Hi from a lifelong dieter ready to do it right

You will have a period of adjustment. Be committed to tracking and let the MFP Community in to help give you support. I love my family but the MFP community has done more to help me gain focus and increase desire to be successful. Welcome!

Been there and changed that because of this site!!! This is the place to take control and learn what to eat and how much. Best of luck!!! Friend me if you like :O) All the best :happy:

Hello Meanit!

I am usually the quiet one here, loving to read other people's posts, but rarely ever post myself. I saw your post and just had to stop for a moment and say hello. Don't be afraid of the "RED"...there are days that I see RED, and others I don't. On those days that I do see RED, I just let that be my little reminder that I am only human; I may make mistakes every once in a while, but I will learn from them, and I will continue to reach for the goals I have set for myself.

When I first started, I hovered in the Red more often than not. However, as time has progressed, I find myself looking more at labels and calories, and really weighing my options--"Do I really want to waste 250 calories on a cookie? Or could I spend that 250 calories on a salad with low-fat cheese, albacore tuna, sliced carrots and cucumbers and a light dressing? If I eat the cookie, I will want another in 20 minutes. If I eat the salad, I prolly wont be hungry again until suppertime."

I found myself making much better choices, looking for things that were high in protein, because those fill you up and stay with you longer. If I am craving a snack, grab one--a small one. Eat a handful of almonds. My favorita snack was a can of tuna with 5 Melba Toast wafers--low calorie, high protein, and it filled my craving immediately

Drink Drink Drink the water. Even when you dont want it--Drink it. If you can, drink ice water. Your body will burn more calories to process it--and let's face it--every lost calorie counts.

Exercise. I know it is a dirty word, but do it. Exercise does not mean you have to go crazy buying every Billy Blanks Tae-Bo and Jillian Michaels-Exercise-Until-I-Fall-Over-Gasping-For-Air-and-Charlie-Horse Leg-Cramps video on the market.

Exercise is simple - "Just Move It". Do something that is going to pump blood a little harder and elevate your heart rate. I started with the stairs in my home. I created a little routine--3x per day, I would climb up and down the steps 5x at a steady pace. About killed me the first day--but it was movement, and that is what I needed. My routines have now grown to an elliptical that I use for 10 minutes 4x per day. Or I may change it up and walk at brisk pace through the neighborhood. I also do simple strength training techniques throughout the day when I am still--while I am getting ready in the mornings, I do squats in the mirror. Husband thinks I am crazy, but he does like the way my backside is looking.

I have lost weight quicker in the past. I attribute that to being much younger, and literally starving myself. This time, it has been a slow process. Since starting, I have lost 21 lbs--From a size 16 down to a size 10. I do not weigh myself every day. I weigh in every 2 weeks. I count my success based on how my clothes fit. As a motivator- I have a Hot Mama outfit, that I wore on the second date I had with my husband. I will be in that outfit before this year is over, and I will do it at a healthy-keep-it-off pace.

You can do it, Meanit. Take a look in the mirror, and say to that person staring back at you, "I am beautiful the way I am, but I need to be healthy. I am motivated to reach my goals. I may have weak days, but the stronger ones will shadow over those...and while I do look good in RED, I dont want to wear it everyday.

stepping down off my soapbox now and going to fill up my water jug.

Daizycakez