Hi Breawna,

It sounds like you have your work cut out for you, but it's not impossible! Reading this forum has helped me learn a lot. I particularly like the meals on a shoestring forum. It's just a place to share inexpensive healthy meal ideas. Perhaps you could find ideas in there that you can cook with what your mom already has in the pantry. I know slim fast can get expensive fast, but the good news is, there are a lot of people on here who are on a budget, so there are always ideas.

As far as excersize goes, I'd start by walking. Just a short walk, maybe a few times a week? It takes a while to build up stamina, so do as much as you can, then try and get just a little further the next time. Thats how marathons are won... one step at a time.

Good luck! I know you can do it. All it takes is commitment, and being here is the first step!

Please keep us updated with your success!

I am so glad you're here! Browse through the forums; there's great advice in the Weight Watcher and Calorie Counting forums.
What helped me was picking one thing at a time I wanted to change--one week I'd cut out soda, one week I'd try a new veggie/drink more water, etc.
Keep posting!

I agree.. Cut out one thing.. make little changes.. baby steps.. Things you can live with forever.. not just for a short period of time. You have to make lifestyle changes. You can't "diet" because no one can live on a diet. I started out by just walking more and count your calories. You don't have to be exact and stress about it.. just ball park it. I didn't realize how much I was consuming until I wrote everything down that I ate every day.. along with my weight for the day. Also, having a support group on here helped a great deal. Also, if you cut out sugary drinks and pop then you will lose weight quickly. If you save 600 calories a day from not drinking 3 cans of pop.. then thats over a pound a week! And don't say... i'm gonna do this in 3-4 months or when this happens or that happens.. cuz it won't. You have to start now, you can do it!!!!

Andejean| thank you for the comment. I started walking but the weather is somewhat unbearable, during school hours though I always take the long way to get to my classes. As for the food, it seems even harder to do stuff because I'm a vegetarian-a bad one at that. I haven't quite figured out what I need to replace meat. I eat veggieburgers, but I can't figure what else to eat.

Portion control has also been an issue. Growing up(and still to this day) I was taught that I HAVE to clear my plate. I tried eating slow and I got yelled at for it and the next minute I'm getting yelled at for being fat.

Chickybird| I will definately check those out, thank you for letting me know about them. That's a very good strategy-giving up soda is very hard though. I started cuttig back on the amount I drink awhile ago. My family goes to Gas America pretty much daily(well my parents go daily-I go about twice a week?) and they get 44oz. Now when I go, I get a 24oz of the Faygo rootbeer. I haven't managed to cut down any further than that ):

Hey ! I'm kinda similar to you, and we're close to age (I'm 19). I weighed 345 and now I'm at about 233ish. Check out my blog, I have my diet and everything on there. I've lost 110 pounds since May. Seriously, any advice you need I'm here or just comment my blog, whatever, but all my diet stuff is on there.

I think the first step is for you to believe that you can do it =) I was always in this mindset that I couldn't actually lose weight, as if it were physically impossible or something ridiculous. That and I was a "I'll do it later" person. I would actually buy clothes because I told myself "Oh, I'll fit into it eventually". Yeah, because doing nothing and eating terrible will make me get smaller instead of bigger, hmmm lol. So really, what you need to do is change your mentality. Make this:

...unacceptable, because it's borderline "I can't" thinking. And you CAN. There are things you just have to do in order to get to your goal. That doesn't mean that your journey is going to be miserably unpleasant, it just means that you need to learn to like healthy things ^_^

I started my overhaul three months ago, 18 years old, 234lbs. Trust me, everyone here at 3FC knows what you're going through, and you will find nothing but support at every turn! I also have a blog and I'd be happy to help you with anything you need or any questions you have! Buddy system all the way =D Find something you like to do, just get moving! For two months my main exercise was dancing. I would turn on my iTunes and dance for 15 minutes. You can bike ride, you can walk, you can lift weights (if you don't have weights, use soup cans, or a school textbook), you can hula hoop-- it burns TONS of calories-- if you don't have a hula hoop, just do the circular motion with your hips. Improv =P

Good on you for taking the leap and changing habits, I wish I had at 17. I'm sure you'll find all the support you need here

Weight loss is mental, not just physical. You have to accept that it's possible and then make the changes that will help you achieve your goals - and these have to be permanent changes, lifestyle changes. Diets will only set you up for failure because as soon as you stop, the weight will creep back up and pile on. You're taking the first steps by coming here though because there is a ton of great advice on these boards including many success stories and many people who are in similar situations.

