Hello everyone,

I've just signed up, am 25 and 5ft8. Currently weigh 12 stone (169lb) and hoping to weigh 150lb or about 10 1/2 stone. I've always been a porker and drink beer, which doesn't help. Neither does having a bloke who insists I look good how I am. I am doing more exercise (walking about 5 miles a day) and eating salad for my lunch.

I like the idea of being able to post any progress on here and get support and advice. Any tips?

I used to teach yoga many years ago and worked at a orthobionomy/yoga nutrition center. My employer was wonderful and shared a lot of helpful tips with me. First of all, she never worked out. I however do work out and think that the best way to tone up is to do some weightlifting exercises. It will boost your metabolism and keep burning calories long after you are finished. Pilates and yoga dvds are great. I love a hard workout and just bought the Jillian Michaels 30-day Shred dvd and love it.

Jane, my boss, always drank water with a slice of lemon and a slice of ginger root. I do that and it helps me with my intake every day.

She also never denied herself treats. She would have a small cookie with lunch and dinner. I tend to eat a lot less carbs after 5:00 p.m. I usually will just have chicken and vegetables or an omelet with one egg and two egg whites for dinner.

She also never a lot of refined foods, except for those cookies. I am on a program similar to Weight Watchers that I do at home. I find it is hard to stay away from refined foods when I want a snack on the go. So I don't beat myself up over it.

I also try to spread my food out very evenly throughout the day. I don't starve myself all day so that I can have a really naughty meal at night. This is, in my opinion, setting yourself up for failure. I try to eat breakfast within one hour of waking up and eat a little something every three or four hours throughout the rest of the day.

I really don't eat out very often anymore. It is a lot easier on my checkbook
and my body. I usually feel guilty because most of the time I have no idea how much sugar, butter, or whatever is being used to make the food so tasty.

I also love beer. I finally just quit because I can't sleep when I have beer at night because since I stay away from sugar now, it raises my blood sugar too much. It is worse than a pot of coffee in my case.

Back to the exercise thing, I am also a firm believer in switching up workouts. I will do pilates work one day, running or brisk walking the next, and then strengthing four times a week. Whatever I do, I make sure I push it so that there is some stress being put on my body. If I feel like I am settling in too comfortably with a workout, I switch it up.

Some people don't believe in weighing themselves every day. For me, it is very reaffirming. I think about where I began, and it will keep things in perspective for me when I feel like it has been a while since I've made progress.

I also buy myself an outfit every five or ten pounds. It is all about small goals. Good luck!

P.S. I think it is great to have an enabling boyfriend. Maybe now he can enable you to make some positive changes in your life.

Wow, I can't top that advice! The only thing I can add is to hang on to your support group. Like minded people are very helpful!