Hello All and Some Tips

After reading these forums you all seem like a helpful, friendly lot so let me say hello.

I'm a 49 year old guy from Maryland who managed to quit smoking about 6 years ago and the only bad result in that was I gained weight. A photograph taken of me about 14 months ago made me realize how big I had gotten and it triggered a kernel of an idea to lose weight that has blossomed into a steel resolve.

A year ago I started hiking and exercising regularly and made some progress but then hit a plateau. The name of the plateau is "portion control". Now that Spring has arrived I have decided to work harder and focus much more on my goal. I think MFP is going to help primarily with the 'Food' tab which will help me realize just how quickly daily calories can add up. I've already made much progress in just a week (lost 10 pounds through vigorous hiking, healthy portion control at meals and I've just begun trying to train my body to run)

I've been reading everything; websites, magazine, books and have been incorporating much of what I read into my daily schedule and have developed a very strong resolve to see this through.

Here are my tips for success;

1. Find a local park with nice hiking trails and go out and explore! Find a trail you love and go as often as you can. Pack lots of water, and a nice lunch with a focus on protein. Buy a hydration backpack (it has a water bladder built in)

2. Research healthy food. STOP all of the fast food. Just stop! I never leave my house anymore without a little cooler of water and healthy foods to bring with me. Apples, a banana, peanut butter celery sticks, tuna. Healthy proteins. Protein helps keep you feeling full longer and also helps rebuild muscle as you work out.

3. Drink green tea, or use green tea supplements. It's a terrific fat burner. 3 times a day (or more if you are drinking it)

4. Buy a pedometer and get out and walk/hike/jog/run. Music truly does help your workouts, but be safe with ear buds outdoors. One of the greatest, simplest calorie burning exercises I've founds is the 'walk/run/walk" method. Start walking, then try running as long as you can, then walk while you regain control of your breath, and run again when you are able. Intervals work! I've been doing this for a week now and already I can run longer, my lungs are adapting and, again, I lost 10 pounds!

Anyone can lose weight, and it really is quite simple. It can also be a lot of fun. You simply have to;

A) Really want it

Get out and exercise at least every other day and don't just do a 1 mile walk and be done. Mix it up. Find a large variety of exercise and do them all regularly Track your progress. This is why I use a pedometer

C) Eat healthy, control portions, track calories and maintain a healthy calorie deficiency daily

D) Never give up, never surrender!

E) Realize this is a positive change for you so make it fun!

F) Realize that you are in a marathon, it's not a sprint. Long term goals come with setbacks. Just keep moving. Makes the pluses outweigh the minuses and you will be ok

Over the last year I have developed a fun plan for myself which includes great foods I love (roasted brussels sprouts, soo good!), hiking in a wonderful local state park, and a moderate weight lifting routine. I feel stronger, more balanced and a lot smarter about healthy living. Good luck to all of you