im new and scared

catwillig
catwillig Posts: 3 Member
edited November 12 in Introduce Yourself
Hi. Im Cherie aka "CAT". Im new here and struggling to understand why I am gaining weight. My goal is to lose 80 pounds. I have a belly that is making me feel uncomfortable. Need to learn how to balance meals and make healthier ones for my husband and I. we dont have a big diet we only eat a few items in many ways. My husband weights close to 300 pounds and wants to get weight off as well. thanks
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Replies

  • Gwenski
    Gwenski Posts: 348 Member
    Hi.. hope things go well for you! What do you and hubby like to eat? Perhaps work around that to start. Logging what you eat first is a good way to see how to make any needed changes.
    Best to you,
    Gwen
  • My1985Freckles
    My1985Freckles Posts: 1,039 Member
    Hi, Cat!

    Welcome! MFP is a wonderful weight loss tool! I started needing to lose just under 80 pounds and I am 0.2 pounds from my halfway goal. Remember slow and steady weight loss is for the best because you will be able to keep it off in the long run. Feel free to add me as a friend!

    There are a TON of great recipes on here too! And I also recommend cookinglight.com... Tons of great low cal high flavor meals on there!
  • TrekkerCynthia
    TrekkerCynthia Posts: 155 Member
    Hello Cat and welcome. I agree with Gwen, just start using MFP now to track everything you eat. One reason people think they don't eat enough to be overweight is that they forget what they eat during the day. If you bite it, write it. See where you stand with your current habits then use that information to help guide you where you need to be. Don't forget to look at the nice nutritional tracking that MFP provides as well. No worries, just take things one step at a time and you both will live healthier and happier lived.

    Cynthia
  • DaleRunning
    DaleRunning Posts: 8 Member
    Hello, just by deciding to join this site and make some life changes is brave! Channel your energy into exercise and making new diet plans or choices and you will be too busy to be scared! This is an awesome site for support, ideas and motivation! Welcome aboard!
  • strongandhealthy78
    strongandhealthy78 Posts: 90 Member
    Hi Cat,
    I'm pretty new myself and I hear you about being scared. I'm doing a weight loss plan recommended by my doctor and while each day, I wonder what the heck I'm doing, somehow, I am doing it. It has really helped to track my foods in My Fitness Pal and to attend the group class each week (offline). I'm just beginning to find my rhythm now and getting a little less scared. I have about 100 pounds to lose so I can be healthier and lower my cholesterol.

    I think Gwen makes a lot of good points too! :-)

    I wish you all the luck in the world.

    Best, Abi

    <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/1870/9815/18709815.png&quot; /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - Free <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Calorie Counter</a></small></p>
  • tripitena
    tripitena Posts: 554 Member
    Well catwillig, you've got a grip on your problem, now to work on solving it.

    Theres a great community here, lots of great ideas and support but you gotta do the work. Like Gwen said, logging really helps - its eye opening to see how much you eat in a day and how many calories and fat grams you are loading up. After you have done it for a while you will see patterns where you over eat, bad things you eat repeatedly, and other habits. Read the forums for ideas and recipes - you sure wont find much here that ISNT good for you and your husband.

    Its a process and takes some effort. You Can Do This Cat. Welcome, and good luck. If you are interested, send me friend invite.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    Hello Cat, please feel to look at my food diary for some healthier options.

    Please feel free to add me as a friend if you like. :)

    Change is scary, but it is good. I am here any time if you would like to talk

    :heart:

    Lesa
  • Cherof3
    Cherof3 Posts: 1
    :smile: Hi I am just starting today myself and this time getting serious about my weight loss that I need to lose. I have over 100 pounds that I need to lose I am hoping with this it will help me reach my goal. Good luck to everyone and if anyone has easy lunch recipes I would love some help in that area
  • This is a very good website to join. I just joined on Saturday and have already lost 3lbs.
    Don't be scared the hardest part is already over. You notice that your weight is a problem
    and your doing something about it.

