I need some help to shed the weight so i can fall pregnant!!

[gillianl]

I've started counting calories this morning, doing okay but not great so far.  My partner works nights so thinking of exercising to Natalie Cassidy's DVD which seems like fun.  Can anyone give me some ideas on how to keep my mind off of food when working at a desk and computer for 9 hours of the day, also how did you get yourself motivated to stick to a diet?  i've put a pair of dress trousers on my wardrobe door so when i get ready in the morning i know what i'm aiming for.  I'm also thinking of bringing a photo into work of myself when i was thin, so when i feel the urge for the vending machine i'll have my photo to look at.  What do you all think?

[allmymarbles]

I would never advocate extreme diets. People who go on them seem to gain the weight back. Slow and steady seems the better course for success. Stick to normal portions of protein, starches, vegetables and fruit, Cut out sweet stuff and junk food. You will lose weight. Exercise to keep yourself revved up and to strengthen your body. It is all common sense.

[Barb135]

Cutting back on food, will of course, help, but it's not the only thing involved in weight loss and it's not good to cut back too much on calories or you will throw your body into "starvation mode", where it thinks there won't be enough food and will hold onto the fat that you already have.

Adding exercise to any diet plan will help with weight loss by using calories and building muscle.  Muscle burns more calories, so the more muscle you build, the more calories will be burned.  

[allmymarbles]

I hate to be a wet blanket, but although exercise helps you to lose weight, the major benefit is from cutting back on food. I am not saying don't exercise. It is necessary for muscle tone, health, and to prevent you from sagging when you lose weight.

[Barb135]

We've had several members who have joined Weight Watchers - some have had some success, some have not stuck with it - depends on the person.  I do believe it's a good plan though.

Regarding the online tracker -- don't forget that Med Help also has a food diary, which will help you determine how many calories/day you need.   You log everything you eat and it will keep track of the calories you consume AND it keeps track of the nutrients as well, such as fats, protein, carbs, and others that you can set up yourself.  This allows you to see at a glance whether or not you need to increase or decrease some food group.  If you haven't started the food diary, I strongly suggest that you give it a try.  

I also recommend the weight and exercise trackers to help you keep up with the calories you are burning through exercise.  

Yes, if you have a treadmill, I'm sure that walking an incline would be very good and would be easier on the knees, etc. If you don't have a treadmill, maybe walking up a hill, if there's one available would be good also.  But don't forget that just plain walking will do worlds of good.  It's recommended that you walk a total of 10,000 steps/day - a pedometer is the way to keep track.  I used to wear a pedometer all the time and I usually came pretty close to the 10,000 steps/day, but even if you can't, you can still log it as exercise -- every little bit helps.  

[Candelario10]

Hi, I heard if you walk inclince for just about 12 to 15 minutes it's just as good as running a mile and alot better on your knee and ankles

[Ker84]

Just a quick one, i joined weight watchers a while ago as im obsessed with my weight, im not over weight at all but i always worry that unless i monitor everything that i will put weight on!!!

You should definately try weight watchers, its brilliant if you work in an office too because you have an online tracker, were you log everything you eat and it minus's points for you!!! I swear its truely addicting you will become obsessed with recording everything you eat and you will soon see and learn what to eat and what not to eat.  You can join for a month at a time so it doesnt tie you in and cost you alot! I think it will be really good for you as it will give you mind something new entirely to concentrate on!!!

let me know if you decided to give it a go because i can always help you with meal plans and stuff although im sure you wouldnt need it as its easy peasey.

xxxxxxx

[gillianl]

Thanks guy's i'm doing really well today, had my cereal this morning, soup and fruit for lunch and a gammon steak with veg for dinner.  The only junk i've had is a small bag of maltesers and i'm getting a small ice cream pudding tonight after dinner but i'm still in my calorie range so i know i'm doing well.

Thinking about doing the dvd again tonight what do you all think?  i don't want to push myself where i hate exercising not sure whether to just leave it till tonight and do it again tomorrow

[Barb135]

Yeah, for you -- getting started with the exercise is wonderful.  So is the idea of taking the pic to work.  I'm not a great believer in totally denying yourself of things you really love because that often leads to binging at some point.  Can you limit yourself to just a nibble or two of the biscuits and other goodies that are brought in?  If so, maybe you can "train" yourself to be satisfied with just a couple of bites, rather than an entire biscuit.  

allmymarbles -- I used to do use that strategy also when I tried to quit smoking.  Like you, I did cut down a lot, but didn't quit completely at that time, although I have now not smoked in nearly 3 yrs.  I've done the same thing with snacks also.  If they are right beside me, I sometimes will reach for them "automatically" rather than from hunger, but if I have to get up and "go somewhere" else to get them, I have to decide if I really want it badly enough to stop what I'm doing to get it.  Excellent idea.  

[gillianl]

Thanks for the comment, some of the girls and customers bring in biscuits and things so it's pretty hard to resist temptation.  I brought a photo of myself when i was slimmer into work and i've pinned it up at my desk to show me why i need to stop the junk, i'm hoping it works.

I did 30 mins on my dvd last night and feel great for it and getting back into it though i had to force myself into it i'm getting a lot lazier the more weight i've put on.  Muscles in my legs and arms are a bit sore today but at least i enjoyed it.

[allmymarbles]

You are in the same situation that I was when I decided to cut back on smoking - deskbound.  I found a very effective method that might work for you. I decided on this method after I found that I had a cigarette in my hand that I hat lit automatically without thinking. I put the cigarettes in a drawer in the next room (I work at home). Then, whenever I wanted a cigarette, I had to stop what I was doing and get up and get it. Within the first week my smoking dropped by a third, and after that decreased very slowly. I am now a light smoker. Try the same with food. Don't keep any at your desk. It is too handy, and you may wind up eating merely out of habit, not desire.

[Barb135]

I hope you were able to hold off till lunch.  I was going to have lunch with a friend, but she's sick today, so we had to scratch that.  Now I'm not sure what I'm going to do.  

I can sympathize with your clothes in the closet with labels still on.  About a year ago, I cleaned out my closet and got rid of a bunch of things that no longer fit -- I did a couple of journals on it, if you care to take a look at my profile page and read them.  It was a very difficult time for me.  

[gillianl]

Natalie Cassidy is an actress from Eastenders in the UK, she lost a lot of weight and her DVD looks really good.  I'm tempted just now for that packet of crisps myself but trying to hold off as lunch is only an hour away.  I really want to get this weight off as i've had enough of having loads of clothes in the wardrobe i can't fit into that still have the labels on

[Barb135]

I waiver back and forth -- one day I'm "into" eating right, the next day, I decide I absolutely "have" to have that bag of chips........Sometimes when I'm craving something, especially salty things, I try drinking some water; that often satisfies the craving.  

I'm not familiar with the Natalie Cassidy DVD -- have you tried it yet?  Can you tell us something about it?  Don't forget that even simple stretches will help you.  

[gillianl]

Thanks, i feel i'm more into the diet this morning than i was yesterday i'm not sure why, i've started eating a lot more fruit and veg than usual just need to up my water intake.  i wish the snow would stop so i could get back out walking again.

[Barb135]

Try munching carrot and celery sticks or apple slices at your desk; and make sure you get up and walk around for a few minutes every so often.  

I sometimes have a hard time with motivation........let's work on that together.