Weight Loss Starter Kit

Hi Folks! I put together this little starter kit in the hopes that it will be helpful to some. I found that the hardest part for me last year was just getting started and figuring out what to do. So this is what worked for me and is just a suggestion, you are going to find what works best for you but the most important thing is to just get started. Here we go!

Set mini goals: Lose 10% of current body weight, lose 10lbs in January etc. weight. I had 150lbs to lose, thats way too overwhelming to contemplate. break it down into smaller goals.

Follow the MFP Calorie Suggestions: Go to my Home, Goals, then enter your info and go from there. Use this for now just to get started. As you visit more often and search the forums you can look into other methods like TDEE-20% or IIFYM (if it fits your macros) they are both very good but if it is going to delay you getting started come back to it after your first month.

Avoid: Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig etc, save that money for buying things you need like measuring cups, a food scale, 1 on 1 training session, gym. To be honest losing weight doesn't have to cost you a dime except for the new clothes you have to buy. Besides are you gonna do those programs for the rest of your life?

Get A Body Measure Tape: I like the one at GNC that snaps onto itself for one handed measuring. Do this in the beginning then once every month. It will save your sanity when you think just because the scales not moving that you are not making progress. I would rather lose inches.

Get APP Happy: Here are some of my favorites

Full Fitness: Exercise Workout Trainer https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/full-fitness-exercise-workout/id536049508?mt=8
I hated asking people for help this app bailed me out numerous times, it also has goal specific workouts as well as video on how to perform the exercises properly.

MyFitnessPal: MyFitnessPal iPhone App http://www.myfitnesspal.com/mobile/iphone
Reach your weight loss goals with MyFitnessPal, the best calorie counter on the iPhone. Set a daily calorie goal and record your daily food and exercise to make sure you stay on track. Then watch the pounds come off!

Our iPhone app gives you full mobile access to your MyFitnessPal.com account, so you can log your food and exercise from anywhere, at any time. All changes made on your iPhone will be synchronized with our website and vice versa.

LoseIt! Food Tracking App http://www.loseit.com/
I really liked this app. The tracking was easy and is very much like the MFP app but it didn't synch with my body media armband otherwise i would still be using it. I like how it break down your macros into a pie chart after each entry so you know if you are staying on track to meet your %'s (40% protein, 30% carbs, 30% fat etc.) Both apps have the awesome barcode scan feature which is a must have and an elaborate food database.

Stronglifts 5X5 App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stronglifts/id488580022
Strong lifts 5X5 is a terrific strength building program that can be started by people of all levels, I started it 6 months into my weight loss and wish I had started it sooner. I credit this program with getting my body fat % from 49% to 33% and it helped me lose inches even if I wasn't losing weight as fast anymore. Again there are other programs you will find the one that works for you like Starting Strength, New rules Of Weight Lifting For Women and many more you can search in the forums.

C25K: Couch to 5K running program. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/c25k-5k-trainer-free/id485971733?mt=8

I am on week 2 of this program which is 8-9 weeks. I did not run at all and in 2 months I will be able to run 3.1 miles straight. Thats pretty freaking cool, I did wait a year to try it though I didn't want to wreck my already jacked up knee.

As you move forward you can look into things like Body Media armband ( I love mine) it takes the guessing game out of estimating my daily calorie burns (90% accuracy). Or check out the FitBit and Nike FuelBand. Ask around on the forums and you will get honest reviews.

Inspiration: Big Dudes like me check out http://www.344pounds.com or a legend on MFP Ed Davenport's website http://www.gettingfit4life.com They are awesome or just check here each day on the success forum, its unreal!

Ladies: check the forum daily and this woman is awesome, http://www.ronisweigh.com she is getting a little commercial but she still has a raw honesty that I trust.

Also I can't tell you how often to be exact but almost every day I google weight loss inspiration and watch the videos of amazing people that have documented their journey.

Get a good pair of cross trainers and comfy workout clothes.

It seems like a lot but its not really. You can have all of this at your disposal in an hour.

Sorry for the long post i hope it is helpful, good luck. If you have a question ask it, the people on here are awesome.