I Need Help

My dd is almost 15 months. I still have about 8lbs to lose but ideally I need to lose 20 to be happy. I work full time and am always exhausted. Everything in my life is good but I am always thinking about my weight and how unhappy I am. I get gung ho on a diet or excercise routine and within 2 weeks I am off the wagon and back to my old ways. I LOVE food, eat huge portions and am always too tired to work out. I have a treadmill in my basement that is collecting dust. I just want to be able to waer a bathing suit this summer and have fun with my daughter without being so self conscious.

Where do I start, what do I do. It's like I have no will power for dieting and no energy for working out.

Any advice would be appreciated. I need to make a change NOW

Re: I Need Help

Well, the really positive thing you've identified is that you KNOW what you're doing wrong, now you just need to implement changes...

I know you work full time...and with a child, it is probably very hard to find the time to work out.

What my advice to start would be is to get to weight watchers...diet is probably 75% of the equation to weight loss...exercise is important for overall good health, BUT you don't really need to be at the gym all the time to start dropping weight and feeling better. I lost 45 pounds years ago on WW without going to the gym until i was about 25 pounds in...


You need to focus right now on portion control plus healthy food options. If you eat tons of carbs and not a lot of protein your energy levels will be AWFUL.

I think that if you start just by keeping your caloric intake at around 1400 calories or so per day, and making sure a large amount of those calories are from whole grains/protein as opposed to sugar/white flour/processed foods, you'll feel better after a week...it'll motivate you to keep going once you see the weight start coming off and your energy levels upped.

Try eating greek yogurt with some high fiber cereal or fruit as opposed to muffins/bagels in the morning, opt for high fiber wraps with lean meat (turkey/chicken) for lunch, and always try to fill your dinner plate with veggies/brown rice instead of a lot of pasta or potatoes.

Drink a LOT of water...hydration is so important and last...don't deny yourself everything..you'll go crazy. But instead of a whole candy bar or a bag of chips have an occasional handful of what you want here and there, but make sure to count it into your daily calories.

Hope this helps a little. It's hard to stay motivated but these changes WILL help...eventually you're energy will be up and you can start going on walks when you're ready to aid in more weight loss and building some muscle. good luck!!

Re: I Need Help

the first thing I would do is try on a bathing suit

focus on how you feel- my business coach does this with me- have the goal have a negative consequence

for me it was moving and unpacking all my beautiful summer dresses- knowing they wont fit me- wake up call

then I would focus on your eating- start with eating small protions- have a salad with dinner and lunch- something filling

then I would add in some excerise start with walking- I think you will feel better over all and have more engery

drink more water- fill a water bottle and make your self drink it

I think small changes are easier to make then starting a diet and quitting

Re: I Need Help

First I would change your eating habits. Like the other girls said- portion control is really important. Start by limiting your calorie intake. 1 lb is equivalent to 3500 calories so if you want to lose a pound a week- you would need a 3500 calorie a week deficit. That's about 500 less calories a day. I like programs like my fitness pal to track calories. To lose weight try limiting to around 1400 a day. WW works on the same basic ideas but uses points. Everyone I know who did ww was successful! It really does work. My sister lost 50 lbs on it!!!! You just have to be dedicated to it.

Also watch your carb intake, sugar and salt. Try more filling calories like protein. Avoid empty calories.

Eat 6 small meals a day spaced every 2-3 hours apart. It speeds up your metabolism.

Drink tons of water!

Get proper rest.

Find a exercise you enjoy. Its much easier to stick with it, if you enjoy what you're doing.

Exercise for reasons other than weight loss- it sounds weird. But people who exercise for other reasons other than weight loss (I.e. Improve their health, set goals for themselves- maybe run 1 mile straight) are more likely to stick with it especially if times get tough.

Have a cheat meal, but limit them. I always cheat one or two meals a week and then the rest of the week I eat healthy.

I found that in the past, buying clothes in sizes smaller than I wore made me more motivated to lose the weight- this doesn't work for everyone though.

Never eat late at night. I never eat past 8 pm.

Good luck!

Re: I Need Help

Start by keeping a food diary. Write down EVERYTHING you eat and how much...this will give you a starting point. Once you know exactly what you are eating you can begin to make changes. Start small like Beth said. It makes it easier. I would begin by cutting out extras like condiments and soda. The idea is not to deprive your self. Eat everything you want but in moderation. It is also important to keep track of why you are eating. Are you hungry or just munching b/c your dd or DH are having a snack? If you are always tired you may want to see your doctor for a physical.

Re: I Need Help