I am so glad I have found this forum. I am determined to make changes in my life to improve my health and fitness level. I am so tired of making excuses and watching others have fun, I am ready to Participate and Live Life!!! I will weigh in the morning and begin! For right now, I plan to just count calories and exercise daily. What are others doing to lose weight and what challenges do you recommend? (I can do this)

Yes, you can do this.

You're plan is exactly what I've been doing. Eat better, eat less, and exercise every day.

:-)

I'm doing the beachbody challenge! Love it so far! Good luck!

Welcome! If you haven't read it before, maybe check out the Beck Diet Solution (By Judith Beck) ... it's not a diet, but a method of changing your behaviors in regard to your eating (small changes one day at a time) that meshes with the diet you do choose to folllow, be it a specific diet like WW or calorie counting, or just trying to eat less, move more, etc. I checked it out from the library a few times before picking it up on amazon.

Best of luck! Sounds like you're READY!

Thanks for the info. Will research the "Beck" book and check out the Beach Body Challenge. Which forums do you find are most helpful and motivating?

It's going to be hard. My daughters made cupcakes earlier and I ate one thinking that I am not technically starting til tomorrow. Why do I sabotage my own self? But this is exactly what I have to change. First I need willpower to resist and second if I do cheat don't beat myself up such that I give up. NOT THIS TIME!!!! I HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE MY LIFE!!!!

IMHO: Also, tell the people who are closest to you what you are doing. Your daughters will be much less likely to ask you if you want a cupcake if they know that you're trying to change your eating habits.

Hi everyone, I'm new here as well, and my motivation is very much like yours, MomInMiss. I've struggled all my life, and if I put as much effort into making changes as I do into making excuses, things would be very different!

The first thing I did was read the Zone Diet. I'm not following it to the letter, but just trying to keep in mind what it has to say about moderation, portion sizes (my biggest challenge) and balancing your nutrients. I also use the My Fitness Pal website to track my food and exercise every day.

One thing I've found that's really helping me is allowing myself a "cheat" once a month. I pick one meal on one day, and I'm allowed whatever I want (mostly within reason) at that meal. I stay on my meal plan for the rest of the day and do extra exercise and it's helped keep me sane.

Portion sizes are my bane as well. I never know what one 'serving' is, or if I'm not limiting myself as I should. I feel a little bad if I don't eat until I'm full, but mentally, what is 'full' to me? These are a few questions I tend to ask myself as well. So hopefully without the excuses, I can find a good pattern!

The Zone Diet, you say, Miss Kelly? Looks like I'll have to look it up. The beach body challenge does sound fun!

Yes, the Zone Diet is from a while ago - late 90s, I think. I found it to be really helpful just in the way I think about food.

I know what you mean about "eating until you're full". I've been trying to work on mindful eating, really paying attention and trying to enjoy my food, instead of just shoving it down until I can't fit any more in!