Question- how do you lose- just starting out

Yes, follow the MFP instructions and it will work. Measure and log, measure and log. Exercise is a must. Don't eat back all your calories, leave some as margin for error. Drink water, thirst disguises itself as hunger--very sneaky. Stay active on the message board--the social support is very important. Weigh everyday but don't freak out--your weight fluxes because of water. Water weighs 1 pound/pint. If you have a binge episode, don't freak, forgive yourself and get back on the wagon the next day--you can't gain much in a day no matter how much you eat. Your weight loss will come in spurts, you will plateau and then break loose again later as your body processes perk along. Be patient. Exercise is a must (yes, I said that already).

It was very hard for me to start, but I felt I had no choice. My doc said I was pre-diabetic, soon to be diabetic, and I was already on cholesterol meds. I was facing turning 40 and just realized there were no more excuses.

The hardest part for me was finding what to eat. I don't like meat that much and I don't like veggies enough and basically, I like carbs. The hardest thing is to reduce those carbs and sugar, but MFP really helps me. So, I tried to figure out what I could eat. I looked up online some healthy and easy recipes I could make in a pinch for dinner. I went to the grocery store and made a list of the items I could eat (I read many labels), etc... It has been an ongoing process. I never had a huge problem with a large appetite because I've never had one in the first place, but I read that certain foods make you feel fuller longer, like protein and nuts, and so I figured out how to eat those when I did feel hungry.

Now, for exercise. I started walking. Realized I hated it. I have a bad back and walking and jogging kill my back. I joined a gym and tried the elliptical, which I read was easier on your joints and back. I was able to do it! I remember struggling to do 10 minutes and feeling so good when I did. I eventually bought my own at home for under $200 and use it all the time when I watch my t.v. shows. Great investment. I also remembered I always liked biking, so I started biking (after getting my bike fixed) and found I could go longer and longer distances and really burn calories. then, I somehow found out about a free Zumba class in my area. I've always danced, but I had to quit a year or so ago because it hurt my back and hips too much. Well, Zumba doesn't, and I loved it so much, I started attending 4 days a week. Now, i joined another gym with free classes and am trying all sorts of other fun exercises, like Yoga, Pilates and Kickboxing. I like to mix it up. I also found a few tennis partners, so I can now play.

As for exercise, you have to find something you'll like enough to stick with. At first it will be hard.I find having good music really helps and keeps me pumped up. I hate lifting weights, but they're necessary to burn calories and tone, so now I found some classes that are dance type classes with cardio and weights and I love them! They force me to lift and it's so much more interesting to do with others than alone. My sister discovered she loves crossfit. She goes several days a week. Everyone has things they like and hate, and you have to experiment to see what you'll like enough to do. Don't worry if you're not great at first. I did the elliptical for ten minutes that first time and thought I'd die. Now, I can do over an hour without barely breaking a sweat. Not even kidding.

I've lost 74 lbs. to date with MFP. The support on here is so great, and I find it easy to log my food. You can also do recipes, which is great. It keeps me honest and lets me know if I'm overdoing some things,like salt, which always surprises me. When you order a grilled chicken breast in a restaurant, be careful. Often, it has a ton of salt. I wouldn't know that unless I used MFP. Oh, another thing. Whenever I go to a restaurant, I always look up their nutrition info and try to figure out what I can order ahead of time. I won't go to a restaurant that doesn't post their nutrition info. It's not worth it to cheat or eat something that has many more calories or carbs or whatever because they won't publish that info.

I find one of the best things to order in a restaurant is a petite sirloin steak. i usually have grilled onions with it, a small salad, and half a baked potato. Depends on how many calories I have left for the day. And if I overdo it, then I know I have to work out more because I NEVER want negative numbers on my food diary!

Anyway, good luck and feel free to friend me. I'm not expert, but I've been on here 7 months or so and have had wonderful success!!!
:happy:

Oh, and another thing... As for weighing yourself, I do also do this every day. Sometimes many times a day. Okay, always many times a day. I've gotten to know my body that way. If I gained or stayed the same, it inspires me to try harder, to work out longer, to eat better. Same with if I've lost. I find it motivational. I (mostly) don't let it get me down. I've plateaued for several weeks. I went on a trip and ate really healthy but had to eat at restaurants and I gained ten pounds. Then, I lost it all right away. It was water from having too much salt because restaurant food is really bad for you for the most part. I've also taken to cooking more than going out, which can be hard because I work a lot, but I know it's healthier. I think it has made a big difference. Some allow themselves to cheat once a week. There's merit to that, but I don't do it. I don't trust myself. I may have a french fry or two from my boyfriend's plate, but I always log it! Seriously. If you're not honest on your food journal, there's no point. i do not log on here weight gains. I have a lowest weight, and if I gain, then I'm striving to reach that weight again. To me, the gain is not official. I notice I lose two weeks of the month and gain or stay the same the other two (one for ovulation and the other for my TOM). I know that now because I weigh myself so often.

Anyway, I'll stop now! Much luck to you!!!

Oh, and another thing: all you need to so is have a calorie deficit for now. Do what works for you!

For example:
Skip breakfast
Eat breakfast every day
Miss meals
Eat every four hours
Eat meat
Don't eat meat
Weigh yourself once a week
Weigh yourself three times a day and get irritated by the gain
Think positively
Think negatively
Lift pink 3 lb weights
Read "Starting Strength" and lift heavy
Jump on a mini trampoline
Do step aerobics
Walk
Prep lab your food
Be totally disorganized so that at 3:00pm you go "crap! I can only have a cup of yogurt and then I'm done:(
Eat 500 calories over your TDEE one day, then make it up over the next two or three so that you end up with a calorie deficit at the end of the week
Sometimes take a week off to just maintain (eat at TDEE for a week)
Eat more fat
Eat less fat
Meet your protein macros
Sometimes go under on you protein
Etc.

If your goal is to weigh less, all you need to remember is to have a calorie deficit. Boom!