[Jillbrya]

Hello, im new on here and looking for all the support I can get. My goal is to lose 50lbs, and change my eating habits to healthier ones for myself and my children. My Mom passed of heart disease and recently I took my 15yr old daughter to get a checkup for soccer and was told she had high cholesterol, she isn't overweight at all so im assuming this is hereditary but Dr. says we need to change our eating habits. Im 35 this year and really want to get healthy don't want to end up like my Mom 20 heart attacks later starting at age 30 and ending at 53 years of age, and definitly dont want my kids to end up on that road. I used to be thin, hate looking in the mirror now, I want my confidence back, I want to start living my life again. I don't know what to eat at all looking for a 1200 Calorie diet, I go to all these sites and end up more confused after reading everything. Looking for good recipes that are low calorie something quick and easy that my kids will enjoy to. It's to hard to work all day and come home and cook 2 dinners. I just acquired an exercise bike plan on doing at least an hour a night. In front of the Tv. LOL... Anyway, if anyone has any advice they could offer it would be greatly appreciated. Definitly need all the help I can get to start this!!!

[NEMom]

Welcome! I am not following a specfic diet plan but am counting calories. I try to keep my calories between 1300-1400 per day. I am not the cook in my family so I cannot give you any great recipies but I bet if you search this site you will find some.
Best of luck on your weight loss journey.

[ShanIAm]

Hi and Welcome!

You didn’t post your stats (height/weight) so it’s hard to know exactly how many calories a day you should start off with. Because you have to keep in mind that the closer you get to goal you may have to lower your calories. Starting off at 1200 seems really, really low – especially if you have to lower it along the way. Your exercise plan sounds good though and, in my opinion, doing it in front of the TV is a great idea. That is where my elliptical is set. It keeps your mind off of the exercise and it makes the workouts go really fast!

And my sister (same parents) who has always eaten healthy and is at a healthy weight has a cholesterol level in the 400’s! Me, on the other hand, who very frequently visited McDonald’s and Papa John’s had a cholesterol level of 170. And that was at my very highest weight. My sister takes after my mom and I follow my dad. You just never know with these things.

[Julia 1573]

Helo Jillbrya

I just started the IP plan yesterday. Everyone says that it's the first 3 days that are the most difficult. This diet does not require alot of cooking and prepreration. I have tried so many diets and like you I work full time and have a family to take care of. Preparing 2 different meals is out of the question! Good luck!

[nomorenachos]

You could start small and change a few things each week. For example, this week, replace white bread with whole grain bread and cut out soda/sugar drinks. Next week, add a steamed vegetable to dinner and replace a bad snack with a piece of fruit. Over time, you will change your eating habits and it might not be such a shock to yourself and your daughter.