[krampus]

I lost weight playing DDR when I was in high school. Great game!

Don't kill yourself going on SUPER STRICT diets - those never work. What do you eat for lunch? Eat that, but only eat half as much. Do you drink soda or juice or anything with calories? Swap those out for tea/water.

Some people find that IF (intermittent fasting) style eating suits them better than the 3-squares or 6-mini-meals ways of eating. All the calories for the day are packed into a "window" of time, e.g. only eating between 12-6 pm. It's easy to use the "well I need breakfast" excuse to eat extra stuff you're not even hungry for/didn't eat before if you skipped breakfast.

As for exercise, anything is way better than nothing. You say you like clubbing? Dance around for half an hour and go for a powerwalk every day. There are plenty of DJs who release their own homemade megamixes for free (and legally) on their websites so you won't have the "my music is boring" excuse. If that's not enough to get you moving, decide here and now that you are not allowed to shower or bathe unless you have just exercised. It sounds bizarre and extreme but it's worked for me - haven't had more than one sedentary day per week in months and months.

I completely understand the "I need to lose NOW" feeling. Stick to a plan for a couple weeks and you will REALLY feel the difference! Good luck, you have the power to be the change you want in your life.

[JEN3]

What really helped me was buying a digital food scale. I weigh or measure everything I eat and then I write it in a food journal that I keep in a binder.

[Annie415sf]

I came onto this site to get some motivation, and probably some comfort in knowing I'm not alone.

I'm almost 25 and although I live with my bf, I still go out quite a lot with my girlfriends and want to look hot! It's not only that, but the fact that I actually feel heavy all of the time now. None of my clothes fit, and I hate the way I look in my work outfit. I work for an airline, and most of the girls have gorgeous (or at least proportioned) bodies. I have an apple shape, meaning I have skinny arms and legs but a large tummy.

Your post really made me motivated! You said exactly what I'm feeling. Hopefully we can make a commitment to post on here regularly to help each other stay motivated.

I'm in San Francisco but my best friend just moved up to Portland and loves it. Congrats on going to college there!

[khat]

Is fresh vegetables and fruit really that expensive?
Just asking, I'm from South Europe, its always something awesomely delicious in season and cheaper than imported things. The prices here don't strike me as more expensive than pasta, meat or even fast food. But I agree that 20$ isn't alot though.. For any kind of food.. Can you share your expenses with someone, roomate or something? It's always cheaper to buy groceries for more people..
Like someone else said don't go super strict on yourself! Drink only water or tea, try to fill up with nutritionaly dense food like green leafy vegetables with every meal so you feel satisfied, if you like meat and fish go for the lean cuts, if you like carbs - eat them, but go for complex carbs.. I am not a believer in low-carb diets.. But the important thing is to eat something healthy that you LIKE. Don't torture yourself! And don't think about what you can't eat.
And exercise every day if you can! Can you ride your bike to work? Do you have a treadmill or something? What do you like? Can you find an exercise buddy?
I'm running right now. I hate it but it really helps, so while I run I think about how great I'm gonna look if I keep it up And I finish every time.
You can do this!