Friends and tips

Did you go through the MFP set up? That will get you started. There are a few sticky threads that will help on your learning curve, check the top of the forums for a place to start.

Log everything you eat and drink.
Weigh your food.
Get exercise daily - doesn't have to be intense, even walks burn calories, just more slowly.
Be patient, none of us became overweight in a month, it won't reverse in a month either.
Weigh yourself regularly, focus on the good results when they come. It's not a strictly linear process.
Set a realistic timeline for your goal.
Do it for you, not for or because of anyone else.

My experience is that 80% of my results came from eating in a deficit, 15% came from activity - walking, biking, etc., and 5% from weight training work (you do burn calories in that process).


Most people find it difficult to build lean muscle while on a calorie deficit as required to lose weight. Pay attention to your macros and do some strength / weights / resistance work every other day, or however often you can; you save the lean mass you can while eating at a deficit and focus on strength and lean mass building after your cut. When you're done with that, you'll cut again.

This isn't a whole new lifestyle, that's a diet and is why people stop. This is an adaptation of parts of your lifestyle that can help you feel and look better gradually over time. It's powerful, but subtle if you lack patience.

There are a bunch of crazy-smart people here, ask questions, share your diary, and contribute when you can.

Go rock this, you've got it.