Big and depressed

You can do it! You've already taken the biggest step: realizing that something needs to chance, and doing something about it.

I know how you feel. But you've taken the first step. You can do this! Just keep telling yourself that you can.

You are going to love this app! it is awesome! Good luck and you can do it!!!

This is how I feel when I look in the mirror as well, however I know that when I look in the mirror and see the size I don't want to see, I use that as motivation to continue making good choices and exercising. The mirror is actually my biggest motivator, and each time I say to myself - soon - soon I will see what i want to see and it actually puts me in a good mood. You can do it!

One step (and bite) at a time. You can do this! Just take it slowly, and make little changes at a time so you aren't overwhelmed.

Welcome and good luck, though I'm certain you can do this.

Take it one step at a time and don't sweat any slips up, just pick yourself up and keep on going.

A giant brain dump for you!
I've probably included more than you can process now at the start of you journey... but these are the things that made my journey here easier.

The good news is you don't have to be perfect, you just have to be better.

++Track for a week or two before worrying about losing. This way you'll see where you really stand odds are it is different than where you thought you were, which is actually good news...

++Be scrupulously honest... you can lie to your friends, you can lie in your diary, you can lie to yourself, but YOUR BODY KNOWS EVERYTHING YOU EAT. So you might as well be honest in your diary (keep it private if you like) but you need that info because you can't get where you are going if your are not honest about where you are right now.

++See where you can make small changes on things that aren't so important to you.
(Don't even think of taking chocolate out of my diet!!!)
--Reducing quantities
--Swapping out things instead of eliminating them.

++Focus on what you should eat not what your shouldn't.
Eating your nutritious foods first. Your body will be more satisfied and have less cravings.

++Small sustainable changes.
Every couple of weeks see where you can make another couple of small changes.
If you completely revamp your diet, it's way easy to revert to old ways in times of stress. (and who doesn't have stress?)
If you make a series of small changes, food still offers you some sense of comfort, sort of a comfort continuum, and after a while the first small changes will seem comforting in themselves. Also rather than having to think about everything all the time. You only have to think about a 2 or 3 new things to focus on.

++Rather than being uberstrict with the target MFP set for me. (I swear this saved my life.) I was happier once I gave myself a range:

ROCK BOTTOM: 1200 cal
TARGET: MFP Calories for lose 1 lb a week (when that hit 1200 I changed to lose 1/2 lb per week)
TOP OF RANGE: Maintain Calories for my GOAL Weight.

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(SAFETY VALVE: Maintain Calories for CURRENT Weight - remember to keep updating this number as you lose)

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++Only worry about it 1 lb at a time.
Forget I *NEED* to lose 20, 30, 50, 100 lbs. I'm only worried about 1 lb the next one. I'll worry about the others later.
Once I found ways to lessen the stress, I found it way easier to focus on the process and let the results follow. (It's what worked for me some people need the stress to get them motivated. Me I get scared and overwhelmed and don't see the big goal as achievable. )


Food is not the enemy. You need nutrition to fuel your body and make it strong.

Most vitamins are fat soluable... so remember to include plant and fish based fats (HAPPY FATS) so you can access the nutrients in your food.

All of your foods fall into 1 or more of 3 macro nutrient categories
FATS • CARBS • PROTIENS ... I personally think it's unwise to severely restrict any one of these categories.
Instead of eliminating or limiting quantity focus on the quality...

HAPPY FATS (Plant and fish bases)
COMPLEX CARBS (un or minimally processed)
LEAN PROTEINS

Oddly enough, on my journey here I've reduced guilt over food.
I have the occasional treat and I fully enjoy it with no guilt involved.
The thing is since I'm not eating crap all the time, now the occasional treat is just that a TREAT it's special and I enjoy it so much more than when I was unconsciously shovel junk food into my face.

I was in your exact position 14 months ago. It took my doctor wanting to put me on meds for diabetes and high blood pressure that finally kicked me into gear. Like you, I knew I was in bad shape but I was too depressed and down on myself to do anything about it. Start slow, go for a walk and eat healthy. Don't jump in head first or you will set yourself up to fail. The weight didn't come on overnight and it's not going to come off overnight. You can do this. Do this for you and your health.

We are here to help and cheer you on along the way. You can friend me if you want. Good luck!!

That's exactly what happened to me about five weeks ago. My endocrinologist got very serious and told me she needed to track my diet to look into medication. She actually took my phone and put MFP app on it. I've lost almost 25 lbs since that day. My best advice is to log everything. That's the ammunition you need to correct the problem. Start with small goals...my first goal was to log good or bad. If I make a bad choice I still gotta log it. The act of logging helps to make better food choices and was my form of accountability. Get some friends that are active on here and stay active yourself. Motivating others will keep you pointed towards your goal. Early on I made a commitment to stay positive and active while trying to help as many of my friends do the same. I’ve found this is my biggest inspiration and makes me want to improve each week.

I gradually added a calorie deficit and exercise. When I first started I could barely walk a mile…I had terrible back pain and was out of breath at the end. I kept at it and now am up to 6 miles in about an hour. I’ve decided to run a half marathon in December and am training every day to hit this goal. The points is, it’s not going to happen all at once but if you push yourself and stay positive and active with your friends you will be heading towards your goal.

I’d be happy to be your friend along the way and give support. This is something anyone can do with a positive attitude and commitment. God bless.

Excellent progress!!! Great to hear the update. Congratulations!

Congrats!

very well! stay focussed!

Way to go!!!!

I've always been big, and I'm trying to lose weight too. So far, I have lost a good thirty pounds. Just keep motivated and do you best!
(Open to friend requests,tips, and motivation:) )

Congratulations on losing 52lbs! That is awesome:) You've got the right attitude and you're totally motivated. You going to continue to be amazing