IS ANYONE ELSE REALLY STRUGGLING ?

There is one thing that's made all the difference to me and that's small changes.

Don't throw yourself into a huge exercise regiment that doesn't fit in with your lifestyle. Start off slow and steady. Chose an exercise that fits into your routine (like walking to work) and then as you get lighter, fitter and able to do more go for the more vigorous exercise. That doesn't mean you should push yourself but doing too much all at once is one of the reasons so many people fail.

Start to educate yourself by reading as much as you can about food and how to be healthy. Avoid stuff about diets because diets don't work. Start to eat right and fuel your body and you'll start to see results.
You can eat more than you think you can. If you're morbidly obese go and look for your BMR and TDEE. If you only eat 500 cals a day less than your TDEE then you will start to lose 1lb a week. It's not much but it's a start. You'll also find it less of a shock than suddenly cutting back your calories.

Most importantly find out what works for you. It's all trial and error. Something will click and it'll all fall into place.

As many have said, just take it one small step at a time. Don't try to suddenly drop yourself to a 1200 calorie diet ... it's not sustainable at first. Follow the MFP recommendations for your calorie goal. Set your weight loss goal to 1 lb per week at first. Log everything you eat. Don't worry about starting to count calories AND implement an exercise program at the same time. Just begin by watching your calories. Then as you start to lose weight evaluate whether you're able to add in a little exercise. You can lose weight with just diet alone, and as it becomes easier to move it's easier to motivate yourself to exercise.

I started my weight loss journey about 5 years ago at close to 450 pounds. It took me 3 years to lose the first 100 pounds. Then I stopped for awhile and gained some back. I've been actively watching my calories for 6 months now and have lost almost 40 pounds. My knees and ankles are feeling better. I feel lighter. And now I'm ready to start adding in exercise. Listen to your body. You know yourself better than anyone else on here. Realize that it's a journey that can't be rushed if you're going to maintain for the rest of your life.

MFP is a great tool and there are lots of folks who have been where you are, and who are on the same road. Let's help each other!!

I also think it helps to have a really rocking playlist to workout to. Pick a bunch of songs that really make you want to shake your *kitten*. Let the music motivate your movement and switch it up every once in a while.

One day at a time. Baby steps are key. Don't try and break all your bad habits at the same time. You will set yourself up for failure. Focus on making one small change a week until eventually all your bad habits are broken. For example, if you are a heavy soda drinker, give that up the first week. Then the next week, continue not to drink soda AND refrain from eating fast food. You and I didn't gain a lot of weight in a small amount of time so we cannot expect to lose it all in a small amount of time, either. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Running a marathon is hard and so is losing a lot of weight. Think about what it would be like to run a marathon right now- for me, at 300 pounds, it would involve a lot of sweating, crying, b*#$@ing, stumbling, crawling, and more crying. Losing weight is a lot like that. It is never easy, but it can be made easier if done the right way. Remember, baby steps! Feel free to add me if you are looking for a MFP friend who also has a lot to lose and you need encouragement and support!

You can do it.

Take it one day at a time brother. MFP is a great tool, start using it to track intake and take things a step at a time. You could put a big, big dent in that weight number in a year or so.

^^ This ... just take one day at a time ... and a year from now, you will be amazed at how far you have come!

It looks like you've received a lot of replies...but...when you're that overweight, it's hard to see that there is even an end in sight. I can totally relate to what you're going through. Two years ago, I would start and stop dieting/exercising all the time but it was SO hard to stick with it because I knew I had so far to go. My only real suggestion is to set small goals and move forward to attain them. You have to create the motivation to change your life yourself, nobody can do it for you. Start small with a 10 minute workout every day, and maybe remove one thing from your diet that you know is hindering your weight loss. If you continue to make small changes, they all add up in the end. Good luck to you!

So much great advice from the Peeps above. Let me just add a few more things:

"The Biggest Loser" is a TV Show. It's real but it is Television. Real life does not happen like this. People don't just "go away" and shed huge amounts of fat and pounds in a few weeks/months. They don't jump from a sedentary life-style to running 10Ks overnight. No way. No how.

You are not in a competition. You are doing this for YOU. It takes a huge amount of work, focus, planning, discipline and concentration to drop the weight in a healthy way. It may take you a few years, or longer. So be it. Just get involved in all aspects of MFP and give it your best effort each and every day.

I lost my 85+ pounds over a number of years. I went from a size 22W to a size 6. When I was at 220+ pounds (stopped weighing myself), I didn't think "Wow, I have to lose almost 100 pounds." I just knew I had to start losing. I have been on maintenance now for over 1 year. I have good days and bad. I sign in each and every day and do my best to log my foods each and every day. I walk 45 minutes to 90 minutes 4-5 days a week. I swim in the summer. That's about it. But it works for me and I think any exercise routine you choose is okay, as long as you do it consistently.

Give it your best shot. I feel you can do it. So many of us are here to help!

I feel you! It took me a good 5 months threw research and trying new things that I found what works for me. I still have my off days. I saw a trainer, a nutritionist and my doctor just so I can learn the basics and how much I eat and how much I need to burn. When it comes to working out, you really have to find something you love and do it. Becuase I hate running on the treadmill .... i get soooo bored. I love weight lifting and Zumba, even water aerobics is so much fun and easy on the joints. Hope this helps! : )

It really is something you have to do one day at a time. For me- I used this place and tracked everything for months. I ended up losing like 60 pounds before I hit a plateau and then realized that I need to be exercising. Once I started going to the gym (and believe me, I had to force myself at first) I started seeing wonderful results- this was enough to keep me motivated. You can do this! baby steps.... it's hard work at first, but once you it becomes a habit/your new lifestyle you will do it without even thinking about it

Thank you for posting this!

I am also so unmotivated.
I just found myself reading articles like 'how to lose that stubborn belly fat', and '6 quick weight loss tips'.
All the while, I know the answers, and I know that it really starts with me.

I am just in a funk like many others, and lack motivation to do anything. I have lost 10 lbs in the last year, and I really felt like I was trying. It is just not coming off fast enough and I lack motivation to take the next big step and lose another 10 lbs.

So, reading all these replies, and knowing so many other people are struggling, has helped me.

Again, thanks!

Good luck on your journey, and dont give up!

One step at a time, one day at a time, one meal at a time!