Hey hey all.... I was surfing the web trying to find a weight loss support forum and came across this one and after reading some posts, I decided to register. I'm not clueless to weight loss but I am clueless about counting calories, the food journal and how to figure out how many calories something is.

I seriously need to lose weight like crazy. I was really sick for about 5 months this past summer and the only good thing about that was that I lost weight, and that was wonderful. But I have gained it all back and then some and I am so unhappy with myself. My mom is getting married in two months and I don't want to be this fat person standing up at the front where everyone can see me. I want...rather need to lose 20lbs in the next two months. I know that is very unrealistic but I have to. I bought a whole bunch of new summer clothes last year and I don't fit into anything now. This is not a good thing for a depressed person!! Sometimes I think about starving myself......and only surviving on an apple a day and lots of water. Ho-hum

I am going for my second walk tonight because I feel so digusted because I ate way too much for supper.

I really want to know how to count calories, determine how many calories something is and about the whole food journal thing. Any help, encouragement and support would be so greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Lilmissme

Height: 5'11"
Start Weight (Tuesday April 6): 220lbs
Current Weight: 219lbs
Goal Weight: 150-160lbs

A great place to start would be www.fitday.com. It is a free online food journal. It breaks down all your calories, nutrients, etc. It has caloric info for a lot of foods and if your foods aren't listed you can add your own custom.
Good luck on your weight loss journey.

Hey lilmiss - first of all, welcome to the site! I've found it absolutely invaluable. I completely agree about www.fitday.com - its an excellent resource.

Second, you sound very stressed. Take a deep breath and relax. Realize that this weight isn't going to come off instantly and that worrying about it isn't going to help you in any way. A second walk tonight was probably healthy for you, but be careful with trying to "over-exercise".

Third, good, you realize that 20 lbs. in 2 months is a very tough goal to make. NOW, that being said, you can healthfully lose about 2 pounds a week, which will get you down 16 pounds in the 8 weeks that you have. That's going to make a difference in the way you look and feel! So always keep in mind that just because you didn't lose as much as you wanted doesn't mean that you haven't made progress. As long as you're losing, you can't be failing! Eat healthy, get your heart rate up for an hour every day, and you're going to be well on your way to not only losing weight, but being healthier overall!

Don't cry babe! Start smiling b/c losing weight is actually FUN!

It sounds like your at the point where motivation has kicked in and your ready to really start. Good luck and I wish you all the best. If 20 pounds in two months is your goal than go for it......even if you get close than remember to take that as an accomplishment in it's self. Should you meet the goal WAY TO GO. Stick around and let us know how you are doing and hopefully this site will offer you as much support as you need, and you can give some as well.

Dale

Thank you all so much for replying to my post. I've been to a few other weight loss sites and I've always been ignored whenever I asked something so I gave up on them. They're not helping anyways so why continue going, right? But...I hope this site is different.

Emilyatau - I am stressed beyond stressed. So much is happening right now in my life and it all came at once - a huge slap in the face. I believe the biggest stressor for me right now is my job. I'm counting down the days until I give my notice - 25 working days. Since I started a couple of weeks ago, walking every night is a slight relief after a bad day at work. However, I can only go walking when I don't have an agonizing and extremely painful migraine, which are caused by my job.

Barbygirl43 - thank you for the website address.

Trixi - thank you for your reply and encouragement.

Since about the 27th of January, I have ballooned a massive 20lbs because I had to do a med change. I am going to my doctor on Wednesday to get that changed because I can not deal with that! I hope a new one will work.

I am taking a friend out for supper tonight because it was her birthday yesterday. I am determined not to order my usual - pasta. I am going to order a salad - probably caesar salad but hey, it's healthier than pasta!

Okay I will shut up now. Thanks again. I'm gonna go check out that website.

Lilmissme

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Height: 5'11''
Start Weight: 220lbs
Current Weight as of this morning: 217lbs
Goal Weight: 150-160lbs

Isn't stress grand? Migraines are terrible. I know when my sinuses act up the only thing I want to do is put a pillow over my head and pretend no one else exists! Hopefully as you start eating healthier you're migraines will go away. I've found that when I'm stressed, I'll tense up my neck and shoulder muscles - this is the fastest way to a headache for me. Taking some really deep breaths and stretching those areas usually helps. When I'm aware that I'm tensing those muscles, I can sometimes catch myself and relax them. Maybe when you're having a really bad day you could remember to pay attention to those muscles - I know its hard to think about your body and your health when a zillion other things are demanding your attention, but it might help a little!

Yikes - from one migraine sufferer to another I am feeling for you. Ihave tried everything, different meds, acupuncture, massage etc. for them. emilyatau hit it on the mark - stress aggrivates it so. ONe thing that has really helped mine is doing a stretch video at night - the more relaxed you get the muscles the better. The an warm soaking bath -

Hope your dreams come true - motiviation is much of the reason for success

Pasta in and of itself is not unhealthy. It's usually the quantity consumed and what it is eaten with that makes it so over the top calorically. It is actually a low glycemic index carb. I've managed to lose over 40 pounds total now, and I regularly (at least twice a week) enjoy a pasta meal. I suppose in part it depends on what program you are following, and whether you are carb sensitive or not. I don't happen to be, which is a blessing.

I think the stretch yoga idea is a great one - another thing you may want to try is pilates. It will help you strengthen your core muscles, plus it utilizes breathing patterns which may help you focus and relax, which might help with the migraines.

Welcome to 3FC, and good luck!

Grrrrrrrr!!!

I had a huge reply that I wrote yesterday and it's not here!! Guh...bummer. I will have to re-write it when I have more time.

Lilmissme