How'd you do it?

Kitkatebar37 · March 2016

Hey guys. So I'm kind of new, I've started this journey a few times in the past and it never stuck. This time it feels different, I'm motivated and I'm ready to change my life. I'm only 19 so I'm young and I'm not sure where to start. I was just wondering if there's anyone out there who's hit their goal or just has been on their journey for a while and could offer up some advice. I live in a house of six and money is tight so I can't always splurge to buy all the healthiest food, so I kind of have to just work with what's around. We do have a treadmill, and I'm really out of shape but I've been walking at least two miles a day which is a good start for me. Anyway I'm just looking for some tips on how you guys got started and what worked for you! Thanks

SueSueDio · March 2016

I posted these links in response to another post - start with a bit of reading, and go from there.

Don't get too hung up on the whole "healthy food" thing - if you want to lose weight, you just need to take in less calories than your body uses up. Exercise will help your fitness and allow you to eat a bit more, but that calorie deficit is the thing that's going to actually shift the weight. I'm still eating chocolate, pizza, ice cream etc. (but only in smaller calorie-counted portions), because I want to keep the weight off long-term and I won't stick to a way of eating that bans things like chocolate and bacon!

Get yourself a food scale and start weighing everything, check packaging or online info for nutritional details, and get logging. Find out how many calories you eat normally, and see where you can adjust things without needing to upset your entire household's routine - unless, of course, everyone else is on board with losing weight too!

Good luck!

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10300319/most-helpful-posts-general-diet-and-weight-loss-help-must-reads#latest

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10300310/most-helpful-posts-fitness-and-exercise-must-reads#latest

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear/p1

jacklifts · March 2016

There's a "success stories" subforum. Check it out (as well as the links above)

Kitkatebar37 · March 2016

SueSueDio wrote: »

I posted these links in response to another post - start with a bit of reading, and go from there.

Don't get too hung up on the whole "healthy food" thing - if you want to lose weight, you just need to take in less calories than your body uses up. Exercise will help your fitness and allow you to eat a bit more, but that calorie deficit is the thing that's going to actually shift the weight. I'm still eating chocolate, pizza, ice cream etc. (but only in smaller calorie-counted portions), because I want to keep the weight off long-term and I won't stick to a way of eating that bans things like chocolate and bacon!

Get yourself a food scale and start weighing everything, check packaging or online info for nutritional details, and get logging. Find out how many calories you eat normally, and see where you can adjust things without needing to upset your entire household's routine - unless, of course, everyone else is on board with losing weight too!

Good luck!

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10300319/most-helpful-posts-general-diet-and-weight-loss-help-must-reads#latest

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10300310/most-helpful-posts-fitness-and-exercise-must-reads#latest

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear/p1

Thank you so much! Definitely going to get a food scale. Read all about how much those help on another post and loved the idea. And I'm all for getting my family on board. We've always been a family on the bigger side, family functions revolve around what's for dinner. Definitely wouldn't hurt to make changes everyone could get on board with. Thanks again!

SueSueDio · March 2016

You're welcome! I don't know how much weight you want to lose, but I was reading on another thread that a good way to start is by just choosing one or two small things to change at a time (like swapping one snack food for a lower-calorie option). Get used to that, then change something else. Little steps, and slow going, but perhaps more likely to form new habits that'll stick with you than going all out and trying to change everything at once.

My husband was kind of unsupportive at first because he figured he was going to lose his favourite snacks, but I found alternatives for me that I can fit into my goals while he still has what he wants. And now he's started weighing himself as well and choosing to eat a bit less, without me nagging him...

And as jacklifts mentioned, there are a ton of inspiring stories in the Success Stories forum that are great for motivation! I love finding people who started at a similar size and weight to me and seeing what they achieved, it really makes me feel like I can do it too!

Happyagain2013 · March 2016

Hi there

I've just started in here to and would liove to get some friends in here to help and motivate eachother!!

Add me if you like

Suze

How'd you do it?

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