Hello everyone,

I'm new to this site and am so excited about all the information I've already gotten here.

I'm 18 years old and I weight 260 pounds. I was up to 266 when I first began my weight loss journey (3 weeks ago) and have lost this much weight so far only through moderate portion control. I'm talking around 2000-2200 calories a day.

I know I really need to step up and get serious about my nutrition. So I'm definitely going to start making positive changes and eating less than I am now. I think I would be good if I was around 1800 calories a day. I know a lot of people recommend 1200 calories, but when I eat that little I feel wiped out. I'd rather do it slowly and happily than fast and miserable.

I have no brand name diet plan, I'm just eating less. I'm also trying to get my nutrition from the good food, a nice bowl of pasta instead of a banana split for example. I am however facing two major diet problems.

1. I love soda and am PHYSICALLY addicted to it. I crave it, I panic when I don't have it, I've been known to go out at 3 AM if I run out. I've cut back to about two bottles a day-still, that equals more than 400 calories. Those calories should be used for food! Does anyone have advice as to how to kick this habit? Diet Soda doesn't cut it for me.

2. I hate lettuce. I literally gag at the taste of it. I also hate tomatoes (can't tolerate one on a hamburger), broccoli, and basically all the green stuff except green beans. Has anyone ever had a dilemma like this, and how did you handle it? My only sources of veggies are corn, carrots, and green beans.

I have not start exercising yet. My previous attempts at maintaining exercise are failures.

I also hear cardio is so important, do at least 30 minutes 3 days a week. What people don't understand is...I cannot do 30 minutes. I'm too out of shape for that. It hurts my knees, back (I have scoliosis, pretty bad) and I feel all together miserable doing it. I think part of it stems from when I was little and had to do laps around the gym.

I weighed like 130 and the rest of my class weighed 80 pounds and I had to keep up with them. I remember gasping for air, having chest pains, huffing and puffing, turning red as a beat. I also remember the teacher yelling at me and the kids laughing.

I never realized that's one of the main reasons I hate cardio until recently. The feeling I get on the treadmill is the same one I got when I was little so now I associate that "out of breath exercising" feeling with one of the worst experiences of my life. Realizing that was a breakthrough.

All that aside however, I know I must work out. So I've planned a workout myself...mostly with basic moves like crunches, squats, bicep curls, stuff like that. I'm also going to begin Pilates, I've tried a few moves and really enjoy the stretch and "pain" of it. So another question I have does anyone have any suggestions for a really, really basic Pilates DVD I could try?

I know I'll eventually I've have to add cardio but not right now.

Thanks for reading and I love this site.

Welcome CherryBlossom,

You are on the right pathway by being motivated to loose in the first place. You will see that there is a lot of helpful information and support here.

1. Definitely watch what you are eating. For me calorie counting has helped me immensely. For me I feel its better to do a diet plan rather than following nothing b/c I've tried both and succeeded on a plan.

2. You need to start weaning yourself off of the soft drinks!! There are so many empty calories in soda and too much sugar. Plus the caffeine is not good when you are trying to loose weight. I would suggest you try substituting water for a few days, just tough it out. You will see how strong you are and you can do it!! You can always post your rants and raves here and Im sure we'll give you some words of wisdom. You could also try the diet drinks if you absolutely must have a soft drink. All in all it should be eliminated from you diet.

2. Veggies?? well you can ease yourself towards veggies slowly. They are a good source of vitamins and fiber. Green beans, carrots and corn is a good start, since you like them already. I've always liked them, Im sorry I dont have any other words of wisdom there.

3. Its good that you are easing your way into exercise. When you feel stronger you will know when you are ready for cardio. Walking is a good way to ease yourself into cardio when you are ready for that. I love doing Yoga and Pilates. I have Winsor Pilates, it has a great beginners modification moves and advanced moves when you are stronger.

Hope this helps
Good Luck!

Hi Cherry Blossom and welcome!

Good for you for making changes in your lifestyle!! I agree with what Boop says and wanted to add to that....

1. Ditch the pop. In my pharmacy we have a saying: "It'll pickle your brain". Those ingredients just create an addictive cycle in your body and really can do damage when one is drinking as much pop as you do. Start increasing your water intake. I'd say for every glass of pop you have, you have to have the same size water and then 2 glasses of water to every glass of pop, then 3, etc. so you can ween yourself off. Water is essential for our bodies and it flushes fat and toxins from the body.

2. Ahh, those veggies. I eat a lot of veggies and maybe it's time to experiment with cooking! I also use Mrs. Dash products and use it on all my veggies. There are wonderful saute's and soups to try using Mrs. Dash. Maybe try a low-fat veggie lasagna with cottage cheese using squash, zucchini and mushrooms. I use Mrs. Dash Montreal Steak seasoning on mushrooms (portabella or other) with a bit of Ex. Virgin Olive oil and it's wonderful!! I use my South Beach Diet cookbook a lot. It has excellent recipes!! Try the Hearty Minestrone: it has little pasta and green beans, I believe. But you could add whatever you like with minestrone!

3. Gotta move! Just walking helps so much! Maybe try mini-goals each day like I'll go to this area and back and then the next day, go a bit further (to the big pine tree) and back until you can build up to your big goals. If you have a place where you'd feel safe and comfortable, maybe do a bit of swimming to help take some pressure off your knees. I go to the Senior Center occasionally--there's no judgment there!

4. Keep a journal. Record your food, exercise and feelings. Then you can look back and see what your triggers are. Just try and remember not to be too hard on yourself if you have a bad day and fall off the wagon. Just hop back on the next day. We're human and this happens!

I applaud your efforts! You can do this. We're all cheering for you! You are important and your health is important!

Welcome to the forum! You've gotten some great advice already. I just wanted to add that cardio does not have to equal running at a full sprint! Just a walk in the park for thirty minutes three times a week, or hoofing it to the grocery store or post office or somewhere else near by that you would usually drive to. Work yourself up to things gradually. I've heard great things about the Couch to 5K program, although I've never tried it myself.

Veggies...they're so worth it! Check out some vegetarian cookbooks from your local library. There are so many vitamins and nutrients and fiber in veggies and they fill you up so well. Have you tried different kinds of lettuces? Baby spinach, romaine?

Good luck with everything!

Kara

Thanks for the support and love everyone! I did so great on my diet yesterday and I'm so hopeful for the future. Guess what...I didn't drink any pop yesterday and I'm not feeling the withdrawl yet. That's a first time for me, usually they hit a couple hours after I've had my last drink lol

Yay! I'm so happy for you. You will see it will be easier as time goes by. Keep up the good work!

Hi CherryBlossom ~

I'm new here too. Congrats on the 6 lb. loss already!

Instead of soda, have you tried jazzing up your water with a slice of lemon or lime? How about herbal teas?

I went cold turkey from Coke a few years ago after really thinking about all the sugar - I think 8 teaspoons per can?! I don't like diet soda, so I just quit altogether. I had a Coke about six months ago and could not believe the jolt I got (all that sugar I guess).

About the veggies ... maybe a silly question, but are you eating canned or fresh? I thought I hated veggies till I left home, and discovered most people didn't boil a can of peas for 20 minutes before eating them *grimace* :-)!

And I still don't eat canned peas, but frozen peas, thawed and drained, are excellent in salads.

Good luck - hope to see you again around this cool site!