desperate need of support.

I agree with a few others; why tomorrow?

I understand where you're coming from... everyone has to start somewhere. There is no completely right or wrong answer as far as the food goes. I suggest you take the first week of logging just to get a feel for what you actually eat; i.e. log your normal food choices (I suggest you make them at home foods that way you can log accurately). This should give you a good idea as to what you're eating on a daily basis and see just exactly where you're messing up; too many sweets, too much soda, snacking too much, low nutritional value in your choices?

I suggest this only because I know what it's like to have *no idea* what the heck "healthy eating" was when I began here 3 years ago. I knew I had a sweet tooth, but that's about it. I was *very* skeptical about tracking everything I ate and wasn't completely convinced I was going to lose any pounds from fixing my food intake--boy was I wrong!

My suggestions to you; read up on these community forums and find others in the same boat as you, as well as make friends with them and others who have seen success. Ask questions! With that being said, also take what some people post on here (strong opinions) with a grain of salt. Do your research as you go. You'll have good and bad days (everyone does). You'll fall off track, but when you do you just have to shake it off and get back on it.

I'm assuming you joined this community for a lifetime change and not a quick fix! This *is* a lifestyle change and you only get out of it what you put into it.

Best wishes to you. Feel free to add me as a friend on here. My diary is open to friends. I'm definitely not perfect and still working on fixing some bad habits, but I'm sure as heck far from the old me.

Tomorrow I start MFP...I am scared to death! I am 26 years old, 5'5 and weight 245. I have a wonderful husband and 3 small kids who need their wife/mom back. I have completely consumed myself with food the past few years and there is no hiding it. I will start a diet, quit, eat, be miserably fat, and then start again. This vicious cycle has to stop. This sounds embarrassing to say, but I think I am addicted to food. It affects my mood, etc...and I am tired of it. Physically and Emotionally. My kids deserve better, and I deserve better. Will be looking for tons of support for the months to come- but I wanted to ask...I just joined the gym and plan to go at least 3 times a week. I think the part I am struggling with the most is WHAT to eat and what to steer clear from, like gah, I wish it was easy enough just for something to make me a food agenda, and whatever it says, i eat! I could follow that much easier! What are some good breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu ideas that I could eat to help me stay on track? Also- what workouts should I be doing? I always just find myself on the treadmill...Any tips will help. Am looking to lose about 85lbs (really only focused on the first 50 for now)...Thanks in advance!!

HI! Welcome to MFP.

All I can say is what has been working for ME so far, and so I'm not about to be telling you what you have to do.

1. Weigh and count everything you will put pass your lips - Including drinks!
2. Don't assume oh its only a little bit - little bits add up. ( i have nearly fallen off my chair at calories in little bits!)
3.Walking (for me) is great and will help add some calories that you can feel better and eat a bit more - if you like.
4. I always look at my daily nutrition reports
5. I try to stick to my macros especially sugar as it makes me crave more sugar / sweet food
6. I have fun creating the lowest possible calorie dishes for the most food! (tons of fresh veg)
7. Use herbs in your food
8. Drink! (I don't mean alcohol lol ...well I do occasionally)
9. Take your time - its not a race and if you stall just see what you could change and change it!
10. Get some great MFP friends to help you on your journey.
11. Have fun - yes fun - I said it! You about to change your life so enjoy it.

YOU CAN DO IT!

First of all, congratulations for deciding to start. There is nothing to be scared of, everyone here at MFP is here to support you throughout. I was in a similar situation to you, binge eating, feeling terrible and saying 'i'll carry on with my diet tomorrow.' It may be daunting, but just think how good you will feel when you look at the scale for the first time and you see weight coming off and your clothes becoming baggy. Here are some idea to help you :happy:

Breakfast:
Porridge
Wholewheat toast and jam
Boiled eggs and bacon (unstreaky and grilled!)

Lunch
Jacket potato and tuna (on gym days)
Chicken salad - This sounds boring but you can make it so interesting! Season the chicken how you want and add your favourite healthy foods to the salad eg sweetcorn, gherkins etc, with a low fat dressing it can taste amazing, get creative!

Dinner
Stir fries
Roast chicken and vegetables
Homemade soups

I think the best workout to start with is the exercise bike and the elliptical machine. However if you take everything easy to begin with there is nothing you can't do :ohwell: Stick with it and don't put it off another day. For everytime I have said 'i'll give myself a night off and start again tomorrow' I would probably be the size I wished I was right now! :laugh:

Good luck lovely! :flowerforyou:

I don't have much wisdom to impart behind what's already been said other than "good luck and remember a bad day doesn't ruin everything."

