Hello... I just signed up! Advice

Hi! I'm only just over a month in my own lifestyle change to get healthy and exercise regularly to loose weight- but I have learned quite a bit through MFP in that short time. #1- definitely follow MFP's guidelines on calories etc. I started out doubting it doing al ittle of my own thing, not really following the calorie goals it set but I've learned that it's process WORKS. #2) Exercise every day 30 mins at least! Anything really. Then make sure to eat back your exercise calories. 3) Don't think like I did that the best way to loose is to eat as little as possible. Doesn't work! I'm eating way more than I ever used to- just leaps and bound healthier! I ahve to eat 5-6 times a day, ALWAYS east breakfast. Gets your metabolism going for the day. I used to ahve a hard time eating back the calories that I gain after exercising because I exercise after work at the end of my day. I'd spend the day eating low calorie like you think you should when 'dieting', get home and exercise, log it and find out i've got some crazy 1000 calories to eat for dinner. I've learned to log exercise in the morning (even though I do it in the evening) so that I can properly plan out my day's food so that i'm eating to be within the calories MFP tells me to (i'm usually still 100-200 short though, netting around 1200/day instead of the 1400/day that is my limit). Anyways, hope that makes sense. Just me writing down thoughts and experiences so far- tends to come out a little jumbled sometimes ) Good luck! OH, last bit of advice, definitely friend people and accept friend requests- makes a huge difference having the support- even if it's from strangers on the internet )

I have young kids too & have went up a bit with each child & have a time crunch problem too.
Log every single thing that goes in your mouth everyday. I also agree with the planning. I try to mentally plan out my day in the morning so I can compensate for the dinner I am going to eat at a restaurant or the Lasagna I'm going to have for dinner. I refuse to only live on fruit & veggies, although I love them. But planning & logging helps me not just give up because I had 2 huge slices of pizza. I have only been a member since last Saturday but I was so way off on what I thought I was eating( hence the extra 15 lbs) & logging it is the key. I don't have time to exercise everyday & I try not to beat myself up about it but at least I know where my calories stand. Good luck & feel free to add me as a friend.