Commitment.

Sorry this may sound blunt but if you really want to do it, you will find a way. If you don't you will make up every excuse not to. So get er done.

Its true what she said though, but i guess that comes with motivation which it is something you are clearly lacking!
Money, can be a problem. Spare time however, you have to make time! Go to a local park and start running, lunges, squats, step ups on the bench, sit ups, push ups... you name it. These are excercises that you can start off for about four months without using weights and then slowly add them (because im guessing you havent exercised- and thats why youre here?) they are just some of the exercises i do with my trainer! If you want this that bad you'll be able to do it.

I suggest buying an exercise ball to use at home too! all that time watching tv or talking to your boyfriend you could be exercising at the same time- remember every bit counts!

Also, with food- go out and buy fresh salad, chicken or tuna and wholemeal wraps. start taking them to uni with you! also take some pieces of fruit? try and snack 5 times during the day??

Hope that helps!?!
add me if u need more support

Ohhh and pay attention to your diary! make sure you're just under everyday! i'd say make it public so people can help you out!

I didn't have much money at college, but that kept me slim: I could afford a donut OR a bus ticket, not both, so if I bought a donut I'd soon walk it off!:laugh:

I would recommend the following:

• Have a light but healthy breakfast. Stay under 300 kcal including drinks, if you can.
• Make the healthiest choices you can during the day, and try to make sure you're not so hungry that chocolate becomes irresistible!
• At night, control your portion sizes. I have been halving my carbs at night for years, which helped counteract any stupidity during the day.
• Remember that, for now, it's the calories that count, so have the chocolate if it's all that's available, but not all of it!

I sometimes find entering food onto mfp in advance helps me plan better. I have upped my exercise just a little by using RunKeeper to make me walk at 4mph rather than 3, and walking is a great, sustainable, free way to burn some energy.

Good luck, and can't wait to see your wedding pics in 'success stories'.

Thanks for the Reply, my school dosen't actually have a track (yet) they are building a health plex that i believe is opening in september which i am really looking forward to, because right now the gym has one treadmill, and a few weight machines, (not very good for the amount of money we pay! but thats a different story)

I have been bringing lunch to school with me, Ive had lipton soup, which i believe is around 80 cals. and a fruit salad which is what I had today.

thank you

You are welcome
Sometimes when I feel like I can't find a solution to a problem I'm having I will try to distance myself from it by asking myself 'if my friend came to me for advise about this issue how would I help her solve it? What advise or suggestions would I give her? Sounds weird but it works!

Best of luck!

Ooo if you're having soup watch your sodium! apparently you should be under 1000 a day and the soups ive had are high in that:)
you should see a doctor and find out as much info as you can!

it really is all about portion control.

as for exercise, do you know that you have an exercise machine that is more effective than any insane contraptions that promise magic results?

that's your body.
doing pushups, sit ups, lunges, planks and squats uses your own body weight and works better than any gimmicky stuff out there. and you can do it anywhere.

good luck. It is always the start that sucks but once you get into it, you will see how easy it is and how good it make you feel.

start small, and change one thing everyweek

It is hard to get motivated.... once you're done school there will be a whole new set of obstacles. My advice:

You don't need any equipment at all to get fit. You can walk, or run of you like.

As for meals, it takes planning. You have to make sure you're eating enough food for your body to lose weight. I take my lunch to work almost every day, and it takes a lot of planning ahead, but it can be done. Every weekend, we get groceries for the week. I buy things to make my lunches... lots of fresh fruit and veggies, tortillas and protein to make wraps, and yogurt.

Good luck!

Hi Shayla,

Hang in there girl. I am much older than you (55) and for much of my life didn't have to worry about my weight. Learning to control my diet, not give in to fast food temptation and getting into an excerise routine as been really, really hard for me. Fortunatly I have my daughter who started this journey with me and it has really helped me to stay focused. My weight loss goal is something I really want to meet. It has taken me since last May, but I have lost 34 lbs. I went from 200 to 166 and I really feel good. I know it seems like a long time but the year just flew by. I didn't do it by doing anything I can't continue to do for the rest of my life. I just watched my diet (sometimes not all that good!), walked a lot and did some occasional workouts with dvds and the ball and stuff. Nothing really tough, just consistant.

You'll get there if you just stay focussed and don't expect results over night. Be patient and as true to your plan as you can be. If you stumble, just get up and start over the next day. Celebrate every single loss even if it's 1/4lb! Be proud of yourself and don't be too hard on yourself if you don't lose what you expected. Just make the appropriate adjusment and move on!

Good luck to you. I look forward to seeing your success!

Debi

Hey Girl,

I totally feel you about the lack of motivation. I have been telling myself for years that "this is the year I'm going to get in shape." I never did.
I finally got fed up and joined a gym this year. It's definitely not cheap, so I really had to budget carefully. I am in law school (in one of the most expensive cities, to boot!), so I hear you on the financial constraints. It's $70/month, but that's a sacrifice I was willing to make. Definitely cuts down on the money I have to go out to eat all the time!

So, if you think you need to join a gym because working out at home isn't working out for you, do some comparison shopping. See what the rates. Get a free "trial" membership. Then, once those run out, you can pit them against each other, i.e. "Well your competitor said their rates are $15 cheaper." See how it goes. Also, make the most out of being a student. Ask about student discounts. Some offer them, others don't, but that can be another bargaining chip you can use when you find the place you really like!

About the food; I'm working on it as well, since I'm relatively new to this site and eating healty in general. I have found that a $50 grocery budget can go a long way, even in DC, for some really good produce and other good-for-you foods. I'm going to get a lunch bag this weekend, to take advantage of some of the other tips that people left, as well!

Good luck, and I hope this helps!