OBSESSED WITH LOSING WEIGHT!

I wasted years and years doing just what you are doing. From my mid twenties I would go on very low calorie fad diets, completely obsessed with losing weight, until the binging started. Then I would give up telling myself it was impossible and gain all the weight back and a lot more. Then I would do it all over again. It was only when I started with MFP at the age of 55 and ate between 1300 and 1600 (sometime more) and started lifting weights with some cardio that the weight dropped of in a sustained and regular way. I have maintained it for the last year by eating pretty much what I want in sensible portions.

Please listen to the advice given on here, depriving yourself to such an extent will more than likely end in you binging and hating yourself for not losing the weight. Honestly it is not the way to do it.

You don't have to eat super healthy food. Just make sure you get some fruit n veg in there along with some lean meat and fish and the rest can be not so good but cheap food in sensible portions to fit you calorie goal.

http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

use this calculator to get an estimate of how much you should be eating and try to follow it

Google Images: Loose Skin Weight Loss

Do you really wanna lose it that fast? You'll be more likely to gain it all back. Get some counseling.

Its not that I cant afford to eat more calories, its that all healthy food is expensive, and the food I buy now is all healthy, I just cant buy a ton of it... and I refuse to buy the stuff I was eating,and I dont cook much which is a problem.. everything these days cost money to lose weight, either seeing a doctor, or trainer, or even advise.

You know what, I don't agree with this. I think, like others have said, that you are making a lot of excuses in order to avoid having to change your current plan. I get it - you want the weight to come off quickly. But you didn't put it on quickly, and trying to be patient will help you keep it off in the long run. (You want to know what's expensive? Constantly buying bigger sizes as you put weight back on.)

First of all, all healthy food is not expensive. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be a little on the pricey side, yes, but frozen ones are usually much more affordable and just as good for you. Otherwise, buy stuff in season. A little Google search can help you figure out what the seasons are for different foods. If you want to eat healthier and avoid turning to fast food, I suggest learning how to cook. It's really not that difficult and will serve you well later in life. I know you work long hours, but a slow cooker is a relatively inexpensive purchase and will help you a lot because you can make food well in advance of when you want to eat (say, before you go to work in the morning) and have enough for leftovers for a couple of days. Even if you don't, though, it's not a crime to eat fast food in moderation. There are plenty of healthy, if imperfect, options on menus these days.

Let's talk about exercise now. You DO NOT need a gym membership or a trainer to lose weight. I lost most of mine so far doing fitness DVDs at home. You can get free workouts on Youtube or just get out and go for a walk. These things can be done for just a few minutes each day. Again, I know you're busy. Can you get out and walk somewhere to get lunch while on your break at work? The key is making a consistent routine for yourself and committing to making it happen each day. No excuses.

I know your primary concern here is not being obsessed with losing weight, and you seem to be ignoring a lot of the other advice you're being given about macros and your diet. If you work on being more patient and turning the changes in your diet and fitness routine into a lifestyle, you won't have to obsess about it. You won't have to worry about eating a few calories too many (in your view). The changes I've implemented in the past six months have just become part of my daily life, and no one makes a big deal about it, least of all me. I really think the whole process will become a lot easier and less stressful for you if you actually consider some of the advice the more seasoned members on the site are offering to you. Best of luck!

Its not that I cant afford to eat more calories, its that all healthy food is expensive, and the food I buy now is all healthy, I just cant buy a ton of it... and I refuse to buy the stuff I was eating,and I dont cook much which is a problem.. everything these days cost money to lose weight, either seeing a doctor, or trainer, or even advise.

Healthy food is NOT more expensive. Eat regular food (at WAY more than 600-900 cal/day please). Frozen veggies are cheap, dried beans and rice are cheap, eggs are cheap, even chicken breasts or thighs (like $2 a pound in bulk packs)...I feed my entire family (husband plus three boys--we eat all the same foods) for around $20 a person per week. Aldi, Walmart, and ethnic food stores (for bulk commodities) are your friend. Oh, and you'll just have to cook, even if it's a "bulk cook day" once a week (freeze stuff in small servings).

I want a lifestyle change, that's what I thought I was doing, until now. I have always been big, even when I was young. I do not get breaks at work, well to use the restroom or fix my food, but that's it.I'm trying not to ignore advice, but im pretty clueless in what macros and what I need for nutrition. I appreciate all the advice given, and willing to try to do better with this.

I really hope you don't think you'll be able to sustain 600-900 cals a day for the rest of your life. I mean that sincerely.

Now, you said you work 12 hr days and don't get breaks. Pretty sure some law is being broken there. Do some research.

As far as getting more information about macros and nutrition, try reading some of the threads stickied at the top of these forums, especially the ones for new members. They can help you figure those things out - again, no need to spend lots of money.

I agree with the slow cooker idea. You can purchase cheaper cuts of meat and add veggies and have food for many days. And you don't need to be a great cook to use it.

I also suggest soups with lots of veggies and protein. Freezes very well

Look to see if you have farmers markets around you. Many times you get better priced veggies which you can freeze and eat later. Look into canning as well. It might sound intimidating but I did this for the first time last year and it was fairly easy, at least for the tomatoes, pickles and jam I did.

Check out your local community and see if you have anything like a community garden. I did this for the first time this year and picked veggies I know are a bit more expensive in the store or those I can do a lot of things with. The garden cost $35 and seeds are fairly inexpensive. Do some research over the winter and then start early next year and you could get lots of fresh veggies very inexpensively. Being as you live in the south you might even be able to grow year round???

You really should eat more than what you are. Add in some nuts, peanut butter, cheese, olive oil, avacados etc and you will get your calories up and get healthy fats and enough calories to keep you losing weight.

I am probably not the best person to give you advice because, sadly, I am doing about the same thing as you at the moment, but I wanted to tell you a bit of my story.

I was an overweight teen (almost obese). At 20, away from my family, I decided to lose weight. Soon I was on 900kcal/day. Then 700. Then 600. I ended up at 400kcal/day. Sure, I lost tons of weight and didn't go into "starvation mode". Once I reached my skeletal target weight I managed to maintain it for 6 months.

Then the binges started. It took me less than 3 months to put back on the 70lbs I had lost.

I have been stuck into the binge-starve cycle ever since. It is not something you want to live with.

Y'all are being trolled. She wants attention, not advice.

I would suggest you not attempt to lose weight at all. You're not ready. Better to continue to ignore diet and exercise than to do more damage on a VLCD.

You don't have a food problem, you have a head problem and all of the advice about macros and calories and exercise isn't going to change that.

95% of dieters fail. Figure out a way to live a joy-filled amazing life at your current weight. Find something else to obsess over other than weight.

You're not ready to eat like a grown up and that's okay. You can still have a remarkable life as an obese person.