Hi Shannon! Welcome to the forum
Do you have ideas about how you're going to go about the weight loss? Like a plan you want to follow, lifestyle changes etc?
I'll throw in my $0.02 anyway!
* for motivation, read the Goal threads!
* post as often as you can, it's great for keeping your head in the game and getting a constant stream of support
* love yourself like you would a friend, no matter what.
* weight loss is completely non-linear, you'll probably stall, have small regains, fall off the wagon, have bad days / weeks etc. it's normal!
* find as many NSVs (non-scale victories) as you can, like being able to run a short distance for the bus, clothes feeling looser, carrying a 5lb bag of shopping around after you've lost 5lbs to reinforce what you've achieved!
* focus on 1lb at a time. They all add up on the way down as well!
* cut back on sugary and junk foods no matter what your diet plan, the difference in how you feel once you get them out of your system can be outstanding!
* find healthy food and exercise you love, or can grow to love, working with what you have is infinitely better than trying to force yourself into a way of life that doesn't make you happy. Sustainability is important!
* take progress photos at regular intervals, in the same clothes. If it's taking a while to get into smaller clothes, you can compare the photos to see where the fat left from. Tight clothes are best for this
* believe that you can do it! It's amazing what your body is capable of.
* if you want to geek out a bit, read up on hormones like insulin, leptin, grehlin, cortisol... It's really cool to learn about what's going on under the hood, and why your body reacts to certain foods and exercise in different ways
* weight training is awesome! It makes you strong, is great for focussing your mind, and boosts your metabolism permanently if you keep it up! It can also make you temporarily retain water, so don't fret too much about the scale.
* if you have a smartphone, there are so many great apps for weight loss, lots of them free
* visual reminders are good. I'm buying 10 little bracelets, and am adding 1 for every 10lbs I lose. It's a constant reminder of what I'm doing.
* reward yourself with a non-food treat as often as you need to, even if it's for every lb! More often is good actually, because with time you start to associate the pleasurable feelings of the reward with weight loss, it really helps motivation.
* consider starting a 3FC diet blog, if you're into blogging. It can help you process your feelings about your journey, and can help others who are in the same boat
* in case I forgot - love yourself! This part is non-negotiable
All I got for now in the way of tips! Congratulations on making the decision to do this, and I hope to see you around the forum!
*hugs*
New Girl-Need Support! :)
You've come to a great place for support and encouragement.
