Kicking and screaming

A good support system is key here! I am looking to loose 40-50 lbs over the next year. Its time to take back my health and I know I have been brushing it aside for abit. I am with you in not announcing your WLJ to the world but here at MFP is the perfect place! Friend request me if you want a cheerleader and someone to check in on

I know its hard to get started but you will get there. Just take it a day at a time thats the best way especially at the beginning . Add me if you would like the support

Only one rule you should follow to lose weight. Calories out is greater than calories in. Period.

Honestly, till you change your attitude towards weight loss, you're going to find every reason not to really commit to it.
If you're not ready, then you're not ready.
Convincing yourself that you absolutely want to do this is the first step.

I'm sure of it... I just don't like it. :laugh: I'm always grumpy when I stop drinking pop. It's one of my only vices, but I've done it successfully through five pregnancies. As soon as that is over with, my mindset should improve dramatically.

So then don't give up the sodas. It really is possible to lose weight without the misery that can come with eliminating those foods/beverages that lots of folks will tell you are "bad." How? Just eat/drink LESS of what you do today. Stay within your calorie goals (make sure to eat back at least some of your exercise calories if you are going to be adding exercise to your routine) and you will lose weight. It really is that simple.

"Simple" isn't the same thing as "easy" but the tone of your answer implies that's the same. Soda, due to the sugar and caffeine content, is one of those things people have an extra hard time with when severely cutting down, and there is for sure a period of crankiness!

Many people who drink soda/pop consume multiple servings a day. A single 12oz can of coca cola is 140 calories. That in itself isn't a whole lot, but for the average woman eating at a deficit, that single serving uses up 7%-10% of her daily calorie allotment, and with no nutritional content. Move up to the 20 oz bottle, which is what I used to grab without a second thought, and that's 240 cals, around 15% of my daily allotment if I'm eating at a deficit. And for many pop drinkers...a single 20oz bottle isn't very much for a full day.

I don't think we have to give up the things we love either...I eat chocolate every day because for 50-100 calories, I can be satisfied. It's very hard to satisfy a soda/sugar/caffeine craving with 4-6oz of soda...so in order for me to be successful, I had to make soda a "special, sometimes" beverage. The combination of calories, and the fact that it didn't satisfy any of my hunger, meant it could no longer be part of my every day.

Of course...OP, you can switch to diet pop if you can handle the taste (I can't)...and if you are really addicted to it, you can always begin by tapering off...start replacing some of your regular with diet pop a little more each day. All at once may be too much, unsustainable because crankiness makes it harder to stick to your goals.

Sensible advice Elyelyse