tips/advice for a beginner?

5lbs isn't much, but when I do Turbo Sculpt, I can feel the burn with that weight. You should look up the Turbo Jam DVDs and see if it is something you might enjoy. I know I am doing well with them.

I never used any diet pills or anything like that before. I lost a good deal of weight. Exercise, as often as you can! But not everyday you might get really burnt out. Get into a routine. Believe it or not, exercising feels super good! I don't have access to a gym either but I have some gym equipment in my home, 3lb weights I bought off Amazon.com, a WiiFit and a spinning bike!!

If you have a Five Below (a store where everything is five dollars and below) definitely get some teeny tiny weights. I only have 3 lbs but they really help tone!!

Umm what else. Really keep track of your portion sizes. Use actual cups and teaspoons, tablespoons, all that jazz at first until you are comfortable eyeballing it. I stayed on measuring cups for maybe 2 months until I figured out how much cereal and milk I can have just pouring it into my bowl. Read nutritional labels and keep the serving sizes in mind!

That's all that I can think of for now it is pretty hard work but very very very rewarding especially when you start to see your results. Good luck!

I never used any diet pills or anything like that before. I lost a good deal of weight. Exercise, as often as you can! But not everyday you might get really burnt out. Get into a routine. Believe it or not, exercising feels super good! I don't have access to a gym either but I have some gym equipment in my home, 3lb weights I bought off Amazon.com, a WiiFit and a spinning bike!!

If you have a Five Below (a store where everything is five dollars and below) definitely get some teeny tiny weights. I only have 3 lbs but they really help tone!!

Umm what else. Really keep track of your portion sizes. Use actual cups and teaspoons, tablespoons, all that jazz at first until you are comfortable eyeballing it. I stayed on measuring cups for maybe 2 months until I figured out how much cereal and milk I can have just pouring it into my bowl. Read nutritional labels and keep the serving sizes in mind!

That's all that I can think of for now it is pretty hard work but very very very rewarding especially when you start to see your results. Good luck!

I ditto the measuring... I have been at this since April and I measure everything... only thing I can do fairly well eyeballing is salad dressing lol

Workout videos help me when I can't get to the gym. Right now I'm using ChaLean. Check out ebay for good deals. Personally I have to measure everything. I tend to eat more than a serving! Plus logging everything helps. It makes me realize the snacking I do.

My opinion from personal experience. Do watch your calories and the nutritional breakdown (fats, carbs, proteins) of those calories. Do concern yourself with the quality of the food you eat. Do exercise. DON'T take diet pills or other "fad" weight loss supplements unless directed to do so by a doctore.

In detail…

CALORIES: Yes, you can lose weight by only cutting your caloric intake. But, is that really your goal? Granted… I have no idea what your health is like now, but have you ever heard the term "skinny fat"? If not, it means you may be thin, but it doesn't mean you are healthy (or that you necessarily even look good). However, it is important to watch your calories and what kinds of food makes up those calories. The tough part is the "right mix" can be different for every individual. I suggest you start by using MFP's goals are very honest when entering the information, especially your level of activity. My doctor's "simple" advice to me was to watch the simple carbs (sugars, etc.) and saturated fats and to eat more vegetables and fruits. It pretty much worked for me.

EXERCISE: I strongly urge you to exercise. DVDs are the best because you just need to follow along! I think exercise is important not just because it helps with weight loss and allows you to eat more, but because EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR YOU. Especially being a woman, exercise combats a number of things as we age … weight resistance helps maintain bone density (helping to ward off osteoporosis), cardio maintains a healthy heart and cardiovascular system (heart disease is the number one cause of death and disability in women), helps combat weight gain (just wait until perimenopause - ugh) via muscle building and calorie burn. Also, increased muscle strength is important in maintaining back/spine health. As a bonus, you will likely have more energy, and toned muscles just look hot. Some people enjoy exercising, some do not. I am basically in the "do not" category while I'm doing it, but i LOVE the way I feel (and am starting to look) because I do it. Try lots of different things… mix it up!

PILLS/SUPPLEMENTS: I hope you do NOT consider more drastic things like diet pills. I doubt you need them… your ticker says you want to lose 6lbs? My personal opinion is no one should be taking anything like that on a regular basis without consulting their doctor. Supplements does not include a good meal-replacement drink or powder… one that has a good balance of fats/carbs/protein, and isn't high in sugar. They can be a life saver when you're having a busy day! Of course, a daily multi-vitamin may help and will certainly do no harm.

RESOURCES: The nice thing about MFP is the diversity of people and opinions (like mine ;0), but like everything on the internet… don't believe everything you read! Do your own research and look for reputable, long-term resources… not the latest "Dr. with a plan" book. I like the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Foundation (lots of good info even if you're not diabetic), for example, when I have questions on food or health. And, there's always your doctor… and if your situation warrants, perhaps they can recommend an actual dietician or nutritionist.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!

Also cheat badly every two weeks once you start plateauing - I reached a plateau at about 20 lbs and was stuck there for two weeks and broke through it through MASSIVE (3-4000 calorie) cheat days ... the weight will go up for 1-2 days but then you'll be lighter within a week .