Over 300lbs and trying to get fit

Welcome! I can't wait for you to start your journey! It sucks in a lot of ways, but I think the best part is just knowing you can do it - it truly is hard and when you stick to it, you know there is nothing you can't do. I know you have this in the bag!

I started losing weight about 5 years ago (ugh, I've gone so slow!), right after my 21st birthday. I had gotten up to a high of 240 pounds and felt incredibly uncomfortable. I'd always been heavy set and it had never really bothered me too much. I was active and had friends so it just didn't play into my life very much. I told myself I was just a ‘big girl.’ But after seeing that number, I knew I needed to change. I started with Weight Watchers and lost 40 pounds in the first year.

They tell you weight loss isn't linear and it's true. After the first year, I wavered back and forth in my motivation. There were parties, vacations, BOYS, etc. It has taken me 4 more years but now I'm down to 180. I would still like to lose 25 more pounds, just to know I can get to my goal. But over the course of my weight loss, it really switched from being about a number to being about my life. I do things now I would’ve never imagined before – I go hiking almost every weekend, kayaking, rafting. Even if I could’ve physically done these things before, I just never had the self-confidence to be seen doing it. I lived in perpetual fear of being mocked. The liberation that comes with self-love is the greatest gift this process has given me.

My advice is this – be a like a good parent to yourself. Be strict and hold yourself to high standards. BUT, when you fall, and you will, be there with a kind word, a hug and forgiveness for yourself. Wake yourself up the next day with love and pick up where you left off.

Good luck on your journey! Find what works for you. Here's is what I did to drop 34lbs so far. I didn't change a thing for the first two weeks and just logged everything I ate. Once I saw what the major calorie contributors were and when I ate them, I was able to adjust just those things and watch my body change. Having a good baseline gave me the right attitude to continue logging every day for the past 217 days (That little streak counter helps). This might work for you and it might not. I have had three different go around's with my fitness pal and the third time seems to be the charm. I rarely exercise but I still lose weight. I eat anything I want just not in the amounts I want. Once all the foods you eat regularly are in the system, it makes it real easy to log them on the mobile app. Start typing what it is and it will pop up. Again, Good Luck and more importantly HAVE FUN!