Hello, I am new and just started my journey yesterday (for about the 100th time )I am trying to lose about 140 pounds. I have really struggled to stay on track in the past. I really need to get this weight off for health reasons. I struggle with binge eating and it has really hindered my ability to continue any diet I have tried. I am really def up with having to start over every time I fail. I am hoping a community will help me. Does anyone have any good tips for losing 100 plus pounds? How do you keep motivated? Any and all tips are welcomed!
Location: Home of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins
Posts: 13,389
S/C/G: 217/176/142
Height: 5'2
Hi Amanda. Welcome to 3FatChicks. This is a very good place to hang out if you want to receive support for your weight loss journey, and give support to others in return. Read through the various posts. If you see a topic that interests you, jump right in. Many are in the same position as you. You will see info on various eating and exercise plans, and tips on what has worked for other so far.
I distract myself from eating by reading books and articles on getting healthy.
I found that cutting back on oils in my food really helps me avoid cravings. It is true that a log helps because it can help us discover our own habits and triggers. Remember that it is a tool, not a condemnation.
Write yourself a letter stating why and how you made the decision to get healthy. You can refer to it later for strength.
I am also new here, but I'm not new to Atkins. I had great success with it about 7 years ago, but then life happens and on came the lbs. Im 5'2 and even just the slightest bit of extra weight on my frame causes the unwanted flab (ugh!) I'm hoping to lose 30lbs
So I'm on day 3 of induction... So far so good.. really looking for some great support and hoping to also give back.
The first two days were bad for headaches & fatigue, but I woke up alert and headache free today.. how are you doing so far and what type of progress have you made? What are your goals?
Hey Jules,
I have never tried Atkins, but I had success with keto a few years ago, that is until I gave up. I struggle with day to day anxiety and depression, so I have actually made an appointment for tomorrow to help me with that. I'm overall trying to change all areas of my life to help me be successful this time. So far I am just focussing on eating at home and not giving in to getting fast food in the evening, which is something I have been struggling with for years. I'm just starting this week, so I have a long way to go to get to my goal weight of 130, but I think I can do it with the right support and plan.
I am starting to get in the habit of cooking at home, which I have this week so far. I have a 5'3 frame, so I feel your pain. I have gained weight slowly over 8 years and when I saw 270 on the scale, I wanted to try again but with a different approach. I am tracking my food on myfitnesspal along with meal prepping. My first goal is to eliminate fast food from my diet. Then I want to do low carb, not extreme but probably around 50 net carbs (previously I was doing only 20 net carbs). My other goals are to incorporate more veggies and to drink more water.
Sounds like you are on the right track
Go at your own pace though, don't try to take on too many things at once. I have found that weaning off of old habits and slowly introducing new ones can be more successful. It can be really difficult to go cold turkey and start fresh... but I'm determined this time lol My fiance and I have been doing the fast food thing lately also.. not really by choice but more convenience. I really was starting to feel yucky and decided I would change that. So far so good - but the carb cravings are there.. ugh! lol I think my biggest loss so far is a nice cold beer in the evening :O I am cutting it out for at least a month... wish me luck! haha
So you are doing 30 net carbs? I am currently following the Atkins 20 net cabs/day. I'm actually having trouble reaching that number tho.. I'm not sure how many veggies I can eat in a day ( I already feel like a rabbit) lol
My husband and I have been on this schedule of eating fast food in the evening mainly because we do not prepare anything beforehand and we both have busy lives and find it hard to find the time to cook. I would like to start meal planning but that also takes a lot of time. So, for now, my first goal is to just make it possible to eat at home for the evening meal. So far so good, but its only Wednesday (haha), I think it helps that we both want to eat better, he needs to lose roughly 100 pounds, so we both have a very long way to go.
