Ready to lose, scared of failing..

This is pretty much how we all feel on day one, I can guarantee. Stress and emotional eating is a huge factor for SO many of us. You can do this. It's a process. People here can really help, and if you can find even one real life friend - maybe someone at work who also goes to the gym - to be a support, that could help too. Sending you a friend request now -- And it's not on topic, but I quit smoking while living with a smoker who laughed at me for trying to quit. So. I feel what you're saying about the lack of support at home, but if you want this for you, then one day, one choice at a time, you can take it. Welcome!

Hi all! Writing for the first time on here! All I can say is that you all a beautiful women and you can do it!!! I know that sounds easy, but what is required is personal love and dedication to yourself. No one else can do that for you. I started my weight loss journey about four years ago and originally list about 37lbs. A year after my mom died I found myself gaining more and more weight. Was up about 40 lb from what I was normally and dieting, but not consistently enough to lose weight. What I found is that you have to do what every expert tells you to do... Log calories day in and day out until you lose weight.. I even did it for about a year after I lost weight to ensure I wouldn't go back to old habits of snacking. I also slowly started to exercise. Whatever fitness level you are ... just start! I would join a gym in the past and go there for hours multiple times a week and wear myself out! I would work out so hard I would get exhausted, sore and gain muscle weight/water quick and get discourage and quit a month later! Just get going by doing just 10-15 mins until you can do more. I could hardly do 10 mins on an elliptical without feeling extremely winded and sore! I can now do it for an hour or even more. Eat some low fat lower calorie and high protein breakfast. I never ate breakfast since I was a kid, I started eating a Greek yogurt, protein shake or bar on my way into work everyday. This ensures that your body's metabolism gets a boost in the first 30-60 mins of waking up and you won't go into starvation mode and storage of carbs to fat by lunch time. Keep that metabolism at a slow burn all day by eating light all day. I'd have a hand full of nuts at 10am, lunch at noon a 400-500 calorie salad with super food, a light cheese stick, fruit/ veggie or a handful of nuts at 2, a jug of water at 4:30 on my way home from work to ensure I wouldn't stop for a diet soda or junk food at a fast food place or gas station -dangerous. Then I would get home and exercise at least 30-45 mins 4 times a week- 300-400 calorie workouts. Then eat my light dinner 500-600 calories. I did this from Valentine's Day to the end of May and I had lost about 30 or so lbs and then lost another 7 that summer by increasing my exercise. I thought I had an issue with my thyroid in the past and I found out I was just eating too much and not exercising at all. I would occasionally have a few thin pieces of pizza or a burger but I would limit myself and not get fries or shake and eat the light thin crust pizza. I would also try to work out an extra day if I was bad on Easter. It seemed to work for me, I kept the weight off until this last year and I gained 12 lb back and I know why...lots of stress, my dad passed away and we had his house to sell etc. I was eating poorly and drinking more alcohol and that is a ton of calories! So I'm back at it again ... Trying to get my routine back but also challenge myself to do more exercise. We bought a Waterrower so I will have to build up my endurance with that. I can only do 10-15 mins on that machine now. Anyways I enjoy talking to my friends about what we are all doing as far as health goals. There are so many people who struggle with weight loss you are not alone! I feel like I will struggle my whole life but at least I know that losing weight is possible. I guess the only major word of advise is to weight yourself the same time once a week and not get discouraged in the beginning if you don't see much weight loss. I probably didn't see any the first month I started my program. By the second month though, the weight slowly dropped off over the two months. That was very disheartening when you think you are trying so hard and not seeing result right away. Just keep it up!!!

Hi , baby steps are important.
I used to be like you, craving for sugar all the time and now I can be in presence of cookies eery day , I don't reach for it. But here how I changed it
1) I changed my pattern, how I think of sugary unhealthy treats.
Whenever I reach for a cookie , I ask myself how will I be 10 mn later . Will I regret it ? Yes. What the cookie will do to my body. Crave for more sugar and gain fat. It's called mindful eating
2 ) instead of reaching for that cookie , I ask myself if I am really hungry or I just eat emotionally. If really hungry, then I eat something that will fill me up and healthier like a piece of fruit
3) I switched to moderate to low carb, higher fat, moderate protein diet. Carbs make me ravenous and want to eat more sweets.

Believe it or not, failure is PART of success. You'll never find a successful person who didn't have several failures along the way. Make a specific plan, be consistent with it and you should do fine.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition