Overwhelmed...

Just start off with one day at a time. Don't think about it as 50 pounds right NOW,
think of it as 5 pounds for just this month. That really helps me.

Also, some of the best tools I've purchased are two sets of measuring cups, two sets of table and tea spoon measurers, and a digital kitchen scale.

With just those tools I've really been able to tackle my weight loss goals. Best of luck to you, friend!

I find the best way is just to start, because as soon as you start feeling like you are accomplishing something, it is much easier to keep going!
DVDs like Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shed are really great. They are short daily workouts that are effective!
I have found that replacing soda with things like Crystal Light (5 calories!) is a huge decrease in daily calories, and also cutting down drastically on things like chips, chocolate, candy ect. really is a quick way to cut out a lot of calories!

I'm also looking to loose 50 lbs, and feel free to send a friend request if you'd like!

Good luck with everything!

Just start off with one day at a time. Don't think about it as 50 pounds right NOW,
think of it as 5 pounds for just this month. That really helps me.

Also, some of the best tools I've purchased are two sets of measuring cups, two sets of table and tea spoon measurers, and a digital kitchen scale.

With just those tools I've really been able to tackle my weight loss goals. Best of luck to you, friend!

This.

I understand the overwhelming feeling that can come with trying to make positive lifestyle changes. Often we get overwhelmed when we try to look at the whole thing as one giant task that must be accomplished all at once. Try not to focus on wanting to lose 50 pounds, but instead focus on making some lifestyle choices that will lead you to where you want to be. Focus on the things you can do today that will get you where you want to be. Choose a few changes at first, increasing your activity and tracking all your food choices, but don't aim for everything to be perfect. Once you have incorporated a few good habits, add more or expand the ones you have. Lastly, employ the support of family and friends...and make new friends on this site. My experience is that there are some wonderfully supportive people here that want to help you succeed. You can ask any question that you might have and eventually, offer some answers to others. You know you have it in you to make this work, just remember it is a journey of a lifetime, not a quick trip. Feel free to send me a friend request if you like. Good luck with your journey!

You should really think about your motivation for losing weight - more than just to "look good". That's what really did it for me. When my goals became more of making a lifestyle change (vs. going on a diet) to better my health, live longer,set good examples for those around me, etc, that's when I started believing I could do it. It's a marathon, not a sprint, so don't focus too much on the short term benefits but the long term rewards :-) You'll do great!

This is the first time I've been on this site. I have about 50lbs to lose and I don't know where to start. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go from wanting to lose weight to believing you can actually do it? In the past I've only tried to lose 10 or 20lbs but could never seem to do it. Now I have 50lbs to lose and it feels so overwhelming but I have to do it.

In my books you have already started, YOU'RE HERE! Congratulations on taking the first step.

Make a short term goal. 5 pounds a month is a good one, and hey if you only lose 3 so what? still a great accomplishment.

Welcome, I'm pretty new myself, add me if you would like.

One day at a time is correct. Remember...the rainstorm starts with a single drop! Add me if you'd like more friends. You have to find it in you to committ (sp?) to something everyday. I have lost 40 pounds before starting MFP except I find these last 30 pounds to be more challenging so I needed the support forum that's offerred here. I finally decided that there are few things that I have almost 100% control over in my life, and weight/health is one of them. Therefore, I decided to take control and do this. Good luck, and remember, its persistence not perfection!

I have decided that I am not really looking at a goal weight - it seems too far away, and I'm afraid I'm going to get discouraged on the way. Instead, I'm just focusing on being better TODAY. I weigh once a week, and as long as it continues to go down and I my clothes fit better, I'm happy.

I know this might not be the best strategy, but I'm a TERRIBLE planner and this has been working for me for the month I've been doing it, which is FOREVER for me I feel better about things, I've got more energy, I can actually fit into a pair of pants I had stuck in my To Be Donated pile....I figure I'll ride this wave til I plateau, then re-evaluate and see what I can improve.

This is me - if I set a goal weight like "50 lbs" its too hard for me. I start looking at that number on the scale and think "oh my god I'm still 30lbs away and I just want to EAT" (I'm a serious food person, I love food).

I don't focus on the lbs at all -- right now all I am doing is focusing on putting my calories in the site daily. Literally thats it. Tracking your calories will naturally help you make better choices at mealtimes ("If I choose item A it will be 800 calories and that means I only can eat 600 calories for the rest of the day). And making better choices at mealtimes will naturally help you lose lbs.

I am not really trying to eat 'healthy' either (although I didn't grow up drinking sugar drinks or eating junk so I think my diet doesn't generally include as much of that as some peoples would). I am not trying to change my normal eating habits by eating 5-6 small meals, or cutting out carbs, or sugar, or whatever. All I do is track calories.

I dieted twice in college and it left me so miserable after a few weeks or months that I kind of refused to diet ever again. So this approach is working for me right now.

You should really think about your motivation for losing weight - more than just to "look good". That's what really did it for me. When my goals became more of making a lifestyle change (vs. going on a diet) to better my health, live longer,set good examples for those around me, etc, that's when I started believing I could do it. It's a marathon, not a sprint, so don't focus too much on the short term benefits but the long term rewards :-) You'll do great!

~*~ Couldn't Have said it better myself! Best of Luck! ~*~