kinda new and would love some advice!

Hey, I am a mom of 3 kids and I know how crazy the days can get. What has worked for me is walking! I put my two youngest in a double stroller and I go out in the neighborhood every morning. I do about 3 miles a day, in the beginning only 3 months ago I was doing 1 mile, so as the time goes on and the more weight i've lost, the more energy i have gotten and the longer I can walk. On days (like today) where it's too windy and cold for my kids, I use the treadmil we have. I also use home workout dvd's like Slim in 6, Seriously that took the inches off my hips/butt/waist in just a couple weeks! AND of course calorie counting, watching those calories has done wonders! I wish you the best of luck, and add me as a friend!

I started on my journey in October of 2005 at 180. I'm down many pounds. What has worked for me is some of the following.

1) don't sit when you can stand--standing uses more calories
2) move as much as you can (constantly works)
3) drink water (often times people aren't hungry--they're thirsty)
4) sleep (people loose weight better if they have adequate rest)
5) calcium taken in throught food (not supplements) helps with weight loss

Hey, I just started back on my fitness routine and have decided to take up running and eliminate Coke from my diet. I'm such a sugar junkie. Anyway, my advice is to NOT listen to that voice in your head that tries to tell you that you "can do it tomorrow" whether it's work out, eat right, etc. DO IT TODAY. EVERY DAY I struggle to make myself run or NOT eat bad stuff but that voice creeps in and says "it's okay to be lazy because you *insert excuse here*." Don't listen to it.

Instead, what I try to do is picture how I want to look. What's my goal? Then I remind myself that being lazy isn't going to get me there. What I've come to realize is that this whole fitness/nutrition thing is just a mind game and you have to decide who is stronger...YOU or the lazy voice in your head. You can do it!!!! Remember, you're the boss of your body and it will do whatever you tell it to do! Good luck!

Hey, sweetness! Welcome back to MFP!

Here's my best advice - If you bite it, write it! Log everything you eat or drink EVERY DAY. It's hard at first but, girl, once you start doing it every day it becomes easier. It takes 21 days to make a habit and keeping an accurate and honest food log every day is going to be one of the BEST things you can do for yourself to reach your weight loss goals.

My second piece of advice is this - Weight loss is easier when you have people who are encouraging you and supporting you every day. Our families, spouses, and friends are supportive at first but often get tired of hearing about it all the time, and are often even saboteurs *conscious or unconscious*, so that's where online support comes in. This site works best when you have at least 20 active people on your friend list motivating and encouraging you. So my advice is to start inviting people to your friend list and let it grow.

And my last piece of advice right now - Don't think of this as a Diet. We all know diets don't work. In order to make weight loss lasting and sustainable you have to adopt a different lifestyle. Live, eat, and move your body like a healthy human being and you will become one. Slowing adding healthier foods and a more active way of living to your life will make those changes last. Going "cold turkey" almost always fails. But making the changes gradual and not expecting too much of yourself too fast is what has helped many, myself included, change their lives and their bodies.

And remember we're always here for you if you need any advice or support! *hugs*