Here's my story . . . I NEED help!

Even though it sounds cliche, you just have to take it one day at a time. You have taken a big step just by joining MFP! There is plenty of "healthy" food out there that doesn't take a lot of prep, so try to find things that you like and keep the fast food to a minimum (I love it too!). If you've never exercised, start slowly and add more as you get used to it.

Add me if you'd like someone to support and encourage you!

At least you made it here, this is a great community for support. As a first step, I suggest getting used to logging everything you eat. Then taking it one day at a time, making small changes until you are eating the number of calories you need for healthy weight loss. It really isn't that hard after the first week or two. Also build up a good friends list on here to suport you. Add me if you'd like.

My advice to you hun is that need to remember that you are special and you are the only person looking out for you. In other words instead of seeing cooking for yourself as time consuming think of it as I will take care of myself today, think of it as I love myself enough to make myself a romantic dinner this really works for me there are so many times where I just do not want to cook and then I think about these two things and I get the fire in my started.
Another thing that helped me was buying no junk food of any kind, just basic things in the fridge, if you dont buy it you wont eat it. I also had a huge, and I mean huge, binge eating problem I would be good and then BAM! I would binge eat, I started a challenge that I would only drink water for the month of June and now my cravings are almost nonexistent. I hope this helps you in some way hun! Good luck on your journey

You need to break that addiction, for sure! If you don't have any added sugar, real or artificial, for a week or two, you'll be surprised how little you miss it. Yes it's VERY difficult at first, but SO worth it! This means no diet soda. No sweetener in your coffee. If I can do it, anybody can!

Look at the recipe section. Crock pot meals are great for someone who doesn't cook. All you do is throw everything in. Since you're just home with your pups, take the time to cook at least a couple days a week, then have leftovers. Freeze single-serve portions. Before you know it, you'll have a nice stockpile of frozen meals that are healthy, and not loaded with salt!

You CAN do this! Don't try to do it in a day, a week, a month....maybe not even a year. You're 28. You have time. Find time to move. I don't care if it's just walking around the house. Dancing while you cook. Moving your arms and legs during commercials while you watch tv. As you start to take care of yourself, you'll feel more like moving. Those sugars and carbs weigh you down in more ways than one!

Welcome, and enjoy the journey! Find healthy foods you love. Try things you've never tried before. Taste the food, when it isn't covered in butter, sugar, and salt. You won't believe how sweet fruit tastes when you aren't used to the overly sweet crap. It's not that expensive to cook healthy foods...especially compared to the cost of healthcare later on if you don't take care of you!

I was the same way with the sweets. Sweets alone are really what got me to the state I'm in now. I'd eat a generally healthy and proportioned diet, then go NUTS with the bag of cookies or whatever.

I found that logging my food on MFP as REALLY kept me accountable. Even when I do eat crap, I log it, my friends pat me on the back and tell me not to freak, just do better tomorrow. And the crazy thing? I do!

I had to do a sugar detox for myself. By sugar detox I don't mean anything fancy--I just mean that I threw out or gave away ALL the sweets around my house. I went shopping and bought tons of healthy food that I liked, and when I was banging my fist on my forehead wanting some sugar so badly I could freak, I went and had an orange dipped in fat free vanilla yogurt with cinnamon. Still a sugary treat, as any dietician could tell you. But it's a far cry from the chocolate I thought I needed. And it trained me to figure out I could survive without it.

The important thing for me was making hardcore sugar HARD TO COME BY. For two weeks, it was utter hell, as I was totally emotionally dependent on it. Then, slowly...as my suffering and sticking to my guns became an investment, I found I didn't want sugar anymore. Having to log three cookies into MFP that cost me 480 calories was an eye-opener too. Suddenly I was hungry and couldn't eat anything else due to those three dumb cookies.

I mean, I will still wake up and go, "Maaan. Chocolate right now would be awesome." But I don't feel the compulsion to get in my car and drive out to get it. I walk through the candy isle of the supermarket--and I just keep walking. Sure, there are pangs, but they're not nearly as strong as they used to be.

I guess what I'm trying to say is--you can do this.

What everyone else has said.
Take it one day at a time and I don't say I'm on a diet, because who wants to be on a diet the rest of your life? I say it's a lifestyle change. Definitely take it one day at a time like everyone else has said and don't get down on yourself if you fall off the wagon. Duat yourself off and get back at it.

One of the biggeat things is put you first! If you don't do it, who else will?
This site is definitely a good motivation tool with so many people having a common goal. You can definitely add me if you want.

I'm 28 years old and single, no children. When I was younger, in high school and college, I was tiny. Back then I was 5'2 and 125 lbs. Since then, I've switched from working on my feet in retail and being awake and moving 24/7 to working a full time stressful desk job. Needless to say, the pounds flew on. I've dieted on and off w/o any real long terms success for the past 4 years. I always survive the first week or two and then something happens and I fall off track. I'm currently 5'2 and 170. I don't even recognize myself when I look in the mirror.

I've isolated myself a lot in the past few years because aside from people I work with, nobody knows the big me and I don't want them to. So, I spend my time alone with my dogs and my number 12 from McDonald's. =/

I'm SO tired of being like this and it only continues to get worse. I always talk myself into why its okay to have that ice cream, or hamburger, etc. I find eating healthy is time consuming and expensive, and I don't cook.

