Hello - trying to lose weight...again

Hello, all!

My name is Kyra, I am 5'5", and 150lbs, even. I have gained about 25lbs since this past February, when I was laid off from my job at Pottery Barn Outlet.

I've been very down, because the thing I actually miss most about it, is the workout I got! When I started there in September '08, I was about 140lbs, and I lost 15lbs, just by walking in there, going up and down ladders tons of times thru out my work day, etc. It was a huge store!

Now I am stuck at another retail job, and it is not even part time. I am lucky if I get 15 hours a week! My boyfriend & I have recently cut out all meats, and replace them with tofu and soy products. He has been doing a wonderful job at losing weight, as he has a much more strenuous job, and is up and moving all day at work, full time. He is 5'11" and a steady 160lbs now, and looks perfect! And I am proud of him, however I am growing more and more discouraged with myself.

I just need some tips to get back there again! I am going to cut back dramatically on alcohol (I just turned 21 in March...not too good for my diet!) and I'm going to try & exercise more, I just need tips on how to get my morale back up to where it was 8 months ago.

Hi Kyra.

You won't get many periods in your life when you have this much free time. I hope you enjoy it while you have it. Do you like animals? You could offer to walk dogs for a local shelter. That would give you and them much-needed exercise. A reseach student showed that dog walking for shelters is relaxing, good for our health. Mostly, you must enjoy this period with all the free time!

As for losing weight, I suggest that you sign up for the daily emails from www.hungry-girl.com . Also, see "Chew the Right Thing" archives there for ideas. I made a long list of lower calorie, lower fat foods that we like and that's helped me stay with my diet.

The trick to dieting is to get your body used to living off less calories. Then you won't want to eat much. The real problem is that we take in too many calories. Anything you can do to cut calories will be a plus.

If you really must drink 'cause you just turned 21, there's lower calorie beers that taste good---the Lite beers. I never have regular soda. I love Coke but Coke Zero tastes even better than regular Coke and its zero calories, zero fat.

If you lose this weight while you're not working as much as you'd like, you'll feel like a million dollars and know you really accomplished something with your time. PLUS, you'll learn lifetime healthy eating habits

You can do it!

Hey Kyra!  I totally understand how you feel.  I'm 23, 5'5", and around 156lbs.  I gained 30 lbs in college (since 2004) and am looking to get back to 125.  We can be weight loss buddies!  Classyferret is right about alot...mostly about cutting back on calories.  Since September,  i started lowering my daily caloric intake and lost around 10lbs.  I haven't been good about it in October, but am JUST starting again.  We can do this with lots of advice and support!

~Sara