Where do I start?
 

Ok I am about 356 pounds and 32. I need to get healthy! I am just not sure where to start at this point. I think I am going to try calorie counting. Do I start that and working out at the same time? Do I start one and then the other? Is there a formula for me to figure out how many calories I should allow myself a day? Sorry for all the questions!!!! But I would really appreciate your suggestions. TIA

It's up to you- if you want to go for it 100% all at once do so, but if you are afraid you'll get burned out then take it one step at a time. I found for myself changing one thing at a time worked better for me. First I cut out junk food and started eating healthier, then I started working out once I felt I had more of my diet in control and wasn't feeling crappy anymore (cuz the first few days I was GRUMPY!).

Now I work out a few times a week and overall eat very well during the week.

One thing that helped me also was to just calorie count and stick to a "normal day" for a few days. I found I was eating well over 2200 calories a day. Then I cut out the little things here and there and picked a calorie goal. For me I've always heard that for every 10 lbs you weigh you need 100 calories a day to maintain, take that number and multiply by .75 (which is 75%) to lose weight. Remember that eating too little can hurt you also. So for your weight you can calculate 356X10X.75 = 2670 calories. Now that may seem like a lot- but for your body it's a 25% deficit theoretically of how much you need to maintain. As you start losing also your intake should go down. You don't want to go too low or you won't lose weight cuz your body will hold on to the fat.

Good luck!

Thank you for your help. I think probably getting my diet under control for a week would be a good place to start. Thanks again

I would also suggest going to the sub forum calorie counters.

I started first just by bringing lunches and snacks to work and focusing on portion control for other meals. Then I started calorie counting and exercise. Then I started focusing more on healthy eating.

So, you don't have to tackle everything all at once, though some people do like to do that.

Good luck!

I think I am afraid if I try to do it all at once I am setting myself up for failure. I really want to suceed this time and not be dissapointed in myself

Well you know yourself best. Tackle one thing at a time... when you start seeing progress it will be motivation to include other changes.

Personally I did best when I started exercising and writing down my food/calories... I was only walking when I was 300lbs but really that's all it takes.

Good luck!