Day One

Good luck with the weight loss...sounds like you have a very strong resolve to get this done. You may be interested in checking out the Healthy Cooking community and the Weight Loss/Dieting community. I think the recipes in the Healthy Cooking community are great.

Remember when you weigh yourself do it at the same time each day. Swampy's weight on the tracker is after he wakes up but before he eats anything.

You can do it!

It sounds like you are in the right mind set.

Take sk's advice and go visit the two communities that she mentioned.

You will get plenty of support and great recipes. And, if you have any recipes to share, that would be GREAT!!!

Good luck-  you can do this...

I have a little set of rules I try to live by to help me lose weight -  

I am 35 and also 5ft 9", 4 years ago I was a little over 220lb I am now at 175lb with a goal of 154lb by Christmas and a final goal of 140-147lb by Easter.

1) Set yourself realistic weekly goals -  that should stop you feeling overwhelmed -  aim for a weight loss of 1-2lb a week -  sounds small but is achievable and anything you lose more than that will feel like a great bonus.

2) Write down everything that you eat - take the time to read the calories on the box, or weigh and research the calories. Set yourself a realistic daily calorie allowance -  I have mine set at 1800 but I only have 22lb to lose -  I

3) Keep an emotions journal -  keep it with you at all times and when you feel depressed or craving comfort food or any food write about it first -  usually by the time you do this you have come out of that immediate need to gratify yourself with food.

4) Try to drink 8oz of water every 90 mins that youa re awake -  this was hard for me as I don't drink enough normally so increasing it was tough and meant I spent the first 2 week on the loo weeing like crazy! but it works well to flush toxins out your body which help the body hang on to fat and glycogen!

5) Get a pedometer and set yourself a daily target for steps -  It took me 5 weeks to get up to the recommended target of 10,000 steps a day.  

6) Make sure youa re in bed resting if not sleeping for at least 8 hours a night-  thats 8 hours with no stimulus like TV, game boys, books and 8 hours with no eating or drinking.

7) On a Sunday sit down and decide what you will eat teh next week, plan the menu and the shopping list. Stop buying the extras, the snacks, cakes, cookies, candy.

8) Get a weight tracker on here and chart your progress - use the journal feature to share with supportive friends on here your highs and lows and accept their advice and friendship and use it as crutches when you need to.

9) Allow yourself a little of what you fancy, occasionally. And build in a reward for a good week -  if you lose weight spoil yourself, if it has to be edible thats okay -  but could be a new item of clothing, a book, a DVD, make up, jewelery etc...

10)  Remember a bad day is not the end of the world -  each day is a new start -  infact each meal is a new chance.

Good luck and remember the new you is your creation -  it is in your hands

Well said!  Only thing I would say is to add to Swampy's note that either where the same thing when you weigh yourself or do like me in your birthday suit.  This eliminates any possible excuses!  Good luck!

Need to be able enter daily fat and calorie intake. Would need a chart.