Where to start?

Unknown
Unknown
in Introduce Yourself
Hello everyone,

I was using MFP 2 years ago and successfully lost about 25 pounds before I gave up on it and gained all 25 plus some more back in the fall/winter of 2011. At that time, I only used MFP for myself and did not venture out to get help or motivation from the great community here. So, here it is, 2 years later and I'm not happy with myself. It's upsetting and I struggle day to day but at least I'm starting here (again). I'd like to lose 50 pounds by the end of January 2014. Is that a healthy goal? I have access to a gym but I am really unsure where to start. When I lost the 25 pounds prior, it was with a 1,200 calorie diet and working out 5 days a week with spinning, treadmill and yoga.

Feeling more motivated to start, but where to start at is the question? How do you use MFP to help you? Holding each other accountable?

Thanks in advance,
Amanda

Replies

  • leebesstoad
    leebesstoad Posts: 1,186 Member
    Welcome.

    First don't kick yourself about setbacks. All that will do is leave yourself black and blue.

    50 pounds in 8 months (34 or 35 weeks)? Reasonable? Certainly. It's only about 1-1/2 pounds a week. It'll require work and commitment but it is certainly doable.

    1200 calories may be a bit low (that is barely minimum) so maybe make it 1300 or so. You should probably never go below 1200 on any day., at least from anything I've read.

    I use MFP for one purpose: to be accountable to me. If I can't be honest with myself, who can I be? I'm not going to get anywhere if I lie to myself. I did this for me. Lying and cheating is lying and cheating to myself. If you don't want someone else to lie to you, why would you accept lying to yourself?

    Rejoice in the small successes, accept the small setbacks as part of the normal journey, and always keep your eye on the goal. Small steps, one step at a time.

    You can do it.
  • indyducks
    indyducks Posts: 43 Member
    I just started about a month ago, and for me, the place that I started was to just log every single thing that went into my mouth, including quantities. I weigh or measure everything! You would be surprised at the portion size of a lot of things, and I came to realize that often, I was eating 2 or 3 portions, when I thought it was one.
    Using MFP has helped me to be able to make good healthy food decisions, and it has also helped me learn how to plan ahead for those times when I want to make a not-so-healthy decision. You can still have the things you love, as long as you make them fit into your calorie limit.
    You also need to look at this as a lifestyle change, something that you can do for the rest of your life. Given that, there will be some really good days, and there will be some really bad days. On the bad days, you just have to shrug them off, learn from them, and then say "I will do better tomorrow".
    There are a lot of really helpful, knowledgeable, supportive people on here that are willing to give you good advice. Utilize them. I have found a group of really good friends that are active on here every day, and we keep each other motivated, encouraged, and informed. Feel free to add me if you would like.
    Good luck on your journey! You can do this!

    Cheers,

Categories