    Good Luck!:happy:
  • Buddhasmiracle
    Buddhasmiracle Posts: 925 Member
    Welcome! I started in january. Lots of very supportive folks here. My diary is public if you would like to take a look. I am working 35 lbs off through relatively clean eating, cardio, and weight lifting.
  • TiffanyDawn79
    TiffanyDawn79 Posts: 201 Member
    Don't be scared, Attack this life change! You have made a wonderful step coming to this site! You can do it, i'm not saying it is going to be easy though! It takes a lot of dedication and hard work. It will also take time! Just hang in there and you will do great!
  • vernessie
    vernessie Posts: 47
    Welcome, for starter, log in everything you are eating and portions. Stay within the recommended calories and "get moving" exercise. Slow "lifestyle changes" is the key to weight lose. Look at it as NOT A DIET - but as LIFESTYLE changes toward good health physically, mentally and spiritually. The information on here is very helpful, and the support from other members is awesome also.
  • BobLohr
    BobLohr Posts: 1
    Hi Kat

    Lost 21 lbs since January 19, 2012..............First Diet that has worked............

    Be honest, eat what you want, within the Calorie Goal given to you. Use your diary to keep notes. My Goal is to weigh 170lbs, with a 34 inch waist and 17 inch neck..................30 lbs to go and I am excited, as I watch a couple of poimds a week drop off..........

    Kat, do it.............do it because you can, with all the tools provided...........

    Your friend

    Bob
  • mrssmith636
    mrssmith636 Posts: 80 Member
    Welcome Kat! This is the first step to your weight loss. MFP is a great site for encouragement and ideas.
  • Welcome!! Don't be scared at all! I had set an, what I thought to be, unattainable goal of weighing 140 lbs. I weighed 208lbs. And as of today, I hit my goal!! Just take it one day at a time and weigh in weekly. No sooner, no later. Just make better choices, don't deprive yourself of foods. I still eat what I want, but a LOT less of it! If I go completely without chocolate, I can't help thinking about it and craving it! I cut out fast food and soda completely and the weight started melting away. I work out 5 days a week, 1 hour a day. Just typical gym workouts. You can do it!!! good luck!!!
  • Tlively13
    Tlively13 Posts: 57 Member
    Cherie, You should check out clean eating. It is a way to eat healthy and loose weight. It is not a diet. A way for you to eat healthy and feel good. check out Tosca Reno site. she is the author of the clean eating books and is a prdouct of what she eats.
    also for recipes www.cleaneating.com
  • Mzmoma
    Mzmoma Posts: 2
    Welcome!! Don't be scared at all! I had set an, what I thought to be, unattainable goal of weighing 140 lbs. I weighed 208lbs. And as of today, I hit my goal!! Just take it one day at a time and weigh in weekly. No sooner, no later. Just make better choices, don't deprive yourself of foods. I still eat what I want, but a LOT less of it! If I go completely without chocolate, I can't help thinking about it and craving it! I cut out fast food and soda completely and the weight started melting away. I work out 5 days a week, 1 hour a day. Just typical gym workouts. You can do it!!! good luck!!!


    How long did it take you to lose that weight?
  • Elizaj85
    Elizaj85 Posts: 158 Member
    Hello Cat, please feel to look at my food diary for some healthier options.

    Please feel free to add me as a friend if you like. :)

    Change is scary, but it is good. I am here any time if you would like to talk

    :heart:

    Lesa

    I agree and feel free to add me to, :-)
  • alix1105
    alix1105 Posts: 80
    Don't be scared! You are making the first step to success by joining this site. Seriously, this site has helped people in so many ways, I am thankful a friend suggested it to me. Biggest thing I can suggest is in moderation. Don't get too crazy and change your daily lifestyle with extreme changes right away. ease into it. Being healthy is a lifestyle. Not just til you lose the weight you want. When my boyfriend and I started cooking, (we do the same as you and your husband, same types of ingredients but different ways of cooking them) we started using skinnytaste.com . i love that website, delicious AND healthy food. Good luck on your journey and feel free to add me :)
    <3 alix.
  • melbaby925
    melbaby925 Posts: 613
    Hi Cat -

    Welcome! And it's intimidating at first, but just take it one step at a time and one diary entry at a time. Before you know it, you & your hubby will be in better shape and feel great. He should join too - it's a fun party once you get the hang of the MFP life. We all help each other out and I would have NEVER been this successful had I not had MFP and my friends here to help me through.

    Feel free to add me, and you can check out what I do in my diary if you need anything. We're always throwing recipe ideas around as well, so that helps a lot to keep it interesting!

    Melissa
  • Wendysworld13
    Wendysworld13 Posts: 225 Member
    Hi.

    Change is scary - read that absorb it, scream about it, then embrace it. If you want to change you have to make scary decisions. You already made one, opening your heart to this site and these people and saying you are scared. Now on to the other things that need to happen.

