Hello everyone....I am a 33 yr old mother of three and of course like everyone else on here have struggled with weight loss my whole life. I didn't gain to much weight with my pregnancies but I was already over weight. I have tried almost EVERYTHING out there and as I become to know there is no magical pill or diet out there to lose weight quickly. I just don't know what to do. I get really motivated and do really good on a diet and then I will crash and eat everything in site. I am a very emotional eater...unlike some people who don't eat when there stressed I eat more. I saw a picture of myself the other day and thought this is really what I look like??? It was a horriable realization that I need to do something or I will never be happy in my life. So I thought joining a forum with people who are going through the same thing as me would help....So what I ask of everyone is give me advice on diet, workouts, ANYTHING to help and keep me on control.
Thanks in advance for the advice and help you give

I think a good idea is set a mini goal for yourself...like let's say 10 pounds. And once you reach it reward yourself with something, maybe you get to buy a new pair of shoes or get a massage! Try one week of dieting and exercise. Start with weighing yourself and measuring. Try to stick with it for a whole week and measure and weigh yourself, you will be amazed when you see you lost an inch here and an inch there and lost a couple pounds, I think that is a huge motivation!!!!!! When you can actually see progress, the tape measure doesn't lie! Also, when you get an intense craving or you're feeling stressed, do something positive - go for a walk to calm down and to get your mind off that cookie or piece of pizza! Or if you are just starving to no end, eat something healthy, an apple or banana. Get rid of all the "junk" food, make sure you have healthy snacks in your house! If the "junk" isn't there, you can't eat it or be tempted too! Check out healthy recipes, thse surprisingly are good! Google "Eatbetteramerica" - it has awesome stuff! Good luck!

You're definitely in the right place. You'll get a lot of support here, a lot of advice from people with some really amazing success stories. You'll be able to vent, celebrate your successes, find great recipes and workouts... even play games. You can start your own weight loss blog to track your progress..... pretty much anything! There are forums set up for different interests, by age group, amount to lose, diet plan, all kinds of things. A good idea would be spending some time in the forums that interest you most, and find one that you really like. You'll be able to make some friends, join challenges, and chat about things totally unrelated to weight loss.

You can do this, and we'll be here to support you!

I can help you. I have been there where you are right now. Currently I am in a good place... it isn't always like this though... here is how I started.

Cut out all pasta, rice, bread, sugar and potatoes.
Do some type of exercise for 1 hour 6 days a week.
Start your day with protein.
Drink lots of water. Don't drink your calories.
Lots of veggies, salads and lean proteins.

Quickly is not the right way.... forever changing your habits is the right way. I usually do good and then crash like you said but I have realized I can just never never eat sweets again. They are what put me into a downward spiral just like heroin to a drug addict.

Good Luck!

Stacy

Welcome! My best advice is to find the plan that works for you, that works in your life, and that you can stick with. That's always been the hardest part for me since there are so many out there! I'm with Stacy in my eating, I'm a total sugar addict so South Beach works best for me. As for exercising, we all know it's necessary :P So far I haven't reached that place of just loving it like some. So I'm trying to change my attitude about it and think of it not as what I'm doing just to lose weight (so much pressure there!) but as what I'm doing to take care of my health and just feel good. Also, as one mommy to another (I have 4), I want to model good health for my kiddos. I can see so much of my struggles mirrored in MY mom, and I don't want to pass that along to my little ones. I try to get in 30 minutes 3 times a week. I know that's not much, but the times I've really hit it hard and done the everyday for 1 hour thing I just burn out and then I end up giving up! So right now I'm trying to make my 3 days my habit, then go from there as that gets easier.

Good luck and gain as much support from those around here as you can. It makes this so much easier to have others who understand. Have a great day!

PS: I'm an emotional/stress eater also. Start trying to find other ways to cope rather than turn to food...easier said than done, I know! But I did a program once where they taught "replacement", that we have to replace eating when we're not really hungry with something else, so walking, journalling about why we're so stressed, talking with a friend (these forums help with that), reading something uplifting, listening to music that makes you feel good, etc. This has helped me a lot!

Hi and welcome to 3FC.

Good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

Hi! Welcome to 3fc! You aren't alone. I think many of us have been right where you are at and you will get it all under control. Don't waste today beating yourself up about yesterday. Spend today changing what isn't working and knowing that yesterday was just another learning experience.

I am a calorie counter and I try to keep my calories in a 1200-1700 range. I am really busy but I do try to get some exercise in, even if it's just stretching. I eat whatever so long as it is in moderation and within my calorie allotment for the day. I do measure to make sure my portions are correct but I find that working the numbers takes a little planning but really pays off and I can have a cookie or other treat once in a while. I have never had to cut any food groups completely but I do try to limit extra fats and oils when I can b/c that reduces calories. I find keeping track of my calories and writing down what I eat helps keep me on track and prevent mindless eating. In the Calorie counters section, you will find other calorie counters and we do posts on the daily thread so you can check out what we're eating and get some ideas for food plans if you are interested in calorie counting. You can always take a page from more than one plan and make your own as well!

to 3FC!
You have found the RIGHT place dear, and we're SO GLAD you're here.
You will find, as everyone has been stating, AWESOME advice, support and encouragement.

You should start a food journal and a food blog. Knowing what you are putting in your mouth really helps. The blog will be a means of recording those emotional feelings that cause you to binge. Being able to identify your emotional triggers will be one way to combat them Knowledge IS power.

We are all here for each other and we are here FOR YOU
Hugs and support on your weight loss journey

Judy

Hi & welcome!!

I can totally relate to your story - I started my weight loss journey (THIS time!) in my late 30s when my 2nd child was 15 months old. I am so very glad I did! This community has been an awesome source of support. I would also encourage you to try to find support from your friends and family. It will never be easy, but it will certainly be easier if they know your plan and are willing to help you succeed.

I would suggest starting with a food journal. For 3-4 days, do not change anything, but write down EXACTLY what you are eating & when. I use livestrong.com, I know lots of people here use fitday.com.

Then, purchase a food scale if you don't already have one. This is absolutely invaluable to your ability to understand portion control.

Third, start implementing 1-2 changes each week that are do-able - things like adding in 2 extra cups of water a day, adding an extra veggie, replacing your evening dessert with a piece of fruit, not eating after dinner, getting 30 minutes of exercise 3x/week, etc. Start small - you will want to see success right away, and if you try to change everything at once, it will be hard to stick to it.

Lastly, identify your triggers, if you have them. Are there certain situations that result in you overeating or are there certain foods that are hard to control? If so, get a game plan together. You may need to ban some foods from your house, even if your family enjoys them (for me, it was ice cream). They probably don't need it anyway, and will enjoy the benefits of a healthier replacement right along with you.


Good luck on your journey! I hope you find a plan that makes sense for you and feels right. Keep your end goal in mind - better health - and before you know it, you'll be posting to the maintenance board!!

Cheryl