[neeka]

Hey everyone,

I'm Neeka and Im new. Actually I'm new to diet support of any kind. For the last 13 years, losing weight has been something I did in secret and came with lots of unhealthy behaviour. I want to try to do it different this time but I admit that Im struggling.

I'm 26, 5"4 and weigh 142 lbs. A week ago it was 145 so I am going in the right direction, but this is literally the heaviest Ive ever been. Usually when I start feeling uncomfortable and try to lose weight, I am anywhere between 129 - 134 lbs. Am not sure how it got so out of hand (for my standards), the fact that I was depressed for a year probably didn't help! Anyway, I want to go back to weighing anywhere between 116 and 120 lbs, which is when I fit into all my nice clothes again (my reward!). And I'm giving myself until April 3rd do accomplish this, which seems plenty of time.

However, at the moment I'm having a really hard time staying motivated. Part of me wants to do a crash diet because I cannot wait to feel good about my body again, and the other part doesn't know how to cope, doesn't believe I'll manage to shed the weight or keep it off and just wants to ravish the fridge and give up now. Sound familiar?

Oh and the third part just can't stop obsessing about food. Its all I think about at the moment... desserts, pies, burritos Mmm. Not exactly the perfect mind set for starting a healthy weight loss process!

I have limited my food intake in the usual way, by trying to stay away from carbs and unhealthy fats and by not eating sweets. I'm not sure how to east 5 small meals a day though - what do people eat for that? I don't eat meat but i do eat fish.

In addition, I try to do 30 minutes of running 3 times a week but on a day like today when it's raining I don't bother, and thus don't get any exercise. And it rains often here! But I do try to exercise much more than I ever did before (which isn't hard because I just didn't).

So yeah, I'm moody and it's hard but I really do want to manage this, so I hope you can all help me and I'll try to do the same for you!

Pleased to meet you,
Neeka

[Thighs Be Gone]

You can do this Neeka. I understand about weather related issues as far as exercise. Do you have ON DEMAND? There are running programs (you do them at home) that are free ON DEMAND. I love them and the gal teaching is really great. I sometimes do the 1 mile run and just restart it again and again.

I am a late afternoon and evening snacker. In the morning I eat a healthy breakfast that is on plan. I do not find that I am hungry again until 3 or 4 o'clock. I eat the rest of my calories then combined with evening.

Like you I am not a big meat eater but yes, I do love fish. I like the artificial crab meat for snacks and tuna from the can too. For meal times, I usually cook vegetarian or bake whatever fish happens to be on sale that week. I also make salmon patties and black bean burgers frequently.

With all your obsessing on the sweets right now, is it possible you are needing something to satiate yourself? Avacado, raw almonds, black olives, peanut butter?

[Lovely]

HI Neeka!



There's no shame in wanting to shed some extra weight in order to be healthier & to fit into a smaller size at the same time.

Let's start with crash dieting. It may take a few pounds off... but the problem with crash dieting is that it won't keep it off permanently. In fact, you're more likely with crash dieting to gain back what you took off and then some!!! Now, you'll forgive me if I assume for a moment that that is not what you want to do. I know the feeling of "I WANT IT OFF NOW!" But every time I think of that, I've added "...but I'd rather keep it off permanently."

I still kind of "obsess" with food. I probably always will. It's my vice. Sure, I think of all sorts of desserts and junky foods and high-carb nonsense. Especially in the beginning. It does get a little better over time. We learn to live with it. And you can, too.

Alright, first thing I have to say about eating healthy is that we kind of have to forget all the rules we "learned" in the past. You don't have to eat 5 meals a day in order to lose weight. This doesn't mean that it's a free reign & we can do what we want, but we have to find what works for us. First thing is that we do have to restrict our eating in some ways. You may want to try Calorie Counting or find a program under Diet Central that looks like the food will work for you. You may want to just start small by drinking a few more glasses of water a day than you normally do.

Firstly, congratulations on any exercise that you get in. It's good for you. Keep it up when you can. On those rainy days, maybe having a tape (or a good parka) will help you out.

Check out the 20-something's area as well. You may find more ideas there from the other chicks.

Remember that you can do this!

Best of success!

[neeka]

Wow, you guys are so kind! Thanks for all the advice & encouragement, it really made me feel better.

I just went and bought some peanut butter, and that was exactly what I needed. Thanks TBG! Except I took a little more than I should have but it was within reason It's a start.

Thank you for the warm welcome Faerie. Ill have a look at the programs and try to find more information about work out videos, have never tried those myself. Who knows, maybe thats a plan. Although Im not living in the US at the moment so I can't get 'on demand' here but Im sure Amazon will have something.

Am happy I joined