Right now I'm doing the Body for Life Challenge - on week 7 at this point.
One of the things that attracted me to BFL was - there was no overemphasis on protein or carbs in the book. BFL is very simple - you have a portion of protein (measured with your palm) and a portion of carbs (the size of your fist) at every meal, along with at least two servings of veggies a day.
I'm not advocating BFL but just saying that a good lifetime eating plan doesn't completely eliminate any food group - it all has to do with BALANCING your calories - the calories going in and the calories being burned through exercise.
I have my own opinion about 'carbohydrate addiction'. I think it would be more appropriately labeled 'sugar addiction'. Carbs are not bad - they just need to be balanced like everything else in life. "Everything in moderation, including moderation".
My immediate tips would be:
Keep two journals - a food and exercise journal (
www.fitday.com is a terrific free resource!) and a journal of your thoughts. Lots of places sell those ring-bound journalbooks (Old Navy always seems to have them on sale). Write down your feelings, your dreams, your aspriations, whatever you want. Looking inside yourself really goes a long way towards reaching your goals!
Move! Find an exercise (or two, or three) that you truly enjoy doing. When I was 265, I started walking around the neighborhood (actually I started getting into moving by going to a plus-sized women's exercise class where I felt comfortable - most of these classes aren't focused on weight-loss but on becoming active and losing some of those inhibitions!). Actually there was a plus-sized women's health spa in our area until recently. I am sad to say that they have closed their doors. However, their website is still up at
www.women-of-substance.com - this may give you an idea of finding a place that may be more comfy for you than the typical gym filled with hardbodies. Here's another link I found:
http://www.infitnessinhealth.com/
If you're plus-sized, check out the book "Great Shape" by Pat Lyons. Even though she doesn't focus on weight-loss, it was a great help to me when I was floundering about trying to find out how to begin moving.
Also, Jazzercise is a great place to go - I really enjoyed it. Most of the instructors I have personally known take a great deal of interest in all their students and are very encouraging. If you go to
www.jazzercise.com you will find a printable coupon good for a free class!
Educate yourself - go to your library - it's a wonderful FREE resource! I've recommended some books that would be a good start. Stay away from those fad 'miracle' diet books and just go for the common-sense stuff - the Fumento book and the Fletcher book are two excellent choices. Oprah's "Make the Connection" is also VERY inspiring - the video as well!
Whatever weight you are, make sure you always look your best - stay well groomed, dress as nicely as you can, have a manicure and a pedicure once in awhile! Looking good helps you FEEL good and will really give the old self-esteem a boost!
And of course, you can always post regularly here at 3FC for support. Some of us here have 10 pounds to lose - some 200 pounds but we're all in this together!
Take care!