[Sunnydays]

Hey! Um my name is Court and I was wondering if anyone could help me start off my "health and happiness" journey? I would really like to lose as much weight as possible before school starts up on August 31st... so I can feel more confident about myself and start fresh this year. Could anyone tell me where to start? Tips, anything that would be helpful for a novice at all of this? And motivation or words of wisdom would be really appreciated. If you wouldn't mind could I have some tips or anything how to improve my self-confidence and self-image. For once I'd really like to feel happy about myself and trying to improve myself for the better. Thanks so much guys!

[Lovely]

Welcome to 3FC =)

Find a plan or create a plan that you feel comfortable with, and know you can stick to. Don't just go with the latest craze. Truly find what fits your lifestyle. There are many healthy ways to lose weight and be fit. You might even find you don't have to lose as much weight as you think in order to lose a dress size or two.

Regardless of what bumps in the road you may find along the way, don't give up.

Accomplishing things builds confidence. Fitness goals and exercise goals are great for this. Not only does activity help improve health, but achieving fitness goals is great for a boost. Find activities you like to do, set goals, and then have fun! =)

There are a lot of different areas around the boards. So look around, and post wherever you're comfortable. Best of wishes!

[Purrfect]

Originally Posted by Sunnydays

Hey! Um my name is Court and I was wondering if anyone could help me start off my "health and happiness" journey? I would really like to lose as much weight as possible before school starts up on August 31st... so I can feel more confident about myself and start fresh this year. Could anyone tell me where to start? Tips, anything that would be helpful for a novice at all of this? And motivation or words of wisdom would be really appreciated. If you wouldn't mind could I have some tips or anything how to improve my self-confidence and self-image. For once I'd really like to feel happy about myself and trying to improve myself for the better. Thanks so much guys!

Are you trying to follow any specific diet or plan? Have you tried to diet or lost weight before, any success? You will find alot of friends here to help support you, I have enjoyed my connection so far and found it very helpful.

[Sunnydays]

Originally Posted by Lovely

Welcome to 3FC =)

Find a plan or create a plan that you feel comfortable with, and know you can stick to. Don't just go with the latest craze. Truly find what fits your lifestyle. There are many healthy ways to lose weight and be fit. You might even find you don't have to lose as much weight as you think in order to lose a dress size or two.

Regardless of what bumps in the road you may find along the way, don't give up.

Accomplishing things builds confidence. Fitness goals and exercise goals are great for this. Not only does activity help improve health, but achieving fitness goals is great for a boost. Find activities you like to do, set goals, and then have fun! =)

There are a lot of different areas around the boards. So look around, and post wherever you're comfortable. Best of wishes!

Hey thank you for the response. Um... I feel really stupid asking this but I'm not really sure how to pick a good diet for me. There are so many scams and stuff and I don't know what works... what worked the best for you and why?

Thanks for the warm words and motivation. :-) Best wishes and luck to you!

[Sunnydays]

Originally Posted by Purrfect

Are you trying to follow any specific diet or plan? Have you tried to diet or lost weight before, any success? You will find alot of friends here to help support you, I have enjoyed my connection so far and found it very helpful.

Nothing specific yet. I'm not sure how to pick something as I've never really tried a true plan to lose weight and get healthier. Hehe that's why I came here. This seems like a supportive environment- everybody seems kind and helpful. I think being around those kinds of people will motivate me to achieve my goals. And hopefully manage to return their kindness in some way. thank you so much for your kindness!

[Lovely]

Originally Posted by Sunnydays

Hey thank you for the response. Um... I feel really stupid asking this but I'm not really sure how to pick a good diet for me. There are so many scams and stuff and I don't know what works... what worked the best for you and why?

Thanks for the warm words and motivation. :-) Best wishes and luck to you!

Never feel stupid for asking something. Especially not around 3FC.

There are so many different ideas of what is "best" that the only answer we ALL agree is on that we have to find what is "right for the individual", as long as it's healthy!

If you have no idea where to start, there's a section called Diet Central with a listing of groups for some of the more known weight loss eating plans. Have a look through them to see if one catches your attention.

Be it counting calories or points, watching carbs, or using an exchange plan, or following tips from a book... you can lose weight on any plan. It just has to be something that you find to be sustainable.

As an example, if you were looking at low carb... but then realized that you absolutely refuse to give up eating your favorite nightly dinners with your family ... maybe calorie counting is the right way to go. Or if you know that you need IN PERSON support, then you might check out Weight Watchers meetings or TOPS.

As a general rule: Avoid things that offer to "melt fat like magic" or things that require you to eat too little. "Detox" is another word that's thrown around a lot by companies that I wouldn't trust. Your body doesn't need to detox. It cleans itself out regularly, and if it isn't then you need a doctor not a packet of spices. Magic pills, magic foods... don't exist.

