Skinny girl trapped in a chubby girl's body!

Hi Katie,
This is a great site to find support to help you through those tough times. What I'm about to say is going to sound so cliche but it is true. You have to decide that you are worth more than the tempory void the food is going to fill. And it is just tempory. Go for a walk, read a book, dust the furniture (not my favorite) whatever it takes to take your mind off food) Everyday gets easier and the changes you make become more permanent. There will be times you slip but don't beat yourself up, just keep going. This is what has helped me. I'm still working a work in progress but am getting closer to my goals every day. You can do it too. I sent you a friend request.

I started using the site to only track my exercise - I thought it would be too hard to put in my food - was never one for keeping a calorie journal - too much work! I only started using the food journal here in the last 2 months, and I noticed a complete change in my own diet. I saw how much junk I was eating, and how I wasn't really getting anything healthy in my body and after using the food tracker I made an effort to change my habits.

You're going to be tempted to have bad things - it happens - you might even cave sometimes, but the way I look at it, is that you learn from mistakes, and tomorrow is always a new day. Keep track of what you eat, and try to change your food style slowly. Too rapid of a change is less likely to stick with you, and you'll just be mad (at least I was!). Just track everything you eat, and see where you can start making a difference! One step at a time adds up to an amazing amount of milage over time. Good luck and be strong!

And drink a ton of water in any way you can - can help you feel full and flushes some of the garbage out of your body!

Hi Katie

First of all well done for joining the site in the first place !

Few things I've learned from using this site so far (I'm starting week 3 today).

How much tea or coffee do you drink ? Try & switch to water instead. I was surprised that a simple cup of tea with skimmed milk was using 18 calories - may not sound a lot, but 6 cups a day uses a 10th of my daily calories!

If possible, weigh your portions (don't guess) - I found is that my portion sizes were way to big & I didn't actually need to eat as much as I was.

If you are out at work & can't access the internet during the day then try & plan your lunchtime meals ahead, logging them, either the night before or in the monring so that you know exactly how many calories you have used.

Don't deprive yourself - just see if you can find an alternative. I was off to the pub on Thursday last week. Usually I like Vodka & Ginger Ale, but I discovered that if I switched to Vodka Lime & Soda, I could have double the number for the same calories ! (Funnily enough once I got there I decided not to have a drink in the end)

If you are having a special meal or night out - just try & do some form of exercise that day & watch how quickly you can earn extra calories so that you can still enjoy it, eating pretty well what you want.

Have a look out for tasty snacks that don't break the calories bank - I like kelloggs mini breaks & harvest chew bars - both under 100 calories.

The key thing for me is that I want this to be a lifestyle change, NOT A DIET. I still want to be able to enjoy my food & have things I like.

My starting weight was 172.8 & I'm only 5'5. I've managed to lose 7.6 lbs in my first 2 weeks & because of careful planning I have still had a BBQ night (including 3 biscuits !), been to a Party & had champagne and had strawberries & icecream for pud on several occassions.

Good luck & free feel to add me as a friend.

Angie

Hi, Katie

I agree with slow and steady wins the race!!! I have been losing weight for a little over a year, more now then at first... I started at 215 and now and proud 180!!! I still have 25 to 30 more to go but I am half way there!!! You need to take pride in the small victories! Set small goals that way when you acheive them you feel great and that motivates you to keep going!!! Dont forget to log that food and exerecise, it is a great way to stay on track! I did not realize how much junk I was putting in my body, and now I look at food as fuel not as comfort. Good luck, it is hard work but well worth it in the end!!!

Best wishes!!!!

Hi Katie! Welcome and congrats on taking the 1st step towards a new you. I started my wieghtloss journey at 311lbs a year and a half ago before I found MFP. This site has alot of fantastic people who will help you and motivate you to keep going. They have helped me get over and out of my plateau (I was stuck in the 270s for the longest time). Slow and steady is always the best way to go. If you lose weight slowly its more likely to stay off. Small changes are also a great way to go. I set small mini goals and celebrate achieving them once I get there and set a new mini goal. My goals are usually 5lbs in 4 weeks, but usually achieve them before my time is up.

This is NOT A DIET, but a LIFESTYLE CHANGE if you want it to last.

As for any cravings, (as everyone has stated) go for a walk, clean house (don't like this one very much), turn some music on, or even exploring why you want the food (is it because I'm bored/sad/angry/happy?). If doing any of this doesn't help, or you explore why you want the food, and you still want the food, or are truely hungry, then have it in MODERATION and half the time you can find an alternative for that food. I have found that I love frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.

You can do this!! If you fall off the wagon just remember to forgive the "slip up", get back up, dust yourself off, and jump right back on. There is NEVER a reason to beat yourself up......unless you are in the gym and kickin your own *kitten*! :laugh: We will all be here every step of the way if you need us. (I'll send ya a friend request). Good luck on your journey and remember............

YOU CAN DO THIS!!:happy:

Hi Katie, Welcome aboard..

OMG, I feel just like you said in your Topic line, I decided it was time for a change, good luck