Need to be motivated

lattyrich

Hi all I am on a journey to lose some weight and tone some muscles. I don't want to go to a gym because I really cannot afford one at this time in my life. I do not work out as often as I'd like. Actually I hardly work out at all, when I do I would go for a brisk walk and /or jogging. I feel like if I had some company then it would be different. I am motivated when I have someone there to support me and right now I don't.
I want to attain my ideal weight of 130 and I am currently regulating my diet. I am eating, max, 1200 cals. per day and try not to exceed that limit. However, it is quite hard maintaining a 1200 cal diet, I just officially start yesterday. I want to keep it up because I hope to lose 20 pounds by the end of March. I think that's realistic!!
Am I being too extreme with this or is it ok?
Thank you

Athena125

Hi Lattyrich,
If I could start over again, I would eat normal (like how I was before the diet) for a week and log everything. Then I would have some sort of starting point to work from. I could see how much I could eat and stay the same (not gain or lose).

Then from there, I would exercise everyday, aiming to burn at least 300 calories. I'd also cut out 200 to 300 calories to see if I started losing weight. Then each week I wasn't losing weight, I'd cut another 100 or so calories.

In the meantime, I'd start replacing processed foods with whole foods (make eggs with veggies instead of eating cereal; make a tuna salad with olive oil instead of mayo; replace chips with celery for dipping, etc.).

If you are eating out a lot and/or eating pre-packaged foods, it is so hard to eat 1200 calories. But if you start adding whole foods it is easier to do. Also, eat more protein b/c it will fill you up way better than carbs.

You can look at my diary for ideas.

Again, I wish I would have taken my own advice because I'm a little stuck right now trying to figure out how many calories my body really needs.

tracyburkee

Feel free to add me!!! I'm on here all the time....I give good feedback and motivation, but I like it in return!!!