Help!
 

Hello everyone!

This is my second post on this site. Every single day I get on here and read advice, and I feel comforted, so THANKS! But, I have never posted.

I started my diet on January 1st! I have stayed true to diet and exercise for 23 days now! (I have never, ever stayed on a diet for more than five days!) So, I know that I am serious now.

I stay at 1200 calories a day, and I try to eat as many veggies as I can.
I have tried to work out 6 days a week, but I am ending up only working out 5 days a week.
I usually do Jillian Michaels DVD's, Biggest loser DVD's, Winsor Pilates DVD's for two days out of the week and the other three days I run or do the elliptical for 30mins - 1 hour.

I started at 164, and I am now 156.

The first week I lost 4 pounds!
Second week I lost 2 pounds
Third week I lost 2 pounds!

So I am staying consistent, and I would looooove to loose two pounds every week.

The only problem is, I have no support : ( I live so far away from any family, I just moved to Los Angeles. I made friends with a few neighbors (they are all twig skinny) and whenever I talk to them about weight loss they look at me like I'm crazy. I live with my boyfriend of 4 years (he is a nice sized man, muscular, well built, tall, he works out a lot, and eats A LOT well over 4,000 calories a day I'm sure!!!!!!!, but he has not concept whatsoever about calories)

Anyways! I have questions all the time, and sometimes I just want to vent, but I don't know where to go! I know I am not going to give up but honestly, I feel like I am doing this all alone.

Some things that I ALWAYS wonder about are.....

If I stay within my calorie budget, can I still eat before bed?

I have lost a total of 8 pounds, BUT, I don't see a difference?

Honestly, how long would it take me to loose 30 pounds (like a date)?

If I workout in the cold, and don't sweat as much, am I still burning as many calories?




Thank you guys so much! I am happy that I found this site ;)
Sorry so long!

Hey! :wel3fc:

In answer to your questions (just my opinion, of course):

1. Yes, you can eat before bed if you stay within your calorie budget. Some folks think this isn't the best time to eat because you won't be burning much as you sleep, but it may be worth it to you if you find you're too hungry.

2. At your starting weight, you may not see much difference until you've lost closer to 15 or 20 pounds.

3. Well, 2 pounds a week, if it stays at that rate, would put you at 15 weeks out. But you may not always lose that much a week, so 15 weeks would probably be the shortest length of time. No rush, though, right? ;)

4. You definitely are burning calories when you work out in the cold, even if you don't sweat much.

Good luck!
Jay

haha, when JayEll answers questions you might as well just /THREAD

Good job so far, keep up the good work

Thank you! Yes no rush, I want to do this healthy AND keep it off.

BUT, I am in a rush to see some results : ) I know I've only lost 8 pounds and I am just as motivated as when I started. But I know I will be just as motivated once I can physically see what's happening!

Thank you!:)

:wel3fc: Hi orangebelpeper!
Glad to have you join us! Sounds like you are off to a great start - how smart to focus on health and not just a diet or a number. You have a good plan in place and are really on track with exercise, too.

There are many people here who, like you, have no support at home, work or school and feel like they're doing this on their own and completely alone. Please know that now that you're a part of this forum, you are not doing it on your own - we are all doing it together - we all can get (and give) the support needed to keep going - we can find answers from others who have gone (or are going) through the same thing - we can rant, whine or despair with those who know exactly how we feel - and we can celebrate the victories, no matter how small, no matter how great with those who will genuinely find joy in our accomplishments. There are bunches of people here with more to lose and some with less - the bottom line is that we all have to do it a day at a time. The good thing is that we'll have lots of company along the way.

You truly have found the right place with the right people - ask away, vent when you need to - browse around, clicking on whatever catches your eye - maybe try the Calorie Counters and the Weight Loss Support forums - also the Success Stories are a definite must for motivation. You didn't mention your age but there's groups for every age that might of interest, too.

I've only been here since last fall, having NEVER been part of an online forum. What has been so eye-opening is how much it has helped me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or defeated, I just log on and read some of the success stories, complete with their before & after photos - or read about others still dealing day to day with their challenges - and before I know it, the time has flown by and so have all the thoughts of going off track or giving up. It has made all the difference in my success so far.

So welcome - join in by inspiring us and being inspired! :df:

All the best - good luck with your goals - can't wait to hear of your continuing success,
Lee