Hi all,
I have browsed this forum a couple times and it always seems like this would work for me if I could just get the overwhelming feeling of it down. I have tried to figure out calorie counting before and even tried using Fitday, but I just can't seem to get it to a point where it works for me. Plus I notice that I am focusing so much on the number of calories that I am not thinking about what I am eating (using the calories for not so healthy stuff just because I can fit it in) I'm sure a lot of you know what I am talking about. A couple of you have even offered help in the past (thank you by the way) but it seems I was just not ready then to take this seriously. I am feeling way down today and just can't get dieting and my problems off my mind (would so love to leave work right now but yeah right). Anyway, I have it in my head that I want to lose at least 10 pounds, I want to prove that much (or little) to myself and keep going because the thought of losing 50 pounds (overall goal) is so overwhelming to me. So I thought if I could just lose 2 pounds per week I could lose that weight in about 5 weeks. Problem is I don't know how many calories I should eat, where I should get most of my calories, how much exercise is really necessary to actually burn enough calories to see results, so on and so forth. I know this sounds like a lot of complaining and belly aching and maybe it is, but I just feel like talking to women is so much easier because you KNOW what this is like, no matter how different each of us are from one another we all have in common our struggle with body image, emotions, and so forth. So yeah, in a round about way I'm asking for guidance, I really want to learn how to do this and commit to working it out for at the very least 5 weeks. Any help would be great, either through posting a reply or PMing. Thanks for listening ladies, it helps to get out all the toxic thoughts and feelings.

-Michelle

Hey there I just went over to calorie king and put your info in (I guessed your age at around 23). It says you need 2098 to maintain your weight so you would need roughly 1598 (or around that) to loss weight. Depending on your activty level you need a little more or a little less to start off.

But I am new to a lot of this so I may not be a lot of help.

Thanks needtolose for even doing that, that was really sweet of you, and yes it does totally help! I'm just encouraged by your kindness (really needed that today) And yes I am 23, I just had my birthday on the 23rd actually!

LoL I can't believe I got your age right. This is a great group of people here. I have been here almost 2 weeks and they have been really great.

One thing I can say is drink lots of water. Thats all I drink now. Well and milk with meals. Also I broke my meals down to 5 smaller meals. 3 main meals and 2 snacks.

Your story sounds just like mine did 3 weeks ago. I was so sure I just couldn't lose weight and was fed up with my size and stuff so I slapped myself in the face, figuratively, and when I found this site it helped me to get the info I needed. First I read thru as many of the success stories as I could and found someones who was similar to mine (thanks Glory87) figuring that if they had a background and situation close to the same then it would help me.

With me I avoid all artifical stuff, colors, preservatives, flavorsor sweeteners we started this because of our sons behaviour issues but I feel like its probably helping here since I have never lost so well (we have been off that stuff for 2 months or so).

My other strategy is to do the calories counting/journaling and never go below 1400 or above 1800, depending on the day and activity level (keep my body guessing lol). I try to get 30 min of exercise right now and will start increasing it to more strenuous levels as I start hitting platues.

And one of the BIGGEST things is whole foods, eating things as close to nature as possible. Now don't get me wrong I still eat a lot I shouldn't but I strive to focus on healthy foods to keep my body healthy this time around. I did calories counting once before, ate 1200-1100 calories and was miserable, unhealty and lost weight but then bounced back. The way I eat now is gonna be forever (you will realize that when you read thru the success posts and see that to maintain they just do more of the same with maybe a few more calories thrown in).

Good luck! and keep coming here, its really help to motivate me, especially the challenges.

Oh and one more thing I use fitday to track my calories and exercise.

Thanks edzard and need2lose, you both have really helped motive me to believe I can do this. I have tried Fitday before but it frustrates me because I have to enter everything as a new food and it doesn't seem to keep it correctly (or maybe I just didn't do it right). I'll shake it off and try again. Thanks again.

Some things I use their list like for fresh veggies, fruits and meats etc. But other stuff I do log it in. Like if I have the info right on hand. I think the daily plate and calorie king has the calorie tracker as well.

I like Nutridiary much better than Fitday. You can save *meals* (ie, recipes) in your log. Other people like the Daily Plate. Both, imho, are better than Fitday.

Track your calories--and try to get them from veggies and lean proteins! It's the only way to not feel hungry! And start doing some exercise as well. You don't have to run a marathon, but you could take 30 minute walks every evening after dinner, or do exercise dvds or join a gym. Whatever works for you--but you should try to include at least 30 mins of physical activity every day.

You CAN lose weight--but you have to really and truly decide that THIS is the time that you're going to pull it off. Think positive thoughts

Good luck!

Thanks for the tip baffled and I have gotten some exercise, I actually go walking for about 1 hour almost everynight with my fiance, I just fell out of the habit this last weekend and am picking it back up tonight. But again, thank you so much for the help and the inspiring words.

You can do this, Jade235! Logging what you eat (honestly) is a great first step to taking control of your own body. You're making a great decision to lose the weight -- and we'll be here to cheer you on. I can't wait to read your success story!

--K

Thanks queenjane, I really appreciate your encouragement. I am doing research and preparing myself this weekend to really shine the next 5 weeks and put my all into it to build new habits and stick with them!

i use the daily plate and love it. it tells me how much to eat to lose 2 pounds a week and tracks it for me. it also saves what i eat so i don't have to search for things i eat daily. i started just by counting everything i ate just so i knew why i was gaining. i was eating like hubby so no wonder i was gaining.