Diets & Weight Maintenance Support Group

OK first thing - you MUST eat no less than 500 calories below what you need to maintain your CURRENT weight. If you eat even less, you will force your body into survival mode where it begins to hold onto the fat because it thinks you are trying to starve it. Compare it to squirrels who put away some nuts for the winter. You don't want that.

It's fantastic that you have decided it's time to tackle the weight issue, but make sure you approach it all in a healthy fashion.

Get some guidlines from your dr, including any suggestions of things that may be limiting to you.
Get some expert exercise advice by going to a gym and consulting an expert. It would be preferable to get an exercise routine from someone who can provide what fits your needs and also include the limitations your dr may have told you.
Most gyms have accessments where you can meet with a trainer and have your current condition accessed and a plan provided.
While fixing up your diet is extremely important, so is maintaining your muscle mass because it's muscles that helps you with burning up that fat. Weight training must be a part of your fitness plan along with drinking half your body weight in ounces of water each day.
the weight training and the water intake combine to flush out the toxins in your body and push out that fat.

As for your fitness plan, you should be doing at least 30min a day of some sort of exercise. don't forget that walking is a great form of exercise, so don't think you have to be at the gym for all your fitness. Get a set of ankle weights, strap them on your ankles and head out for your walk.

Look into group exercises at your gym as well. they can be great fun as you will be working out with other people just like you! I started going to spinning classes because I needed a good form of cardio. I love it so much that I spin at least one hour every day now. You never know what you will like until you try it, so try them all.

Now remember to focus on better habits first. The weight loss will come with time, and the healthiest weight loss may seem slow, but stick with better habits. You will likely see a big loss in your size before the weight loss on the scale. Muscle takes up 1/3 the space as fat, so your weight may seem to stay the same but all your clothes are getting baggy. People will be saying you are looking fantastic because you will have lost fat or rather size.

it is a great feeling.

Go for it girl,you have woken and can smell the coffee.Hope all go,s well if you feel a hanger binge coming on get on the site to someone or me.God Bless Mia.

Go for it girl,you have woken and can smell the coffee.Hope all go,s well if you feel a hanger binge coming on get on the site to someone or me.God Bless Mia.

I like your attitude! You go girl!

Check out fitday.com - they have a diet tracker that is free! It is fabulous. You can track your food intake, wieght loss, inches lost, excerise. You can even add your own foods to the food list! I absolutely love it!

You have the right idea by eating several small meals during the day and starting a fun activity. Try cutting out carbs and eating lots of protein, fiber and greens. Don't forget to get your z's and drink plenty of water. Just take it one day at a time and keep track of your weight each week. You can do it!

As always, what works for some may not work for others. My diet success comes from the following: When I'm hungry, I eat. I eat the foods I like. When I'm full, I stop eating. I exercise when I can. That's about it. I was 247 when I started back in January and am now down to 191.

Good luck with the weight loss. Keep us posted so that we can help & encourage you along your journey.

JAC

Thanks so much for the encouragement. It really helps to have people in my corner (and also feel like i am accountable to people). Proof once again that DS people rock!! :)

Hi! Thanks for being so brave...I too have problems with admitting...I also loved the adevice you received from JustBlue...we can take that advice and run with it.

I use this template called "personal choice menu" for a list I created of MY 'Yes' foods. That tool really helps when you are on the run or in the grocery store. It helps you focus on the better choices you like instead of all the "no" stuff.

Way to go and hang in there!

You can dooooooooo it!!!! Keep us updated!!! I need your spirit and energy girl!
BEST OF LUCK!!!

Good luck!!! I know you can do it! I started my journey at almost 340 and am now down to 280! Its tough, but try to remember.... the wagon ride is slow, it doesn't matter how many times you fall off as long as you get back on it in the end....