Newbie...need to lose about 130lbs

Welcome!!

If you are looking for encouragement, you have come to the right spot. I have been here about 2 weeks and have lost 2 pounds. Please feel free to add me as a friend. I will do my best to keep you encouraged.

Diane :flowerforyou:

If you'd like a friend you can add me. My husband can eat all kinds of junk and stay skinny- while I am here to lose 100 lbs.
Stay strong and you can do it!

Welcome! I am around 130lbs too to lose... working towards it, it seems so far when you look at it that way... try and set mini goals... my first was 25lbs (i succeded in June of last year), but then I gained 12lbs back.. now my goal is to get back to my lowest weight which was 265 in November of last year.

Good morning Sandy,

You made the right decision to start with Myfitnesspal. I know you will find this site to be a great help as you work through your journey.

Remember to take baby steps in hopes that you don't find yourself getting bored or losing motivation. Maybe try working on your calorie intake and learn to cook healthy, natural foods first. Preparing ahead of time is just one of the keys to staying on track. Remember processed food has tons of sodium added. Once you get this down then work on adding some exercise in a couple days a week, whatever will work for your schedule and don't forget your daily water intake which will help flush your system. Think of this journey as a life style change not a DIET!!

You will do GREAT and you will find MFP will keep you motivated and always moving toward your goals.

Good Luck Sandy!! You can do this..No more excuses!! You will not fail!!

Hi there - welcome to MFP. Feel free to add me as a friend if you're looking for support.

I'm still struggling with weight loss and I have about 100 lbs to lose, but I'll reiterate what everyone else will tell you:
- drink lots of water
- log what you eat as much as possible, even if you feel like you "cheated"
- take your measurements regularly - the scale is not the only measure of your success
- try to focus on simple whole foods, cut out the processed stuff - I know it must be hard with little children, but they can enjoy what you eat too, without being deprived of yummy food
- come here often for support and lots of helpful information

Best of luck - you can do it!

Make it simple, eat the same as them...you eat less than hubby obviously but if this is a lifestyle change you cant be buying the meals you are forever. If your home cooked meals are unhealthy then change that...hubby may not put on weight but that doesnt equal fit.

If the meal has chips/fries then you either only have a few or have a jacket sweet potato...just substitute foods here and there. I won't say cut out anything because that tends to lead to cravings/binges/feelings of failure...none of those things are conducive to weight loss. Moderation and management is the key.

Buy some scales so you know exactly what you are having...its easy to under and over estimate. Was doing it myself...was doing myself out of protein!

I had 99lbs to lose when I started and really couldnt see the light at the end of the tunnel, its still a long way off but I can see it and KNOW I will get there. Set yourself lots of mini goal...My first goal was to get a loss, any loss (micro goal maybe lol!) There have been many and theyre never more than about 10lbs because I need to feel theyre doable in a short time.

Good luck, you can do this and if you stick around on here you WILL do this

Good for you for making the effort to get started! Every path starts with the first step, and here you are!
I have recently changed (drastically) the way I have eaten all my life, and I, like you have 3 children and a husband to consider also. (I'm 50 years old and am about 30 lbs. overweight.) I decided that since I am in charge of all the food buying and preparation, it is my responsibility to feed my family right as well as myself. If your children are little, now is the perfect time for you to start this! If you can find ways to cook one meal for the whole family that will also serve to help you lose weight, that's the only way you will survive without going nuts. And if your husband just can't stand it, he probably knows the way to McDonald's!

If I were you, I'd start by adding a lot more fruits and veggies to everyone's meals, more whole grains and beans. I find the Boca and Morning Star meatless items in the freezer section of the grocery store are mainstays of many of our meals. WAY less fat and animal products and the meatless crumbles are fantastic for spaghetti, chili, and tacos. I put the "chicken" nuggets in my kids' lunches today, in fact. Add some black beans to things like tacos and chili--they'll never notice! Eat massive salads without lots of cheeses and processed meats, and find a lowfat or fat-free dressing you like. Or make your own out of a packet of powdered ranch dressing and some cottage cheese (add a little milk and put it all in your food processor.). My kids LOVE homemade pizza made out of pita rounds, bottled pizza sauce and any toppings they like. I buy turkey pepperoni and dole it out to them very sparingly! We've begun using fat-free shredded cheese. My husband and I like making our own pizzas too, using veggies like sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, red onion, green or red or yellow peppers, asparagus, a bit of feta cheese--whatever! We do still eat meat, but maybe once or twice a week. And I am picky about what type of meat I buy--I look for meat from grain-fed animals. It's more expensive, but if we are only eating it once or twice a week, it's still less expensive.

Oh--and I'd strongly recommend you stop buying sugary breakfast cereals. Cascadian Farms makes a lot of really great products that my kids like, and they aren't getting all the high fructose corn syrup to start their day. I like it too. By the way, my favorite breakfast--I eat it almost every day--is 1/2 cup of cooked Kashi 7-Grain pilaf with raisins, raw nuts, tsp. honey, and a little bit of almond milk. I like blueberries or strawberries on top of all that (I don't heat the berries though).

I'm sorry if I am rambling, but I am very excited about the way my family is responding to all this. And to the way I am responding--I have lost 17 lbs. since January 23, I sleep better, have more energy during the daytime, and I'm not starving all the time. I actually enjoy working out at the gym!

Good luck and thanks for letting me get up on my soapbox!

p.s. I found a meatless hotdog that 4 out of 5 of us like: Yves Good Dog. I actually like the texture and flavor better than a regular hotdog.

Good advice about the small meals and snacks! Eating small healthy foods regulates your insulin levels, which keeps you from packing on the pounds.