I'm embarrassed to say this, but I have been a member of this forum for a long time, yet I have not been able to stay consistent enough to lose weight. I have been gaining weight at a steady pace for the past 5 years. It is time to put a stop to the madness and get serious about my health. I've had several health scares in the past two months, and I don't want to continue to follow that path. My daughters (7 and 5) have never met the healthy me, they only know the fat unhealthy me that I am right now. I look in the mirror and I don't even recognize myself. Looking at pictures from just a few years ago is painful because I look so different now. I am going on vacation next week, but I'm starting my weight loss program today because I know that life never slows down, so I have to learn to live my life and stick to my diet at the same time. No more excuses, no more waiting until the time is right!

Laura

Laura, welcome and good luck ! You have made a good start by coming here. Do you have a diet and exercise plan ?

Thank you! No, I don't have a diet or exercise plan yet. Any suggestions?

Hello Laura! I joined not too long ago, and I've been reading everyone's posts but couldn't commit to my own plan. I don't have kids, but I do have a niece which hasn't seen me at my best. She always pokes my tummy and it's kind of anoying LOL. I wish you the best of luck! =) I will check back with you when I can too hear the results!

PrettyMom: I would recommend calorie counting to begin, combined with excision of junk food -- toss the soda, cookies, refined sugars, processed crap that litters everyone's pantries. There are some really good calorie calculators online that can help you figure out a calorie deficit. I'd suggest you start at 1800 calories/day, then slowly work your way down until you find a level that works for you while still helping you lose weight.

I'm also, personally, a fan of the South Beach diet, but the first two weeks can be difficult if you're cutting down on carbs all of a sudden.

I am a calorie counter, I plan all meals ahead of time , staying within my calorie allotment.

Welcome back =)

You aren't the first person to need to make several trips before finally being able to make it stick.

If you don't have any plan ideas in mind, I suggest making a list of things you want to change, and then choosing one of those things... and doing it.

*Example list*

-Drink water/cut out soda.
-Eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal.
-Start walking.
-Start calorie counting.
-Have healthy snacks in the house.

Some of those might be easier than others, but if you focus on one thing at a time, and then add in more as you're used to it you'll build it up over time until you're actually doing a whole lot!

Changing to mostly water might only take a week or less. Making walking a habit might actually take a couple weeks. Etc. Etc. Make one change, set a goal to stick with it for a week or two. Feel proud! Then add and build up.

You'll steadily be making healthy, permanent changes to your whole life! And, no lie, after the first week... it feels great. After the first month... it feels even greater!

You can do this!

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I've tried counting calories before, but it has not worked for me in the past. I do plan to make small changes one at a time in order to make it last. The worst bad habit I have right now is lack of exercise, so I plan to start walking and then go from there. It is a wonderful feeling to have people who understand your struggles. Thanks again!!

Pretty Mom- I have kids the same age as yours-7 and 4 and I feel the same way. (I was an active member here once too several yrs ago but felt it time for a name change due to failed past experiences with dieting.)

We can and will be healthy for our children. I restarted old school Weight Watchers at home to keep myself accountable for what I eat. I also started substituting food-junk for more healthy options. I also just started working out again---little steps. It all counts.

Good Luck to you. You'll be a hot mama for those kids in no time.

Thanks Sheramama! We seem to have some things in common, maybe we should be buddies on this journey. Now that the kids are out of school, I should have a little more time to exercise when I get home from work. I'm excited to be doing something about my weight problem.

Hello! I'm just getting started as well. One thing that I have been doing for the last few months is using a great app/online tool called My fitness pal. Even though I'm struggling to stay within the calorie limits, keeping track of what I eat and the mere fact of having to record it has warded off some snacking. It may not be a for you, but I'd recommend giving it a try for a while.

So, I'm buying a scale today after work. I haven't weighed myself in a while, but it's time to face the ugly truth. Also, I wanted to ask the forum, does anybody use their iphone to track calories? Is there an app for that?

Thanks!!

Yes, try downloading my fitness pal or loose it. I use the 1st and a friend of mine uses the second!

Congrats on your start! Since lack of exercise is your worst habit right now, how about tackling that first. Today, do some sort of exercise, even if it's walking up and down the stairs a few times or dancing to some music for five minutes with your kids. For me, one burst of short activity will lead up to another later in the day. Some days end up being full of short bursts of activity and it makes me feel great!

You will be surprised at how quickly exercise make you want to eat a little better... which will later lead to eating a little better even still, etc., etc.

I use LoseIt and am quite content with it. It lets you track your calories and nutrients, exercise, and you can add custom foods and recipes.