[moonkissed]

Hello I am new here and really glad I found this site! I am trying to lose weight and get myself healthier. I am just at a loss as where to start and what info out there is correct and which isn't.

I have tried dieting a million times in the past, they usually last a few days to a week before I just stop doing it sigh.

I feel very commited this time. I know what my biggest problems are and finding ways to focus on those first.

1. I need to add excerise for sure lol

My food habits are aweful.

2. Bad schedule...my husband works evenings and usually leaves an hour after I get home from work at 2-3pm and doesn't get home until 8-11pm. I usually end up staying up very late with him. Then am waking up early for work tired and in a rush. I usually do not eat until I get home from work and after my husband leaves. I am so hungry but also in a rush to take care of this & that. So i eat a large snack, or several snacks over a few hours then a large meal. Then when my husband gets home usually an hour later I eat another large meal. I know you shouldn't eat so close to going to bed but it always ends up as so.

3. I am an insanly picky eater. People who know me joke that all I ever eat is Mac & cheese. Alot of the food I enjoy is not bad, not a big junk food person at all. But I usually eat far too much of everything. Being so picky is also tough to figure out a healthy diet plan.

and my favorite foods happen to be pasta and breads. I am completely addicted to any type of pasta and omg bread products galore lol.

I hear such nasty things about carbs but recently read some nice articles but i can't post the links here lol oops.

that says carbs are not really as bad. Which makes me feel great that it is possible to just cut back on the amount/serving size and still enjoy them!

4. What to drink...?
Water is what I am told. But I loathe tap water. And trying to convince my husband to spend money on bottled water is impossible lol. Currently I drink mostly soda. I almost completely have given up coke for sprite which is only slightly better lol. I can switch to diet but I hear such scary things about diet soda. I love fruit juice but I am told it is bad because of all the sugar. I love tea but i have to have it sweetened. I also love herbal teas & green tea. Though I have been getting the lipton green teas which are probably not very good lol but oh so yummy lol.

Anyways I mostly want to fix my what to drink problem and then find a way to eat very small portions of food through out the day and at better times (not skipping breakfast or eating so late) & work out more.

Anyways thanks for listening to my novel here lol. Any advice would be awesome. I look forward to reading this site lots more!!

[BlzMaxGnrCCJkMly]

as far as exercise goes, find something you enjoy doing so you stick with it! walking riding whatever,,,,
water-try putting lemon or lime in it to give it some flavor! for sure cut out as much soda as you can, little is ok!
Good luck!!

[gahundy]

when i first gave up sodas i drank alot of water w/ crystal light or else add lemon and a packet of splenda (or your choice of artificial sweetener) especially helps if drinking tap water.

[YOUNGBABALUBEAR]

ohhh i feel the same way that you do.....

on the water issue, i just started drinking special k's protein water and i like it so far! it kind of curbs my appetite.

[Hibiscus8]

As you probably already know there is no shortage of information on diet, exercise and weight loss - a lot of it conflicting, which can be very confusing, cause you to quickly lose focus and struggle to achieve any success. The best piece of advice I can give is to pick a program and stick with it. It doesn't have to be a commercial diet program - just something that will work for you and that you are prepared to stick to long term.

For me, I worked with my internist to explore the weight loss programs through the medical center and I also have begun to see a nutritionist regularly who specializes in emotional eating. I think the most significant thing I have learned so far as I begin down this path, is that for me the inner work is the most important, and that through my connection to my spiritual self I am empowered to change my life.

And one other crucial thing - losing weight is supposed to be hard. Anyone that tries to tell you otherwise wants your money or is just plain wrong.

[fitnfunbabe22]

Hey!!

I'm so happy you are so committed and are in it for the long haul this time.

One of my favorite books is Intuitive Eating by Elyse Resch and Evenlyn Tribole! Awesome, awesome book. It pretty much talks about getting your body back to basics and eating when you are hungry and stopping when you are full. You should definitely read it, because it is not a diet! I lost 20 pounds with just listening to my body.

Also, for the water- have you ever thought about getting a tap filter? My husband hates tap water- I could care less because I grew up on it... but it cheaper then buying a bunch of bottled water week after week.
Here is what a tap filter is:

http://www.epinions.com/review/Brita...t_164801384068

He loves it and it saves us from buying a bunch of bottled water.

Good luck in your journey You can do it!!

[Hibiscus8]

Hey FitFunBabe - Elyse Resch is the nutritionist I'm seeing. She's awesome and I love her book too!

[fitnfunbabe22]

Originally Posted by Hibiscus8

Hey FitFunBabe - Elyse Resch is the nutritionist I'm seeing. She's awesome and I love her book too!

That is sooo cool!! Yes- that book just kind of fed my soul I bet she rocks!!

[guynna]

hi Blasphemie, and welcome! It sounds like you have a really good handle on what things you need to change, and others have already made some good suggestions. I would add that I think eating several small meals is a great idea (I love not being hungry!) and you might want to weigh / measure all your food for at least a few days so that you re-educate your body about what "a portion" is. I measured my morning cereal and put it in my favorite bowl, and now I know what it's "supposed" to look like in that bowl (up to the bottom of the little green flowers!) without getting out a measuring cup every day.

I'm with you on the diet soda -- man! that's the hardest thing for me to cut out. Fortunately I also like water, but it's just not... you know. : )

[moonkissed]

Thanks so much for the welcomes and replies!

guynna- What a creative idea to use the same bowl like that! I love that and it would be so helpful in training myself to be used to it and just naturally be able to get a good portion!

I drink alot. I am always drinking down stuff like mad so I think one of the biggest issues is finding something I can drink and be happy with it and it to be healthy lol. I actually do have a brita pitcher somewhere hmm lol I need to drag it out, clean it and use that! I've seen the crystal light things but wasn't sure if they were that healthy or hype and if they were actually good or not. So I think I might try some now. I never thought about using splenda either lol. I could drink tea and use that instead of sugar would probably be awesome.

Hibiscus8- I agree very much about the spirituality. That is part of the changes I am making. I really believe it is important to have balance and a healthy body, mind and soul. All of them are connected and being unhealthy or unbalanced in one aspect affects the others. So I am turning inward as well and my spirituality is helping alot.

*hugs* Thanks again everyone!

[2fat2jump]

We have quite possibly the worst tap water where we live. I don't know what I'd do without our Brita Filter. Actually we have 2! They make a world of difference. I am also a cheerleader for adding lemon or lime to water. During the summer I love to slice citrus fruits into rings, then freeze them. They make pretty ice cubes and flavor your water as they melt. Very ala Martha Stewart. haha