[Ana Barrios]

Hey everyone! Im Ana, I'm 26 yo and I'm from Guatemala.

Just last week I went to see a nutritionist under my doctors orders because I need to lose 60 pounds. Last year I was in a bad car accident and I hurt my spine, I have a herniated disk and I can't feel my right thigh, needless to say, being overweight is not helping it at all!

Even though from last week to yesterday I lost 3.5 pounds, I'm having a really hard time keeping up with my diet. I have personal problems, my grandma was diagnosed with brain cancer in january and is currently living at my house, my sister married an american and is moving to Sarasota next week, my university rejected my thesis and so I'm quite depressed.

I've gone to nutritionists before and I've lost weight, but then I gain it all back, mainly because Im a really picky eater and I don't like healthy food.

I decided to start this diet because my back kills me, but Im not sure if I'll make it......

[NEMom]

Hugs to you my dear, it sounds like you really have a lot on your plate right now. Add the pain of a back injury and the stress of trying to diet and boy it is tough to stay positive.
I lost my 60 lbs through calorie counting and exercise. I learned that for me it was not a 'diet' but a lifestyle change. I have been maintaining for only 3 months but in order to be successful long term, I know I have to look at as a healthier lifestyle and not just a diet. It took me 10 months to lose my weight and seemed impossible at times but I broke it down into 5lb mini goals, it made the mountain not so hard to climb.
I too am a picky eater and have had to find food that do not have as many calories that I like.
Remember, you don't have to be perfect, just keep trying. If you have a bad meal or a bad day, just get on track at the next meal.
You can do it!

[Ana Barrios]

Thank you NeMom!

Well, I know I need to change my lifestyle as well, or whatever weight I loose will come back in no time. I keep hearing people say that it takes 21 days to make something into a habit and I really hope thats true.

I need to excersise too, the only mild form of excersise I've done since my accident has been physical therapy in the pool, which totally frustrates me because I feel Im doing nothing. What kind of excersise do you do?

[NEMom]

I wake up early 5 days a week to exercise. I have an elliptical machine I use, I have built up to 30 minutes on the harder settings (took me a LONG time) and then I have a weight machine that I use for 20-30 minutes.
Start small. Take walks, get some hand weights to use, here in the U.S. you can get hand weights for $10 or less. Go to YouTube or HULU.com and look for exercise videos. There are tons out there. Please, talk to your doctor or PT before doing exercises more than walking. I really do not want you to try something that could further injury your back.
You can do it!!!!

[Ana Barrios]

Elliptical is a big no for me, it was one of the first things my doctor told me, that until Im better I can't do elliptical.

I think I'll start with little walks like you say, just until my next doctors' appointment next month, so that I can activate my metabolism.