    First off, friend me if you can - I have been doing this for damn near 35 years and have learned a lot in the process.

    When you start trying to lose weight the first thing I hope you are doing is looking at your diet and exercise. Both need to change to make this work. When you first start to exercise you may actually gain weight - don't fret - it is working! Muscle weighs more than fat and also BURNS more than fat. So lets make some muscle. Recently I have lost 13 pounds, but lost more than 6 inches in my waist and butt, and have visible muscles in my arms and calves. Generally you need to see how your body feels. You are saying your stomach is upsetting you - it is time.

    As I said, friend me. I can help! I am short on time here, but private conversations through the mail app is really helpful.

    Good luck. And stick with it!
  • catwillig
    catwillig Posts: 3 Member
    Took advice about logging everything... WOW do we need to change somethings... Thought bagels and cream cheese were healthly boy was I wrong???
  • lizzys
    lizzys Posts: 841 Member
    hi cat :blushing: i have a belly that i seem to like to show everyone but by me watching my calories and...fat grams its starting to stay well hidden
  • kilime50
    kilime50 Posts: 37
    I know that feeling, I found this site today and I am hoping to connect with some friends who are going through the same journey. If you would like to connect feel free to add me as a friend
    Jillian
  • santent
    santent Posts: 7
    This site / App for the phone is the perfect tool that you can use to help achieve any sort of goal you have with diet / nutrition / changing your body. But first you must learn a bit about nutrition. You will find the following information most helpful when trying to lose weight:

    1. You must create a calorie deficit - (your body needs to burn more calories than you eat )
    2.You must keep a high metabolism. This comes from eating small meals every 2.5 to 3 hours.
    3. Most people need to split their calories up to 50% proteins, 30% carbs, 20% fats.
    4. Find what your "Maintaining" daily calorie intake is, and go somewhere between 300-500 calories below it every day. This will
    keep your fat loss at a healthy range (2-3 lbs a week).
    5. Ignore the cravings
    6. Have support - You have that right here.


    The quick 6 rules about dieting :-D Its all quite confusing, but if you do some research you can find out all the pertinent information you need in no time. Also, feel free to PM me with any questions. Nutrition and dieting is my specialty.
  • Krissi921
    Krissi921 Posts: 62 Member
    Hi Cat! Don't be scared, you should be proud that you made the first step to sign up and be here! You will do great! Add me as a friend if you'd like...I started out with about the same to lose! It seems like a lot but every number down on the scale becomes a victory - you can do it!
  • hi, am Patrice i use to be super fit when i was younger but i had a baby and never lost the weight! Am afraid because i dont want to be a sterotype most of my family is big and has bad heath promblems. this is what am trying to avoid ive loss 30 pounds so far ive been useing smartones meals as a easy calorie counter! it really works if you are trying to find something thats easy but also herbal life meal shakes are good too!
  • love22step
    love22step Posts: 1,103 Member
    Don't be a scaredy-Cat! All you have to do is follow your plan and move a lot! MFP and MFPs are a great help for losing weight. Don't be afraid to have fun! :bigsmile: This is your opportunity to have so much fun trying new activities, you might just forget to eat a meal now and then. On days you want to eat more, you just have to work harder to earn more calories. I've been known to work for food (or work off extra calories at the end of the day). I love it! I think you and your husband will, too, especially doing it together. Best wishes and God bless you! We want to see before and after pics in 6 months.
  • pursuit250
    pursuit250 Posts: 1 Member
    Hey i have been using mfp for 60 days! It is a great tool i would recommened it to anyone trting to lose weight. Goodluck:-)
  • Hope1971
    Hope1971 Posts: 110 Member
    Welcome! I just joined a week ago and I am addicted to this site. Don't be scared, you can do this! Log, log, log..huge eye opener and even if you are bad log it to keep accountable and see it in front of you! There are tons of great people on here and if you go look at the before and after pictures you will find alot of encouragement! Best of luck and feel free to add me and anyone else who would like friends feel free to add me also!

    Also wanted to mention..my fiance and I started the biggest loser community challenge in our town 2 and half weeks ago and both started on here on week ago today, and he has lost 8 pounds already, and I have lost 7.5. Weigh in is Friday so hoping to see even more shed. But my whole point was...we have had alot of fun together doing it and it helps to have each other. I never thought I would see the day that we fought over who was going to get to vacuum for the extra calorie burn..haha to funny!!!
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