getting frustrated with myself

For some people, it's easier to change one habit at a time. Maybe you can concentrate on getting your food intake habits built and then, once you feel comfortable with them, add in some exercise. I would suggest walking to start and then later adding in video game workouts.

I feel you! Whatever you do, don't completely give something up, because you'll end up indulging later or going way over. For stuff like ice cream, cookies, brownies, etc...I allow myself one small treat a day, such as a Weight Watchers sundae or cone, Skinny Cow, etc., and once a week I allow myself a treat such as frozen yogurt, candy bar, etc.

The key really is moderation, and to not turn to food for comfort...which I am horrible at!

Hope this helps!

I am there with you... but keeping those old habits, thinking it won't hurt with "just a little bit of this".... gained back the 20 lbs. I lost 2 months ago.

One thing that really helps kick the cravings, unfortunately..is not eating the bad food in the first place. The healthier you eat, the less likely you are to have junk food cravings, and once your body gets used to eating better, and you do have something bad like that, two things will happen 1) it won't taste as good as is used to...either too sweet or too salty or just not satisfying like it once was, and 2) your stomach is going to react badly to the 'intrusive' food, which makes it a lot easier to say no the next time.

I agree about one thing at a time, but make sure youre drinking lots of water and keep working on eating healthier.
You can do this!

I agree with the one habit at a time approach. Congrats by the way on giving up the soda, that is hard to do and you did it! Lately I seem to want to chocolate. I have been having a single tablespoon of mini chocolate chips with 20 peanuts. I eat them individually and savor each piece. It takes a long to eat and I make sure I record them. For now, it appears to be meeting my needs. I have also sprinkled them across a fresh pear cut in little pieces and used the same one at a time technique.

Don't give up! One thing i do to help me kick cravings is - as soon as i crave something i brush my teeth/use mouthwash. It really helps and hey it helps your teeth too!

I haven't given up anything, I've just made adjustments and substitutes. My diary is open if you want to see some of my choices or meals. Like someone else said, try changing one thing at a time. For me, it was drinking 8 glasses of water and getting in 30 minutes of exercise/movement. I started out just leisurely walking and eventually moved to the elliptical machine, exercise bike, etc. Feel free to add me if you would like additional advice, encouragement, support, etc. Good luck!

i have not given up anything either! just smaller portions

Are you eating enough? Are you eating your exersise calories?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficit

Go to the tools section and figure out your BMI:

Generally someone with a BMI over 32 can do a 1000 calorie a day (2 lbs a week) deficit
With a BMI of 30 to 32 a deficit of 750 calories is generally correct (about 1.5 lbs a week)
With a BMI of 28 to 30 a deficit of 500 calories is about right (about 1 lb a week)
With a BMI of 26 to 28 a deficit of about 300 calories is perfect (about 1/2 lb a week)
and below 26... well this is where we get fuzzy. See now you're no longer talking about being overweight, so while it's still ok to have a small deficit, you really should shift your focus more towards muscle building, and reducing fat. This means it is EXTRA important to eat your exercise calories as your body needs to KNOW it's ok to burn fat stores, and the only way it will know is if you keep giving it the calories it needs to not enter the famine response (starvation mode).

This is just a part of it! please read the link above

Heya! You can do this. You gave up soda, and that is *difficult*! I think the challenge now is finding the next good step that works for *you*.

I definitely agree with isolating one small thing at a time. Here's a different idea for a first step (it's the one that works the best for me): *add* as many fruits and vegetables to your diet as you can. Don't worry about exercise or eliminating junk food (yet), but DO actively give your best effort to finding healthy ways to eat fruits & vegetables so that you truly, truly enjoy them. The goal is to get to the point where you start craving fruits, salads, vegetables.

I think this step is easier, because you're not giving up anything. Then, once you actually *want* whole foods, step 2 is to cut back on junk. Some things that worked for me on getting more veggies:

-- Investing in *quality* fruits & veg. The stuff at the farmer's market really is better quality than the supermarket - isn't waxed, is picked later, etc
-- Back to quality: look for recipes you'll like; the veggies should be tasty without too much help. Think fresh spinach w/ balsamic instead of dying iceberg lettuce w/ ranch dressing...
-- Think about the fruits/veg you already like. Work with those rather than just jumping to stuff you don't like.
-- Sneak spinach into things - salads, eggs, pasta - even smoothies. I was amazed at how easy it was to incorporate a little spinach here and there, til I actually craved it. I drink green smoothies (spinach + banana + water) and love them. Here's a picture (this one's with kale): http://kguac.com/2011/10/green-kale-banana-smoothie/
-- Buy Naked smoothies - especially the ones with veggies in them, as a way to get veggies. Jamba Juice sells a great "berry upbeet" smoothie with veggies in it, too.
-- Seek out vegetarian, vegan, raw foods restaurants. The more eclectic the restaurant, probably the more skilled they are at serving quality vegetables in interesting, tasty ways. It's a good way to learn what's tasty.

Above all, don't necessarily just power through a strategy that isn't working for you. Try lots of different angles (changing only one small thing), until it feels like you're making progress. Maybe the next step is giving up all sugary drinks entirely, or maybe just adding some walking in, or maybe giving up just one food item entirely (ice cream?), or putting junk food in your basement, or requiring yourself to eat a salad first if you're going to have ice cream. Hehe, there are LOTS of different angles, just keep trying things until one works - and the small steps make a BIG difference!

I hope this helps! You gave up soda, jeez I know how hard that is - you'll rock the next step, too!!

Try Skinny Cow ice cream bars. I use the truffle bars because they are really delicious and at only 100 calories per bar, they are easy to fit into my calorie count for the day. It's also easy to control portions--no measuring!

but when I hurt so bad that I can barely do the exercise I tend to quit (working out with video games).

Just curious on this point... do you know the reason for this?

I hurt when working out because I haven't done it in so long, and am trying to jump in head first like I am a teenager again. So muscles are still sore even though it has been over 24 hours since last work out. And I am trying to do crunches on a hard wood floor with just a yoga mat for padding.

Ahhh ok. I have fibromyalgia, so wasn't sure if it was from working out or joint/chronic pain from a condition. Wanted to make sure!!

Don't eliminate one food, just reduce the amount.

Try to figure out what it is that makes you turn to sweets. Are you truly hungry? Then try increasing your protein & fiber intake throughout the day to help control your appetite. Are you bored? Find something to keep your hands busy that will keep you from eating. I like to knit. Or go for a walk or something.

What is it exactly that you're craving? I used to be a big ice cream before bed person. When I started losing weight, I'd eat a bowl of Kashi cereal before bed instead. It had the cold & sweet I was looking for but it was filling enough to keep me from snacking more afterward. A Greek yogurt is an even better substitute since it has the creamy aspect too.

Keep in mind that a large part of this is mental. It's clear from your post that you're very down on yourself because of this. By saying you can't seem to stop doing [whatever] you're resigning yourself to your own bad habits & that's a copout. You CAN correct your bad habits. We all have them, & we are all capable of overcoming them. But it will only happen once you decide it's going to.