I'm a newbie

Hi Everyone,

I am new at this site and a little lost as to where or how to begin.

I guess I'm looking for tips on the best way to get started and make the most of this opportunity to get my weight under control.

I have struggled with my weight for a long time and periodically have experienced success -- but it was always short-lived.

Any suggestions?

thanks

Hi Newbie, I also am new to the sight.  I'm just browsing and looking at all the information.  Last August I read the bood "Body for life for women" and what great results I had.  Now I've re-read the book and plan on making it a part of my life, rather than just taking weight off for a short amount of time.  :)  Good luck to you!!!

Welcome to both of you! I've been here about three weeks and have lost 14.5 lbs. I still have a long way to go, but it's been great so far! I used the calculator to tell me how many calories I should eat a day, and the food log has really , really helped me as well as the recipe analyzer.  It makes me think about what I am eating and has made me stop the mindless snacking - the eating for eating's sake, or just because it is there, and has helped me tremendously with portion control. Somedays I have saved calories for something special, like going out to dinner. I have tried not to get to obsessive about things (as one person I have befriended here said, not caught up in the numbers) and have tried to take it a day at a time. There is advice for just about everything you might want to know, and most of all, tons of support from everyone. I enjoy journaling every day and reading comments from friends. Feel free to add me as a friend if you like! Look forward to chatting with you!

Kathy

Hi,

I think you are right -- it is a lifestyle change not just a case of "dietiing" as it is often presented to us.

Thanks and good luck to you as well.

WELCOME! I've posted a lot of really great information and useful tips in this thread:

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/8532 .html

Howdy and welcome I know exactly how you feel because I felt that way when I started here too.  And much like you, I've struggled with losing and gaining.  I got alot of great advice and tips from memebers of calorie count and ix always has great advice and info too. 

I put it all together on one page. 

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/1022 1.html

Hope this helps and good luck!

Great to see you here!

If you've not already done so, open an account and learn how to record what you eat and what you do for exercise. Check into these forums and find some really good conversations - tips for controlling hunger or selecting the right foods.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step... and you've made a good start... best wishes!

Welcome susie and gettinghealthy!  To get to know what we have here, click on all the menus.  You can start by setting yourself realistic goals using the allowance and expenditure tools.  Begin logging everything you eat.  Under the Library menu there's a good article called Nutrition 101 for you to read.

Then come back often, fill out a profile, start journaling if you want, and make some friends!  Hope you like it here as much as I do.

Hi Clairelaine

you mentioned "realistic goals" -- what is your opinion ( and anyone else who wants to join in ) ?

Which is better one big long term goal or several short term goals and also would you put the short term ones on your banner/ticker or just the long term one and track the short term else where?

what do you think?

Hi Clairelaine

you mentioned "realistic goals" -- what is your opinion ( and anyone else who wants to join in ) ?

Which is better one big long term goal or several short term goals and also would you put the short term ones on your banner/ticker or just the long term one and track the short term else where?

what do you think?

Use the tools here to determine how long it will take you to lose (or gain) the weight you want, if you lose 1 to 2 pounds a week.  Trying to do it faster is, in my opinion, a sure fire way to fail.  Once you have a realistic idea of how long it's going to take, then you can set yourself mini goals.

You can try to set goals that are not related to actual weight or time.  For instance, it could be learning to eat 5 servings of vegetables and 3 servings of fruit every day.  It could be walking or jogging a certain distance. Don't set a time limit on doing it, and set a reward for yourself when you do.  Just don't use food as a reward.  My reward is paying myself 20 dollars for each pound lost.  When I have enough I'm going to buy some new furniture.  I want one of those Tempur-pedic beds!  See? - the reward is not related to weight, food or size at all.