[AmbieP]

So my husband suprised me for an early Christmas gift and booked us ona cruise to Mexico in April! I am so excited. We are also trying to get pregnant so I have decided it is finally time to get control of my life. I would love to be under 300 before we go on the cruise. So I am setting that as a huge goal for myself. I am going to love 49 pounds by April! I know I can do it!!!

[Heather]

Congrats!

What's your plan to get there?

[AmbieP]

My plan is Slim fast for breakfast. Protein on a salad for lunch. A sensible dinner with more protein and veggies. And riding my exercise bike for a minimum on 30 minutes 5 days a week. I have already been biking 3 times a week. I know I can do it I just need to put my mind to it! A cruise and a baby are great motiviation!

[Heather]

My advice would be to make sure it's really something you can stick with for a long time! Many people get demotivated because the plan is too restrictive, they feel deprived, go off plan and then decide that they can't "diet". It is very discouraging.

You may be able to lose 49 pounds without depriving yourself, given your start weight. My plan involved little exericise at first, and 2000 calories a day. I weighed less than you to start and lost the first 50 pounds in 4 months or so. I gave myself plenty to eat and was able to be consistent and stick to it and was able to lose the weight and so far have kept off 120 pounds!

I'm not trying to dictate, but it doesn't sound like much food, especially considering that when we weigh more we just need more food! You might want to consider adding in a couple of healthy snacks. Give your body enough fuel. After all, your car won't run without gas, and people don't run without nutrition!

[AmbieP]

Heather you look so great! You are a huge motivation to me. The fact that you lost the weight with good old fashioned diet and exercise is so good to know it can be done. I have done the calorie counting and was thinking of maybe doing that. What would a reasonable amount of calories be for a day? When I was doing it I think I was doing 1700. The thing I got frusturated with was trying to count calories in some foods. Do you have any suggestions or maybe pocket guides to use with calorie counting? I really want to do this. I quit smoking a year ago and feel like I have just packed on the pounds. Also may I ask how tall you are? You look great for 175ish!

[Heather]

Ambie --

Thanks! I'm 5'5" and wearing size 12s (from 28/30s). Honestly, it's like a dream come true.

Yes, it really can be done! There are lots of calorie counting resources, including right here at 3fc
http://www.3fatchicks.com/food-calorie-counts/

Lots of people use online resources like fitday.com and the daily plate. Check them out!

I think a lot of times we get really hung up on the details. Calorie counting is great, but it's just a way of using portion control and keeping myself accountable. I weigh and measure things when I'm at home, and I do my best when I'm out. Lots of restaurants have some kind of items listed, but again, I do my best.

As for a reasonable amount, it really varies per person... how active you are, your metabolism, etc. Trial and error is often the way to go. Why not start at something like 1800 calories and see what happens for a few weeks? If you're losing 2 pounds a week, great! If not, tweak it. I lost more than 2 pounds/week for a while eating around 2000 calories/day. But everyone is different.

There's also a calorie counting forum here at 3fc. I read a lot there too!

Good luck!

[jasmine987]

I can relate about wanting to get healthy to have a baby. I myself have tried many "diets" but I absolutely agree the old fashioned way is the way to do it, it has to be a lifestyle change, and breaking old habits sure is hard!! \

p.s. what an awsome gift a cruise is !

[AmbieP]

I am very motivated and excited! I cannot wait to get under 300 pounds!!!!

[NotTheCheat]

Ooh - a cruise is so exciting! I was just talking to my step-mother over Christmas about possibly doing one sometime soon.

No matter how much you lose between now and then the one guarantee if you make changes now is that you will be in better shape than vs. now.