Why is this so hard

Baby steps.

Start by logging your food and drink calories. Get used to logging.

You can then look back through and see where you can make small, manageable changes.

You can do it!=-)

Just clamp down, and get choppin

I've found that researching processed foods has helped me a lot. I don't see fast food as real food anymore and that helped me to stop eating it. Also look up the legalization of horse meat....makes you think twice.

I'm Right there with you.. My doctor told me to lose weight or make sure I had a life insurance policy for my kids... I'm only 39years old, on blood pressure and cholesterol meds... 20 years ago I was in perfect shape now my shape is round and sponsored by McDonalds, Taco Bell and Papa Johns... I need help with this and I need support friends too.. please add me!!!

You change it by taking it one day at a time. Don't beat yourself up, cause what's done is done. Start small and work your way up. Add as many friend as you can and make sure you talk to at least one friend a day to keep you motivated. We're all on the same path. As everyone else said, log your food and just know you have plenty of support here. Add me if you want.

We're totally all here for you! You're right, it's hard and sucks...at first. Having the strength to say no to the unhealthy food options, even when they call your name super loudly, can be almost unbearable. Almost, but not quite. Doing your exercises can be torture. Until you find something you enjoy to do, and is a challenge but not overwhelming. I did P90X a while ago, and the first time around during the Ab Ripper workouts I did nothing but lay on the floor and cry because it was so hard!!! But you know what, every workout I was able to do one more rep, lift one more pound...and now I look back and laugh at myself for spending all that time rolling around and crying on the floor! LOL!! Right now everything seems overwhelming but YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!! And it gets easier over time, because you get better and stronger. Hang in there!!!

fatpappa wrote: »

That gives me hope tryglycerides 777

In the one-year difference numbers, I told you "Triglycerides 82 (LY: 193)". That wasn't my peak triglycerides test. The 193 was a decrease from a peak test of 402 - I'd already made some changes in the composition of my diet, before losing weight, that had helped.

You should have hope: You can do this. Commit to change, and be persistent about it.

Don't look at the big picture...by that i mean, start small. just one day. or one item. let yourself have success. Its amazing how it grows. As others have also said, knowledge is your best tool. you just have to learn to track some things. but again, one step at a time. you will be amazed what you can do! really! I'm NOT a bs'er. and don't blow smoke up someones...you know....just one day at time and keep moving. resolve now that this is a long process, not a quick change.

Best wishes

VeganRayne wrote: »

kimyrachel wrote: »

Seriously, cut down on meat and diary products. It will change your life. I seriously recommend it for your health. You should definitely consider and research on this. Hope this helps

I agree with this 100% it is proven that eating animal products (meat dairy eggs) cause high cholesterol levels.

A great resource is nutritionfacts.org there are a lot of videos that you can watch online for free, the videos are centered around facts, not opinion, using studies completed in the medical field.

if it was just that simple. Cut "X" out and all will work out. Humans have eaten animal proteins for...what???? EVER. its about the types of meats and the quantities and your exercise habits and so many many other things.

Chicken is a great source of protein, Eggs for many people have been proven to improve good cholesterol. Fish is extremely good for your heart with omegas.

If you have a well balance diet and exercise by even just walking, there IS a place in nearly everyone's diet for animal protein.

The OP asked how to change a lifetime of bad habits and to suggest cutting animal protein, dairy and eggs out his diet is very misleading. my humble opinion.

sullus wrote: »

I've found that exercise is the #1 influence on my cholesterol number, and food is a distant second.

^ agree

As previously stated, don't try to do it all at once, make healthy changes and the weight loss & better numbers will come. Do your research, and make a list of the lifestyle changes that are recommended for your particular goal of reducing cholesterol. Once you have that list, pick one, just one, and focus on that for a week. In a week or two, keep doing that, but also move on the to 2nd change on the list. By focusing on one change at a time, it won't be so overwhelming, and after a month or so you would have made several life style changes. By staggering them, it also gives you time to notice a difference in how you feel.Make sure exercise is part of it. If you are completely sedentary now, just start with something small, like getting up & walking around your house during tv commercials, or going up & down the stairs an extra time each trip between floors. Moving even 5 minutes more an hour can help you be healthier.

And one other thing - this is a long journey. It will take a while. You will have detours and setbacks and THAT IS OK. If you make an off-plan choice, or if you suffer an injury that prevents you from being active for a period of time, remember to BAM - Breathe, Accept, and Move on. Each day, each meal, each hour is a chance to make a choice - healthy or no. One choice won't derail your progress, and no one is perfect. Look for progress, not perfection, and a few months from now you will be able to take a look back and see how far you've come.

Good luck *_*

sullus wrote: »

I've found that exercise is the #1 influence on my cholesterol number, and food is a distant second.

Well, then I think this must differ by person/situation. I was pretty active for years (over a decade) before losing weight, and my cholesterol/triglycerides stayed high throughout. By "active", I mean rowing 4-6 times/week for 1-1.5 hours, spin classes twice a week, regular aerobics in the earlier years and various exercise classes along the way (lap swimming, kettlebell, weight training, etc.).

Changes in diet composition helped a little, but only losing weight helped a lot (solved the problem) for me.

I'm not at all disputing what you're saying about your experience; I'm just saying that my experience was different, and the contrast between your & my experience suggests that one may not be able to generalize.

All 3 things (exercise, weight loss, good dietary composition) seem worth doing for their individual benefits, for sure.