mizzie
New member
Hi! Newbie here, obviously. Where do I start? Well, just to put it all out there, so to speak, I weigh 219 right now. A healthy weight for my age, height and body type is 130-150. My goal right now is to lose 70 pounds to get down to the healthy range.
Yes, part of me is doing this to look better. But I also want to feel better. I'm always tired and out of breath. It's not too serious now, but it could be. Also, given my family history, I really don't want to be overweight when I get older.
And, if I'm going to be perfectly honest, I've promised myself a reward if I can met my goal weight! I've always wanted to learn to scuba dive (I'm a fish really) and have decided that I can once I hit 150. I think knowing I have a really fun reward coming to me will help me keep on track. It's a matter of importance. "Hmm, ice cream now? Happy for 15 minutes. Lose weight and learn to scuba? Happy for a long, long time!" And hey, my reward for losing the weight and getting healthier is going to be more exercise! Win win. I'll probably get into shape even more. ^_^
Anyway, I'm trying to do this right. I'm only on day two of this, so obviously I haven't gotten anywhere yet, but I feel good about doing it. My basic plan is good old diet (or learning to make healthy food choices, rather) and exercise. As far as the exercise goes, I'm working out to an exercise DVD I own which combines aerobic exercise with light weight training. It's an hour long and I'm doing that three times a week. I'm also trying to burn off a few extra calories during the day. I do squats when I brush my teeth, for example. And as soon as the weather permits it, I'm going to ride my bike to work (it's only a mile away).
My food plan is slightly more complicated, but not hard. I have some basic rules for myself:
That's pretty much it. I am counting calories, but really only as a baseline for the rest. I just want to make sure I'm not over eating on the healthy foods instead, because that won't help either. I hope to someday get myself down to no more soda, but right now, one can a day is better. I was drinking 5 or 6! When I added up all the calories I consumed in a day from soda alone, I was shocked.
I am allowing one or two snacks a day, as needed. But they must be healthy; an apple, a stick of string cheese, lot-fat yogurt, etc. I haven't gotten a really bad craving for something in particular, but it is in the plan to allow for something "unhealthy" once in a while so long as it goes on the food journal, it's only one serving size and it's not very often. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've had more fruit in the last two days then I've had in the last year...
Anyway, sorry for the book. Any tips/advice would be great. I'm off to poke my nose in a few threads now. ^_^
Yes, part of me is doing this to look better. But I also want to feel better. I'm always tired and out of breath. It's not too serious now, but it could be. Also, given my family history, I really don't want to be overweight when I get older.
And, if I'm going to be perfectly honest, I've promised myself a reward if I can met my goal weight! I've always wanted to learn to scuba dive (I'm a fish really) and have decided that I can once I hit 150. I think knowing I have a really fun reward coming to me will help me keep on track. It's a matter of importance. "Hmm, ice cream now? Happy for 15 minutes. Lose weight and learn to scuba? Happy for a long, long time!" And hey, my reward for losing the weight and getting healthier is going to be more exercise! Win win. I'll probably get into shape even more. ^_^
Anyway, I'm trying to do this right. I'm only on day two of this, so obviously I haven't gotten anywhere yet, but I feel good about doing it. My basic plan is good old diet (or learning to make healthy food choices, rather) and exercise. As far as the exercise goes, I'm working out to an exercise DVD I own which combines aerobic exercise with light weight training. It's an hour long and I'm doing that three times a week. I'm also trying to burn off a few extra calories during the day. I do squats when I brush my teeth, for example. And as soon as the weather permits it, I'm going to ride my bike to work (it's only a mile away).
My food plan is slightly more complicated, but not hard. I have some basic rules for myself:
- Don't eat if you don't feel hungry.
- Stop eating when you stop feeling hungry, even if you don't feel "full" yet.
- Keep a food journal, including what you ate and the calories.
- Snacks are allowed, but only if they are healthy and only if I'm feeling hungry.
- Fruits and veggies are always ok if they are plain (as in "no dip", I don't eat enough fruits or veggies as it is, so that's why they are always allowed. I won't overeat on them and I still have to stop eating when I'm not hungry anymore)
- Only one can of soda allowed per day.
- Pay attention to serving sizes, don't go over!
- Drink more water.
That's pretty much it. I am counting calories, but really only as a baseline for the rest. I just want to make sure I'm not over eating on the healthy foods instead, because that won't help either. I hope to someday get myself down to no more soda, but right now, one can a day is better. I was drinking 5 or 6! When I added up all the calories I consumed in a day from soda alone, I was shocked.
I am allowing one or two snacks a day, as needed. But they must be healthy; an apple, a stick of string cheese, lot-fat yogurt, etc. I haven't gotten a really bad craving for something in particular, but it is in the plan to allow for something "unhealthy" once in a while so long as it goes on the food journal, it's only one serving size and it's not very often. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've had more fruit in the last two days then I've had in the last year...
Anyway, sorry for the book. Any tips/advice would be great. I'm off to poke my nose in a few threads now. ^_^