[elfjewel]

Hi. I posted in the introductions with the little bio thing, but I wanted to make a more specific post about my weight loss journey. My name is Jennifer, I'm 24 years old, and I've read and heard so many conflicting theories about weight loss that I feel completely lost and I don't even know what to tackle first.

I'm *almost* 5'4'', and I weigh something like 157 lbs at this moment. When I graduated high school, I weighed 118 lbs. That's my goal weight. I was thin, but not what I think is too "skinny"; I was healthy, and I even was curvaceous at that weight. I've always had a curvy body - yet, I had a slim waist, slim arms, etc.

Anyway -- I've gained 40 lbs since then for a variety of reasons. I developed clinical depression, social anxiety disorder, and even PTSD. I've also taken 2 different birth controls which have messed with my weight. I would have posted this in the Depression forum, but it doesn't look very active. Probably because people are too depressed to get online and talk! I'm not depressed anymore, but I am and always have been an inherently sad person, and I think that's part of my problem. Also, I've been very poor my entire life, which means I can't buy the best, most healthy food. We all know that the cheapest food is the most processed, salty, fatty, etc.

So, I just said that I'm not depressed, but I have body image issues and low self-esteem. It makes my eating habits worse and makes me too lazy to workout. I can't find the motivation.

I'm really just looking for someone, anyone, to give me a good stepping stone, so to speak. Should I count calories because I don't have money for great food? How often should I be exercising if I want to lose 40 lbs by my wedding this December (or at least a large portion of my fat)? What has worked for you, to motivate you, and what has worked for moderately-fast weight loss in terms of exercise routines? I'd love to hear from all of you, especially those who have struggled with self-esteem issues and lack of motivation.

Oh, and one more thing, similar to my negative body image: I used to feel sexy all the time, and I don't anymore. I think that brings me down a lot and discourages me from being a more active person. Any tips on how I can just start feeling better about how I look and feeling more confident, right now?

Thanks so much -- and don't hesitate to ask me things! I know I ramble and I may have left out important information that would help people help me, ha. Once I get more of a grip on my own situation, I look forward to helping others here, as well.

[DreadPiratePanda]

A couple of generic weight loss tips that are generally good for everyone to follow:

Count your calories! Makes it easier to decide what is worth "spending" your calories on. MyFitnessPal is great for this and it will track your weight also.

Healthy eating that is cheap means a lot more cooking, so I'd start googling recipes or looking at a thrift book shop for some recipe books! Look for veggies and fruits that are in season right now...they'll be at their cheapest price when they're most plentiful. Beans are healthy and low cost as well, lentils also. Meat from meat markets tends to be cheaper. Whole, raw chickens are cheaper than just buying parts. You can cook the whole chicken, shred the meat and use it for tons of different recipes through the week. Soups/stews are generally the easiest and cheapest to make, and you can split a large pot into multiple servings.

If you are brand new to exercising, start with a simple walk 5 days a week. Walk for 15 min in one direction, then 15 min back. Assuming you have no health impediments, you should be able to add to it each time (add another 5 min in each direction) pretty easily. C25K is a good walk/jog/run program that assumes you've never run a day in your life. Highly recommend! On the days you don't go walking, you can start doing squats/lunges/pushups/situps. Youtube videos can show you proper technique so you don't hurt yourself.

And on the feeling sexy part...go spend a dollar on some red lipstick and rock it. Appreciate the body you have right now! Take a good long look at yourself in the mirror and write some things about yourself that you like RIGHT NOW. Maybe your hair is just fantastic? Maybe you like your butt or your chest?

Hope some of that helps!

[KateB]

I will second everything Amanda said.

I will also add that I too, have had bouts of depression. I take Zoloft. Unfortunately a side effect of Zoloft is a lower sex drive. Although I noticed it a lot when I first started taking it I have found that it is not as much of an issue as it used to be.

Also, the biggest part of feeling, being, and being seen as sexy is in your mind. A little positive self talk in the sexy department goes a long way. If your significant other offers up positive comments, looks etc that also helps. Also, typically when people (esp. women) start to gain weight they tend to let other areas of them selves slip a little. maybe they don't dress as nice in an effort to hide the extra pounds, maybe a simpler, (less sexy) hairstyle, less make up, I believe you even subconsciously begin to move differently. Find the things that used to make you feel sexy and play it up. Flirt with your boyfriend, send suggestive text messages. The more you "act" the part the less of an "act" it will become.