240lbs and not sure where to start

feel free to friend me! i love keeping each other motivated!

please read this,you will have enough info to get started
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Absolutely this.

Not sure where to start? Stop questioning and do it. That's where you start. I'm not saying I'm a changed person but my mind is slowly changing. It has only been one week of eating in my macros and walking, not even running and I've went from 177 to 174.5 and I'm proud of it. Just eat in your macros and walk, when you feel like taking it another level, do it. Think about it this way, you think... Oh my goal weight is 160 and I'm 177, that's so far away.. Well, now I've lost a couple pounds and I'm 174.5 , darn , not really anything. But then you say well 177-160 =17 and 174.5-160 = 14.5 and 14.5 sounds a lot better than 17. So take it a day at a time.

I was 209 when I was pregnant... Even after I had more weight to lose, it's four months later and i still have weight to lose. But you can do anything you put your mind to. I promise you.

What are you guys doing to stay motivated?

Looking in the mirror every day and seeing a fat *kitten*. I'm not big on illusions, accepting reality works for me.

I agree with the poster that said to take it slow. I've caught myself trying to dive too far into the deep end and I get bogged down. Pick one or two things to change that you can control. What is your vice? Do you snack a lot? Then make it your goal to say "no" to one snack a day. Don't cut them out all together as that can easily lead to a binge...no fun! Are you able to exercise and do you have some time you know you can COMMIT to exercise? Go for it! For most people, getting exercise in is actually easier than changing eating habits. So, maybe find time in your day to exercise 3-4 times a week to start and continue eating as usual. You'll find that when you do exercise, your body will start to crave healthier foods. It's pretty awesome actually! Also, feel free to friend me. Good Luck!!

That is where I started! I just started by walking a few times a week. Then each week I tried to beat my time from last walk. This required me to jog/run. Then I improved my endurance through hiking, Jillian Michael's DVD's and riding my bike. Just keep moving forward! Feel free to add me!

First place to start is with journaling your food and paying attention to what you're eating. One of my nutritionists told me if I focus on lean, healthy protein, the fats/carbs will take care of themselves, and that's proven to be pretty true.

Most of my proteins include grilled chicken, ground turkey (for chili and/or spaghetti sauce), greek yogurt, light string cheese, periodically a sirloin steak, and protein bars.

Be sure to make small gradual changes, unless you're ready to plunge into the deep end (which has always been hard for me - small steps worked best for me).

Then just be consistant with journaling and paying attention to the numbers.

To stay motivated, I just remember what it was that got me started: I went to an event at my daughter's school and could hardly walk from the parking lot to the door and then had to sit down once inside - it was on the floor and people had to go around me. I was humiliated/embarrassed, name the negative emotion-I felt it. It was then that the voice inside said, "Something has to change." That was in April 2011.

Good luck!

@ hhammerm...Congrats on all your hard work!!!

Feel free to add me as well. I am going to school, I work part-time, and I have two 3 year olds, and a 5 year old. My husband works during the day during the week, so I'm at home w/ the kiddos, and I work on the weekends. I totally understand not having time for anything. lol. But, once you get in a routine of exercising, you feel so weird when you don't do it. I just recently started going to a gym and I LOVE it! I was just using the treadmill that I have at home. You just have to find a workout that you enjoy, and not one that you have to force yourself to do. You can do this!!!!

Hey there! Just wanted to talk a little about your BC choice. I was on Depo for under a year and put on 20 pounds. I recently read an article saying that Depo is the only contraceptive proven to contribute to weight gain. So perhaps seek an alternative. I know the one injection is a lot easier than a daily med, and that you absolutely can lose the weight while on it, just giving you some food for thought.

Go with what others have said in regards to online guides, but from a personal experience, I am 242lbs atm you are not alone. so far if i could suggest joining a health club/gym and get some professional guidance since thats there job to help people get the best results with what they are given, guide you on what best to eat, how much and work out a training plan to maximise weight loss and toning, and they'd have a better idea what type of metabolism etc. you have and how to use that to your advantage, provided that isn't too costly ofcourse, my health club the first 3 personal trainer sessions only cost $50 and are compulsory after that it's $50 a session or there abouts (not compulsory) but thats here in a local South Australian health club.

personal experience i just turned 40 last sunday and was at 242lbs (110kg's where i live) i was already walking most days for 30mins but otherwise lived a unhealthy lifestyle being a forkilift driver and sitting on my *kitten* when i wasn't at work, that was just the walking just enough to myself spiraling out of control weight wise, but to lose weight it would never cut it. I have had some help from a family member who'd already joined the gym and with him being there it certainly helps with motivation.

Yours will be different but for me a 40yr old male at 110kg's and 175cm tall, Training for 60-90mins at an average heart rate of 165+BPM a day + walking for 40+ mins at 5pmh on varying surfaces in 4 days i've lost almost a kilo. Today i was even able to break into a jog on the treadmill for a minute, felt like an idiot with everything jiggling but others don't care it's all about you and your progress.

I with no personal training yet, thats coming down the line just waiting for an available trainer. I by myself have worked up bout an hour of cardio on treadmill, Cross Trainer and Static Bike + Rowing Machine and 30mins on resistance training (weights etc,) I hate the weights but i understand that muscles burn more fat then just cardio alone plus if you lose lots of weight and haven't tones you will be skinnier but still flabby.

The rest is purely about caloric intanke and outgoing which once again varies with each person. There's guides on here, let the site decide that for you based on the basic information you put in.

Good luck

Wow, congrats hhammerm. That's amazing. I used to call myself fat when I was 135 lbs. What I would give to be there now! You're an inspiration! We have to love ourselves and know we are worthy of good health. (Congrats to everyone else who has lost, just read them after posting above)

It's funny and cheesy- but knowing your overweight and saying it. That is what helped me. I always knew I was a Big guy, it really wasn't until I recently helped a friend move some boxes- no steps at all and I was getting tired for no reason. This is when it hit me that I am TRULY out of shape. So I just woke up one Sunday morning and said let's try it.

I started by just focusing on a routine with food(I am doing slimfast for now and I haven't been starving for dinners). Once I had that routine down, I started the elliptical. This has only been three weeks and I have lost 16 pounds so far. I know this pace won't continue forever, but I am fine with it for now.

My goal is to lose 100 by Christmas at the latest(if I do it earlier GReat, if not, as long as I lost weight I am fine with it). Then the last 50 by June 2014.

So far, this site has been tremendous help, just by logging daily and being honest with yourself.

First of all, anyone can friend me, i accept all the help i can get! and try to give it too

I gained weight and cup sizes in less than 2 months on Yaz, and then it ceased immediatley when i switched to nuvaring. you may just have to play around with BCs to find one thats right for you--every person is different.

Second, one day at a time. Start slow. for a week, just eat normally and track everything. Get a picture of what exactly is going into your body. When you see all those red numbers...ooh boy.

Track your sodium macro. I thougth i was being much healthier until i saw just how much salt i was eating! Make small changes...switch out your soda for teas, skim milk, fresh juices. buy popcorn instead of doritos. eat more chicken instead of fatty ground beef.

After you make one change and are used to it, add another. Once you are eating healthy and at a safe deficit, then add the exercise.

Third, this doestn work for everyone (nothing is universal!) but I found that I have more success staying in my limits by eating at the maintenance calories for my goal weight. I recommend this to everyone who struggles to maintain healthy eating by doing too much too soon. By eating for the body I want, not the body I have, I am getting into the habits of what Im going to need to be doing when I get to my goal.

Find out what your routine is. Track your calories as if you were not trying to lose weight, etc. Just see what you are and what your habits are. Then go from there.