SO discouraged

There is a lot of people on here that don't follow a diet but just have food in moderation.

I know if I was on a diet I would fail because I love food too much.

Making small adjustment to your eating habits also help vs making a major change all at once. When I go grocery, I always try to make a new adjustment or find new ways to prepare meals that I love.

Great advice!

I am like that. I am 26 and I've been dieting my whole life too. I get discouraged too. But we can do it. Just try making tiny steps here and there and it all adds up

You don't need to think of it as dieting. It's a lifestyle change. Once you start MFP you'll be more aware of what you're eating and how many calories you're getting. It then just becomes a matter of making decisions. You can indulge every now and then, and if you do, don't beat yourself. Every day is a chance to start again. You will be successful with MFP and with the support of friends you make on this website. Don't get me wrong, it's tough to get started, but it's well worth it. I am 45 and wish I had done this when I was 27. Feel free to friend me.

I think a lifestyle change regarding eating habits and exercise is what you're after.....I hate to say that I'm on a diet, too....BUT, using the tools that this site has to offer will help you to realize how big/small a serving really is, and how many calories you can consume and/or need to work off.

I haven't lost much weight, but I've lost a pants size (!) and I feel great! I am paying attention to the nutritional info, too, because I'm not great at eating certain things that I need (such as water and protein). So, having that tool in the food tracker has taught me so much!

Good luck!

I hear you. I am 42 and have been on and off of different diets since I was 12. I am 238lbs and 5'5.

I know what you mean about food addiction, it is a real diagnosable problem similar to bulimia, but without the purging. I have been diagnosed with an eating disorder and was bulimic for 5-6 years when I was in high school and college.

What I found out recently is that 'food addiction' for me is really just "CARB addiction'. When I severely limit carbs (eat only low glycemic carbs) and do long low-intensity exercise (like walking) the food addiction goes away. High-intensity cardio workouts will make you crave carbs.

Seriously, it is the strangest thing, but I actually forget to eat sometimes, even on days when my calorie intake has been very low. It is like someone who has been addicted to nicotine all their life and wakes up to find the addiction gone. MFP has really helped because it helps me keep track of the carbs day-to-day.

If you have never tried a low carb/ high protein diet, give it a try and cut out the cardio workouts and replace them with low intensity workout. It might work for you, it is working for me.

You have come to the right place. I am more than twice your age, so I will save you about 30 more years of frustration and pass along some things I have learned since getting on this website about a year and 1/2 and about 75 lbs. ago.

When I started writing this post, no one else had posted, so some of what I say is redundant, but I don't want to start editing things into confusion, so here goes:

Make up your mind that this is a LIFESTYLE change--NOT another "DIET"--Diet is a 4-letter word for failure.

Start with small steps. You didn't gain your weight in a week, or a month. You are taller than I am. I am 5'4" and started out at 245 lbs. Now I am just over 170, and still losing, but more slowly than when I first started. I started out thinking I would lose 100 lbs. in a year, but when a year came and went, I didn't give up--I just kept at it.

In keeping with the small steps model, for the first 2 weeks---

Make sure you have a reliable, consistent scale, and get weighed at the start, so you have a starting point. Don't become scale-obsessed. Weigh first thing in the morning, after using the bathroom, but before consuming any food or drink.

Own the Day. Every day is a new opportunity to make good choices. If you slip and eat a cookie, that doesn't mean you have an excuse to jump in and eat the entire bag. If that is, in fact, what happens, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start over the next DAY, not next WEEK, or next MONTH.

Drink more WATER. H2O is your friend. Better hydration will pay off with improved digestion, and better looking skin.

Log ALL that you eat. It will help you see how to make better choices. I find it helpful to plan my food and log it before eating, whenever possible, so that I can make any adjustments.

