Any dieting tips for a beginner?

My main tip would be to not skip any meals. Make sure you have breakfast, because after not eating all night your body needs some nutrition and it'll kickstart your metabolism (skipping breakfast, on the other hand, slows down metabolism and may cause you to eat more later in the day). Also, I never go more than 3-5 hours without eating a meal or snack (healthy food though so your blood sugar doesn't do crazy spiking and crashing, aka high energy then naptime!), just to keep my body fuel consistent, energy high, and overeating later at bay. I agree, protein is great to help keep you satiated...I'm pescetarian, so just want to share that you don't have to just eat just meat, but nuts, egg whites, lentils/beans, yogurt, edamame, and fish are all great sources, too! .

Sorry, going on and on, I need to learn to write shorter answers! So my tips are to not skip meals, make healthier choices (more whole grains, fruits and veggies which are high in fiber and lots of vitamins, and protein), cut down on processed foods and sugar, and drink enough water...hope this helps!

:flowerforyou: Welcome!:flowerforyou:
I don't use with the drinks on a regular basis but they come in handy if I'm rushed in the morning. Like others have already said--you MUST have breakfast! I get the store brand--MUCH cheaper!

Eat LOTS of fresh foods and don't go too low on calories--1200 a day AT LEAST!

Here are some good threads to check out:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/23912-links-in-mfp-you-want-to-read-again-and-again

I have them bookmarked so I CAN go back and read them again and again!:laugh:

Thank you all, the advice you've given me is all great and really helpful :]. My Calorie Counter on here says that I should have 1200 Calories a day, so I'm trying to shoot for that, but I cook all my meals at home pretty much from scratch, so it is hard to know exactly how many Calories I'm getting!

I do a lot of home cooking, too. I put my ingredients into a recipe analyzer (I use the one at nutritiondata.com) and then enter the results into My Foods here. Gives a pretty good idea of the calories!

Thanks for the tips! Does V8 cost very much? I'll look at it next time I go to the store. I have heard a lot of people say it tastes good and is great for your body.

Most stores have their own brand of vegetable juice. I use the one sold at Safeway and I can't tell much of a difference.

Good luck on your journey to a healthier you!:flowerforyou:

Here's my standard "Welcome aboard" post. Good stuff,,,

This is easy - here's all ya' gotta do:

Cook smart, lotsa good filling stuff. Some fruits, lotsa veggies, some grains-cereals, some starchy stuff, some lean meat. Almost nothing fried (and certainly nothing batter dipped & deep fried), and very very little pastry/cakey stuff.

Count your calories accurately with the food guide here, and stay as close to your calorie allowance as you reasonably can. If you cook properly you shouldn't be too uncomfortable on the calorie allowance MFP will give you.

Get some exercise - work that gym, walk a little every day, something - that's a huge help. Remember to log your exercise and eat at least some (I eat most) of your exercise calories. Exercise is a self-feeding phenomenon. If you push yourself to do just a little today (it's supposed to be hard,,, it's exercise ) then you'll feel better about it and it'll be easier to do it again tomorrow. Then in a week you'll be able to do more, and it'll start to get fun. In a year you might be running 10k's,,, it's up to you.

And drink your water!

That's it, piece o' cake. Wife and I have been doing it for about a year now and we've done well. Lost over 100 pounds between us, and we're in much better shape.""

I homecook just about everything too. Use the recipe analyzers these guys have pointed out, and then punch your stuff into the database and it'll be there for you next time. I probably have a dozen of my faves in "My Foods".

Piece of cake, you can do it.