getting fatter and fatter.

Hey, I'm Kendra. Im 18, 5 ft 1, and weigh 145. I am new at this but I have some of the same problems you're having. I'm becoming depressed that I've gained about 20 pounds, my clothes don't fit anymore (even the "fat-jeans") and I just binge and eat unhealthy all the time. Even when I'm not hungry. I'll give my support in any way I can.

Ok- first of all 20 pounds over the holidays, so what a month? That seems like a very short time to gain 20 pounds (this is coming from someone who gained 100 pounds over 7 years) could there be something wrong medically?

Now- how to stop eating fast food and junk food. You have to want to do it. Yes you want to be thin and healthy, but you have to want to eat healthy and work out to get there. It will not just happen and it wont happen quickly either. Setting a big goal, like 40 pounds in 2 months or something like that isn't realistic. Take it day by day. Plan your meals and snacks out for 1 day and stick to it. No matter what it takes, stick to it. When you are done with the first day, you will see that it wasnt so hard. Do the same for the next day and so on. Make it thru 7 days, and reward yourself. Not with food. A new book or something like that.

When I first started, I would always tell my self "6 months from now, you will have wish you started today." So start today. You will be happy that you did. Good Luck! Jill.

Of the 34 posts you've made since joining you've been bragging about the high calories you can eat while still loosing weight.. all the coffee you can drink... while still loosing weight. I'm confused.

I realize by posting here you are looking for 'motivation and support'. But by not being truthful you are hurting others, who now believe you can eat extra calories and loose weight like you, and yourself... because you're going to start believing you can't do this because you're not keeping track of everything truthfully. Be truthful in what you post and what you log.

My husband and I started My Fitness Pal together.. between traveling and eating out we haven't been doing as well lately because I don't really know how to log everything we've had. A couple days ago you can see on my diary I have Red Robin fried mushrooms, and like 3 other chain restaurant foods listed in 1 meal.. because the Longhorn Steakhouse (or whatever it was) on San Antonions Riverwalk didn't have nutritional info on their foods. I was probably off on calories.. but for the most part it is probably similar. I log toward the high side, my husband logs to the low side. When we drink our coffee in the morning he either won't measure and call it 3 Tablespoons or will do his tablespoon with huge 'heaps' on them. He has put on weight and I've at least maintained. He's confused because he's been 'under calories.' Be honest in how you log... you can't cheat and get extra calories without a cost. This will only work if you are absolutely truthful with how you log everything. If you're putting on weight.. don't tell other people you can eat a ton and loose weight.. it's not good for anyone.

Log everything, brag when you've earned it, be truthful. Each meal is the opportunity for a 'win'.. each day the opportunity for a 'win', each week, each weigh-in, each month... you'll have some losses too but if you see your chances to have a 'win'.. well, those make it easier for me. "Today was a win because I was only 7 calories over" "Today was a win because in 5 weeks I'll look amazing" "Today was a loss because I was 800 calories over.. but it was so worth it"

First you need to find what motivates you, what works to keep you focused on your goals. For me, it was taking a picture of myself and putting it on the fridge and keeping it on my cell phone. Every time I go to put food in my mouth, I look at that picture first, then decide do I really want to eat that? I haven't eaten out at all since I started this, I look at that picture and figure I've eaten out enough, and that's why I look the way I do. Some day I'll make healthier choices when I eat out, but not yet. Don't keep cash on you either, makes it too easy to stop and get that hamburger!

Only buy healthy foods at the grocery, foods that you are willing to log in my MFP journal an admit you have eaten. ALWAYS record everything in your food journal, you can't lie to yourself when you do that, it forces you to realize exactly what you are eating. Find a buddy that you are willing to be honest with and share your progress daily, keep each other honest!

Drink lots of water, for me that's the key. Don't 'drink' your calories, save them for a healthy but tasty meal.

Plan your meals ahead of time for each day, snacks included. Keep healthy snacks on hand, I keep some at work too. Pack a healthy lunch if you work, don't give yourself any excuses. Find lots of yummy healthy recipes and make sure you rotate through them, don't let yourself get bored eating the same things.

And get moving, find some type of exercise you can commit to doing, walking or whatever. Take the stairs, park farther away and walk, make whatever changes you can to get your body moving.

Don't get down on yourself, have faith that you can make the necessary changes to be a healthier person. It may be hard work, but you are worth it!

Let's keep each other motivated!