[Jadeejade]

Ok so my name is jade I'm 21 years old and I've been struggling with my weight for about 4 years now.since I've been out of high school . Im 5'4 and 237 pounds of miserable .... I'm starting to go crazy and I'm tired of being the fat one ..I want help starting out I though about meal prepping for the week and what exercises I can do at home and just overall motivation ..my goal is 160 and I know its going to be a long hard process but I really think I'm ready to start and feel good about myself again : ) if I could get some insight on how any of yu started off I'm willing to take whatever advice is given

[Lizzyg]

I reached my highest weight back in 2006 at 298 lbs. And starting out, basically I still ate similar (not particularlly healthy) and just portioned out things. I would have A portion (or 2) of whatever we were having for dinner when I used to have 3 or 4 portions.

I started doing workout DVDs. One I started with was TBL Workout DVD #1. I actually still do it on occasion. I liked this one at my heaviest because they used real people who were not perfect - who messed up and were still overweight. And they also showed modifications for those who could not do certain things (like I could not do jumping jacks when I was at my heaviest).

I'm still a work in progress and have had a set back over the past 2 years (I gained back 30 lbs or so and have yet to lose them for good, again).

For some people - starting out with both different food and exercise is too much, for others they need that drastic change. Find what works for you - if you find that you're strugging doing both a diet change and exercise, focus on one of them. And once you feel good about that - move on to the next.

We're here for you!!

[Changergirl]

In no way is your goal crazy. I started off at 211 November 1st and am currently hovering just over 170, where I've been for the last month and a half!!

The biggest thing for me was figuring out what a proper portion size was and sticking to it. It took awhile for my body/stomach to get used to the smaller sizes but it did. I am now eating half of what I used to think was normal and get full off of it. I literally can't binge the way I used to because I feel sick so much faster.

As for exercise videos I've always loved doing the 30 Day Shred, all you need are a couple hand weights and you're good to go. You don't need to keep up with her just stick with your own pace and eventually you'll be able to do the whole routine no problem. It's amazing how quickly your body can do things you didn't think possible. I also am still doing the C25K app. I am not a runner and will never be one, but I have progressed to the point where I can do 20 minutes of straight running without dying, while before 30 seconds was my max. The nice thing about running is you can do it anywhere!!

Good luck with your journey, starting it often is the hardest part but you have to make sure you stick with it.

[shutterbugmama84]

No crazy at all! I have similar stats. I'm 5'5" and just started a few weeks ago. I started at 130 and am down 9.5lbs. My goal is 150lbs. I started by just cutting out junk food and diet coke. Once I started seeing results I felt really motivated to make bigger changes. I signed up with Spark People and I track all my calories. I also started exercising. My advice would be to set a few goals to start with and build from there. Good luck!

[IanG]

Easy peasy. My advice is to take small steps and mostly focus on your diet. I just did walking until I was 50 pounds down and then I ramped up the exercise. Use your achievements to motivate you to move on to bigger things.

My journey in a nutshell has been this:

First, I just stopped eating dinner but everything else remained the same. My weight started to drop.

After about 10-20lbs down, I started to eat more balanced meals for my other meals e.g. salads and skipping all junk.

Then I started watching my portion sizes at about 30-40lbs down.

At 50lbs down I joined the gym.

At 60lbs down I started running.

Now, I sometimes run and go to the gym in the same day. And I try to play team sports with friends and colleagues.

[spanky]

Jade--it sounds like a totally sane goal to me. The really good news is that you are young and there's no better time to begin to change your habits to healthy ones!

Maybe start looking for an eating plan that looks reasonable and some activity that's easy to get going on and start making the changes you need to each day. It will begin to click. You'll do a little bit, feel a little better, do a little more feel even better until you get to where you're going.

Best wishes! spanky

[amandie]

Not crazy at all!!! I didn't believe I'd be able to get under 170 and I did! I'm still trying to convince myself that I can get to 150 then eventually 135 (gosh, that felt so weird to say out loud.)

You can do it!

[Arctic Mama]

Not at all. I am an inch-and-some-change shorter than you, my high weight was a good thirty pounds higher, and even after multiple children I'm currently sitting right around your goal weight with PLENTY more left to lose. It's not only doable, it should be 'easily' attainable through consistent dietary and habit changes. Give it plenty of time and don't ever quit - you'll likely see 160 and maybe even surpass it, depending on your preferences and build.

[Song of Surly]

Hi Jade!! If I were to talk to myself 50 pounds ago (at my highest weight after a huge regain), I would tell myself to CHILL OUT and start out slow. Having goals and being motivated is awesome, but you can't be a perfectionist at this. My motto now is consistency over perfection. I consistently eat better now. I consistently move more now. Do I follow my own good advice all the time? Heck no! But, I do more-so than I used to.

I started out counting calories and watching portion sizes. There's some great apps and websites out there that could help you with this. I think that gave me the clearest idea of proper portion sizing and better food choices.

I then switched to keeping calories in mind, but just trying to eat healthier. Less processed foods. Less carbs, more protein and veggies. I try to just listen to my body more and try to "flow." If I know I ate a little higher calorie the day before, I try to restrict a bit more the next day. If I know I am eating out one night, I try to not eat much during the day. This DOES NOT work for everyone, but with my busy lifestyle, it's the only way I can do this and stay sane.

Also, find some exercise that you love to do. I try to keep a fitness plan, but sometimes I don't always follow through. My big goal, however, is just to move more than I did at my highest weight and make fitness goals for myself.

Good luck! Can't wait to see you at 160.