Get Moving. I walked off my first 50 lbs. Since then, I have added other types of exercise. You don't have to be a gym rat. There are videos available, from the library if you are on a budget. If you have "on demand" as part of your cable service, the exercise videos there are changed up regularly. Eventually, you can purchase some light weights and combine your cardio with strength training to firm up.

Read the MFP message boards for encouragement, Post your questions, successes, failures...vents. It can change your life.

After two weeks, in addition to the above---

Analyze your diet. Figure out where you can make better choices. Start by reducing the amount processed foods you eat, as they usually are high in sodium, and often high in sugar/and or fat as well. If you are a fast food junkie, repent.

Think about your relationship with food. Are you an emotional eater? Do you eat when you are bored, stressed?

Fiber is your friend. It is found in veggies, fruits, and whole grain breads, pastas, rice, and many other natural products.

Get acquainted with your kitchen. Making it yourself enables you to control what goes in to your body, and that goes a long way toward achieving success.

A personal tip, if you are planning to use processed "diet" foods, think twice. In the past 18 months I have learned that artificial sweeteners create carb and sugar cravings in me. Ditto on alcohol, and consuming processed sugar--pastries, candy, cakes.

After 30 days, of doing the above, take a look at how you feel, how your clothes are fitting, how you look, and jump back on the scale and see what has happened. By this time, some of the steps will start to feel like habits, and now just carry on, refining your food and exercise.

Don't ever say you CAN'T eat something, but PLAN for it. This is the rest of your life. If you are going to an occasion where you will be eating treats, or larger amounts of food, plan for it with extra cardio exercise, maybe a light menu for the rest of the day.

Don't assume that eating less will mean losing more. There is a reason MFP says don't consistently go under 1200 calories per day.

Good luck!!!

You have received some great advice. I do hope you'll give the site and yourself another chance. Maybe make one small change this week and stick with it, then next week change something else. Baby steps will get you there and who knows, you might decide to make bigger changes soon. I wish you all the best.

I am following what most ppl does here. To cut the portion I eat. Well, I am starting today.

Hey I feel ya, I feel likes I've yo yod my whole life until i lost it for a good five years spanned then put it all back on when I graduated high school in 02. I joke sometimes about my love affair with food. It really is about making changes for yourself. It may be eating less of things or picking either or. I noticed things that I felt I was wasting calories on, mindless eating or just doing it out of habit. Do this for you! We are all here to support. Add us friends on your profile and we can encourage eachother along the way. Unlike other things I've been a part of (weight watchers, Jillian michaels.com and anything else you can think of) with mfp you have a support net of people who are going through it with you. Some have already had great success some are right at the same place. Bur all of it will help motivate! You can do it! I hope you stay around.

Don't get discouraged. You can make such small adjustments that will make a difference. Don't think of it as a diet. Just change your eating habbits. You have to decide to make the change but don't deprive yourself where you feel like you are on a "diet". Just changing the way you eat the majority of the time, then when we eat those great meals, it is not so bad. You learn to appreciate the good food more. It takes some time to get used to this, but I promise you can do it and you will feel so good when you do! Happy to just listen anytime....

I joined just a few minutes ago and ur my first post i've read. As i sat in the reclincer this am and looked down at my belly (where i carry most of my wt) i was grossed out. I dragged my treadmill and eliptical out and got to work. I was amazed with all the energy i've had today. My house is spotless lol. You can do this!! It has to be your choice and remember baby steps. Change in eating habits and physical activity is where i'm starting my choice! Good Luck

I just have two things to say for advice....

1) never think you have to "cut out" any food...just use portion control...I am an ice cream junkie and I will not live the rest of my life without ice cream, BUT I now use portion control and don't sit down and it a whole pint (or half gallon on bad days)....

2) pause yourself... if you find yourself heading for the kitchen to "find something to eat" stop yourself, drink a large glass of water, wait 10 minutes THEN decide if you are still hungry or just eating for "something to do"......
it seems to be working for me. (and I'm 60)

Have you prayed to God for guidance? He has helped me my addictions.