[kaskas67]

Hi everyone!!! I am pretty new to this site although I registered in 2009! I have had plans to start losing weight all the way back then even before. Well, now I am at my highest weight 190lbs I am only 5'3. I have had extreme self confidence issues recently and it has caused extreme moments of depression. I would even go so far as saying a form of manic depression. A year ago I was prescribed to adderall and I thought that all my problems would be solved. I had friends that started and and lost extreme amounts of weight. It did not take me long to learn that all the negative side effects of adderall do not begin to make up for all the other side effects. I became a different person and finally forced myself off of it. I want to be healthy!!! I just have such a lack of motivation and have no idea where to begin. That has always been my biggest problem. I do not have a lot of extra funds and do not have the money to go out and pay for a gym membership or for any of the expensive health foods that many suggest. I just want to know if anyone has any suggestions for a good place to start!!!

[Kendra79]

Sounds like you are heading in the right direction just being here. Take each meal at a time. I downloaded an app called my fitness pal. It helps me keep track of what I eat. Just know if you mess up one meal today you can start over the next. Good luck

[Bardess]

Hi kaskas67! I agree with Kendra79 on all points! Yay for being here and reaching out. Take everything one step at a time. Don't beat yourself up. Keep working at it. Time will show your efforts, so don't be discouraged!

My Fitness Pal is a really fantastic website/app and I find using it quite helpful. For example: I've charted and recorded my food before, but when I started with my fitness pal after about a week I realized that while I was fine with my calories, as I suspected, my sodium intake was outrageous, and the sugars were pretty awful too. I'd never thought about the effect excess sodium might have on me, because I just thought what mattered was the calories. Within just a few days of altering my food intake to reduce my sodium levels I noticed a huge difference.

Not knowing where to even start is tough! I suggest you start with a walk around the block (or an equivalent). It doesn't even have to be a swift walking pace. Go for a nice walk regularly and you'll find things grow from there without even realizing it. Start with committing to parking your car as far away from work/appointments as seems feasible. Start by deciding to have 2 cookies instead of 5. Start by adding a small side salad to your normal dinner. Start by adding a small healthy snack into your day, and watch as your appetite at meal times adjusts to new needs. Start small! It'll grow, and all the while you'll be building a new, long term, sustainable healthy life without stressing and causing more damage.

You can totally do this.

[Mountain Mamma]

Kaskas, glad you joined us. The nicest thing is, everyone is supportive of each other regardless of their own diet or exercise opinions. Most important, you do NOT need expensive health food or a gym membership or fancy equipment - there is an Exercise section on the Forum & this topic was recently discussed. Wander through the site & you'll get ideas or tips.

Good luck!!!