This is really hard for me...

You can do it! Break it down in steps. Maybe start by swapping some of the unhealthy food with healthier choices. Try different fruits and vegetables and grains (quinoa, brown rice, whole grain pasta). Learn healthy recipes and learn what you like so you have the tools you will need to be successful. Don't forget that there are frozen vegetables and fruits for when you're short on time. Keep some of these options at hand.

Also, as others have suggested, reduce calories slowly over time. Let your body adjust. This is a marathon, not a Sprint.

Finally, start exercising. Try different routines- any is better than none, and consistency is key. You will get better every week that goes by. Ask your friends to do things that are more active like going on a light hike, going dancing, or taking an exercise class.

And remember that you're great and you deserve to have a healthy body. If you set small goals that don't involve the scale, like exercising 4 days a week or eating 5 servings of fruit and vegetables each day for a week they will add up.

Good luck- many have walked this path and you can too!

you really are a pretty girl!
This site is FILLED with people who are or were heavier than you and felt that they couldn't do it, and they did. Sometimes it was easy, sometimes it was hard, and other times it was actually FUN, but i bet every single person here who has started to lose weight is shocked that they could do it. and guess what? They are no more special than you are....
which means, you can lose weight too.

as someone else said, dont look at how much you need to lose in total. look at a much smaller goal. say 20lbs. That's it... just enough to have your clothes fit well or maybe loose. that may even be a new pants size (everyone is different).

lots of people here don't have gym memberships. You can walk and youtube has lots of videos. Check out some zumba.

and for whatever reason why you don't like veggies, and even if that never changes, you still mentioned a few that you do like and that's plenty. start with those and plenty of fruit. there's lots of food that is not high calorie, but delicious and filling.

good luck dear. i can't wait to see your progress.

I just have one thing to add to everyones amazing advice----don't look at the big picture, it's easier to look at the small victories such as a 5 lb loss then it is to swallow having to lose 50 lbs. You can do this!

I agree with the great advice people have given you but most of all I agree with this ^^^! It is so discouraging to think "OMG, I need to lose 80lbs (which is what I started out needing to get rid of)" Or "I want to be a size 14 but I am currently a 24... a size 14 is SO far away!". Break it down into small goals - 5 or 10lbs at a time, one size at a time. Reward yourself - get your nails done, a pedicure, a small sparkley piece of jewelry or something else that you like... NOT food! There are days when I feel just as fat as when I started but yet, I am down three sizes. When I feel gross and discouraged, I try to remember that 9 months ago, I couldnt put on a size 18 to save my life! There are still days when you will look at yourself and cry, there are days where all you will want is a pint of Ben and Jerry's and a plate of brownies but with the help of your mfp friends and hopefully those around you, someday you will want it SO bad, but you wont have it because you realize how you feel is more important that the way it tastes. I still have yet to be able to turn down a fabulous, gourmet cupcake or really fine chocolate... well, any chocolate for that matter. However, I have learned to eat one cupcake and let it go. I can have one or two pieces of chocolate and move on. It is hard, that is no lie. It will never be easy but it is so wonderful to be able to paint your own toenails or tie your shoes without feeling like you are going to die. It's also great to kiss the Women's/Plus section goodbye. I am not there yet.... pretty soon. I dont want to be skinny either. I am working on a size 14, that is skinny enough for me. I may feel differently once I get there but I for now, I am ok with a 14. You can do it, you are young, beautiful, and it sounds like you WANT to change. Feel free to add me if you like! There is a ton of support and info on this website. USE IT! Good luck! :flowerforyou:

Honey, you are beautiful no matter what.. You have made the first step by posting here today.. Feel free to add me as a friend... 2 years ago I was a 26/28 pant and a 3/4x pant... Today I am proud to say I have lost 126 pounds with 33 to go... You will get there honey..

I'm 25 years old, 5'9", and well, we won't discuss how much I weigh...but I'm a size 28. I've been fat my entire life. Not once was I able to shop in the Junior's department, or even the Misses... Straight to the Fat Girl section I go. I'd say around 90% of my family is overweight.

I've tried losing weight several times. I do the low carb, and I end up wanting sweets. I do the low calorie, and I feel like I'm starving at times.

I'm tired of being the "pretty fat girl" that everyone is friends with and nobody wants. I'm tired of looking in the mirror and literally crying almost every single time I see myself naked. I'm an amazing person on the inside, and deep down I know it, but this extra weight keeps me from shining...know what I mean? It's so upsetting.

I don't even want to be skinny. I'd just like to drop down to like a size 20. I could live with that. I just don't know where to begin. I'm incredibly busy, I don't have a gym membership because they cost me an arm & a leg. I don't eat raw vegetables. I literally almost throw them up every single time. (There's a long, sad story behind that, but we won't go there) I can deal with some cooked like onions, celery, carrots, green beans, peas, broccoli...

