I am pretty poor too(on a student's budget) and calorie counting is beauteous and free! One piece of advice I would like to give is you don't have to do a complete eating/exercise habits overhaul overnight. Some people did that here and it was a success, but it sounds like taking small gradual steps might help you better. Don't think about losing the weight, but rather focus on making small changes to improve your health. For example, replace one unhealthy food with a piece of fruit or vegetable. After a few days, work towards replacing more and more unhealthy choices with healthy ones and adding in more exercise. Eventually the scale will follow! Good luck! I am confident you can do this! If you ever need support, this is an AMAZING site. We are always ready to give support or a kick in the behind if need be ;)

You will not lose weight until you make your mind up to do it and DO IT. We can't do it for you but we can sure help!!! Post a days worth of foods, your weight and height and your goal weight. Any dietary restrictions? Foods you hate? Post that info for us and we'll ALL chime in and help you the best way that we all know how :) WE want you to succeed but YOU have to want yourself to succeed even more!

I'll tell you one thing... you CAN DO THIS! I was almost 400 pounds... I've lost 160 lbs in just over a year. If I can do this... anyone can!

Truer words were never spoken. Until that little thing in you mind goes "click", it's not going to happen. Do you have a library card? You should get thyself to your closest library and look into these books:

You, on a diet / Michael F. Roizen
ChangeOne: the diet and fitness plan: lose weight simply, safely, and forever.
101 things to do before you diet: because looking great isn't just about losing weight / Mimi Spencer
Flip the switch: discover the weight-loss solution and the secret to getting started / Jim Karas. LOVE this one. He talks about that "click".


Good luck. It's a great place.

Most of weight loss isn't will power, it's creating habits and making things easy for yourself. Save willpower for when you really need it. Start slow if doing everything is too overwhelming.

Jillian Michaels podcasts on KFI are really, really useful, and free! The archive can be found on Mediafly.