HELP!!! I wanna lose weight!

[texas*princess]

pardon my crash ladies, but I have found that keeping a "food journal" has really helped me shed some lbs.

I didn't realize until I started keeping track of everything how random stuff I ate all "added up"... I didnt feel like I was really eating anything until I started writing everything down.

For each meal, including snacks, I track the amount I ate, calories, fat, protien, fiber, & carbs. For this particular phase of my diet, I am trying to keep my caloric intake at around 1300 calories per day. I also make sure I eat fruits & veggies each day. Instead of even baked chips with a sandwich I usually eat 8 of those baby carrots that you can buy at the supermarket.

I've also found drinking at least 8 8-oz glasses of water each day helps keep me hydrated. Sometimes I will add the single-serving of Crystal Light or Propel to my water to give it flavor. I STAY AWAY from drinks like Vitamin Water because there is at least 100 calories in a single serving. The powder mixes like Propel and Crystal Light have vitamins, and are only 5-15 calories each.

Desserts like Sugar Free Jell-O Pudding snacks only have 60 calories. Animal crackers are also a favorite because their calories are low compared to other snacks.

Last but not least, I stay away from food that has more than 30% of it's calories from fat.

It can be time-consuming to keep track of everything but it really has helped me.

Best of luck.

[lillady85]

Wow! Thank you everyone!

I do try and drink a lot more water than I used to. I went to the doctor about two weeks ago and she told me I am pretty dehydrated. She had a point, I used to barely drink a glass of water a day. However, I have been changing that. I now drink 3-4 (I'm trying to push that up) and have not bought any soda. Also, I have completely cut out 'fast food', so anything that I can buy that isn't a healthier sandwich from Subway or similar. I love, love, love, Panera but I will go overboard! The exercising part is rough for me though. As much as I love to run, I have terribly flat feet and will get shin splits, cramps, back pains, etc, if I even run for more than 10 minutes. I've tried insoles, wrapping my foot, everything. So I go for the stationary bike or the elliptical because they are the only cardio machines that I can do that won't hurt my feet so much. I'm only 5'0 but I have a D cup, so I look bigger than I really am so I'm not going near any machines for the upper body.

I'm going to start doing Pilates everyday in the morning from now on and keep on with the strength training machines for my legs.

Thank you for all the support! Really, I came home after being at the gym and this is making me smile so much!

[christiangirl]

Glad to see so much progress!!! I researched my situation on the internet and found out HUNDREDS of people gain weight when they start exercising (including some classmates I talked to). No one could explain it, but it was only temporary for everyone, so I just stuck it out. I just weighed myself this morning and I have dropped 4 of the 5 pounds (woot!). Oh, and I found a new muscle last night!! I never knew I had a muscle there, but lifting weights has been paying off because I was rubbing my arm and felt a newcomer. Also, I did find out that my %bf is absolutely atrocious, I'll have to do something about that.

Okay, somebody said something about body type...I have no clue. I'm heavy on top (D cup), bottom and middle. I have an okay figure, but it's pretty round all over--I call my body shape "cylindrical." I've never found exercise tips geared toward me.

Something that helped me, I bought a bunch of bottled water (12 bottles for $1.99--thanks Kmart!) and put it in my trunk. Both my job and my internship re 20-30 minutes from where I live, so I grab a bottle before I start driving and make sure it's empty before I get there. I also drink a glass of water before every meal and with a meal when I eat out (water's free, lol). I try to eat veggies with every meal (except breakfast) and I like to cook some healthy stuff, then put it in containers so I can just grab it and take it with me--tonight's oven-fried chicken night! I love how the chicken's baked but still crunchy; it makes my tummy happy.

[lillady85]

I lost three pounds!
I went to the doctor and she weighed me and I am down by 3. I fell off my wagon for a couple days because I was sick but I'm back on. I've added Pilates and I REALLY feel it burn.

And I'm drinking tons more water!

[likeaTREE]

Originally Posted by lillady85

I lost three pounds!
I went to the doctor and she weighed me and I am down by 3. I fell off my wagon for a couple days because I was sick but I'm back on. I've added Pilates and I REALLY feel it burn.

And I'm drinking tons more water!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BabyBlue91]

Great morning!

I am pleased to announce that this morning I was down 5.6, which put me over the top for reaching my goal weight. I was a little nervous going into WI because I encountered drama ALL day yesterday. The next six weeks will be a challenge, I'm sure, but I think I'm up to it.

I would like to thank everyone on this board for their support these last few years and hope to eventually meet all of you at the goal line!

I am leaving shortly to donate platelets today but wanted to share the good news. Happy Sunday!

Total weight loss: 159 lbs on WW, 171 lbs overall

[lillady85]

I read your blog (and most of your website) BabyBlue and it really inspired me. It's really starting to hit me that I have to work on this as a way of life and not just, "I want to go back to weighing what I did at 19".

Congrats on your goal!!

[Ideal08]

Originally Posted by BabyBlue91

Great morning!

I am pleased to announce that this morning I was down 5.6, which put me over the top for reaching my goal weight.

Total weight loss: 159 lbs on WW, 171 lbs overall

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! The site looks WONDERFUL!!!!!