Advice
 

Hello. I am new to this community and I really want to start to change my life. I have read a few messages from people who have started and I would like some advice on how I can start as well. I hope to hear from you. Thanks :o)

newattitude

Welcome NewAttitude!

Everyone here will give different advice depending on what their plans are. Do you want to go low-carb? Low-fat? Low-cal?

The one thing that all "diets" have in common is calories in vs. calories out. If you eat less than your body burns then you will lose weight. It takes a deficit of 3500 calories to lose one pound of fat, so if you cut back on the calories that you eat and increase the amount of exercise, then you will lose.

I am on a low-calorie diet. I eat between 1300-1500 calories each day and work out at the gym 3 days a week. I eat whatever I want as long as I have the calories to do so. BUT that also helps me make smarter choices, because while a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream does fit in my calorie limit, it won't keep the huger away. :lol: So instead of ice cream I'll have some popcorn for a snack... Instead of ground beef I'll have ground turkey... I substitute low-fat or fat-free with some foods (especially sour cream)...

After the first week your stomach becomes adjusted to having smaller quantities of food and you don't get as hungry. I still get the munchies sometimes, but I don't keep my trigger foods (for me cookies, ice-cream and potato chips) around the house. Having a "failure free" or at least a "lower chance at failure" environment really helps when we go through the weak moments.

Good luck and welcome!

The way I look at it, if you really want to change your "life", I'd suggest not thinking of anything as a "diet". Because a diet is generally considered something temporary. A life change requires a change in your daily eating habits and exercise routine. As for how to start...just do it. ;)

I started out by walking one mile every day. A little over a year later and I now run over 2 miles a day. Look for ways you can add in exercise daily. If you don't normally take the stairs, start taking them. If you park close to doors, park far away. If it seems like a chore, just keep thinking about those smaller pants you'll be wearing and how much better you're going to feel. Eventually, it will become habit.