I've never started a "diet", not really anyways and I have absolutely no idea where to start. How do I know what's right for me? How do I go grocery shopping? How much cardio is enough? How much is too much? How much should I expect to lose each month? The entire idea of losing weight to is incredibly overwhelming. Should I go to student health and doctor one of the doctors there? How do you talk to your friends who don't have weight issues about these sorts of things? How do you talk about wanting to lose weight to your friends that are heavier without filling guilty? I know I want to lose weight, I know I'm ready, I just have no idea where to begin. I've looked at so many posts showing people that have made AMAZING progress and I'm worried I don't have the ability to work as hard as they did to get there. How do I take that first step?

haha well the first step is to take a deep breath I guess! I always think that starting out is the hardest part because you dont know what will work for you. So first I would do some research, see what other people who have been successful are doing, browse the different forums here, see what appeals to you. Talking to a doctor is almost never a bad thing either The more information you start with the better! Dont worry about the big picture and not being able to work as hard as everyone else, all that matters is that you work hard enough for you

Welcome to the site!

I think starting is a hard step. Cuz it is like ok I want to but eh what do I do lol I can't recommend enough the website sparkpeople.com You can put in all your details- height, weight, how many days you wanna work out, etc.. then also put in your goal weight and timeframe. and it will tell you how many calories you need & give your a strength & cardio plan too.

I found it very helpful because I had zero clue what I was doing lol. You can also tweak it lots.

Seeing a doctor is probably great idea too.

For myself anyways I don't think I would bring up the weight loss at all unless asked. Most definitly not to the skinny people because one comment about how fat they are too and I would have to smack them lmao With the heavier people there is some guilt for me too. If I do well and want to shout it out and then I have to be like oh am I gonna seem like I am bragging or waving it in their face and make them feel bad

I think you can test the waters with little comments, like oh I am going for a walk later, etc.. and see how they react. Or really just wait and let them approach you. Once they see you doing well and losing weight.

I find it hard to talk to people. That is why I LOVE this site. You can talk to us and get support and advice

You start with the decision to do this, once and for all, permanently and no matter what. No. Matter. What. You then make the ensuing commitment to get the job done, to see it through. At this point, you've got willingness. The willingness to find, to seek out and to DO, consistently, what's necessary to make it happen.

You pick a plan to get you going, being open to tweaking it as need be. Calorie counting is a great way to start. You pick a number of calories to start experimenting with - say 1500 calories. You find a website like fitday. com to help you out. You make yourself some rules, some boundaries, some limits - no this, no that. At the same time you ADD in lots and lots of healthy, lower calorie food items - egg whites, chicken and turkey breast, soy products, tuna, salmon, and other fish..., tons of veggies - look for new and interesting ways to prepare them, fruits, some whole grains - and you get going.

Plan out your day, your food menu ahead of time, in advance, knowing where each and every morsel that will be going down your throat is coming from. Much easier to stay on plan, when you've got one. Plan, plan and than plan some more. It's vital. You can't wing this. Eating healthy won't happen on it's own. It needs to be thought through and planned for.

Another great tool - it doesn't go into your mouth until you've written it down first. Food journaling. Very effective.

Don't worry about other people right now.. You can discuss your weight questions here at 3FC. Be concerned about you.

Don't expect to lose a certain number a month. There is no way to predict that. Instead of focusing on a per month number, I'd love for you to focus on the behaviors - staying on plan, finding healthy foods to eat, staying within a calorie budget, devising tips, strategies and coping mechanisms for staying on plan through all circumstances - stress, joy, parties, holidays, boredom, etc. Focus on making this your new way of life - and the scale WILL go down.

Keep in mind, initially there may be some uncomfortable moments as your old habits die down and the new ones take hold. It's hard (at first) to tell yourself no! But you will learn and you will love it. Discipline, self control it turns out is a wonderful thing.

Also please know, that you CAN do this. You do have the ability to lose weight. We are all capable of it. You don't have to be overweight if you don't want to be. So please get excited!! You can transform your life.

I look forward to hearing of your progress.