I don't know where to start - what's your advice?

FeelingLessChubby

Hello all I'll try to describe everything in a nutshell!

I'm 5'4'' tall, weighing about 70 kilos (154lbs) at the moment. My waist circumference is 39 inches and I've got a very big belly and very fat thighs, that's where all my weight lives.

Anyway, of course mine is one of those TYPICAL stories, I used to be a slim girl up to about 6 years ago, and then I moved to another country and the weight has piled on (different food etc). About 3 years ago I was at my heaviest, which was 73 kilos, and I went on a no-carb diet, not following any diet in particular, I just eliminated carbs as much as possible, and I lost 8 kilos very quickly. I've now gained it back to my current weight of 70 kilos.

I went back on this diet about a month ago, and nothing budged at all, there was no change whatsoever, and I know that because my clothes still feel like they're strangling me.

I have major motivation issues, and I absolutely hate the gym. I used to live so close to the gym that it was literally BEHIND my house, 12 steps away, and it was FREE, and I still didn't go beyond the first 2 weeks. I travel by bus to work and back and I thought I may simply get off the bus on my way home to allow for a brisk 30 minute walk about 3 times a week or so, this has NOT worked out so far due to the fact that things come up after work that I have to attend to (appointments etc) and also the weather has been horrid, and who wants to walk home in pouring rain and gale winds when you don't have to...

I have a VERY good relationship with food, and my biggest problem is that I can eat quite a lot before I feel full and satisfied, so my portions are pretty big. When I try smaller portions I find it's really hard to ignore my stomach asking "where's the rest of it?"

I eat fast food VERY rarely, I mean like 2 times a year, Subway maybe twice a month, chips about the same, but I love potatos and bread. Sweets I find hard to resist, but I keep 75% dark chocolate at my desk at work that I eat about 2 squares at a time if I feel a craving. Rest of the time, when I want something sweet, I eat fruit yogurt.

So I don't know what to do with the food, especially what to do about portion size (is it better to reduce slowly or quickly), and I don't know how to get on doing exercise stuff. Most of the time I feel like I can't be bothered. Any starter tips would be appreciated )

fiberartist219

My advice is to start slowly.

First things first, find out how many calories you've been eating and how much you've been working out. Use MFP for this and don't worry about the amount of calories they want to you eat for the first few weeks. Just keep track of what your normal habits are.

Then, after you have a rough idea of what you have been doing, adjust slowly. Reduce your eating by 200 calories each day. So, if you normally had been eating 2000 calories a day, the next week try to get an average of 1800 calories a day.

Same with working out. Just increase the amount you workout by a few minutes each day. It doesn't have to be at the gym and it doesn't have to be anything formal. Just get up and do something each day. For me, it was helpful to start out by going for a walk around the neighborhood every other day. Then, I started to do a bit of jump rope in the garage for 10 minute here or there. The idea isn't that you need to get worn out each time... at least not yet. The idea is that you want to make it a habit.

Exercise and eating right are easier if they are fun, but they don't have to be. Exercise is like brushing your teeth. It doesn't matter if it's fun or not. You just do it because it's part of taking care of yourself and after awhile it just becomes a habit that you don't think about anymore.

Vicks1978

I was exactly the same.

I got myself a pedometer and now walk a few times a week, some days better than others, I still get the bus every now and then cos I have to walk past the bus stop! or due to weather etc but its a start and more than i was doing before.

I hate going to gyms/swimming due to confidence issues so for me I am now making an effort at home behind closed doors.
I am doing the 30 day shred vids on youtube on my smart tv. you could also watch off a laptop.

They are only 20 mins long. I stick my salmon in the oven and potatoes on and whilst i wait for my dinner, I do 30 day shred.
before you know it the time has passed. I find jillian michaels so inspiring and the things she says motivate me.

also i make playlists in youtube of my favourite songs and just dance around my living room! if you don't like working out, something like dancing is more fun and doesn't feel like exercise.

brit_ks_89

eat some more protein (or amp it up)
dont have chocolate at your desk - i know it really hard , i work at a place where chocolate is everywhere, you have to have will power for that! i have a big o' sweet tooth ! i eat a small amout of fruit through the day to curve it and veggies help too!
I DONT LIKE THE GYM either - in fact, i dont go ! i work out at home - doing work out videos, using hand weights, youtube and whatever else is around! you can do it !

inspiration wont find you , you have to find it !

kayl3igh88

My main tip is to weigh everything, and log everything. Honesty is key. Eat whatever you want, and log it. You will automatically begin tweaking things that you like that aren't so great, to things that you like that are a little better. It takes a long time for those of us who have had no clue as to what 'eating healthy' really is. As for exercise, walk or cycle to work. Take a walk on your lunch break. There are no good excuses, and you need to remember that. You don't have to go to the gym either, YouTube is mecca for workout vids. Have an XBOX with Kinect, or PlayStation Move, or a Wii?? Get some exercise games and use that. Have a garden that needs doing? House that would benefit from a good ol' cleaning blitz? The possibilities are endless..