Geezzz..

Hey All! This is about my third post on here. I had a couple of questions for you all! :)

I am sit most of the day on the computer, but recently becan doing a 15 minutes excersize in the morning. (Be easy, I just started working out for the first time in years!) With a considerably lower calorie diet, is this going to be effective?

I have designated Saturdays as my kinda "wild card" day.. I don't go out and eat everything in sight, but don't allow myself to feel guilty for what I do eat on this day. Anyone else practice this as well?

At lastly, I was looking for a buddy to keep in contact with through myspace/MSN/e-mail... I'm 20 years old. Probably around 200 lbs. (I choose not to weigh myself in pounds, but by the way I feel.)
And am just looking to lose some weight. No goal in mind exactly. But would LOVE love love to chat with new people and get to know some of you! :)

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. :o)

Thank you all for your amazing advice! I do want to buy sweating to the oldies, my mom has it on VHS, but lucky for me it just came out on DVD!! hahaha I will check out the workout section at Wal Mart, I didn't think they'd actually have something like that! You never know with them! I sent you an add on myspace! :o)

As for free days, I can see how they wouldn't work for everyone. But I like to think that I can stick to it, and at least for the beginning of my diet, it will make things alittle bit easier. :o)

I totally understand where your coming from though! It's a great way to too at it! :o)

I use The Firm CardioWeight DVDs for my at home exercise.  It has 4 different DVDs, ranging from 40 minutes of pure cardio to 60 minutes of pure (5lb) weights (and combinations of cardio/weights in between).  The variety keeps me from getting bored doing the same routine over and over.  Best Christmas gift ever!  Working out at home means I have no excuse to not get in my daily exercise.  And I'm even starting to get muscle definition in my arms, even though I still have a lot more bodyfat to lose. :)

As for "cheat days,"  I tend to be a little less strict on myself on weekends than I am during the week.  I will usually have a 6" Italian or Cuban sub on white one day for lunch for example.  I will also allow myself to go out once a week if there is a planned event (family/friends get together, etc).  I just make sure to stay strict the rest of the week.  And I even find myself reaching for the healthier choices/smaller portions/having water instead of diet soda on my "cheat days" out of new preferences.

I'm 26, and I've been working on losing weight since November.   I've lost 37 lbs mostly by making small changes towards a healthier me.  It is very important to make changes that you can live with; being healthy will keep the weight off, and leave you feeling better than you ever thought possible.  Keep up the good work! :)

I am doing your exact diet... almost! I'm not going for a ton of weight loss and my job consists of 8 hours of sitting at a computer until a client comes in or the phone rings.

I am doing a low calorie diet 1200-1400 a day and I exercise for about 15-30 minutes on a bike or leg exercises.

I consider mostly Sunday to be my cheat day. I still eat portioned meals, but if I want tacos and chips... I eat them! I still try to stay below 2000 calories. I think you will do a fine job at least for now with your plan. IF you hit a plateu you'll just have to mix it up!!

Good luck!! I'm here if you need help.