[Milly58]

I have been reading through this forum for some time, and I am impressed at the level of support members offer to one another. I am 38, and fed up with my fat self! I have lost and re-gained weight many times since my mid-teens. I have also spent money (lot's of it) on weight-loss support groups, but ended up no better off. I have now had enough, and need somewhere I can come for support and accountibility on a regular basis, rather than waiting for my weekly support meeting.

I am unsure how to go about losing weight on my own, and would appreciate any advice from members who are doing it on their own. I don't know if I should count calories, give up junk food, or just exercise on a regular basis. I have 56lbs to lose and would appreciate support from members as I move toward my goal.

[LADY WINDSONG]

Milly,

I have lost 51 pounds on my own, but using the principals of the South Beach Diet.

If I can help. PM me and we can get you on the right path to a new you and a new way of eating.

Lady

[xJennJennx]

You sound a lot like myself, I have lost and regained the same 10-15 lbs since January. I've made up my mind to finally not be a quitter and stick to my plan. I'm currently on the South Beach Diet giving it a second try. We are also starting out at around the same weight, tho I don't wanna get down quiet as low as you. If you need some help or just wanna chat, let me know!

[almostheaven]

Originally Posted by Milly58

I don't know if I should count calories, give up junk food, or just exercise on a regular basis.

Any and/or all of the above. You could take one at a time and do it for a week or two, then add another. Acclimate yourself to small changes in your lifestyle step-by-step. Like, start exercising daily. After you've become acclimated to that, cut out junk food, and so on. To KEEP weight off, you have to do something you can stick with for life.

[Milly58]

Hi!

I couldn't wait to check back to see who had responded to my post!

Almostheaven - on your weight-loss success. I like your advice about taking time to get used to new healthy habits. Do you mind if I ask which method you used to lose so much weight?

Jenn - I'm only 5'1", so 120 is about right for me. That was my weight from around the age of 21-27, when things fell apart and the weight gain started again. I felt comfortable at that weight, and I looked good, not too thin. What is your goal weight?

Lady Windsong - Congratulations on your weight loss. I have heard of the South Beach Diet, but I must admit I am not too familiar with it.

[LADY WINDSONG]

Milly,

One day one bite.

You are worth all your effort.

Today and tomorrow are important.
Make the best of them.

What are you going to do to lose weight?

Make a plan and stick to it.

Hard, YES, but you can and will do it.

Lady

[xJennJennx]

Hey there, my goal weight is 140...i have a around 38 lbs to lose to get there.....be sure you pick a diet/eating plan you can stick with, Good luck

[almostheaven]

Originally Posted by Milly58

Almostheaven - on your weight-loss success. I like your advice about taking time to get used to new healthy habits. Do you mind if I ask which method you used to lose so much weight?

First I changed my eating habits and started drinking 2 full glasses of water before each meal. I replaced my pastas and breads with whole grains and experimented with a lot of substitutes (veggie products, soy, etc.). I've settled mostly on what I figure to be "real" foods. LOL Like I substitute ground turkey for ground beef now rather than veggie crumbles.

By doing this, I was losing slowly. So I then added exercise. I started out just walking a mile each day, then running portions of that 1 mile, then increased my distances and my running as I could. I've mixed up exercises and tried different exercise times in order to find the best exercises and times to exercise that work with my schedule and keep me motivated. If I find myself ever slacking, I mix it up again. IE: Recently (home right now and pregnant so getting quite bored at home), I started slacking on my home video exercises. So I joined Curves to get me out of the house and kind of force me to go do it. I'm paying for it, gonna do it.

Things become habit eventually. I find myself automatically checking labels now and trying to balance out the nutrition. I drink water first and foremost and tea/soda on occasion. I came to love fruit (mostly apples) enough that I can avoid my previous Twix fascination. LOL