Hi to you both !
You can do it and you've made the first step towards it ! Trust me, it IS possible and it isn't horrible if you know how to do it ! Know that the only thing you have to learn is that TIME is the key - it's the only big secret. Add in undertsanding of foods and exercising - educate yourself in it all. This site is a great start and will also motivate you when you're feeling unmotivated.
I have been fat every since I was a kid, I still have a way to go but I weighed 232 pounds when I was at the point that you are at now (the only difference is I'm a little ahead in TIME than you ladies - nothing else!). I know what it feels like, I had an aching back for ages and ages, nothing fixed it I couldn't even sleep in it hurt, constantly tired all those things. I still am tired at times but not as much and my back ache is completely gone ! I am now down to 183lbs. It's taken me about 6+months to lose it as there are times I have gotten slack or still been eating too much junk.
It's just math - burn more in a day than you eat in a day - then add in TIME and you're weight drops off !!! Eat more each day - add in TIME you stack on the pounds, turn the cycle around and eat less than you burn naturally in a day (with no exercise) and you loose the pounds. Exercise of course helps you along your way and walking I've found is the best. I now do (I didn't start like this) 20min on my manual treadmill which is like walking up a hill as it's inclined also approx 4-5 times a week. I also lift 1.1kg weights about 5 time a week and started doing situps etc. Exercising 1 hour before food or 2 hours after food also helps strip fat (as after eating body has high insulin levels and you burn more sugar than fat). To loose the punds though heart pumping exercise is the BEST, cardio, not weights etc but these will help you feel stronger.
I feel that one of the most important things is to educate yourself - KNOW that it is possible. Genetically I'm subject to gain weight - but it doesn't mean I can't lose it. I won't be beat by the fact that it is harder for some and easier for others and some people have no trouble with weight gain. Take your time, enjoy it, you'll feel good as it slowly goes away and you lose fat. Try out
www.fitday.com too to monitor your food intake, use the back off food lables to put in exact amounts and try eat about 500 cals less than the amount of calories you require in a day (use the free sign up version of the program).
the body is an amazing thing and you too have an amazing body ! Now gove it what it wants and enjoy the journey, you won't regret it one bit !! Time and education are the answers !!!!
have fun
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