I need help and motivation :(

Hi Friends,

I am 34 yrs old woman weighing 167 pounds :(
I do exercise a bit with Yoga (very little), but am not regular...

But I am addicted to junkfood, chocolates, pastries..basically anything fried or processed or sweet..especially cocoa based sweets.

I really need help and motivation..please help me with my addiction..I am new here and no friends..

1) To begin with, if I need to lose 22 pounds .. what is the time period I should be looking at realistically speaking?
2) In that time period, how many calories I should lose on a daily basis (on Treadmill or similar)

Please answer the above points keeping in mind that I am trying my best to cut down on my food addiction...

Hope to get awesome replies to this and hope to make some buddies..

Thanks,
P

Replies

  • Hi..I can relate to some degree

    I just started a week ago. .While I have been fortunate to not have the sweet cravings..I have found through my food journal this week that I am consuming way too many calories in alcohol. I knew I probably drank too much but didn't realize HOW much until I started logging it. I know alcohol has nothing to do with your post..but I bring it up for a few reasons..

    1) Are you logging your food everyday, and have any patterns ( like mine with the booze) shown up?

    Once you see exactly what it is that you're eating too much of..maybe we can think of some alternatives. You will be surprised how much the log will help with this.

    2) addiction is addiction..so I know what its like to have cravings and feel out of control.

    I have been eating pretty well all week and have not had much success, and thanks to the food log I can see what the problem is now. I am better prepared to tackle next week now and know I will be able to stay within my calories by cutting the booze out. I think this might help you too.

    One of the things that has helped me with my diet is to plan ahead. Last week I did all of my shopping on Sunday. I spent a few hours prepping for the week and it made a huge difference ...Every thing was handy and I wasn't scrambling and in a hurry, which in the past has led me to stopping at a fast food place and over eating the fried foods. Having the healthy choice at my fingertips and not waiting until I was so hungry I was ready to eat 20 cheeseburgers.. helped me a lot. Try to find the healthy food that you do enjoy and have them handy. If sweets especially cocoa is a downfall try eating some dark chocolate and keeping it with in your daily calorie range. Dark chocolate is actually good for you :)

    Also making the commitment to exercise doing some cardio at least three times a week has helped me a lot. I do 30 mins on the elliptical and burn about 325 calories every time. Thats almost a meals worth :) I have also been doing 20 mins circuit training after the cardio to keep those muscles burning more calories for me through out the day. While I am just starting my journey too...The immediate benefits to the gym 3 times a week have been energy all day long, and a great sense of accomplishment. Those two benefits happen almost immediately. Also.. I am NOT..let me repeat NOT a morning person..but hitting the gym before work has helped me. Its hard to wake up..but if you can just push past the first 15 mins..you will notice your body will respond to the exercise MUCH better. I can do twice as much cardio in the morning versus after work. I dont feel like Im gonna die after only 5 mins haha. I think its just because Our bodies are well rested and respond better..If you dont attend a gym..even working out at home in the morning helps.

    To recap: journal your food..you might find a pattern. The gym three times a week...keep healthy food handy by prepping earlier in the week, and eating some dark chocolate to help curb the cravings. I think you will see a difference.


    Good luck..we are in it together :)

    Ps: change your name..you're no dummy!! you're here aren't you?...that was a pretty smart choice :) you should be smarti123
  • elainemorris1982
    elainemorris1982 Posts: 104 Member
    1) To begin with, if I need to lose 22 pounds .. what is the time period I should be looking at realistically speaking?
    I started 5 months ago at 160 pounds and have lost 24 and half pounds and 27 inches :) only 4 and a half to go to my goal

    2) In that time period, how many calories I should lose on a daily basis (on Treadmill or similar)

    I walk for 40-55 mins 5 days a week, also go swimming the odd time. 200-300 cals burned. I have a bad back so walking is all I can do. MFP has my calories set at 1400 a day - this is to lose 1/2 pound a week. I eat this and most days I eat back my exercise calories.

    This is working for me. I log everyday but I'm at a stage where I know all the calories in food and I can log at the end of day knowing I will be within my calorie range. I've learned alot about food the last few months. Its all about making better food choices. When I started I set my first goal to lose 10 pounds, then 7. I find smaller goals keep u motivated.

    Best of luck xxxx
  • golfmonk
    golfmonk Posts: 119 Member
    Friend request sent!
  • TO: Peace-Love-Coexist...LOL.. so, you know the meaning of Dummi????? :noway: :bigsmile: :blushing: How???? :tongue:
    Thanks so much for the detailed reply.. so, first thing first...will keep a food journal!
    And 30 mins on the elliptical?? Woww.. will do a mix of elleptical and treadmill to begin with.

    Thanks...will be in touch,,
  • To Elaine - Thanks so much... So, I am looking at 6 months time period I guess. What is MPF?
    And I think maintaining a food journal will know the calorie intake too right? But how exactly do we know how much calorie we ate based on food?All available on the Internet may be?
    BTW, even I have major lower-back problem... :( So, my options are limited too.. Elliptical is fine?

    Thanks again..will keep you all posted...
  • ohhh.. MFP is My Fitnell Pal... lemme browse more and see how to get it...
  • Okkk I get it now... Peace-Love :) dummi is not Dummy... it is pronounced as du-me.... meaning fat :(... yes, I am not dumb.. I like to think I am smart :)
  • wild_wild_life
    wild_wild_life Posts: 1,334 Member
    To Elaine - Thanks so much... So, I am looking at 6 months time period I guess. What is MPF?
    And I think maintaining a food journal will know the calorie intake too right? But how exactly do we know how much calorie we ate based on food?All available on the Internet may be?
    BTW, even I have major lower-back problem... :( So, my options are limited too.. Elliptical is fine?

    Thanks again..will keep you all posted...

    Are you on the website or using the phone app? There should be a "food" button at the top of the page. It will take you to the database, then you type in the food item and it will allow you to check the calories and then add it to your diary which will keep track of the calories for you.

    You also tell the website how much you weigh and other info and it will give you a calorie goal to aim for each day.

    If you scroll down the page at this link there will be more info about setting your calorie goal and entering food. Good luck!
    http://myfitnesspal.desk.com/