Been here before...back again..with more to loose now..

kids3arewe

Ok I had signed up on her a while ago and then had never followed through with it. Actually I have gained more weight since then even...I am a single mom of a hyperactive 9 yr old boy and 2 older children who do not live at home anymore... I have a lot of stress in my life and find that i am eating my way through my stress. I need to lose weight to be healthier, and to be able to be there for my kids...I don't have any idea as to where i should start or what to do first....i know that i need to eat better and i need to exercizse more... My son plays sports and we are out about 4 nights a week with that...

I have a lot going against me...I am poor..( LOL), i dont have alot of money to put into weight loss, i have some health issues, but I need and want to do it...
Any sugesstions or ideas that anyone has I welcome....

Thank you in advance for your support and help

LaPetite3

Start by buying more fruits and vegetables and less sweets and salty snacks. You can also prepare some healthy meals with your son together, that can be really fun! Try out doing some sports with your kid, if you have got a backyard you can play tag or jump rope. You can make a kind of competition with that, I'm sure this will be very motivating. Also try out some cycling tours with your family!
Also pick up a day weekly in which you relax and think about the reasons for you stress and how to handle them or even solve them. Try to be optimistic, not just for you, but for your whole family!
Avoid sitting around at home and just think about your problems, go outside, visit a park or go jogging.. Avoid to buy your food in restaurants, too! This is a killer! Eat carot sticks instead, or aples, strawberries, etc.

And one other thing: It's not a shame to be poor, and it's also not necessary to put money into weight loss! As you read, there a many other ways.

Best wishes and good luck!

nczuczu

I typed up a nice long response earlier, but then my computer crapped out on me. There is no reason why you can't get healthy on a tight budget. You need to eat anyway and it's just a matter of what and how much you eat.

First thing you need to do is be aware of how much you are eating and what a portion is. If you don't have a food scale, then use measuring cups and "eyeballing" the portion for meat. Thinking back to my Richard Simmons days, a 4 oz portion of meat is roughly the same size as the palm of your hand. A portion of rice, pasta and potatoes would be 1/2 cup. Fill up your plate with lots of veggies (frozen veggies are very reasonable, if you can't afford fresh).

Shop at Aldi's or something similar, if you have near you. You can get good quality, yet cheap foods. Try not to fill up on boxed/canned items as these are loaded with preservatives and sodium. Get fresh produce (if you can afford it), lean meats (chicken, lean beef, port chops, etc) and dairy.

Try to eat every 2 hours, even if it is just a yogurt, an ounce of nuts or some string cheese. This will help keep you from feeling hungry all the time.

Get out and exercise as much as you can. Even just walking around while your son is involved in sports. This might be a really good idea for you since he is supervised.

I have been overeating for 30 years. It is only now that I am taking care of myself. I wished I had started years ago as now I have type 2 diabetes, higher cholesterol, and high blood pressure. I have to be frugal with my money since there hasn't always been a ton of it. Best of luck to you! You can do it, but it will take hard work, determination and time.

Send me a friend request, if you'd like.

Gigsluvscw

Hi! My biggest obstacle seems to be patience. In this "instant" world we live in, my brain gets frustrated that something I want as much as this (losing weight) takes a long time. Sooooooo, so if you go into it knowing you'll still be doing it a year from now, helps. Work on your brain first. Then start slow. I found that eating is like exercising. You can't start off running a 5K/lifting heavy/a hour of high intensity aerobics etc, so it's unrealistic/unfair to yourself to eat 100% healthy 100% of the time in the beginning. Have a glass of water between diet sodas/crystal lights, omit the cheese from your salad, eat a salad with your pizza instead of just pizza, etc.

As for exercise... Start that slowly also... If you take your son to practice/games early, maybe while he is warming up, you do to. Walk around the parking lot, slowly walk up and down the bleachers, whatever works with your surroundings. You may never know, others might end up joining you.

I understand the money being tight. I went to Amazon and EBay and found some inexpensive workout DVDs (I love Leslie Sansone). Just buy one at a time.... Start out with a beginner one and while you're using and strengthening up to it, start saving and researching for the next one.

Hope some of this help. Hang in there. Remember... It doesn't get easier. You get better!!!