[jenniferrnintexas]

Well I'm to the point that I am ready to really do something but feeling kind of
depressed about the amt of hard work that I'm about to embark on. That said-there is so much motivation and honesty on this site, I feel blessed to have found it. Wish me luck!

[anastasia]

it's hard and there's no denying it but the end results, however long it takes, are going to be worth it. i lose my motivation so quickly when it doesn't comeo ff as fast or as much as i want but you know, every pound counts and you have to remember that.

good luck. just remember why you want to do this and you'll get there .

[mazza]

Good luck!

[jenniferrnintexas]

thanks for the encouragement!

[PhotoChick]

I am ready to really do something but feeling kind of
depressed about the amt of hard work that I'm about to embark on.

It kind of sounds like you're starting out ready to quit.

I'll be honest that I don't see success written all over this unless you're able to change your mindset. And I apologize if that sounds harsh or depressing, because I don't intend for it to be. I'm hoping that what I say will help you to think differently about your goals.

See, I don't diet. Diets are things you "start", as you said in the title of your thread. And anything you start, means it's something you "stop" at some point. And what happens when you stop? For most people "stopping" means going back to an unhealthy way of eating and packing those pounds right back on.

On top of that, many people see diets as a punishment, full of deprivation and hard work, something they have to dread and grit their teeth and just "get through".

Instead of dieting, I made a commitment to live a healthy life. That means eating healthy amounts of food, avoiding processed food as much as possible, exercising ... but NOT depriving myself.

I would encourage you to read more posts from the people here who advocate a healthy eating lifestyle - to read the maintainers forum and really reading the stories of those who have lost and kept it off. I think you'll find that very few of them "diet". They all changed their lives ... and have succeeded in an amazing and inspiring way.

.

[rodeogirl]

Listen to Photochick she is wise.

I will echo what she said about healthy eating. I have tried many times to lose weight in the past but always felt like it was hard. I can understand how you feel about dreading what's coming.

That's why I would suggest starting by making choices that do not deprive yourself. Move away from processed foods but eat all the apples you want. Avoid eating out but eat what you want at home. Then start listening to your body and try to eat only when you're hungry.

You can do all of this without feeling deprived. You might jones for a BigMac now and then but you don't have to be hungry.

After you get used to some of those changes I would start looking into calorie counting or whatever plan will help you lose weight. That's my 2 cents and welcome!!

[CountingDown]

I will echo what PhotoChick said - I finally lost the weight when is stopped dieting and realized that I needed to make lifestyle changes that I could do for the rest of my life.

You have to want this. You have to work at it. The old habits feel good, and they are easy, and even rewarding. But, they won't help you change - and they won't make you healthier.

You are worth it! You can do this! But, you gotta come up with a plan - something that will help you change the way that you live.

[JulieJ08]

I don't know exactly how you change your mindset, but I do know that what it takes to succeed (not at losing weight, but at keeping it off), is "I'm am going to start eating healthy, and I am SO excited about that," instead of "UGH." But you're at the right place - you'll hear healthy attitudes all over the place!

Also, be nicer to yourself than thinking about how much work until you reach some final goal - Instead, just think about one day or one week. Just think about 5 pounds at a time, or 1 pound at a time.

on the rest of your life!

[lessthanthreeme]

You can do it! :] Good Luck