hi, I'm new on here. I'm about 5'3 1/2" and i weigh about 130lbs. I know i am at a healthy weight, but i am completely out of shape and eat terribly. And because of this i look horrible. I just feel like I have this extra layer of fat that i want to shed. My goal really is just to look and feel better by being healthier, eating better, and excercising more. I also would love to look good in a bikkini for summer time So I am completely new at dieting and it seems like everyone on here is making great progress and seeing results, congrats by the way! and i was wondering for someone on a diet what is a good amount of calories, carbs, sodium etc. that i should be getting daily? and what about excercising? what are some good excercises? and what is a good amount of exercise to be getting? and any tips on some yummy foods that are still very good for me? thanks to anyone who responds!

Hi Pink Lady!

I am new on here too! I am not so new to diets tho'. I am actually quite health conscious, but I do get side tracked or stressed and give into some of the poor habits too. I currently have atleast 20 lbs to lose. I do not mind exercising, but (to me) the gym starts to get old. Especially after a couple months of winter, when I am dying to get out and get fresh air. Right now, I am training for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and so, I am walking approximately 35-40 miles per week now. I am hoping it helps, but I need to diet, as well, to make it truly successful. I am starting the WW Flex point diet.

As for what you might want to do, everyone is different, but it is great that you are wanting to make healthy changes in your life. I find exercise to be a personal thing...the most important thing to keeping it up is to be doig something you enjoy...do you like brisk long walks, hiking, running, swimming, the gym, a treadmill in front of the TV...whatever you enjoy doing DO IT! As for dieting, the obvious stuff really matters... Avoid fried foods, high fat foods, and high sugar/ carb foods including soda and alcoholic beverages. Do try to keep your carbs to those that have a higher dietary fiber content, choose plenty of veggies (especially fresh), enjoy fruit, drink plenty of water and eat lean proteins. Don't forget to get plenty of calcium and all other vitamins/ minerals. Good luck...hope that helps!!

As I said, I am new here too... I can't find the food journals...have you found them?

pink x lady and ronigirl!

pink x - in answer to your question, I think it's different for everyone, but the basic idea is to find an eating plan that you feel comfortable with and exercises that feel good for you.

One thing that has worked for me with food is getting a lot of variety in. I buy cooking magazines and browsed this website extensively for recipes, so I have been able to use one of my hobbies (cooking) to help me lose a bit of weight and feel better about myself.

For exercise, I don't belong to a gym at this time, so I mainly work out to DVDs (walking, Pilates, yoga, mainly). DH and I will occasionally go biking or walking around our neighborhood. The Exercise forum here is helpful if you're looking for ideas or have questions about anything.

Most of all, I found it helps to have people to motivate and support me. This forum has been great and I also have my husband at home cheering me on.

Best of luck to you!

thanks for the response! i have also heard that planning out meals is supposed to help and excersise so i planned the following
b-carnation instant breakfast
l-apple and strawberries
s-100 calorie pack thin crisps
d- either 3 eggo cinnamon waffles with syrup or tuna sandwhich with a small salad
s- yoplait whips yogurt
and for excersise: walk between 1/2 a mile to a mile, yoga or palaties video, 3 sets of ten on each arm of weight lifting, and 100 crunches

and so far i have stuck to it.

Hi. Make sure your calories dont go too low. I'd go for somewhere between 1200 and 1500. If you go too low you'll lose weight for a bit but then hit a plateau fast. Good luck.

okay thanks! and good luck on your diet too!!! i have been planning my meals and counting calories and trying to get at least 1200 calories a day in.