I need motivation. A swift kick in the booty. I WANT to get into better shape. Does anyone have advice, or words of encouragement, ways to exercise on the run, simple steps that'd make an impact on losing weight? ANYTHING? Help me out here!

Sorry this is completely random. I don't really know what to say. I just want to know that there's other people currently in my shoes, or that have been in my shoes. I don't wanna feel like I'm alone.

Thanks guys!
Heather

Heather,
You are not alone. I have been there too. I have lost 93 lbs. so far, but I must confess that I had weight loss surgery. The other tools at my disposal were not working for me. Obesity really is a struggle that is genetic in many cases. Don't beat yourself up. Just start logging and you will find MFP has a lot of really supportive people from all backgrounds.

Good Luck, feel free to friend me.

Miriah

You are home now. This is one really nice internet family with lots of help and experience. I'm pretty new. I told MyFitnessPal my weight and it told me how many calories I got. I went with it and lost weight. When you exercise and eat, log it in. Be honest and log in all the food, even when you go over. Log in all the exercise, too. MyFitnessPal gives you more calories to eat based on how many calories you burn exercising. I walk or ride my bike at least 4 out of 7 days. I eat some of the calories I burn exercising, but not all. I lost ten pounds, and they reduced my calories to fit the "new" me. (I have MANY pounds to go. My clothes are getting loose, but I haven't dropped a whole size yet.) I eat the foods I want, but I measure what I eat and add the calories for every bite. We had measuring cups already but they were shaped funny and inconvenient to use so I bought some different ones that are easier. I also bought a digital scale from Amazon to weigh meat and such. If you can't afford one now, get the measuring cups and save up for the digital scale. It really helps. Come to the MFP site and chat with these nice people whenever you need encouragement, or to visit with people who are also working at getting healthier.

hey Heather,

I'm also 25 and 've been overweight my entire life as well, so I know the feeling of having to shop in the XXXXXXXL section... including mens clothing as well = (. i got teased about it a lot when growing up, but eventually became immune to it all.

I can safely say I no longer have to clothe myself in mens garments (thank gosh!) but I am still far from the 'fit' image i want to have. i have a family history of diabetes, and im not going to let myself follow that same path.

Add me as a friend as well! We need all the support and motivation we can get = )

Here to support you! You can do it!

My 2 sense about diet & fitness:

I have tried various diets and eating plans as well. I have found that a vegan diet (heavy on the produce low on bread) plus calorie counting is the best way to manage your weight. Since I became a vegan it is much harder to gain weight, and much easier to lose with the help of calorie counting and a little exercise. Also, we all know deep down that dairy products are the real diet killers!

Any workout is better than none. I try to do a minimum of 20 minutes cardio (not including warm-up and cool down) 5 days a week. Just say to yourself, in 25 minutes I will be headed towards a hot shower! 25 minutes then done!

We all mess up, you will have days when your diet goes out the window. You can always get back on track! It's never too late and you're never too far gone. Each time you go off your diet or eat something you shouldn't, take a moment to recommit to your fitness plan

I wish you the best!

Damn I love this site,
Thanks to all who have posted!

Hi there Heather!! We even have the same name!!
I am 26...I think I was skinny up until maybe 4th grade and I started putting weight on. I was 260ish in high school. By the time I was in college I was 312 pounds. I am 5 feet 7...my clothing size was 26 almost 28. I know how you feel!!
When I was about 22 my first boyfriend suggested I get a lap band. Yea kind of rude...I dumped him. I started doing Curves. Gyms are very expensive! But I did Curves for a year all the while also doing workout dvds at home. After almost a year I quit Curves, just do dvds now. I find this to be cheaper, and it is available anytime I want. It fits my schedule not the other way around! I did a few classes at a Zumba gym, but their classes didn't fit around my work schedule. I would be out of work at 5 and have to be stuck waiting until 6:30 for class to start and I'd still have to drive half an hour to get home. I prefer dvds. I can find them cheap even at thrift shops and I have a nice little collection, so I never get bored. They have all different levels, I started out with Leslie Sanson walking for like 20 minutes a mile.
I slowly adjusted my diet. I just count calories...I started this on sparkpeople and just ate the calories set up according to my account. I slowly improved my diet. I found healthy things that I like to eat, and don't eat things I don't like. I don't like cottage cheese but I will eat greek yogurt. I don't like red meats, but I will eat chicken or turkey. I like red peppers and romaine lettuce but sometimes I won't touch tomatoes and get confused at all of the veggies at the store. You will find things you like to eat!
And I don't deprive myself. I just watch my portions. On the weekends I splurge on some ice cream or something I've been wanting. I know that each week I will get that, so I don't feel deprived.
I am now about a size 12 in most pants. You can do it. It just has to be a lifestyle change, not a quick fix!