Help! I've never dieted...

My name is Melissa and I'm 28 yrs old. After having 3 kids (ages: almost 8, 2.5, and 11 months) I am about 70 lbs overweight. I have a huge sweet tooth and very little self control. I finally decided that my family has to be healthier after my husband's doctor said he has high blood pressure. The only problem is that my husband will eat whatever I cook- and most of the things that I know how to make are not very healthy. My family is mostly from Texas or Oklahoma, so I grew up eating fried chicken (or steak), gravy, mashed potatoes, beans, bread, potato casseroles, etc. Very tasty but not good for you. I'v never dieted before so if anyone has any tips, I'd appreciate it... thanks.

My name is Pat, I just joined today and need to lose 125 lbs and I also have no real support at home to help me. My husband and I have been together 29 1/2 years and while I don't get depressed about my weight and he doesn't mind it (except to be worried about my health) I would like to lose it for my own health. I do have asthma and of course high cholosterol but who doesn't that is overweight.

The best I can offer is a little advice. You will need the support of your whole family. Fad diets work only for a small time and then you will gain back all you lost plus more. The only really tried and try method of weight loss is to count calories and keep a balanced (as mauch as possible) diet of veggies, protein and carbs. There are a lot of support groups and it is very good to keep you motivated. It won't be easy and it will take time to relearn how to eat.

I have done every diet there is. I am almost 60 years old weigh 276 lbs now and am just deciding I need to take it off for good now and get healthier due to my asthma if I want to see great-grandkids grow up. All my kids are spread out all over the country. It's not a "I hate my body" thing for me it's a healthy thing like you.

I also grew up in Central States mentality of Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy Sunday dinners, always clean your plate, and "here have more" don't waste it.

I have not always been overweight - didn't get this way until after I turned 40 and gave up watching how much I ate.

Sorry to carry on so but It feels good to talk and give and get support from others who are going through the same thing.

To start take baby steps... Don't try to change everything at once otherwise its too much and you might want to quick...

Trade Soda for water and milk.... take family walks.... change those oh so yummy fried foods to baked chicken.... more veggies and fruits

If you have any questions or need support everyone here is awesome and you can always message me

I have started my baby steps (lots of water, more veggies, going to the gym 4-5 times a week)

Just remember a lot of those things aren't really *bad*.  It's just that we eat to much of them and not enough fruits and veggies. 

Like missjaylene said, take it slow.  You can still have steak, but try to make it a healthy cut, like a tenderloin, and a small portion.  Then have a big salad and a sweet potato with it.  Beans are still great for protein and filling fiber, just don't add a ton of pork fata or bacon to it. 

Have a big salad with dinner, and have more snacks like fruit smoothies and sherbert instead of ice cream. 

Enjoy being healthy! 

I would start by stocking up on fruits and veggies. I also have a sweet tooth and to satisfy that craving, I'll have an apple with low fat organic peanut butter or low fat yogurt.

I choose not to keep the 100 calorie snack packs at home, because I can go through a whole box.

However, if I eat clean the whole week I treat myself to one cheat meal either Saturday or Sunday. I realized that I can't totally deprive myself of the foods I enjoy, otherwise I go on a complete binge.

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but you will probably fall off the wagon. I fall off the wagon all the time, but don't beat yourself up about it. Especially if your an emotional eater. Just make sure your next meal is clean.

Good Luck!

Welcome ladies!  You have already finished the hardest part of the journey, admitting that you need to lose weight and need some help to do it.  You also stumbled upon a great resource with CC.  It has helped me immensely in my weight loss program. 

Everyone is so nice and friendly.  I actually look forward to logging my foods on a daily basis and chatting with my CC buddies. 

Missjaylene is right, start out making gradual changes that you can live with for the rest of your life.  Deprevation has never worked for me and I try and have as "normal" of a diet as possible.  This means a fudgsicle or frozen yogurt EVERY single night!  Ha!  Sweet tooth's are hard to live with, but they can be conquered!

Good luck with your goals and please let me know if I can help in any way!