How do I get serious?

Listen to Nike and Just Do It. There really is no other way.

Only you can do that.

Some things that might help:
-try making small changes first: for example, commit to logging all of your food this week. No matter what it is, just log it. This can be a real eye opener, not just for your total calories, but for where your next goal should be. Are you eating at least 5 fruit and veg a day? Are you getting enough fiber? You can also commit to working out just 10 minutes every day.
-talk to your doctor about your health risks.
-find a real life buddy. Someone you can check in with, hopefully someone that will move with you sometimes. Do NOT plan to workout with this person every day, unless you are paying them (ie, a personal trainer). You have to do your workouts whether your buddy is available or not, so it is better to get in the habit of going without them most of the time.
-set realistic goals. Personally, I don't even have a scale right now. My goals involve my daily calorie goals, my daily exercise goals and some long term fitness plans, like biking 20 miles on my little 3 speed folding bike.

For me, it's all about planning. Buying the right food. Having meals planned for the week. I will make bad choices otherwise.

Some suggestions for motivation:

Start a Pinterest board with photos of people with the physique you want, and workouts you want to try, as well as healthy and delicious recipes.

Invest a bit of money: New clothes a size smaller, fitness and workout gadgets like a tracker, pedometer, jump rope, weights and bands are all good choices. Don't blow a fortune, and don't do it if you can't afford it, but if you can, often having a new toy to play with, or something cool to wear that you can't quite fit into yet, can be pretty inspiring.

Find something enjoyable to do that also happens to be exercise. Dancing, hiking, skating, etc. can all be lots of fun, and you often don't realize how many calories you're burning until later when you're sore and exhausted.

It is a grind. You have to commit to the process. What do you want? This isn't something that is just going to come to you. You have to get out there and take it for yourself. It will take sacrifices and you'll be uncomfortable at times. You will have slip ups, we all do. But as long as you are 100% dedicated, in the end, it will pay off.

If it was easy, everyone would be in good shape. You can do it, though! The reward is worth it, I promise.

Step 1: Do your research. Learn HOW you need to be eating.
Step 2: Throw out/give away all 'bad food'. Don't buy more. BE STRICT.
Step 3: Log every single thing you eat, even condiments. Don't forget drinks.
Step 4: Cut out all white bread, pasta and soda. Eat wholemeal versions in limited amounts.
Step 5: Go for a walk every day, even if it is just around the block to start.
Step 6: Make friends on here, and get other friends to do this with you or keep you accountable.
Step 7: Planning like frksfrau said. I used to do big cook ups once a week (usually Sundays) and all my food would be good to go with minimal effort.
Step 8: Get out of the mindset of thinking you are punishing yourself by removing bad foods and by exercising. You are rewarding yourself and honouring your body by eating well and exercising.
Step 9: Little rewards. Make short goals like "Get rid of all bad foods from house" and "log all food and drink for one week straight" and "walk every day". If you do those three things for one week, you can have a non-food reward such as a new DVD or whatever you like.

I've never had to lose as much weight as you need to and I am struggling with only 45lbs! But I have lost it before and all of the above does work. The mental part is THE WORST. That is why I gained again. I also have a job where I sit down all day. Thankfully I am going to the gym & have a good support network.

Anyway, good luck!!!!!!!!!! You can do this! If you really want it, no excuses.

jenmovies wrote: »

Step 2: Throw out/give away all 'bad food'. Don't buy more. BE STRICT.
Step 4: Cut out all white bread, pasta and soda. Eat wholemeal versions in limited amounts.

Realize that it does not have to be this hard. There's no reason to label food as "bad" much less throw it away. You don't have to cut out any food. If you realize that the ONLY thing you need to do is get your calories under your burn it becomes much easier. And once you're doing that you can try to improve your diet, if need be, for your health. But unless you have a medical condition, that still won't entail cutting out entire food groups. Once I realized I didn't have to give up anything or eat perfectly, it began to come much easier to me. You might find the same.

No one can tell you what to do to lose the weight. We can give you suggestions though and maybe something will stick. I just checked that you were 18, so my advice may not resonate with you yet. But looking back I wish I had figured it out when I was younger. It has nothing to do with looks, but with your health. I was one that loved myself at any weight, it never bothered me being bigger. I figured people better just accept me for who I am, and was still feeling well, when you're young and big, you can still move pretty good. But when you get older, things start hurting and your health can be affected by all the extra weight and no exercise, high blood pressure, diabetes etc,,, heart attack, lung problems,, so give yourself a chance at a longer healthy life and make changes now that you are young.

You just have to make a decision… and then never change your mind. Make the decision everyday if you have to… but make the decision. It's not easy…but it really is that simple. Reject all your excuses and take 100% responsibility for yourself. All the best advice you will receive in this thread and anywhere else will do you NO good unless you are willing to do the work.

Once you have made that decision… there will no shortage of advise on what diet to choose, the best workouts to do, etc. And there are some things you can do to make life a little easier on yourself, such as figuring out what your hangups are and what you can do to work through those. What parts will be easiest things to change, what parts will be the hardest.

I can tell you about what worked for me if you're interested, but the decision part remains the same. Feel free to send a friend request if I can be of help.

Every day write an essay for one hour on why you want to lose weight. It's a lot cheaper than a gym and probably just as effective.

Also, as a challenge, commit to eating 1 kilogram / 2 pounds of vegetables (excluding potatoes) every day.