seems so stressful

I agree with the above reply. Please look at it as a lifestyle change. Don't restrict your calories so much you feel terribly deprived...if I did that, I would go crazy and go on a food bender not that far into the process. Then get mad and give up. Been there, done that multiple times.

You should be able to lose 50 lbs in a year with a sensible diet and exercise plan. That's only about a pound a week, which is about what you should try to lose if you want the results to last. Truth be told, you will probably lose faster than that at first then slow down gradually. You will hit some stalls, and you will need to make adjustments at those times, most likely.

Look up "calorie cycling". Here is one source: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/hugo19.htm

I like this verse, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but it produces a harvest of peace and righteousness for those who have been trained by it." It's from the Bible and it helps me to realize that all good habits come with a cost.

Secondly, I look at it as treating myself better, not dieting. I am not taking anything away from myself, I'm giving myself what I need. I need lots of good fruits, veggies, and healthy meat choices. I need to learn what my body needs in terms of energy, whether I'm having a slow day, or if I'm working out hard. It's okay to eat more on those days!

I need to learn that my decisions come with a cost, and they also produce a pay-off. What can be accomplished in a year? Only you can know if you give it good attention and see what you and your body can do. On the up-side, you are young, you have a great functioning body, and the time in your life to tackle it. You can enjoy that body you are building for many years. Think of how great it will feel in a dressing room when you think, "Wow, my legs have never looked this good." or "Whoa, my stomach can wear these clothes now, if I want." instead of "Nothing I put on is going to get disguise the fact that I need to lose this weight." It's such a nice thing to be able to wear so many more things, but not need to. You'll be more confident in a tshirt and jeans. It's worth striving for a healthy body.

If it was easy everyone would be fit.

Stick with it and develop the habits.

It gets easier.

ETA: Also eat ice cream and tacos if you're craving them. Just stay within a deficit and monitor your progress.

Don't think 50 lbs in a year - think 1 lb a week.

- Set your goals on MFP (it's easy)
- Log all your foods
- Do something to burn calories EVERY day. It doesn't have to be anything amazing. Walk for 30 minutes. Get to the gym. Whatever.

That will get you started. Eventually (sooner rather than later) add a strength program. It's easier at a gym, but you can do home stuff if you don't have access to a gym. Read the forums for ideas.

I've lost 27 lbs and I'm less than a third of the way to my goal. You have to start somewhere and there will never be a better place than right here.

It wasn't so hard for me, because I didn't really make any drastic changes. I did start exercising, which I hadn't been doing before, but I didn't eliminate anything from my diet, and I still haven't. Eating clean is never a bad thing, but if you're not used to it, it can be a big step. A lot of people on this site have lost a lot of weight and are not clean eaters.

I don't think of it as a diet. I really do think of it as a lifestyle change, because I'm eating now the way I want to eat for the rest of my life. I eat whatever I want! Just a little less of it. That's where logging calories comes in. As long as you're eating at a calorie deficit, you should lose weight. And the smaller the deficit, the easier it is to stick to. A lot of people start out on MFP with their weekly weight loss goal set at 2 pounds. But if you feel like your daily calorie goal is too low and you can't stick to it, aim to lose 1 pound a week instead. And always eat back some or all of your exercise calories!

It's entirely possible to lose 50 pounds in a year. That would be just over 4 pounds a month, which is a healthy and sustainable goal. It seems like a big number now, but maybe setting smaller goals will help motivate you and keep you on track. Take small steps in the right direction, and don't make any huge changes that you can't stick to. Log everything you eat as accurately as possible. Make time for exercise, even if it just means going for a walk. Be patient with yourself, and remember that even if you have a bad day here and there, it doesn't mean you have to give up or start over. Just eat a little less, move a little more, and tweak as needed.

Good luck! Feel free to add me.

it seems so hard to diet. i wish this was just an over night thing. i really want to lose weight fast but i know it wont happen. i at least hope to lose 50 lbs in a year. is that even possible? tell me how a girl at 280lbs can start working out and eating right. i need a starters plan or motivation or something. ive been dieting for 2 days and it sucks so bad. i hope this feeling will be over soon

Hello doll!

I just want you to know that we have all been at a stump when it comes to weight loss. Like you want it to happen but you don't want it to be so time consuming, and it sucks that it has to be such a process. But you will get there! I was at 200lbs and I am not 110lbs so I know that you can drop those 50lbs!! Just put positivity in your head and say that you can doooo it because you can.

And don't give up foods you love... plan your cheat days strategically so you are able to still have your favorite foods. your metabolism enjoys these cheat meals. (: It'll help promote you weight loss.

You've got this!

Fifty pounds of weight-loss in a year is very possible. Aim for one pound lost per week. That is a very healthy pace with little chance for rebound effect if you work on the numbers. Attack this challenge with a good plan. You can do it!

so eating healthy and cheating is ok as long as the cheating is in moderation?
i will start counting calories and working out.
any other tips? all and any is completely welcomed!

If you're just starting, start with something you know you can manage right off the bat. If you're struggling after just a couple days then maybe you need to work your way into this - like everyone has said, it's a life change & you want to succeed, WE want you to succeed.

For me personally, I don't call it "cheating", but there are days I choose to go over my calories for the day, so technically I guess it's the same thing. Just log it even if you know you're eating something not so great & will go over, the logging is really key to keep track of what you're eating & how much.

For the workouts, if you're not used to working out then start small there too or you might overdo it & be super sore & the next day will be hard for you to want to work out again. Start with what you know you can be successful at and add on more reps or weights or more of whatever you do for your workouts.

And I hate to sound like a broken record but you have to HAVE TO do this because you want to & are committed to it. If you think of this as something you have to do it will suck. This is the start of the new normal, it's what you DO, period. This is the beginning of your new, wonderful, more healthy life. Yay for you for making this change!!

P.S. I eat fast food sometimes but it takes a little research to see what fits into your plan. Taco Bell has fresco tacos that aren't too bad, and lately I've had an Arby's wrap that I usually have the calories available for, for dinner. It just takes planning for those days you want the foods that aren't super healthy.

so eating healthy and cheating is ok as long as the cheating is in moderation?
i will start counting calories and working out.
any other tips? all and any is completely welcomed!

I'd suggest not thinking of it as cheating. Just work on counting calories and eat what you like.

I agree with what everyone else has said. Start small! Get out the door and commit to 10 minutes of an activity. If it sucks, at least you did something. If you enjoy it, do 30 minutes!

If you crave something, drink water. If you still crave it, have a small portion. Don't deprive yourself or you'll go nuts! (personal experience)... You can eat tacos, make them at home with natural ingredients. You can eat ice cream--my tip is to go buy an expensive, full-fat, fancy pint of something and really enjoy the portion size!

Don't be afraid of fat. Avoid margarine/canola oil, and avoid low-fat processed "foods" that are filled with sugar, as much as you can. If you don't eat many vegetables, add a serving a day! And learn to cook if you don't cook much. It's so much healthier, and you can quickly stir-fry some veggies in butter and some salt and pepper-so yummy.

Basically, start small, drink more water, start eating some cleaner home-cooked meals, count calories, start exercising, control portions; and if you want something that you consider a "cheat" have it! work it into your day. And don't stress! It sounds like a lot, but you can do it. It's a lifestyle change. Hope that helped

It sounds as if you are planning how much you are going to cheat. Cheating is what happens outside the plan. Planning for having a buffer of empty-calories on certain days before hitting your daily limit is perhaps a better thought.