Welcome to 3FC, Jerry =)
Just as xxkaleidoscopic said... there are no "quick fixes" that last long, and it's honestly hard work. Very likely the most difficult thing I've ever had to do in my life.
I don't say that to discourage you, I say it to prepare you. You didn't put on the weight overnight, you won't be able to take it all off overnight.
Just as an example, it will likely take me years to steadily lose the extra weight I'm holding onto, and even beyond that... I have to KEEP the weight off forever. That means the changes I need to be making now are sustainable and healthy. Changes that I can see myself doing for the rest of my life.
Is it easy? Not always. Is it quick? No.
But, who cares? It means every pound I've lost has been a HUGE triumph. A celebration of my ability to change and do healthy things for myself.
When I first started, I couldn't look at the full of my weight loss needed. It was insurmountable. It was a feat that I didn't (and sometimes still don't) feel is even possible.
I have two minds about it that I need to use in different situations.
The first is: One day at a time. One choice at a time. Everything is about the present. The scale is inconsequential, but I know that if I take this walk or if I climb those stairs, or if I choose to include a vegetable with each of my meals and drink more water... those singular choices are GOOD for me.
Then there's the second frame of mind: Everything I do today will count a year from now. Every step I make towards my goals and towards being a healthier me will MATTER and ADD UP. A year from today I will look back and I will be so proud and thrilled that I made so many great choices.
It's been three months for me, and I'm already thrilled I started three months ago.
I didn't start out as ambitiously as some people have. My first two changes were to track everything I ate, and to take a 5 minute walk a day. I didn't even change what I was eating! I just told myself that no matter what I had to track it. I continue that habit, and aim to continue it. No matter what it is that I eat, it goes down on my food tracker. If I ate too much, then it works like accountability. If I'm not eating as many healthy foods as I should, then there it is in black and white staring back at me. No "fudging" the results in my mind.
The second change I made would probably make a lot of people laugh. I mean, who is she kidding, right? A 5 minute walk a day... who's that going to help, right? Except that it did help. I was so sedentary that the only activity I got was walking from my computer chair to my fridge. I'm not exaggerating about that.
And guess what? With those two small, sustainable changes... here I am 3 months later, with 29 pounds lost, and I've built up even MORE healthy habits! Most of my days I'm eating healthy foods and controlling my intake. And I'm now taking 20 minute walks a day, and have incorporated some strength training two days a week.
My point is... after this rambling.. that it doesn't matter where you start. It only matters that you start, and commit to something.
You can do this. There are many different types of support groups. You might want to check out the 300+ Club to meet up with others who are looking to lose a significant amount of weight, too.
So. What one change can you commit to? We'd love to support you in it.
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