I plan on doing around 50 net carbs, this allows more room so I can have some fruit, which I love. My overall plan is to eliminate simple carbs like bread and pasta. I want to incorporate natural sources of carbs like veggies and fruit. So I guess my approach is more of a mix of paleo and keto. I found that staying around 20 net carbs was very hard for me to stick with. I do better when I can eat fruit too. I, too, find it hard to eat that many veggies. Recently I started to meal prep my lunches. I made a huge batch of roasted veggies (zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, and mushrooms), I seasoned them with garlic powder and pepper, it was actually pretty good. I eat over half my plate of that and then a mean, mostly chicken thigh. This really helps me get my veggies in. However, I find it hard to calculate calories and carbs when cooking at home. Do you have any tips or anything that you found that works?
I really don't have many tips - other than entering everything i eat into an online carb counter.. from there I balance out what i should be eating.
My current daily menu is something like this:
Breakfast: 2 eggs - sunnyside up / 3 asparagus speers / 2 strips of bacon
Lunch - Cheese Burger (no bun) with mayo&mustard / a cup of broccoli
afternoon snack - cup of salad
Dinner - Tuna with spinach
I mix them up... but now its pretty much the routine haha
Location: Home of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins
Posts: 13,389
S/C/G: 217/176/142
Height: 5'2
Hi Jules and Amanda. Welcome to 3FatChicks. I hope you have a pleasant experience here. You are already doing great at getting and giving support to each other.
Your meal plan looks good, Jules.
There are quick and easy ways to prepare a meal at home. If you have meats that can be grilled, that doesn't take long, and with the bagged salads on the market, that's a quick veggie. Also, make use of a slow cooker. You can put thing on in the morning and they are done when you get home. It just takes some getting used to. It's healthier and also saves you some money. Another good appliance is an electric pressure cooker like and Instant Pot. They really speed up cooking times!!
I think you are right about crock pots - they are super easy and very minimal work. I also love my steamer.. it gives the freshest results for my veggies, chicken & fish.
I'm entering day 4 on my Atkins Induction - and although I am not expecting any results, I am wondering if metamucil is acceptable. I don't want to have to battle that not so nice part of Atkins! lol I have not checked any scales or measurements because i feel that is dumb to do on day 4 - I actually have not owned a scale since 2012 - I weight myself occasionally at work.. but i usually base my weight on inches and how clothes fit and basically just how I feel. I just recently turned 38 and my son is turning 15... I'm starting to get that... "OMG! I'm almost 40!!" feeling.. haha so i really just want to get myself back on track and into a healthy, happy weight and state of mind.
One thing I do know, is that working afternoon shifts 3-11 can make meals very difficult to plan. So i have to get into the routine to plan and pack my meals before I go... that's been my worst problem over the past couple of years.. either forgetting a meal or running to McD's in a hurry. Time to change those habits!!!
Sorry for my long ramble ladies... I'm just listing things off as I drink my morning coffee!
I am in the same boat with meals hard to plan. I just recently got a new job. Right now I am training om dayshift, but in April I will be going to overnights, so I will work 7pm-7: 30 am. My husband will continue to be working day shift, so I am worried that being on opposite schedules will make things harder for us to eat well. I am trying to get into some good habits now. I do plan on using my crockpot more, I can cook it overnight and that way we can both use the meal, just at different times.
Hi, My name is Caitlin and I am new as well. I have a lot of weight to lose, and I also struggle with binge eating. Once I get into a spiral it can be hard to stop. I am doing Jenny Craig, which is nice for convenience, but eventually I want to start cooking and prepping my own meals. I like the ideas of using books or articles to distract and logging to find patterns. I think I will try those!
Hi Amanda, I am just starting this week on a long weight loss journey to lose 100 pounds. I am the same height as you, at 5'3. I'm doing a low-carb diet and exercise. I just joined this site and need to look through all the wonderful support postings. I would be happy to be your diet pal, since we are both aiming for the same goal. It will take time, but we can do it! Cheers. Liz
I'm new here. Looking for support and new friends
)I am trying to lose about 140 pounds. I have really struggled to stay on track in the past. I really need to get this weight off for health reasons. I struggle with binge eating and it has really hindered my ability to continue any diet I have tried. I am really def up with having to start over every time I fail. I am hoping a community will help me. Does anyone have any good tips for losing 100 plus pounds? How do you keep motivated? Any and all tips are welcomed!
