Okay, I'm new here and I have just taken a deep breath and started this post. I really want to lose weight. Our family, along with 3 other families, is going to Florida in 18 weeks. It sounds like a long time away, but it really isn't, at least not for the amount of weight I want to lose. I know I can't reach my goal (50 lbs) by then, but I'd at least like to make a giant dent in it. I just can't seem to find a "diet" I want to commit to. Right now, I'm trying to commit to exercise to get started and go from there. I am a 45 year old mom with 3 boys (13, 11, and 8) and I really need some support. I'd appreciate any words of wisdom (or suggestions) that anyone has to offer.

Well, I think you should create short term goals and rather than find a 'diet' try making healthier options and smaller portion sizes- it's so simple yet effective. Just keep in mind you CAN do this! Good luck!

Hi there Susaninohio!



Moving more is a great place to start! Make it a routine and stick with it. It's going to be the small steps forward that'll get you to where you want to go.

Have you checked out Diet Central? Maybe you need to start by eliminating programs you know will not fit your lifestyle. Or just begin keeping a food journal. Writing down everything you eat and what portions. Even if you don't change anything right this moment.

One of the most straight forward approaches to weight loss is counting calories. So, I usually suggest that if someone doesn't know where to start.

No matter what happens, stick with it. Your changes will show!

Best of success!

I ((will)) Loose the 50lbs. I want to loose! Thats how I start my day, It is a change of comfort! We all get into the hurry up fast everything ,we do not pay attention to what we are putting in our bodies! We have to be commmited to paying attention and making changes that will work! Don't punish yourself every hour is a new one! and any movement is better then sitting on the couch! I am walking again, and parking further from the door when I shop! I have to have someone be on me for me to stick to it, I know what I need to do I need to be accountable to someone like the ladies here! I will help you anyway I can it will force me to stay on track! Best of luck you can be bathing suit ready in 18 weeks!!!!

I agree with Faerie on the documenting what you eat. It really helps you see where your "problem" areas might be. The other thing that really helped me get rolling was just swapping the unhealthy foods out for healthier ones - Instead of Hamburger Helper I make a pot of whole wheat pasta and add tomato sauce and my own veggies and spices (and, surprise, surprise - it doesn't really take more than a minute or two longer to make than the packaged stuff). Instead of chips and dip I'll have a small handful of raw almonds. If you like rice, switch to whole grain or wild rice instead of the instant. Whole wheat bread instead of white (but be sure to read the ingredients - some of them are packaged with all these "healthy" proclimations in big banner letters but are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup ). Then, stick with it. I kind of sound like a broken record on this point but one of the hardest things is patience - you can't eat healthy for one week and expect to wake up on Saturday looking like you belong in a Bowflex commercial but stick with it 6 months and it could happen

And most important of all - come to 3FC often. Even if you don't always have time to post, just reading the posts and seeing that others are experiencing some of the same challenges and frustrations can make the whole thing seem less daunting; and the success stories are truly amazing motivators - you'll be so excited when you get to post your first mini goal or non-scale victory.

Look forward to seeing you around

I concur on the definitive stance. It's nice to want something, but it's even better to KNOW you can do it!

Sure, you're not going to be down 50 lbs by then, but how great it'll be to be down 10, 15, maybe more? and then when you get back, you'll be even closer to your goal!