But just because no one's said it yet: if you've never eaten breakfast, there's no great cosmic law that says you have to start, or that "breakfast" has to be oatmeal at 6 AM instead of a salad topped with chicken at 10 AM if that's what works for your schedule and your appetite. There are a lot of good reasons people choose to eat breakfast--some people wake up hungry (like me!), some people work out in the morning and need the fuel, and some people find it keeps them from being starving at lunch time and eating everything in sight. But there's no science behind the thought that it helps you lose weight UNLESS it keeps you from being ravenous later and overeating.

Don't snack off of your kids plates or "tasting" while cooking. These are calories that need to be logged.

Don't reward yourself with food. For example I would love to say that for every 10 lbs I get to drink a soda. I needed to cut the emotional attachment that food is a reward.

Don't set all your goals related to weight loss.

DO keep cut veggies available at all times! Especially when cooking or feeding the kids. (My weak times.)

DO reward yourself. My rewards are usually clothing related. New tennis shoes, yoga pants, ect... A new book, movie rental, outing would work as well.

DO set goals related to behavior. For example: log all food for 5 days, served a vegetable with dinner every day for a week, walk 3 times this week. All short term to keep you feeling successful. This way even if the weight is not going as fast as you like you are changing behaviors that will work in the long run.

Find someone you can share your successes and struggles with. Someone who will not judge you if you over eat one day.

Well, a lot of people have already said what I would say (great advice, words of encouragement, etc).

I will say that although older than you (37), I started in January at 5'2" and 242 pounds, and I am now down to 198.0 (as of last Tuesday, which is also the start day for my week, so we have that in common)...

I've pretty much been counting calories, and logging everything I eat every day.... I don't limit myself to "clean" eating, but I have noticed that while counting calories, it's pretty hard to JUST eat bad food, so in a way, you end up eating cleaner than you were before...

Even if you have a bad day, don't let it get to you... Tomorrow is another day, and as long as you're trying, you'll keep losing... Keep your goals realistic, and just know that it takes time and effort... But it doesn't have to be a miserable thing...

You can add me as a Friend if you want...

We're all here to help and encourage each other, and I've found my MFP friends to be very helpful, supportive, and motivating... So make sure you pick up some people who can encourage you along the way, or listen to your tale when you're having an off day... It helps...

EDITED TO ADD: As for breakfast, I was not much of a breakfast eater in the past... But I eat breakfast now... a fellow MFP turned me on to Quest Bars... They have different flavors, and they're good for Protein and Fiber... I tried them all, but now my breakfast is usually a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Quest Bar every morning (190 calories)... Just an option... There's also a Bob Evan's Breakfast Bake (sausage or bacon), which is like a mix of hash browns, cheese, and either sausage/bacon, and it's 160 calories... That was a big one for me when I first started... Again, just suggestions...

Hi. You were looking for meal and snack ideas. My favorite place to get ideas is pintrest. There's a few pins I've found that show 99 100 calorie snack ideas or meals under 300. I don't stick on only what they list but it gives me ideas so i can very my snacks week to week and not get bored. I'm not perfect and recently have been eating over and above my calories but I make no excuses for my faults and do my best to get in 60 minutes of walking daily and 45 minutes of running 3 times weekly. I want over night results but I remind myself that the gaining of those pounds weren't overnight therefore why should losing them be any different. Congrats for making a step in the right direction.

my nutritionist told me to make sure I was eating enough, 1500 was my calories for the day. Each meal was 1 carb, 1 fruit or veggie, 1 meat/ meat substitute, 1 fat, and 1 dairy/ dairy substitute. With that it is soooooo easy to make meal plans. I had 3 meals and 3 snacks per day and was able to lose 30 lbs. I went off my diet and regained 10 lbs in 2 weeks! if you stick to that plan it is easy for planning, not just for you but for your family as well. My husband's calories were 2000 per day and he had the same meal plan but he got 2 carbs per meal instead. He was also able to lose weight and it made planning our meals a lot easier. Since you're just getting started, start off with something kind of easy because you don't want to injure yourself. I started off by walking a mile, then up to 2 miles, eventually I was up to 5 miles per day 6 days a week. Good luck I am here to support you!

" Whoa..slow down..and quiet that mind first." Good for you taking the first step..Now one step at a time. Breathe..Log & listen. 123 and never forget to research what does not make sense to you.. Google google google : )

THIS

Start with your favorite foods and make a "Healthier version 2.0" by using natural ingredients as much as possible.

Slow and steady wins the race

Good luck in your healthy journey