Starting out at 5'6", 352 pounds (gulp) with a few questions

2lbs a week is totally do able. I am at that now. In the beginning, I was shedding up to 5lbs a week.

The carb value sounds too high to me. You can adjust that accordingly to your wishes.

Hi. I am down almost a 100lbs. I only aimed for 1lb per week to give myself a greater chance at sticking with it. So if you do struggle with 1900 calories you could consider 1 pound per week. My advice for food is eat things in moderation and expect the will power to get stronger as you go through your weight loss. Give yourself time and expect good and bad days. Try to find an exercise you enjoy so you will be more likely to stay with it. Good luck.

I think the carb is too high, most people feel great and lose well with 40/40/20 carb protein, fat. I never weighed my food I think the most important thing is eating wholesome nutritious food. Good luck you can do it!

Hello! Nice to meet you and this is a great place to start your journey I think the calories sounds like a good start and 2 lbs a week at your weight is a good goal Don't be upset if you do not lose that much every week and don't get discouraged Some weeks it will be more some it will be less As far as the Macro's you have to decide what works best for you I have mine at 40 protein 30 carb 30 fat I still work on trying to meet those everyday that is a challenge but overtime you learn Best of luck on your journey!

I also just started my new "lifestyle" (not diet because diet is temporary, lifestyle is permanent) 4 days ago. I too, have 150+ pounds to lose. I have p90x and love it so far, but it is quite a challenge, so I walk to make up for what I can't do. The people who work out with you on p90x tell you, if you can't do it, try anyways because some kind of movement is better than no movement. So, with that being said, you should exercise/walk, even if it just down the street or 3 miles. Walking = exercise = burning calories = getting rid of weight. I also count calories, but don't weigh my food. I have read it but have no idea on what it does (If someone can explain, please do). Something that has helped me thus far, is waking up with a "motivational weight loss quote." Good luck to you with your new lifestyle. You can add me if you please, as we can never have to much support from MFP.

k, my profile pic might help.... started at 363 in November, 5'10" started on my own, just logging my food in a notebook and watching my portions and started walking. I could barely walk .4 miles in 30 minutes, my back hurt, my knees were stiff, but I kept at it. started MFP in march and have been having all kinds of success! just keep at it. if you are having problems, estimating food weight seems to be the biggest issue. get a food scale if you need to and measure your portions! I found that the calorie deficit MFP calculated for me was sufficient and don't be afraid to have a little extra every now and then. watch your "macros" at the bottom (if you are using the website) or check your nutrition numbers with the app. Try to keep your protiens, fats, carbs, etc. etc. close to nominal. I've been drinking nothing but water (occasional coffee) so I'm not too concerned about my sodium. I've been told MFP is not to accurate with potassium so I haven't been too concerned yet. I feel good, walking is getting easy things are going good. friend me if you want and i'll tell you more what works for me!

Congrats for taking the hardest step, change. You can do it, take pound by pound and you will succeed!!!

Bekitts put your ticker on and as you drop weight it'll be so motivating to see the pounds you've lost. Don't be afraid to get active on the forums. Anytime I'm struggling I go straight to the motivation and support forum. It helps to know I'm not alone. Also, you will struggle at first, and the struggle will get better but it won't end. It's hard to work out and keep eating healthy and stay under or at your calorie goal. There will be days when you want to give up. But you will get stronger and it'll become a rhythm. You will eventually find the balance that works for you. Finally, my best piece of advice. If you find yourself overeating one night when you're tired and hungry, don't let it derail you. The very next meal, recommit and get back on track. Good luck and welcome to mfp!!:flowerforyou:

Weigh and measure your food to ensure proper portion sizes, hit your macros, and add some daily walking. Working for me.

Frank

It sounds like a great start. I think the goals you have are very realistic. Setting lots of smaller goals help out a lot in this journey. I suggest you try to get the most bang out of your buck so to speak as far as calories go. Try to add in new foods each week. Experiment with your recipes on how to eliminate butter and oil, sub out lean meats for fatty ones, add in fiber and protein to your day, cut down on whatever calories you can and stay away from processed foods as much as you can. Keep it basic. Try to stay to the main food groups when making your meals. Put on two vegies instead of a vegie and side like a potatoe or pasta, etc. Don't go all in all at once. Its a lifestyle change and it takes lots and lots of days and lots and lots of small changes to get you to a healthier you. Keep a written food diary. I think that is the most important thing to do. You can keep track of each day's food, activites, and how you are feeling or thinking each day. Celebrate the non scale victories often. Start with doing small changes in your activity like walks or more extensive cleaning on your house. ANYTHING that gets you sweaty is a good workout. Put some more umph in your current daily activities: stretch and do lunges while vaccumming or mopping, really work those arms while cleaning the counters, take extra trips back and forth from the laundry, etc. I started this way. Anything that gets you off your butt and gets the heart rate up is cardio. Eat the things you like but tweek them to be more low cal and more healthy. For example, I love Mexican foods. I can make corn shells with black beans and some jalapenos and lettuce and be just as satisfied. I also eat taco salads a lot but don't use sour cream or cheese or tortilla shells. I use lean steak instead of hamburger, Those kind of things are the way I have modified the foods to be low cal for me. Whatever you like to eat, I know there is a way to make it smarter. Just look at this journey as a one choice, one day and one pound at a time thing. It has almost been a year and I am still at it. You can do it. Hey the best part is the bigger weight you start at is the faster you will lose at first. Drink lots of water too. Good luck

It sounds completely reasonable. The bigger you are, the faster you will shed those initial pounds. Two pounds a week is total reasonable. 1900 calories is too. I've been on 1200 calories a day for six months. Just remember to eat for fuel and you'll be fine. When you're counting every morsel that goes into your mouth, you really start to make smarter choices. It's much better to have a full balanced meal for 500 calories than it is to only get a bag of chips and a soda. You'll feel fuller longer and you'll be healthier. It gets easier after the first couple of weeks. Just stick with it. Drink a TON of water. Trust me, it helps. If you really just need something in your mouth, try a sugar free hard candy. But only during the first couple of weeks when you may be struggling. You WILL see results every week if you're sticking to this. =D Like I said, six months in and I lose every single week. Also, as hard as it will be initially, take a picture every single month. I didn't think I was looking much different until about a month ago when I was able to compare my pictures. HUGE difference!

Eat a balanced diet and stick to 1900 cals a day and you'll lose much more then 2lbs a week.