I need friends and people that will hold me accountable and help me along the way. I desperately want those before and after pictures, but so far, all I ever have is "before."

Eating is my biggest downfall. I LOVE sweets. I'm addicted to sweets and it's really hard to say no. I also enjoy my carbs. I just don't even know how to overcome the cravings or where to start.

It's known that when you stop eating sweets, you'll stop CRAVING sweets. I feel you on the carb thing however, but when you eat carbs try to eat healthy carbs like whole grain pasta and brown rice and control your portions. You don't have to cut out carbs completely. I found this bread that's called healthy life and it's only 35 calories a slice.. Also, I feel like many people use the excuse of eating healthy is expensive. I'm a college student living on my own and I have no problem with it.. I also so an episode of extreme makeover home edition where a man was living out of his car and he said that it's a lie that eating healthy is expensive. Fresh fruit and vegetables aren't expensive. Just remember: what can go bad is good for you, what can't go bad is not.

You can add me if you want or I'll send you a friend request? I need some more active friends on here for motivation. =]

I'm 5' 5.5 and my highest weight ever was 197 pounds. I was so afraid I'd hit 200 and that people won't recognize me. I felt so ashamed and didn't want to reunite with old friends because of all the weight I've gained. (I'm still like that to an extent)

Here are some helpful hints:
I love bread too and probably eat it 2-3 times a day. Stick to whole wheat or multi grain bread or even brown rice.
Try sticking to fresh produce rather than processed foods (eggs, chicken, fruits, veggies). Try to stay away from fast food and canned items or packaged meat.
I'm not much of a cook either, but with practice you get better. Just gotta throw a little oil in a pan and then throw your food in there and let it sizzle. xD LOL ok maybe not.....but that's how I learned how to cook. Trial and error.
If you ever want some help with recipes, I can help! Again, I'm not the best, but I can do simple things. Nothing really fancy.

I agree with what everyone else has recommended. Just take one day at a time and make changes slowly. If you're not used to exercise start that slowly, too. Don't try to do it all at once. By logging your food and exercise you can see what changes need to be made. You CAN do this. It is a lifestyle change and may seem difficult at times, but you will get used to it. Feel free to add me for support and motivation.

Wow, thanks everyone! You're all definitely very motivating. I'm going to take it one meal at a time and make small changes and not try to change everything overnight. I just hope I can stick with it!

I can tell you from working in a call center the one thing you should never do is tell anyone else you are on a diet. Not even your friends. It seems as soon as someone knows you are on a diet they find reasons to talk about or eat everything you should limit yourself on or stay away from. Also, I find it easier to control myself by going and buying my breakfast and lunch for the week on Monday morning. So when other people run to get fast food I am not tempted. Get some snacks like popcorn and leave it at your desk. When you get urges popcorn is very low in calories and in fat (smart pop) and it is filling. Drink lots of water. People on here have told me you can confuse being thirtsy for being hungry. I drink 2 full cups of water before each meal. It has been helping me a lot. I hope it will help you too! Good luck and stay positive

Wow, thanks everyone! You're all definitely very motivating. I'm going to take it one meal at a time and make small changes and not try to change everything overnight. I just hope I can stick with it!

I can tell you from working in a call center the one thing you should never do is tell anyone else you are on a diet. Not even your friends. It seems as soon as someone knows you are on a diet they find reasons to talk about or eat everything you should limit yourself on or stay away from. Also, I find it easier to control myself by going and buying my breakfast and lunch for the week on Monday morning. So when other people run to get fast food I am not tempted. Get some snacks like popcorn and leave it at your desk. When you get urges popcorn is very low in calories and in fat (smart pop) and it is filling. Drink lots of water. People on here have told me you can confuse being thirtsy for being hungry. I drink 2 full cups of water before each meal. It has been helping me a lot. I hope it will help you too! Good luck and stay positive

I worked in a call center too for 3 and a half years and that's where I gained 30+ pounds.

I know how you feel! I battle my ridiculous sweet tooth and love for carbs daily...just gotta keep on trying!

Hey I'm 5'2, and on my way down from 170.
You can do this! Think about eating healthy and cooking as your new personal hobbies. Like when you take on a new interest - throw yourself into it. You'll be surprised at the new you that will emerge.
Add me

You have come to the right place, and today starts a new you...hold your head high, and things will change around for you. I sent you a request, and I wish you nothing but success on your journey:)

You've gotten good advice here, but I particularly agree with poodlelaise. Start by logging everything always. This will help you become informed about your decisions. Close your diary everyday and pay attention to the "if everyday were like this..." message. I think you will start to find yourself wanting to make better choices even if you are making those decisions at McDonald's.

Once you get this down, try cooking a little. Many people find that it is relaxing. You can also prepare things for a few days, then 2 of 3 days, you just have to reheat, which is easier than going through the drive thru.

If you don't want to give up sweets or treats, you could consider using exercise calories exclusively for these treats. Once you see how hard it is to burn off a 240 candy bar, you may start thinking it isn't worth it.

I wish you the best!