Hello

I've just found this forum and you seem like a really friendly bunch, so I thought I may join you. I have looked at several weightloss support forums, but they don't all seem to offer support to all (IYKWIM, this forum looks really friendly and welcoming).

Anyway, the heaviest I ever weighed was last summer, when I hit the scales at 326lbs. I currently weigh 309lbs and hope to get down to 149lbs, I find the thought of losing that amount of weight really daunting, so I am going to aim for mini-targets instead. My first goal is 279lbs.

I have no exercise plan at all and have never had one - I have no idea where to start, I am very, very unfit. Any ideas of how to start building up my fitness would be really helpful should anyone have any tips.

I'm off for a nose around and to read the sticky threads.........


Looking forward to getting to know you all

WELCOME!!!!

My mom and aunt started by committing to do something 3 days a week.
They like aqua aroebics because they don't hurt after.
When they started walking; they would go down the dirt driveway at my mom's and only make it about 5 min. but soon it got longer and longer.

I wish you the very best of luck on your journey.

This place is full of wonderful supportive people! I'm glad you decided to post! I think small changes are definitely the way to go---that's the way I've started.....and drinking lots of water!

Best of wishes to you on your journey!!

Welcome! And congrats on your weight loss so far!

I had never been a regular exerciser before. My advice would be to start simply. Maybe walk 10 or 15 min a day 3 days a week. Then build on that!

If you want some accountability, join our exercise thread! We set goals for number of minutes a month. You don't even have to set a goal, though some of us do. You'd be helping us out too! We're trying to break a 2007 record! Check out the stickies, and also the 'weekly thread'!

Hey there!
You and I, we both have almost exactly the same starting weight, goal weight, and mini-goal weight (except all off by about 5 lbs!).

I just started about a month ago, so I don't know how helpful I can be about exercise, but I walk my dog, take my son to the park, and just do dumbbells at home. Not much, I know, but I'm still losing weight because some people say it's like 80% what you eat, 20% exercise. It's still important, but your diet is the most important thing to remember.

welcome!
I'm new here as well... today is my first day and I also hope to get help in this website...becuase god only knows that I really need it!!

Welcome!

I'd pretty much suggest that you start walking a little. Increase that time when you can. Later on, once you're used to a little more activity then you can look for something you enjoy doing.

Hello Moominmomma!

Welcome!

Im curious to know if you are Finnish or just like the Moomins!

Hi...I've just joined the forum too.

I've been following the Atkins diet now since June 28th and lost 14 1/2 lbs -- I've tried it before but never been able to stick to it. I know Doctors have had there pros and cons about it -- but I figure being 200 lbs overweight is not healthy either -- and Atkins can be healthly if you fill up on veggies and not just pounds of meat and cheese!

I've tried low-fat (too bland) - WW (always hungry) - South Beach (too confusing) diets -- no luck.

So I'm hoping this time I can stick to this, and take it slow (adding whole grains slowly) and by reading this forum - maybe we can help each other!

Donna welcome!

That can be the problem with picking a plan that is so far away from how you would normally eat. It makes it tough to keep it up, especially when you've got a lot of weight to lose. I remember making a point to someone with about a few pounds to lose - that if they really wanted to they could eat stuff they hate for a short period of time. I had to find a way of eating that I could manage for years, not weeks or months. This December will be two years since I started back to losing weight, and I'm pretty happy with the way I eat (except some days I'd like more food). My rate of loss may not be as fast as I'd like sometimes (when is it) but along the way I've found a way of eating that I can maintain for the rest of my life. I truly believe that's what is important.

So, good luck on whatever plan you develop, but keep that in the back of your mind... you're looking for a new way of eating that you enjoy.

Hi and welcome

When I was over 300, exercise was not what I focused on mainly. It had to do with the fact that, for me, I had been so sedentary so long, I was finding it hard to really do anything for a good amount of time. So I started out walking in place for 5, 10, 15 minutes at a time and gradually built from that.

Good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

Welcome welcome!!!

With exercise, like Chunkychick said, starting out and having that gradual progress is a good idea. When I was 340 I couldn't do much. I mean like 5 minutes tops. Walks were very short, but now I can go farther and have a goal of doing my complete DVD workout thing. You can do it!

No, SuomiSara, I am not Finnish

I am mad about Moomins, though, I really love those guys (and so wanted to have one to live in my garden when I was little)

Thank you so much everyone for the welcomes and for the advice over exercise

I am so very unfit I really do need to get some sort of exercise plan sorted - I have very high blood pressure and need to sort myself out. I am planning on walking 15 mins 2days then a days rest and then build it up by 5 mins for every 2 days.

Thanks again for the replies.

Welcome Newbies, Moomin, Donna and Salru!

Glad you all joined this awesome group!!!!!!

Taking it one baby step at a time is the way to go. Find out what weight loss journey you wanna take....and remember the veggies! Try to incorporate a new veggie in a week. Soon, you will have tons of variety and not get bored. Walking is the best way...got a dog? Take him for a walk, then you will both enjoy it or if not why not check out your local animal rescue and volunteer maybe start out once a week to take a dog for a walk.

Good luck and happy posting!