed that goal weight, because now this is a lifestyle and I know that I can become much healthier and could stand to lose another 20 lbs.

    Just take it one day at a time and move when ever you can. If you are cooking dinner, turn on some music and dance while you are doing it. If you have some spare time, go for a walk or put in an old exercise DVD. Before you know it, you'll be craving that personal time that you have with yourself when you are working out. On my days "off" I actuallly wish I was working out, but I know that some days my body needs a rest.

    I wish you luck! You are here, so that is an awesome start! You have asked for help, so that is a great next step. You are well on your way to having all of the pieces fit together.