Calories in vs. calories out, and hard work.

I'm personally using WW to keep track of my food intake. It's close enough to calorie counters that I keep my eyes on both boards for ideas. It works for me, because counting points "clicks" right in my head. I could honestly see myself keeping track of my points until I'm 100 years old.

If you feel brand spankin' new, you might want to try Calorie Counting to start. Even as a stepping stone. It's cheap (free!) and easy to learn. Plus, it can be varied in so many ways to fit many lifestyles. If nothing else, it can be a solid place to start.

[Sunnydays]

Could you explain the point thing? I think I'm going to do something like calorie counting. It's basic math and sounds simple enough for me to follow. Anything too confusing and I know I won't be keeping up with it. How do I know how many calories I burn or how many I should eat a day to lose weight? I know it's 3,500 a lb.... so.... if I cut back by 500 a day I'd lose a lb a week. And with some walking, biking, and some splashing around in the pool with the girls I might get better results than that. How much is a safe amount to lose in a week? In a month? Haha and thank you for answering all my questions and such. I can't tell you how much it means to me. :3

[Lovely]

Originally Posted by Sunnydays

Could you explain the point thing?

Weight Watchers points? They have a system in place that uses counting points instead of calories. Points are calculated using calories, though. So it's very similar. It's just a slightly different way of keeping track of food intake. That's all!

I think I'm going to do something like calorie counting. It's basic math and sounds simple enough for me to follow. Anything too confusing and I know I won't be keeping up with it. How do I know how many calories I burn or how many I should eat a day to lose weight?

If you look under the Calorie Counters section under Diet Central (Calorie Counters) you'll see some stickied information at the top that will help answer some of your basic questions about how many calories a day you should be eating. They can also point you to a few websites that will help you tally up your daily totals, etc.

I know it's 3,500 a lb.... so.... if I cut back by 500 a day I'd lose a lb a week.

That is exactly the logic behind losing weight. Keep in mind that bodies do not work linearly. So one week you might lose .5. The next you might lose 2lbs. The week after that you might maintain. Etc. Etc.

And with some walking, biking, and some splashing around in the pool with the girls I might get better results than that. How much is a safe amount to lose in a week? In a month?

The highest healthy amount a person should lose is about 1-2 pounds a week, which amounts to about 5-10 pounds a month. Now. That is the MAXIMUM healthy AVERAGE. NOT the actual average of every single person's weight loss. Some people are going to lose 1-2 lbs a week on average and that's their normal. Some people are going to lose less, but that's normal, too!

The important thing is that over time you see the scale will have a downward trend. (Time being months.) If it's NOT going down, then you simply re-evaluate your plan or calories, and of course, can ask for advice around 3FC.

[Sunshine87]

I agree with Lovely. Calorie counting might be a good choice for you especially if you are going to school where you will have less control over the selection (ie. having special foods or asking about carb counts. It is relatively easy to guestimate calories once you are familiar. Personally, I eat 1800 calories/day which is pretty high around here and you are much smaller so you will probably have to start under 1600 but consult a professional first.
You will learn so much and find a lot of support in this community. Welcome.

[Sunnydays]

Thanks for the help Ms. Lovely! Good points! Especially that we don't lose weight in a linear manner. I never really thought about it but I see the logic in it now that you point it out! Hmm... think I'm going to go with straight calorie counting not the points. Seems a bit more straightforward. Thanks for the explanation though!

[Sunnydays]

Originally Posted by Sunshine87

I agree with Lovely. Calorie counting might be a good choice for you especially if you are going to school where you will have less control over the selection (ie. having special foods or asking about carb counts. It is relatively easy to guestimate calories once you are familiar. Personally, I eat 1800 calories/day which is pretty high around here and you are much smaller so you will probably have to start under 1600 but consult a professional first.
You will learn so much and find a lot of support in this community. Welcome.

Yeah for school calorie counting would be much more practical! I don't need the exact number just the approximate value. Doctor said for me approx. 1300 would be the best for me! Thanks for your help! :-)

[jillnicole03]

There is a Calorie Counters chat so you can talk to other chicks doing the same plan

[bargoo]

And calorie counting is free. No fees to pay, no special foods to buy.

[Lovely]

Originally Posted by Sunnydays

Thanks for the help Ms. Lovely! Good points! Especially that we don't lose weight in a linear manner. I never really thought about it but I see the logic in it now that you point it out! Hmm... think I'm going to go with straight calorie counting not the points. Seems a bit more straightforward. Thanks for the explanation though!

I'm glad you've found a plan you want to explore further! Many people count calories and it can be a very successful way to lose weight. See you around the boards!