Newbie needs advice on weight loss

[wubbie3]

I actually stumbled here by accident... I spend most of my time in the OvCa support forum. Didn't even know this existed!
I'm hoping for advice....
I've tried pretty much every diet... low carb, no carb, low fat, diet pills, calorie limiting, Weight Watchers, etc.. no luck.
I had my thyroid tested, and it's apparently normal.
I was on horribly high doses of hormones for awhile for endometriosis that caused me to be hungry all the time. But I'm 5'2" and about 180, and a size 14. I need to lose weight, not because I want to look cute, but because I want to be healthy.
My main problem, and I'll admit it straight out, is that I'm addicted to crunchy and salty things. I can leave the sweets, but the chips are probably what kill me.
I do minimal exercise (I sit at a desk all day, but stand all night at eve. job) plus have horses, so I'm out riding or working in the barn too.
Can anyone give advice on how many calories a day I should be eating to lose weight, things like that?
I've tried mainly veggies with some protein at night, but that was a bigger bust than the other diets.
Ack..
Help?
~Marianne

[foxy1220]

Have you tried speaking to your doctor about your difficulties losing weight.

Many people with your problem (tried everything in the book) go to the doctor and get prescribed appitite suppresants like Phentermine, and when taking this along with a sensible diet and exercise they lose significant weight.  I am in no way suggesting that you do this or promoting prescription medicine, I am just telling you the different avenues that people have taken.  

I also noticed how you tried atkins, low fat, etc.  These are all diets where unless you have the will power to keep this as a life long diet...you will fail. Because normal people cannot keep up this type of eating.....and as soon as you go back to your regular eating you will put back on the weight and more.  

I say just eat what you like, on in moderation.  What I do is I will take up my food the amount that I would normally eat....then I will take half of that amount off of my plate and put it in a storage container for my lunch the next day.  So basically you are cutting your calories in half without depriving yourself.

Also do at least an hour of cardio everyday, and about 30min of strenght training at least two days a week.

If you can be consistant with it, you will lose weight......also do not get upset if the scales don't move, go by how your clothes fit.  Also take pictures of before your lifestyle change and monitor your loss that way as well

Good Luck to you.

[wubbie3]

My only concern is that I know most of those prescription aids are expensive, and my insurance doesn't cover any of that. Atkins was a miserable bust... followed strictly for the first two weeks, lost a lb, and gained 3 when I added the slice of bread to the diet!
I try to eat healthy (ie. dinner last night and lunch today was soup with veggie broth, rice, cabbage, green beans, etc). I don't do most fried things (I don't like grease) except french fries, and then only occasionally.
I know I need to exercise more, but my schedule is really tough.
My BMI says I'm clinically obese (which I think is a load of rubbish. If size 14 is obese, what is a size 24?)
Does anyone know a good source where I can find how many calories I need to be eating daily for fat, protein, carb, etc, in order to lose weight? I'd like to avoid the dr for now, cause of insurance.
Thanks again!
~Marianne

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Start by making some simple changes.
Don't eat after supper
Don't drink soda
Walk 30 minutes per day.

Then get a physical and start working out.  You can do this.  I have a friend who was 5'3" and 260, she lost and kept off 130 lbs.  She did the above and when she was down a few pounds and more energetic she added working out each day.

[foxy1220]

I hear you on the BMI, I am 5'4 and I wear a size 10 and basied on the BMI I am also obese....looking at myself in the mirror I'm not what I would consider obese but I do know that I have a fair amount of weight to lose.

I was just like you, I did all the fad diets lost some weight but couldn't stick to it. e.g August of 2005 I weighed 155 then I went on Atkins I lost 15lbs and then fell of the wagon by October 2005 I weighed 170lbs....I didn't take the hint and decided to try Atkins again, and again I failed to keep it up and by Janaury 2006 I weighed 187lbs....I managed to maintain that weight for a while then I finally said enough is enough, I was tired of buying larger clothes ever couple of months....and I was embarassed to go out in public, embarassed for friends to see me etc.
So in October I decided to eat what ever I wanted as long as I stayed within my 1200-1300 calorie range (I used Phen to make sure I was able to control my hunger and cravings).  I exercised for an hour 3-4 days a week at 5 am.  I now weigh 164lbs and I'm still trying.  its a slow process but the quicker you get started the quicker you can get there.

I cannot remember the websites off  hand but you can do a search and there are many out there that can help you with how much calories you need to eat to lose weight.....keep in mind that you will get conflicting views. e.g some sites say 1140 cal for me to lose weight and others say 1500....so I try to stick to 1200-1300 calories a day....

[wubbie3]

Thanks foxy! 12-1300 cal sounds like at least a good place to start and modify from there.
Appreciate it!
~Marianne

[drkbrneyes]

Fitday is a good website for help with calories. everything there is free.  check it out.  fitday.com  Good luck ! Happy Holidays !