I understand your frustration because I was at my highest weight when I was your age and it was tough to make good food decisions because my family lived off of fast food, sugar, and fried everything and I didn't have much say in the grocery shopping. Also, I'm not sure if it's similar to where you live, I'm guessing maybe, but I lived in rural WI where no one exercises, it's just not in the culture. People drive everywhere! Even to get the mail (I've seen this!), so walking for exercise can feel a little weird, but it's so important. Just 15 minutes of walking every day can make a huge difference. If it's cold, bundle up. Most people do not live near a gym or can't afford it, so don't let that hold you back.

As others have said, start small. If veggies are intimidating at first, start with fruit. Get some clementines or oranges (tis the season!) and grab one of those first if you feel like snacking before heading to higher calorie options. And try try try to cut out the soda, juice and other liquid calories. Just doing this will make a big difference. Try no calorie options like seltzer, tea (there are some good herbal ones), or just plain old water (with lemon maybe if you need a little something).

Good luck and hang in there Try browsing around the forums- there's a lot of good recipe ideas in the food section. And don't forget to keep us updated

Hi!
to 3FC!
Try counting calories. You can eat whatever your mom buys (within reason) buy allowing yourself "X" amount of calories per day. Counting calories takes a little bit of practice but YOU CAN DO IT! and it's FREE Your mom wouldn't be out any extra expense for you to diet. NOW if mom is buying tons of junk, THAT could be a problem.You can open an account for free at Fitday.com to start a food and activity journal. You just put in everything that goes into your mouth and all the activities you are doing during the day and they will compare how many calories you have burned in relation to how many you have eaten. They can also tell you how many calories a person your weight needs to eat to lose weight by a certain date. But for excercise, you don't need to put out money for a gym, just commit yourself to a daily walk. You can start small 1/2 a mile or mile, whatever you know you can do. You can increase the length over time. I know that winter does present some challenges, but maybe you can get a workout video. They're cheap at Walmart. Jillian Michaels 30 day shred is like $10.00. I bet your mom would get it for you if you are truly committed. This can't just be a "for now" deal. It really needs to be a lifestyle change, but only YOU can make that decision and commitment. Best of luck to you dear. I know YOU CAN DO THIS We're here to help you, post often and don't be afraid to ask for help

Hugs and support on your weight loss journey

Judy

My dear I believe you are in the perfect place. From what you have written I see that you have limited support at home so here I am sure you will find some great people that will have your back. I agree with many of the other posts here that it is baby steps. It won't happen overnight but trust me the small steps make a big difference and you will see changes and be proud of yourself.
I struggled with weight through out high school and was up to 270lbs. I felt nasty and gross and wanted to crawl somewhere under a rock. I finally had enough and started with small stuff like avoided soda, drank only water. I'm a vegetarian too, really bad one lol, and diets for us are a little different. But I'm telling you if you eat nuts, and soy products, and research types of veggies that have same vitamins and minerals like are in meat you will be on your way!
For exercise walking is the best resource you have and its totally free. Take your honey out with you. Make him do the work too lol. Enjoy activities together and it won't be such a huge chore but something more fun. You can always check in and research maybe some free stuff in your community. You never know you might find something fun.

P.S. it is a journey and often it's hard but the reward is wonderful. Your mind may play tricks on you. It does on me too lol. Chocolate is my weakness But you can achieve anything if you believe in yourself.

Hi and welcome to 3FC.

Good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

I want to thank all of you for your support and help.
Especially islandchick1 for yelling me about fitday.com (!!!)
I've always wanted to write it out but it starts making me feel bad about yself, but through that website it makes me feel even more confident in my ability to

also since it's winter (the roads are really bad here) I won't be walking. Instead- I'm going to play DDR I figure , it's fun and my brothers old room is our new game room so it works
Heck, I've already played this game an hour and I'm aboutto do some more

you all are helping a great deal
I did tell my mom that I'm dieting again but I didn't tell her I'm on here(o figure she'll try to control it)
but honestly thank you all for helping me get back into the habit again

You can do this!! Welcome. Im new and come Jan 1 im going to be here a lot. Lets do this together sweetie. debbie

Debbie| I would love to do this with you. I will add you and we can message each other about our adventure through weightloss, if you'd like